Concerned Citizen

For our Concerned Citizen project, Keala and I spotlighted Ben Hess, Wyview’s assistant manager. Keala knows Ben through work and usually see him as the puppeteer of Residence Life. As the footage will show, he has been involved in Residence Life for many years and, for as long as Keala has known him, he has always operated from behind-the-scenes, but acts as the coordinator for many of the area’s events and has been an advisor to many students.

Keala wanted Ben to be our concerned citizen because, as Arlene Goldberg’s article articulated, change for both the individual and the community comes from within, and the motivation for change is powered by passion. Ben is always so passionate about Residence Life and the students that live in his area. Servicing the residents and the Residence Life program—BYU, in general—strips him of family time. As we gathered footage of Ben we wanted to highlight his family because, whenever he can, he loves to involve them in his work. We wanted footage of them attending one of the many Wyview's programs because he loves involving his family in his work.

The changes that Ben brings to his community are pivotal as he guarantees that the resident assistants and hall advisors (those who work with the students) remember the student’s experience first and foremost. He represents the student in the process as he must approve all the activities and resources we use. His social work guarantees the representation of BYU students and that the student comes first. Even if he is unable to know each and every one of them, Ben works hard to help them whatever way he can. We found it fascinating that he chose to make a career out of Residence Life and am so happy we chose to “spotlight” him. When Keala gathered the footage, she wanted to highlight his family and the emphasis that Ben puts on building interactions and communities and how he knew he did well that day—did his job. He said (when the camera was off, unfortunately): “My days are never really over. There is always more to do.”