Anita Castro
News Reporter

To say that Assistant Director of Housing Nathan Watchman lives a mundane and uneventful life would be an insult to not only him, but to everyone who knows him. Choosing to use an exercise ball instead of the typical office chair, Watchman can often be found longboarding across campus equipped with his ever-present smile.
Watchman has been a fixture at Mesa State since his time as a student. Watchman came to MSC after graduating with an associate’s degree in communication technology from UTEC (the former name of Western Colorado Community College). As a student, he was a DJ at KMSA radio, the president of Alpha Chi National Honors Society for two years, a juggler for student orientation, and the self-proclaimed “juggling guy on campus.”
Along with all of his extracurriculars, Watchman worked throughout college. Some of his jobs included working the front desk for several different local hotels, being a work-study for Kennilyn Marquez-Wright, and working at Sundrop Grocery.
“I tried to get as many scholarships as I could, so I would have to work less,” said Watchman.
Watchman graduated Magna Cum Laude in December of 2005 with the first ever bachelor’s degree in applied science, along with a bachelor’s in business with concentrations in marketing and management.
After graduation, Watchman began working at the Admissions Office, where he was an admissions counselor for five years. Watchman traveled to different regions of the country recruiting new students, and before his move to the Housing Office, was the admissions representative for Hawaii.
Although his decision to leave the Admissions office was difficult, Watchman knew he needed to do what was best for his family.
“Although I really loved Admissions, I had to make a move for my family so I wasn’t traveling as much,” he said.
One of Watchman’s biggest passions, and the favorite part of his job, is working with students.
“They keep you young,” he said.
The other passion in Watchman’s life is adventuring, and it’s something that he shares with his family. Watchman has recently taken up rock climbing, and has shared his zest for life with his 8-year-old daughter Laila, who can be found accompanying her father on his outings.
On top of working in housing, spending time outdoors, and being with his wife and daughter, Watchman still manages to make time for some of his other hobbies. Currently Watchman spends time as an electronica DJ, and performs with Illumicirque, a local circus group in which he is a fire juggler.
“You’ve got to live life for the experiences not the paperwork,” Watchman said.
One of Watchman’s life-changing experiences was attending Burning Man, where he’s been to three times.
“It’s a crazy experience,” he said. “It taught me to be true to myself.”
Above all else, Watchman recommends to, “go out and try new things, and to live your life and forget your age.”
MSC alumni Nathan Watchman’s passion for living life to the fullest, and helping whomever he can, benefits not only the Housing Department, but all of us here at MSC.

acastro@mesastate.edu