Thank you, Brianna
Brianna Mercker has been the Manager of Student Programs at FIUTS since 2011, and has made a huge impact on so many students and members of the UW campus community! During her time here, she managed 15 International Student Orientations for thousands of students, advised the CulturalFest performance committee to produce shows that got better and better each year, represented FIUTS across campus and beyond, oversaw student leadership programming, and was a trusted friend and mentor to many members of the FIUTS family.
Brianna is leaving FIUTS to dedicate some time to taking care of her new (adorable) twin boys who were born in April. We'll miss her so much and wish her all the best! To say goodbye and thank you to Brianna, we asked students to write messages for her. Here is what they had to say:
Brianna with former FIUTS intern Atsuko in 2012
"Brianna, thank you for being an awesome mentor! Not everyday do I get to meet individuals that I can talk to about ANYTHING. You will definitely be missed at the workplace! You're a natural leader and don't you ever forget that!" - Bader
"Brianna, thank you for being so welcoming when I got to Seattle. It was a great pleasure to get to know you. Thanks for everything and I'm sure you'll do great!" - Alissa
"Thank you very much Brianna for your constant guidance and encouragement to make FIUTS CulturalFest 2015 a great success." -Thilini
"Dear Brianna, Thank you very much for the incredible time working with you! You have always been very understanding and supportive to us to develop our leadership skills. I can see how much I have learned and improved during the last several years. YOU ROCK, BRIANNA! I wish you all the best!" -Minhtu
"Dear Brianna, You were one of the first staff members who helped me when I joined FIUTS and the advisor for most of the committees I've been on. All of us are going to miss you so much. You're the mom of FIUTS. You make sure everything goes well and everyone is having fun. I'm so glad I got to meet you. And your new babies too! Have fun taking care of them, they're absolutely beautiful and I'm sure they'll grow up to be wonderful human beings with you as their mom." - Kasey
"Brianna, thank you so much for bringing me back to FIUTS. You recognized me "jumping right in to straighten things out" when we were cleaning up the mess in the 2013 GlobalGala, then you invited me to participate in other meaningful ways including the Lead Facilitator Program. You're the one who came to me in person after Thailand didn't pass the audition for the 2012 CulturalFest performance; your sincere care means a lot to me. Thank you for respecting me like a peer, for being a good example in how to work with volunteers and for your kindness to my country. All the things you did and how you did them touched my heart deeply and uniquely. I am honored that we came across each other in life, sharing positive energy; and look forward to seeing the next steps in your journey and the growth of your sons under your guidance. Love from your friend" -Fah
"Brianna, Thank you so much for all the support and guidance you gave me during my time at UW. I have always looked up to you as a role-model, a friend, and someone who I could trust my feelings with. While I am of course so sad that you will not be returning to FIUTS I am even more excited for you, your husband, and your babies. 'Hangry 4 Life'" -Your friend Creighton
"Dear Brianna, Thank you for making me feel so included. Whenever I did events you always took the time to say hi and catch up and it made me feel wanted and good. You inspired me to do better, and made me wish I had joined FIUTS earlier. Thank you so much for impacting my life in such a positive way." -Carl
"Dear Brianna, You were one of the many reasons I kept coming back to FIUTS. From your guidance to your bear hugs, you really made FIUTS an awesome group to be a part of. I'm so grateful to have gotten the chance to work closely with you on all the different committees. I still remember the first time I went to the FIUTS office to speak with you about joining the Fall orientation committee. I remember thinking "this person is making a lot of eye contact with me" and feeling really uncomfortable. Now being more than 2 years, I'm the one going around eyeing people (in like a non creepy way); taking the lessons and experience that you and the FIUTS community have provided me and unleashing it on the world. I'll make my return to FIUTS this coming year and hopefully you'll be around also. You'll be an extraordinary mother and I look forward to seeing you again someday." -David Veth
"Hi Brianna, It was a pleasure working with you, and I still miss your warm hug on my first day at FIUTS. Your babies are very pretty and I wish them good health and an amazing life ahead. You are going to be an awesome mom just the way you were to all of us at FIUTS. God bless you and your babies." - Smita
"Dear Brianna,
Shukran for being supportive, helpful, easy to talk to, patient "specially in my case" :) and being in a part of my life.
FIUTS will never be the same. Wish you all the best in your new journey. Miss you a lot and i hope I see you soon." (P.S. Shukran means thank you in Arabic, I'm sure you know that) - Saleh "Habibi" Alwabel
"Brianna, You inspired me in many ways as a leader, as a colleague, and certainly as a friend. I truly appreciate the time you spent with us. Good luck and best wishes going forward!" -Allan
"Hey Brianna! I can barely wrap my head around the fact that you're not going to be working at FIUTS anymore. You've always been the mama bear of all the facilitators and just because you don't come into the FIUTS office in a regular schedule anymore doesn't mean you're no longer part of our little family. I wish you the best and hope to hear how you're been doing from time to time!!" -Thao
"Dear Brianna, I think you have a magic wand!
You spread care, and turn tears into smiles;
You untangle troubles, and turn "troublemakers" into leaders;
You push people work hard and turn hard work into fun parties;
Now, whoosh, you turn into a wonderful mom with a queen and a king!
Thank you Brianna! For the magic you did in our lives." -Xinglu
"Hi Brianna! A big hug for you! You are a great person to be around with, warm, generous, funny! You will sure be missed! Make sure to visit FIUTS once in a while." -Fleur
"Brianna! Probably you've been welling up before you read my message, so I'll try not to make it so sad lol. The time I really got to know you well is when I was a leadership chair. I think one of your magic power is that you make people want to open their heart to you, to a passionate, philanthropic and energetic you. I bet your babies will have the best mom in the world! Love you! Will miss you a lot! XOXO P.S. If you want to know other magic power of you in my opinion, please come by FIUTS office at Hub 206 lol!! Anytime!!" -Yanran
"Dear Brianna, I still remember the first time that I met you on the Opening Day in my freshmen year. How amazing that we started this journey with FIUTS at the same time. I had so many "first times" of mine with FIUTS and especially when I worked with you during the orientations. You always trusted in me and encouraged me. And you were always attentive to make sure I am okay not only in FIUTS, but also in my school and life as a big sis. Thank you Brianna! Please keep in touch." - Clara
"Dear Brianna: I had no idea when I first met you at the CulturalFest 2014 auditions that FIUTS would become one of the strongest, most loving, and most complete communities I have ever had. I have learned and grown so much as a person while being a part of FIUTS and your presence has had no inconsiderable influence. Thank you for always encouraging me and welcoming me in. I'm very sad to see you go, but also really excited for you! With you having been a fantastic mother to all of us FIUTS kids, those gorgeous twins of yours have nothing to worry about. All the love and good wishes in the world to you as you begin a new chapter of your life!!" - Denna
"Dear Brianna: It's been a grateful memory to work with you in past two years, you are the super rock star in my FIUTS life, thank you so much for all you have devoted to us ! All I could say is wish you the best in the future life, and best wishes to your two lovely kids ! Wish them growing healthily and happily!" -Jacky
"He~~y! How are you, Brianna!!
I still do remember a lot of what we talked when I was working with you! :-)
I truly think having baby is a miracle and wonderful!
I broke up with my girl friend so I need your advice seriously. lol
I really want to see your babies :-)
If your family come to Japan, let me know! I will guide you Japan!!! Thank you again and congrats!!!!" -Masa
"Brianna! I'm always having fun to see your pictures with your babies! They are adorable!! I can't wait to see them in person;) You helped me a lot when I was working at FIUTS, and respected you since you were working powerfully with a big stomach. Working at FIUTS gave me so much things! It would not have happened without you:D Thank you so much! I miss you! I hope you will have a great life with your family♡" -Misaki
"Brianna, Thank you for accepting me very kindly during my internship at FIUTS. I am so lucky to meet you and learned a lot from you. I wanna see your babies so bad now. I hope you have wonderful days with your families ever:) Thank you again and congrats!!!!" -Juri
"Brianna, Thank you for putting that CulturalFest Committee sign-up sheet in my hands the minute I first walked into the FIUTS office three years ago, and for the constant support you have given me ever since! You always go above and beyond above and beyond to answer my questions, connect me with resources, and encourage my professional and personal growth. Your genuine confidence in students helps us all to be more creative, ambitious, and compassionate leaders then we ever imagined we could be. Enjoy your family and visit often!" -Kailyn
"Dear Brianna, Thank you for being such a friendly and positive light whenever students walked into the FIUTS office. I will always appreciate your kindness and calming demeanor. Enjoy your time with your beautiful babies and family, you will be missed!" -Joslyn
"Brianna, you are a great person to know! You make everybody around you feel comfortable and happy. I wish you a bright and happy future."-Viele Gruesse, Sascha
"I've had the pleasure to work with Brianna since her day 1 in FIUTS office. Before she was a mother of two, she was the mother of our many facilitators. She'll always be our mom'." -Chung
"Brianna, We both came to UW the same year, and we both experienced so many things together! We laughed, we joked, we matched our outfits… I would always remember all the help you provided, your friendship, and your kind gestures. I have to say I will honestly miss you at the office, but only you, Lee as well. You were THE FIUTS couple. Good luck and my best wishes in this new stage in life." Un abrazo y un beso! -Michel.
"Hi Brianna, Thank you for your upbeat, encouraging, and uplifting support. My experience on the FIUTS performance committee would not have been the same without you! I hope to see you again soon, and congratulations on your growing family!" -Peirce
"Dear Brianna, it has been a pleasure working with you in the past two years. Your dedication and contribution to FIUTS will always be remembered. All the best!" - Khong
"Brianna! Congratulations on becoming a mother to two wonderful twins. I was looking forward to another four years with FIUTS and with you, but life has bigger and better things in store for you! I just wanted to thank you for all of the endless support and encouragement you have given me, I don't know if I'd be where I'm at without it. Best of luck Brianna and hopefully we can catch up soon!" -Nathan
"Hi Brianna, It's my honor to know you both as colleague and friend. You helped me get involved in the FIUTS family. You are the mentor guided me to make right decisions at the right time. You taught me how to appreciate opportunities and stay optimistic in hard situations. Words cannot express how much I will miss you. Wish you and your lovely family the best!" - Xinyuan John Shen
"Hi Brianna, I cannot say how fortunate I am to have known you personally and worked with you on the CulturalFest Performance Committee. Like others have said, you are practically a mom for us all, not only have you been so caring and thoughtful but also inspiring and I have learned so much from you! You made every meeting a productive one but still chilling, and I loooove it everytime you sweeten our intense conversations with treats like your homemade cupcakes or macaroons. I am sad that you won't return to the office but I know the two lil cutie pies have occupied your time.You are and will always be a good mom. We miss you!!!" - Linh Tran
"Hi Brianna! It was really nice to have met you in my freshman year in UW! You have been so sweet and helpful to me since the first day we met in the Orientation. I remember the times you encourage me to get more involved and join more events in FIUTS. You have been so supportive to everyone of us in FIUTS! I really appreciate! Even though you are leaving FIUTS, I am so happy for your new “full-time job” as a mom! I know you are going to be an amazing mom! Please keep us updated about your life and we will really miss you!" -Kyki
So many people are truly grateful for the difference Brianna has made in their lives. We wish her all the best in the future. Thank you, Brianna, and keep in touch! -Your FIUTS Family