Hey Guys, my name is Melanie Jianakoplos. I am your new peer minister. I am always here for you if you have any questions or if you just want to hang out. Feel free to e-mail me (mwjbp3 [at] mizzou [dot] edu) or call (314.306.5751) anytime! I am so excited to get to know all of you. I also want you all to get to know me, so I am going to tell you all a little bit about myself.

I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. I have two older sisters, Michele and Stephanie. My parents are Steve and Lisa Jianakoplos. My dad is a Greek man from the city of Alton, and my mom is from a small town in southern Illinois. So, I am lucky to have been raised in an urban environment with an equally rural perspective on life.

My life is just how I like it: busy. I am a non-profit management major in my junior year at Mizzou; which takes a lot of time and energy, as you all know. Also, I work as a barista at Starbucks coffee, hold an officer position at my sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta, and spend a considerable amount of time with my friends at Episcopal Campus Ministry. I love it all. I am always running around, am constantly pressed for time, and rarely chill, but I could not be happier. My life is full of amazing people, who are a constant support of my dreams to make a positive impact on this planet.

I am thrilled to have found a home in Columbia, Missouri at ECM. The ministry has been a constantly uplifting spiritual journey that has provided me with the opportunity to get to meet some really great students in Columbia. The students in ECM offer an immeasurable level of uniqueness, which has truly helped me become a better person.

Lastly, it should be known that I love to talk to strangers. A friend of mine once told me that strangers are just friends that I have not met yet. I agree, and I am so ready to meet all of you, all of my friends that I just have not met yet.

Sincerely,

Mel J.