IWU OCLS Blog

Mikaila Raines OCLS Team Spotlight

February OCLS Team Spotlight

Mikaila Raines - OCLS Student Assistant

Mikaila Raines has been the OCLS Student Assistant since 2019. She is currently a sophomore Political Science and History double major studying at IWU. Although future career goals are still a work in progress, she is leaning towards political advising, political analysis, or strategy work. Her favorite areas of study include Ancient Chinese history, as well as American history.

Mikaila is originally from the Dayton, Ohio area. She is blessed to live with her mom, dad, two younger twin sisters, and her adorable Yorkie named Percy. 

"Life is never boring with them."

She absolutely adores movies and TV shows. The only genre she can’t seem to stomach is horror. Action, adventure, rom-coms, and dramas are all amongst her favorites. She has quite the obsession with Star Wars, her favorite film being The Empire Strikes Back, and loves all things Marvel and Harry Potter. Some of her favorite movies of all time include While You Were Sleeping and The Parent Trap. Outside of the realm of Star Wars and Marvel, her favorite TV shows include Friends and The West Wing. Her goal is to be the next Josh Lyman or Sam Seaborn as she strives to bring the world of The West Wing into her own political aspirations.   

Music has always played an influential role in Mikaila's life. Her most fond memories of high school are from her days playing the trumpet in the marching band. Musicals are another favorite of hers. La La Land and Singin' in the Rain are two that never get old and never fail to bring her joy. 

Exploring other cultures through film and music is another hobby of Mikaila's. She finds K-Pop, K-Dramas, and Spanish telenovelas quite enjoyable. The K-Pop group BTS has become her musical obsession in recent years. 

Mikaila also loves photography, specifically with landscapes and architecture. One of the things she longs to do is take amazing pictures of her own while traveling the world. Nothing seems more magical than seeing and experiencing God's beautiful creation in person. While her traveling experience has been limited, her current favorite trip was to New York City. The anonymity of walking the streets of such a gargantuan city filled with towering skyscrapers and blinding lights was a feeling she will never forget. She hopes to get back to that feeling soon.

The best part about being a student at IWU for Mikaila has been her experience working with OCLS. She truly feels that God has blessed her with the most amazing people and environment possible. She loves her job with a passion and is beyond grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the OCLS team.

Comments from the OCLS Team: 

Mikaila is an absolute godsend! She is a joy to work with and does an excellent job at whatever task is given to her. OCLS is blessed to have such a dedicated and committed student worker. With her work ethic and commitment to Christ, I expect she will go far in life.

Mikaila is an essential and valued part of the OCLS team. She is dedicated and goes above and beyond minimum expectations. Mikaila provides excellent service and brings joy, laughter, smiles, and a sly sense of humor to the office.

I not-so-secretly wish OCLS could hire Mikaila full-time. Future employers will benefit greatly from her work ethic, intelligence, and customer-focused skills.

I jokingly call Mikaila OCLS’s “silent assassin.” Most days, she is so quiet, I do not know she is in the office. Then I turn around, and she has finished every project on her to-do list with excellence. Mikaila is amazing!

She’s super competent and efficient – and lightning quick on scanning and filing! She has a great attitude, work ethic, sense of humor and is an absolute joy to work with. I wish we could keep her forever!