My entry into student affairs

How I find my inspiration

Some thoughts about mentors

Elephants around

Abridged Day in the Life…

Something out of the ordinary I had to do as a Student Affairs Professional

A day does not go by where I don't do something out of the ordinary. It's all become rather routine, actually. I've had lots of surprises in my past year. I suppose it's not that ordinary, but over the past year I've had to step in to a number of direct services roles to support staff, fill in when there was a vacancy. I can't really publish the extraordinary things because they are THAT strange. If you'd like a personal blow by blow, please feel free to seek me out!

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My entry into student affairs

As an undergraduate student at Central Washington University, I really floundered my first quarter. Too much socializing and not enough purpose or motivation to be a “successful” student. My Living Group Advisor pulled me aside mid quarter and talked with me about some of the choices I’d been making and encouraged me to join the Residence Hall Association. I did – Fast forward …by the end of my fifth year of undergrad, I’d realigned my career aspirations from Acting to the field of Student Affairs. Went to Osh Kosh Placement Exchange and ended up as a grad student at Western Illinois University. I remember the interview well. Tim McMahon asked me how he’d know I wasn’t acting my way through the interview. Although I struggled with the answer, it was abundantly clear that I’d made the right choice. It’s who I was – who I’d become – there was no faking it.

How I find my inspiration

I find inspiration to do my best work when I am surrounded by folks who have an internal sense of motivation. If that is not the case (and it has certainly not been the case many times), I find inspiration in helping them to see this work as meaningful – not just a job. Some of us enter the field because it is a calling. Some of us are here by default. Whatever the reason, we are fortunate to be in positions to positively impact the lives of students. Another source of inspiration – quite possible the most obvious yet profound source – is the student. When I have been working with a student or a group of students for a time period and things have been incredibly challenging, seeing a glimpse of breakthrough – aha moment – personal development is a gentle reminder of why I chose and continue to choose higher education.

Some thoughts about mentors

There are several folks I have come to call mentor throughout my 20 years in higher education. As an undergraduate, one individual influenced through his steadfast support: David Wain Coon. He personalized the field of Student Affairs for me and inspired me to continue on in a masters degree program, then again in a PhD program. His simplistic way of bringing people together has stuck with me for years. The things I learned from watching him as a mid-level then senior student affairs officer (and now a President!) have stayed with me from institution to institution. Another mentor relationship grew out of a graduate school. Tim McMahon was a faculty member from whom I took several classes. His style and approach was meaningful for me. I learned about my own cultural and intercultural competence (or lack thereof) and began to inwardly challenge my own biases and assumptions. I stole a couple of his teachings and began to own the core philosophy of them, instilling them in my work. I keep in contact with both of these individuals at conferences or through whatever means (these days email, Facebook, etc!) As I become more seasoned in this field I am finding myself taking those learned lessons with me as I give back to the next generation of professionals.

Elephants Around

As an assistant vice president for student affairs, I provide support to a number of co-curricular functional areas, including multicultural education, women’s programs, disability services, student activities, student government, greek life, leadership and international services. A cohort friend of mine – Chicora Martin – introduced me to a program I’ve now adapted. When colleagues are having “issues” with other staff members, they are encouraged to come into my office, select an elephant (small, big, porcelain, plastic – you name it, I have it) and use it during their next interaction with that staff member as a symbol of the “thing” that needs to be addressed. Guidelines accompany the Elephant Program, and staff are supported in working through the obvious and not-so-obvious challenges they face. The point is – this is a large part of what I do – supporting and challenging staff and students to communicate effectively and understand each others’ learning and leading styles. If I had to summarize my job in three words or less, some days I’d say: Negotiator, Navigator, Mediator. This is NOT the most favorite part of my job – but it’s a very realistic norm given the diversity within staff teams.

A Day in the Life…