LMU@WRCSAD

Enlightenment. If I were to describe the overall experience of Loyola Marymount University’s student delegation at the Western Regional Careers in Student Affairs Day (WRCSAD), that one word would be Enlightenment. As one of the mentors to these six undergraduates, it was a delight to see the looks on their faces as the day progressed. Their faces went from perplexity in the morning to a sense of relief and exhilaration by the end of the day. They gleamed as if being illuminated by tiny light bulbs of newfound knowledge going off in their heads and thoughts of the endless possibilities in their near future.

The morning of Friday, October 21, 2011 started with our drive from LMU to USC with the hopes that this day would answer numerous questions about what field of Student Affairs entailed. Once on campus, we took in the wise words of Dr. Michael L. Jackson, Vice President of Student Affairs at the University of Southern California, and keynote speaker, Dr. Anthony R. Ross, Vice President of Student Affairs at California State University, Los Angeles. One of our student attendees eloquently remarked on his experience:

“WRCSAD was a great opportunity to talk with those who know student affairs best. It really helped to hear some of the goals and aspirations of those already in the field, and see what steps they had taken to achieve those goals. It was good to hear the sacrifices and rewards that come from student affairs, and to see where people had found fulfillment in their work. The most helpful part was seeing the whole world of student affairs to get the bigger picture of what is out there and how I might be a part of that”, Gino Altamura, Loyola Marymount University, Class of 2013.

After the morning address by these two Senior Student Affairs professionals, the day continued with conference-style sessions, which varied between “Student Affairs 101” and how to move up the ranks within Student Affairs. To some, it was their first exposure to the wonderful world of Student Affairs as a potential opportunity.  To others, it was confirmation that their mentors had been right all along and they would one day make amazing Student Affairs professionals. And to a few, it was the realization their passion did indeed lay in their original career path.  Another student attendee, who was already certain of her future in Student Affairs prior to attending WRCSAD for the second time, stated:

“My experience at WRCSAD was great! I was able to go to a session prior to the grad school fair and I learned the different types of programs available in student affairs…It was great to sit through this session and prepare me for the type of questions to ask when I was presenting myself to the recruiters at the grad school fair. This influenced the type of program I am looking for. It has helped me discern the key points that are important to me when it comes to the ideal program I am looking for”. Mary Zuchovicki, Loyola Marymount University, Class of 2012.

As a professional staff member, WRCSAD served as a bridge connecting me back to my own excitement of realizing I could actually do this as a career to my future of where the field would potentially take me. There is nothing like getting teary-eyed as you listen to keynote speaker Dr. Tony Ross recount his journey to Vice Presidency to remind you of how and why you got into the field in the first place. This was followed by the pleasure of attending the panels geared towards professional staff development. I found it amusing to hear the “Oh’s” and “Ah’s” of the light bulbs going off in the heads of my colleagues. This just goes to show that no matter what level we currently may be, there will always be more to learn from those who have been there before us and those who will come after us.

Throughout the day, informative sessions continued to help define and shine the light on many of the facets encompassed by the field of Student Affairs, much to our delight. The Graduate School Fair concluded the day with the means to get through the next phase in pursuing this little-known career path. As the students spoke to representatives from various Higher Education programs, dreams of obtaining a master’s degree in Student Affairs began to materialize.   What once seemed almost illusive was now within reach. One student, who beamed with enthusiasm towards the possibility of a budding career in Student Affairs, described her experience as follows:

“My experience at WRCSAD was helpful, informative, and enlightening beyond belief… WRCSAD made me realize that I do deeply desire for a career in student affairs and there is a graduate program out there that is perfect for me and fits all of my needs as a student. Every workshop I attended built off of the previous one and with each one, I got more and more excited about my potential future career in students affairs. Overall, attending this conference was extremely beneficial for me and anyone that has the opportunity to attend this conference definitely should without any hesitation”, Katie Styles, Loyola Marymount University, Class of 2013.

Our day wrapped up with a shared meal and a debriefing of the day’s events. I can honestly say that the Western Regional Careers in Student Affairs Day was a life-changing event for many of our undergraduate attendees, as well as for some of our professional staff members. Overall, each of us left with more knowledge and fervor for the field of Student Affairs than when we started the day. In the weeks following WRCSAD, the professional staff has continued to mentor the student staff attendees with the anticipation we will one day see these same faces years later at national and regional conferences. In closing, my words of wisdom to undergraduate students considering a career in Student Affair is…doors will continue open for you, all you have to do is have the courage to walk through them. For professional staff, always remember that our mentees of today are our colleagues of tomorrow. Continue to encourage, enlighten and inspire.

By Jeneane M. King, M.Ed.