Author Archives: Directorate

Directorate Board Friday: Angela Wu

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Angela Wu, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator

Current Title and Institution: Assistant Director of the Davis Center at Williams College

What do you do as the Assistant Director of the Davis Center?

Student development around issues of identity as well as leadership, lots of programming and trainings, as well as building up cultural competencies of other offices on this campus

What do you love about working at your current institution?

I love watching students grow in their stages of development. Even in one year, I can see how far they’ve come, and knowing I have been a part of that is incredibly fulfilling.

How did you get involved in the New England College Personnel Association (NECPA)?

*points fingers at Ben Lamb (current NECPA President)*

When you aren’t working or focusing on your NECPA role, how do you spend your free time?

I’m a huge soccer fan and follow Arsenal in the English Premier League. I also read a lot of fanfiction…

Who inspired you to get involved in Higher Education?

My mentor in my undergraduate years, Tanya Williams, who was the Coordinator for Multicultural Affairs at the time. I remember a conversation with her where she said that I did so much in terms of student leadership and student activism, and that I could be paid to do what I was doing. I remember thinking… what… get paid? What an incredible and unlikely notion. I look back on that conversation and laugh now.

What is the most valuable lesson you have learned in your career (so far)?

It’s important to meet people where they’re at, but there’s also always room for people to grow.

What is on your Higher Ed bucket list?

One day far in the future, I’d like to be Chief Diversity Officer.

Why should professionals in New England get involved in NECPA?

Because it’s a group of really great people who are all about helping professionals reach their goals.

New England at ACPA17: Accepted Program by Leah Hakkola

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Preferred Name: Leah Hakkola

Employer: University of Maine

Position: Assistant Professor, Higher Education Program

Title of your program: Discourses of Difference in College Admissions

Description:
This paper examines how discourses of difference are constructed in college admissions processes and programing, with a focus on how language and images influence the college choice process for students and impact the goal to increase diversity in sustainable ways. Use of Critical Discourse Analysis highlights how college admissions representatives interpret and understand diversity and they communicate these understandings to prospective students. Methods include an analysis of interviews focusing on how recruiters understand “diversity” in their engagement with prospective students.
I am very much looking forward to networking and connecting with other scholars and practitioners in the field who are interested in engaging with critical theories and perspectives focusing on supporting diversity, equity and social justice in higher education.

Graduate Student Spotlight: Jazmin Ramirez

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Where are you working right now?
I am currently a Graduate Resident Director at Salem State University in the Office of Residence Life and Community Standards. I oversee a student staff of approximately 30 students and 300+ residents. Alongside being the advisor for Community Council and co-chair for the Mental Health Awareness Week Committee.

What do you love about working there?
I love the students at Salem State University and the amount of diversity you see on campus. The students really shape your experience here in a positive way. I love when students come to my office just to talk about his or her day. Most importantly, I love seeing the students grow as a person in the community and as a student. I also love the people that I work with in the Office of Residence Life. I felt welcomed since the very first day and the amount of support I am given is incredible. It makes working here really enjoyable.

When you aren’t working, how do you spend your free time?
During my free time, I enjoy reading books, watching movies, listening to spoken word and music as well as spending time with my family and close friends.

What is your favorite grad school class and why?
I would have to say my favorite grad school class as of right now would have to be Student Development Theories. It was really fun learning about the different student development theories and finding ways to apply those theories to my daily work. My assistantship gives me the opportunity to interact with students often, and during those interactions I could not help but think about the theories that best represented the students during that specific stage in his or her life. This class also gave me the opportunity to think about my own personal development and get more in tuned with my own identity. It is important to know your own identity and development process to be able to help and understand the students you work with.

Who inspired you to get involved in Higher Education?
During my undergraduate experience at Providence College I was always involved. I was a resident assistant for two years. I was treasurer and then president of the Organization of Latin American Students. I was a mentor for multicultural first year students and I helped co-found the Providence Immigrant Rights Coalition to help support and bring awareness of undocumented students on campus. My involvement on campus definitely sparked my interest in higher education, but my mentor Federica Bucca solidified that interest for me. Federica supported me through the entire grad school and assistantship search process. She always motivated me and gave me words of encouragement.

What is the most valuable lesson you have learned in your career (so far)?
Most valuable lesson I have learned is that every student is different. No two students are the same. Every student is at a different development stage in life and I need to take that into account when I am interacting with students on a daily basis. It is important for students to know that as student affairs professionals we truly care for their well-being and we care for their academic success. Students have no interest in what we have to say until they know that we truly care for them as individuals.

What is on your Higher Ed bucket list?
My ultimate goal is to become a Dean of Students. However, before I get there I would like to gain experience working with sexual violence prevention services, title ix investigation, and assisting undocumented students in having a more smooth college experience.

What advice would you offer to undergraduate seniors who are staring to search for grad programs?
I would say to consider all your options. Do not be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and go somewhere away from home. Most importantly, look into graduate assistantships. There are positions available that offer tuition remission. It really helps with the cost of grad school. Visit your Career Services office on campus. During my search process, career services helped with my resume, my personal statement, cover letters, and they conducted mock interviews, which really helped in preparing me for my interviews.

Graduate Student Spotlight: Sarah Powell

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sarahpowellWhere are you working right now?
I serve as a graduate assistant for Becker College in the Office of Residence Life and Student Conduct. I generally provide assistance in RA training and recruitment, as well as student housing and other operations and events that take place throughout the year.

What do you love about working there?
Coming from Westfield State University where there were over 5,000 undergraduate students, where Becker has a little over 2,000 students, so it becomes a more personal experience. Everyone knows your name and you’re able to create better relationships with the students, which is key working in Residence Life.
The staff has also been a great time to work with. Working together, we’ve become a pretty close knit group and it is just overall a more enjoyable time to do our jobs.

When you aren’t working, how do you spend your free time?
When I’m not working at Becker, I like to try and stay active so I work as a parking valet. When I’m not doing that, I enjoy to go out to the movies, hiking, listening to music, and just started to get into cooking more.

What is your favorite grad school class and why?
Last semester I had the opportunity to take an ethics class at Westfield State and it was the most intriguing class I’ve taken yet. Ethics is surprisingly something that surrounds us in whatever line of work you are in. Being able to look deeper into the subject and how important it is, this is something I plan on taking into my career in Higher Education.

Who inspired you to get involved in Higher Education?
During my undergrad, I was fortunate enough to work for Dr. Laurie Simpson, the Director of Academic Advising at my institution. I began as a peer advisor for three years, and in my last semester she offered me the opportunity to be a graduate assistant in her office. Throughout the years she has mentored me to prosper and grow as a professional and individual. It was at that time I realized she was my role model and I inspired be someone like her. My interest for Higher Education took off once I had the chance to have a more professional and more involved role working with the students.

What is the most valuable lesson you have learned in your career (so far)?
Working in Higher Education, it has taught me that it is okay to ask questions. What I’ve learned so far is that there are things you’re not going to know the answer to and that’s okay, but asking questions is very helpful. People in this type of work are always open to providing you with the resources and tools to make sure you are learning something everyday.

What is on your Higher Ed bucket list?
It has always been a major career goal for me to become a department director for a higher educational institution. I long to be able to have the opportunity to overlook and to represent a department, especially in Residence Life.

What advice would you offer to undergraduate seniors who are staring to search for grad programs?
Choosing to attend graduate school is a more than rewarding opportunity. I would highly suggest for anyone to search for a graduate assistantship. These programs are great in giving you the chance to be able to attend graduate school, and gain professional experience as well.