Name:  Sarah Mayer

School: Bay Path University

Program:  Higher Education Administration

Type: Master’s

Current employer: Labouré College as an Administrative Assistant and LPN-RN Program Coordinator

What do you love about working there?

We have a very unique population of students that consist of mainly non-traditional age women coming back to college to pursue a higher education. A lot of our students have overcome tremendous odds to pursue a degree in Nursing, which is even more commendable in our current healthcare situation in this nation. These men and women inspire me everyday because they see how frightening it is to be a healthcare worker in this new COVID-19 world, yet they are diving into the field, head first. It’s incredibly rewarding to work with this specific population of students even more so now in this unprecedented time we are currently living in.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I really enjoy cooking in my spare time. Being stuck at home right now I’ve really pushed myself to be more adventurous in my culinary endeavors.

What is your favorite grad school course/experience and why?

My favorite course would have to be my Women in Higher Education course. Women in Higher Education was extremely enlightening to the unique needs of women in higher education, specifically how we can really be receiving an incomplete education as many college courses are taught solely from a male perspective, often by a male professor, with systemically sexist undertones that many of us are not even aware of. This course emphasized the value of female perspective and how it should be used to shape all fields in higher education (and society at large) to be more progressive and inclusive.

Who/what inspired you to get involved in higher education?

I did have a lot of encouragement from family and friends, but I really pushed myself to go back for my master’s in higher education administration because I was feeling uninspired in my previous career field and always felt a natural pull towards higher education since I first attended my undergraduate school, Rhode Island College. I worked there while attending classes and didn’t realize until a few years after graduating that higher education is where my passions truly exist.

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

Voice your opinion! Even if you feel like the lowest person in the hierarchy of your institution, your perspective is a valuable asset, no matter your position. If an institution’s executives do not see that, they’re missing out on an opportunity to grow and become more efficient and effective.

What is on your Higher Ed bucket list?

I definitely plan on going back to school for my doctorate. I’ve come this far and I need to go all the way!

What advice would you offer to those who are starting to search for grad programs?

In this day and age, find a school that has experience working in an online setting. Higher education is already seeing a massive shift in its structure and an institution that is already well-versed in completely online learning is going to set you up to be successful.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Please wear your mask and listen to healthcare workers! My institution can only graduate so many nurses so fast to combat this pandemic and thank you nurses everywhere! You are the real superheros in the world today!

Do you have someone you’d like to be featured as NECPA’s graduate student of the month? Nominate them here!
https://forms.gle/HzuFswPqRtFbfvcS8

Name:  Denis Garcia Reyes

School: The University of Vermont

Program:  Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration

Type: Master’s

Current employer:  Assistant Residence Director in Residential Life at the University of Vermont

What do you love about working there?

Working as an Assistant Residence Director, I have really found enjoyment in my various interactions in the residential community. I have been given an amazing opportunity work in a community where students are willing to share pieces of their cultural identity and backgrounds, whether that be through their identities such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, or cultural values such as books, films, food, and music. Looking at my grad school search journey, this was something that I wanted in my experience and I am so grateful to be able to experience it in the capacity that I do.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I am a huge foodie so trying new foods is something I love to do. Watching TV is a big source of stress relief for me as well as participating in Zumba classes, and running!

What is your favorite grad school course/experience and why?

My favorite grad school course has been my practicums thus far. I have been able to dip my toes in several areas of interest while at UVM and am thankful to have been able to have these experiences to narrow down where my interest lies before the job search starts in the next few months.

Who/what inspired you to get involved in higher education?

At my undergraduate institution, I met a lot of folx who I call my mentors now that inspired my interest and passion in the field of higher education. My participation in the NASPA Undergraduate Fellowship Program (NUFP) allowed me to see the various ways folx enter this field and my NUFP mentor truly embodied the work that I want to do one day so that is why I am here today.

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

The most valuable lesson I have learned is some advice I got early on in my grad school career, one of my colleagues reminded me that “success is a journey, not a destination” as I scrambled to try and find balance in my work at the beginning, that advice let me feel that I could give myself grace in my every day work, and allowed myself to learn through the mistakes I made at the beginning.

What advice would you offer to those who are starting to search for grad programs?

I think some advice I got that really helped me and would like to offer to those who are starting the search for grad programs is to have a list of non-negotiables (wants vs. needs) that helps you narrow down your options for schools. Once you have your non-negotiables, it allows for you to be able to go into the grad school search process more informed on what you need in order to thrive.

Do you have someone you’d like to be featured as NECPA’s graduate student of the month? Nominate them here!
https://forms.gle/HzuFswPqRtFbfvcS8

Name: Jordan Swift

School:  Providence College

Program: Higher Education

Type: Master’s

Current employer:  Complex Director at Providence College

What do you love about working there?

No matter where I work, I always look for two things: Is the mission infused in the department? Could I learn from my coworkers and could my coworkers learn from me? In the three months that I have worked at Providence College, the Friars sure have surpassed that expectation! The Vice President of Student Affairs at Providence College announced that professional staff members will be provided the opportunity to participate in the Flourishing Friday’s program. Flourishing Fridays are for staff members to truly understand human flourishing by connecting with others and recharging outside of the work environment. As a new employee, I have been so fortunate to have met and connected on a deeper level through laughter playing dodgeball or wiffleball. This Flourishing Friday program symbolizes the cultural importance of building community and getting to know another staff member’s diverse story while engaging in fun and healthy activities.

How do you like to spend your free time?

Having mindful moments. Taking in every new conversation over coffee while listening to the sweet sounds of Dave Matthews Band.

What is your favorite grad school course/experience and why?

I loved my Foundations of Higher Education course because it was the first time that I was able to connect theory to practice. The course was designed around a forty-page paper encompassing the creation of a college of our choosing. We were able to design our own mission statement, explore areas of the field that we were unfamiliar with, and discover our “why”. I was able to ask myself: What am I passionate about in the field? Who can I learn from next?

Who/what inspired you to get involved in higher education?

Student affairs is a truly holistic field. There are days when you want to cry or days when you just want to hug everyone that you see. You learn crisis management. You learn how to interact in a truly special way. You learn about equity disparity. As a values and mission-driven person, I found mentors in the field who were constantly challenging me to think about these aspects of life that you cannot learn in any other field. I thought: Why not learn about life while working?

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

Life is never linear. Talk. Ask questions. A lot of them. Be genuine. Always.

What is on your Higher Ed bucket list?

Meeting the mindfulness guru, Jon Kabat-Zin!

What advice would you offer to those who are starting to search for grad programs?

I have three “finds”: 1. Find a school that reflects your values and mission. 2. Find people who will smile with you. 3. Find a school that connects your personal story with academics.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

You never know who will be interviewing you for your dream job. In my experience, get to know your classmates, your professors, your staff members, your colleagues, and your students.

Do you have someone you’d like to be featured as NECPA’s graduate student of the month? Nominate them here!
https://forms.gle/HzuFswPqRtFbfvcS8