Where are you working right now?

I serve as a Graduate Assistant in the Office of Community Standards at the University of Connecticut. In this position I serve as a student conduct officer and investigate potential student code violations. I resolve the alleged incidents via UConn’s conduct process, up to student dismissal from the institution. I also have the opportunity to work with our CARE Team or threat assessment committee at the university by collecting and organizing student data. Most of my job involves 1:1 meetings with students and I do my best to balance empathy and accountability to ensure students are able to both individually succeed and positively contribute to the UConn community.

What do you love about working there?

Student Conduct work has a lot of opportunity for student education and I enjoy helping students better understand their decision-making process and how to experience growth from mistakes. In conduct I need to utilize a lot of different skills. For example, the basics of how to investigate under the preponderance of evidence standard but also how to deescalate an angry student. I appreciate the challenge that innately comes with the work and the development/support I’ve received from the professional staff in the office.

When you aren’t working, how do you spend your free time?

Every two weeks or so I get wings at my favorite place in Connecticut. Beyond that bi-weekly reward, I like to read, watch TV, gym as a de-stress, and have game nights.

What is your favorite grad school class and why?

Law & Ethics in Higher Education has been my favorite class. We were taught to understand different federal regulations and how they apply to our work. Case law was used a lot to demonstrate the inequalities within higher education and the class integrated a social justice lens in the context of critiquing law and responding to crisis. I found discussions around ethics interesting and the class helped me gain a better understanding of the responsibilities practitioners have to students.

Who inspired you to get involved in Higher Education?

My experience at DePaul University in Chicago, IL shaped a lot of my desire to go into Student Affairs. I was a Resident Assistant for three year and worked in the LGBTQA Student Services Office. I connected a lot to the mission of the university as Catholic and Vincentian. I had a great Residence Hall Director, Travis Whisler, who is now the Assistant Director of Residence Life at St. Peter’s University, who guided me towards Student Affairs as a profession. I know the impact that DePaul had on me as a person and I hope to pay that forward to others.

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

The value of listening to others, whether that is students or colleagues. Students need to feel heard and listening to colleagues allows you to better understand how to work with them and be a positive contribution to a team.

What is on your Higher Ed bucket list?

My first step is to hopefully find a position in student conduct at some point in my career. I’d love to be able to apply what I’ve learned as graduate student to a full-time position.

What advice would you offer to undergraduate seniors who are staring to search for grad programs?

The advice I would give undergraduate seniors is to know what you want from a program and prioritize. Do you want a program that is more counseling-based, research, administrative, or a mix? Is a cohort-based program want you want or is that not important? Look at the curriculums of different programs and compare and contrast. If you have any questions I’ve found that people in programs are more than willing to offer advice. Never be afraid to send an email or reach out.

Riley Fickett, Student Event & Special Programs Coordinator, Mount Holyoke College

What is your current position at the Mount Holyoke?

I am the Student Event & Special Programs Coordinator. My main responsibilities are to work with our 130 student organizations on the creation and execution of their events and to create special programming sponsored by the Office of Student Programs which includes bus trips, movie nights, outdoor festivals, and everything in between! I also advise the Student Programming Board and the Sophomore and Junior Class Boards.

What do you love about working at Mount Holyoke?

I love working with our students! Mount Holyoke students are from all over the country and world (we have about a 30% International Student population!) and each one of them is so, so talented. I am constantly blown away with the drive and ambition, their passion for world issues and activism, and their overall commitment to making the world a more inclusive and accepting place. As a professional I am constantly being challenged to think and act outside of my comfort zone and as a result have grown tremendously as a professional and as a person and it’s all thanks to the students that I work with.

When you aren’t working, how do you spend your free time?

I’m a long-distance runner and am currently training for my fourth marathon! I’m a big fan of spending time outside, especially when the weather is warm. I also really love to read, draw, paint, play video games, and blog!

Who inspired you to get involved in Higher Education?

My mentors at my undergraduate institution Lasell College – Jennifer Granger and Kelly O’Shaughnessey. I had a bit of a second-semester-Senior-Year crisis while in college and knew that I didn’t really want to pursue a career in my major. I knew that I loved working in my many roles at the college and it was Jenny and Kelly that taught me what the field of Higher Education was all about. They were both my guides in figuring this path out, getting into graduate school, and even with my post-grad job search! I can’t say how much I appreciate them.

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

Self. Care. We preach it all of the time in this field and taking self care seriously has been invaluable to me through my graduate experience and through my first year as a professional. It is for both my benefit and for the benefit of the students I work with as well. It is OKAY to step away from your work and focus on yourself or whatever makes you happy. At the end of the day, work will always be there waiting for you, but if you burn yourself out you won’t be able to serve your students effectively.

What is on your Higher Ed bucket list?

I would love to eventually end up on the Leadership Development or Leadership Education path. Seeing students find their voices as leaders has always been my favorite part of the job and to be able to learn and teach about leadership development theories and practices or maybe even create a leadership development curriculum at an institution would be an incredible experience for me!

What advice would you offer to new professionals who are starting their first professional position?

As a new professional, it was really hard for me to find the courage to speak up and share my opinions. I often felt that in my first year that it was more important for me to learn the culture of the campus and understand my surroundings before inserting my own thoughts and ideas into the conversation. Looking back on my first year, I wish I had challenged myself to conquer those fears and share what was on my mind more often. A lot of the time one of the reasons you’re being hired because you will give your campus or organization a fresh set of eyes. While it is very important to learn the culture of your new environment, your colleagues also want to hear what you have to say to gain that new perspective. Definitely pay attention to the environment around you, but don’t be afraid to speak up!

Demeturie Gogue, University of Vermont

Where are you working right now?

During the academic year, I serve as a Graduate Research Assistant working alongside Dr. Vijay Kanagala, Assistant Professor at The University of Vermont. In this role, I have been exposed to the world of research as it pertains to the field of higher education and student affairs. Using asset-based frameworks, Dr. Kanagala and I hope to add to scholarship that illuminates the experiences of students of color in leadership positions as well as the various types of capitals that international students possess when navigating institutions of higher education. I have also had the privilege of serving as the managing editor for the policy brief, Perspectivas. Working with Dr. Kanagala has ignited a desire to continue my education and pursue a doctoral degree in the future.

What do you love about working there?

While I do not have the same amount of student interaction that I had as an undergraduate, serving as a Graduate Research Assistant has allowed me to become more familiar with the literature in the field and has grounded my practice in fundamental theories that have been used by scholars across the country and the world. Working with Dr. Kanagala has been an added bonus as well. Through him, I have been able to connect with other faculty and scholars from other institutions who are doing amazing work in their respective areas. As an aspiring qualitative researcher, I find joy in bringing in the personal experiences of the participants in a study and highlighting these narratives in research papers.

When you aren’t working, how do you spend your free time?

During my free time, I love playing volleyball. A group of us in our higher education and student affairs program came together to form a team for the academic year. Although we placed second in the Fall, we were able to win the championship in the Spring. If I am not playing volleyball, I like to watch movies and eat ice cream with friends. I am also open to new adventures, whether that be exploring a new area or trying new food spots.

What is your favorite grad school class and why?

My favorite class was Cultural Pluralism in Higher Education. It was both a rigorous and rewarding experience. We explored key topic such as multiculturalism, diversity, power, privilege, and oppression. In addition, this course required us to challenge our notion of social justice and what we “thought” we knew about the concept. This course made people (including myself) feel uncomfortable at times, but I think that is part of the process of growing in our own awareness and understanding of our identities. This course reminded me that there is no diversity or social justice “expert.” Instead, it is a continuous process of reflection, healing, and growth.

Who inspired you to get involved in Higher Education?

I decided to go into higher education because of my involvement in multicultural affairs and orientation. During my third year of undergrad, I worked closely with a woman who is now my mentor and student affairs colleague, Marissa Reynoso, to coordinate a four-day, three-night yield event for students of color. It was through her love, mentorship, and support that I decided to go into the field of higher education and student affairs. Moreover, working with student-run, student-initiated organizations who were doing the work that the University should have been doing reminded me why it was important for me, a first-generation Pacific Islander, to be in these spaces to create change for my community. Seeing the love and passion that Marissa poured into her students made me want to do the same for those who I will be working with in the future.

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

When I think about valuable lessons, the first thing that came to mind was a question that a higher education and student affairs professional posed to me. They asked, “What are you willing to get fired for?” This question continues to linger with me as I engage with students and advocate for my community in various spaces. For me, this was an important question that I had never really grappled with. In the field, you may find yourself at an institution that holds a different set of views than your own or be supervised by someone whose passions may not align with yours. Regardless, it is important to know your capacity, and that is something that I am learning more about as I continue to navigate this field.

What is on your Higher Ed bucket list?

One thing that I want to check off my higher education bucket list is the opportunity to publish with a professor who I have had the opportunity to learn from. Whether that be my current supervisor or a faculty who I have the honor of taking a class with in the future, my hope is that I can one day see my last name written next to their last name in a reference section.

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

For undergraduate seniors who are starting to search for graduate programs, my only advice to you is to network and reach out to current students in the program. Ask about their experience in their program and in the region. Inquire about future aspirations after the program and how the curriculum has assisted them in that career development. During my graduate program search, I found people through mutual friends who could tell me about what they loved about their program as well as be honest about what they felt could be improved. It is important to recognize, however, that these experiences may look different for others; keep that in mind when asking others about their program.

Chris Clary, Director of Career Development, Saint Michael’s College

What do you love about working at Saint Michael’s College?

Saint Michael’s  is a very tight knit community where  not only do I have the opportunity for a lot of interaction with students through career development, but also through collaboration with faculty, other departments on campus, and especially student groups.  As a result, we know many of our seniors by the time they graduate and have developed extensive alumni contacts over the years, which can benefit our current students.

When you aren’t working, how do you spend your free time?

Spending time with my family and visiting with my grandson is the best part of any week. I read all the time…fiction, history, contemporary social issues, and enjoy being outside, especially in the garden.

Who inspired you to get involved in Higher Education?

Prior to working at Saint Michael’s College I knew many members of the community through my husband who is an English professor.  There were many people, both faculty and staff, whose dedication and enthusiasm for their students inspired me to enter higher education.

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

It is important to listen to students, paying attention to their concerns, their hopes, and aspirations.  Being open, patient, respectful, and supportive is essential if I am to be of real service as my students find their way into adulthood.

What is on your Higher Ed bucket list?

I am aware of the financial constraints facing many students and how these affect their choices of summer jobs and even their career paths.  As a strong advocate for liberal arts education, I see the necessity to find more opportunities for paid summer internships with non-profits and other organizations that will enable more students to explore areas outside the corporate realm.  Working with our alumni office and institutional advancement to fund more of these opportunities is important to me.

 What advice would you offer to new professionals who are starting their first professional position?

Be open to and proactive about collaboration across different areas  and offices of campus, especially in those areas that work closely with student development.  Make connections with faculty, especially those who may be in departments where the relationship between major and career is less obvious.  Everyone is being asked to provide students with career guidance and resources and career counselors are in an unique position to assist with this.  We are all in this adventure together.