Reflections

I have defended my comprehensive exam, and sat in two other defenses. Everytime I have sat in a defense I am reminded of the reasons why I fell in love with this career. Student Affairs is more than just programming, which is what I have experience in. Student Affairs is about creating an environment conducive to learning, growing, maturing, and learning some more. One my cohort mates basically wrote a book for her comprehensive exam. She wrote a memoir to mentors. She collected stories from her own mentees and wrote about her own experiences as a mentee and a mentor. See, while we may not have the title "Student Mentor Coordinator", we are in a sence mentors to students. We are the first individuals they meet outside of their academics. Earlier on in my blog I wrote about my own mentors, my own lanterns. I credit them a lot for my successes. And in this field, we have to make sure we care about our students, there must be something greater than ourselves to keep us going. You see, there is something called "burnout" and it is something I fear as I enter this field. I do not want to lose focus and purpose as I navigate my career in this field. Oftentimes, we burnout because it is a constant 'drudge', but we must see beyond the same program, understand each of our students, acknowledge how students change generation to generation, and each year they need us to help them navigate their own career path and decisions. They are the next generation. As I was walking to the gym yesterday to release some much needed stress, I noticed how quite a lot of students were hanging out in the quad outside their residence halls. It was an amazing scene, one I cannot wait to ge my hands on as a professional. The sun was out, it was roughly 50degrees and that meant they could finally hang outside and enjoy the brisk New England air. Students were playing frisbee on the green, while others played basketball on half the court, on the other half a group of 4 men were playing field hockey on roller blades (that reminded me I need to get some). To my right, there was a group of young ladys basking in the sun and chatting, and next to them was a gathering of hool-a-hoop students. And all around me students were walking, running, biking, skipping, and enjoying life. Oh the joy of being a student. At that moment I was reminded about my own experiences as an undergraduate and how much community played an important role in my persistence to graduation. And that is why I am in this field, to help others find their community and succeed.

March Madness

So much had come and gone through the month of March. Why is it that March is one of the busiest month's of the year? It is as if we intentionally program and plan the most important and exciting parts of our life's in March, at least that has been my experience. I started off the month of March by welcoming the first group of HESA Interviews. As aspiring professionals working on our networking, we are always on. I hosted a young lady from Seattle, WA and had the privilege of speaking with a table of all women during lunch about my experiences in VT, and capped the night off by answering questions as a part of a "current student panel". Events like these always remind me of my choice to attend UVM and why I will miss it dearly despite the tears shed in the classroom, the frustrations shared with freinds over transportation and other menial things, and the lack of support I often felt at given times. Vermont is truly a unique place that will always have a place in my heart. The following week, it was Spring Break. And I do not know WHY I NEVER plan my Spring Break accordingly. WHY?! Last year NASPA was during spring break, so both events sort of blended with each other. But this year, I had the entire week to myself. I suppose that was a good thing considering I am introvert. However, the first day of spring break, guess what welcomed me on my doorstep? (or shall I say second floor apt window) SNOW!!! SNOW?! That is when I knew I did not make the right decision staying home. I was a bit distraught as you know, I am not a fan of snow, at least not during the month of March. But thanks to my great neighbor, Susannah Lawrence, I was able to venture out in the snow and dig myself in piles and piles of snow. I was 'walking' on 3ft of snow, or so, while Susannah snow shoed. It was great the adventure. I guess I'll miss VT's spontaneous snow days. Needless to say, President Fogel canceled classes and called it a snow day, but did it really count since students were out on SB? I'll let you be the judge of that. After SB came the NASPA conference. Friends often wonder why I make a big deal about NASPA (and ACPA for that matter), why I make a HUGE effort to get my butt to the conference. This is the one time, the one place where I can reconnect with my past, rejoice with my present, and welcome the future. I am able to "saw'em off" with Aggies at the Texas A&M reception, have dinner outside of VT with some of my VT family, and network with prospective employers, co-programmers, etc. They remind me to breathe, that outside of Burlington, VT exists this entire world, this entire group of individuals working for the same cause you are. I am rejuvenated, enlightened, and refreshed. Then, after all is done and said at NASPA, I came back to the 2nd round of HESA interviews. Again, I got a hostee, this time from Univ of Connecticut (and she adored Gabino and Po). Gabino and Po, LOVE these weekends because it is the two times out of the year when someone actually cares for them and pets them (JK). By this weekend, I am slowly but surely feeling overwhelmed. My introvertedness begins to tell me to settle down, drink fluids, and get sleep so you do not get sick. And I do just that. I did my part in the dinners, the panels, the interviewing, and the hosting. I am glad to say that interviews are done, and now both cohorts are waiting with anticipation to learn who next year's first year cohort will be. Hopefully we will know soon. The VT Connection is growing! Lastly, I attended the ACPA conference held in Baltimore, MD. This conference was like no other. I got to travel by car with my closest HESA brothers, Vay and Salo. Mom . . . They took care of me. They took me to MD and back with out a scratch. We took off Thursday to NY. We took one-day pit stop at NY and enjoyed its city craziness!!! (We were able to attend the off-broadway show "Fuerza Bruta", and eat AMAZING DELICIOUS NON-VERMONT FOOD!!!). This NY trip is definitely one for the books, thanks guys! Afterwards, we hit the road on Friday to Baltimore where I was able to network like crazy. I met Texans left and right, dropped my name and positions I had applied for. Met up with my SJTI family (Social Justice Training Institute) and laughed, toured, joked, smiled, reminisced with my conference buddy Elizabeth Blanco (Western Michigan University). Liz and I met at last year's NASPA conference, and have since seen each other at each conference and hung out, as well as Valerie (my conference trio). So, if someone asks me, are you going to miss VT? Of Course!!! But I will always know that I will be able to reconnect with my VT community at conferences. And when someone asks me, Why do you have to go? Because I have community to visit.