“If student affairs is as much or more of a philosophy as it is as a set of practices or a profession, then what matters is not where you are in the organization but what you do wherever you find yourself in higher education.” ~ Dr. Jim Lancaster, Appalachian State University, 2012
This quote by Dr. Jim Lancaster of Appalachian State University was shared by Aaron Fetrow of Guilford College during his keynote address at the ) Careers in Student Affairs Conference held in September at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG).
This quote has resonated with me since that day.
Like myself, many grad students and new professionals have experienced that feeling of insignificance and/or what I call “low man on the totem pole” syndrome because of our titles/placements on the org chart at our institutions or within an organization. But as Dr. Lancaster so eloquently stated, what matters is not where you are, but what you do in this profession. This blog is my continued contribution to what I do in this profession and in higher education.
I am a professional development junkie that loves to share ideas, best practices and pearls of wisdom that encourages student affairs professionals to excel in what I believe to be an awesome choice for a career path. I will share my mutiple perspectives as a new professional, a mother, a woman of color and many other experiences as a student affairs professional. I am no expert but there is an african proverb that states, “she who learns, teaches”. I simply want to share the knowledge that I have learned along the way as I am being shaped to follow my purpose as a student affairs professional. Join me on my journey and hopefully, we will be shaped together!
Brandy S. Propst 
Thanks for this! I received my Masters in Student Affairs in May 2012, and so far, I’ve been unable to find a position in Higher Education. I love the quote from Dr. Lancaster. Reading it felt like I’d finally found a way to sum up my internship experience in our Student Activities office. Although I was “just a graduate intern” (not even a graduate assistant, as there weren’t enough of those to go around for my cohort), I believe I helped make a difference for the students at my university.
Yes! We all make an impact regardless of our titles and positions. Glad I could help you see your experience in a different light. That was my hope for the post! Thank you for your comment; you are my first one! I just launched my blog last week and this is my first post as you can see. Hope you continue to follow and engage with me! Stay purposeful! Brandy