Often in higher education, we are builders—constructing bridges, elevators, and pathways to success for our students. But too often, we forget to pause and admire the architecture we've designed.
As administrators, we often find ourselves in back-to-back meetings, which makes it easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. Students. This work is more than just tasks and agendas—it’s life-altering, family-changing, and community-building work. During my time at Florida State University, I had the incredible opportunity to see my work and advocacy directly impact students’ lives. Securing funding and developing initiatives —like the major exploration course and having a section specifically for first-gen students, or forming a research team of grad and undergrad scholars to analyze impact and publish our findings—wasn’t just about checking boxes. It was about creating pathways that have a real, lasting impact. These initiatives didn’t just stay on paper; they became vehicles for students to build confidence, find their passions, and create brighter futures.
This past week, I watched three of my students reach major milestones and achieve their goals. They’re now real-life members of society, navigating the same world I’m adulting in. It’s a powerful reminder of my “why” and the true purpose behind the work we do. As administrators, those moments of impact can feel rare, but they’re deeply meaningful when they come.
Grateful to be continuing this student focused work at NCCU. Here’s to building, securing the resources to do so, and pausing to admire the bridges we’ve created along the way.
#HigherEd #MajorExploration #StudentSuccess #ScholarPractitioner #AcademicLeadership #PurposeDrivenWork
