Lessons Learned from the 1st Year as a SSAO

NASPA Small Colleges and Universities Division Podcast

On a cognitive level, many student affairs professionals might agree that the vice president or senior student affairs role would likely be a lot of work. On a practical level, it is not until most are actually in the role that they fully understand the mental and emotional fortitude required to be successful. This episode for new and aspiring senior student affairs officers aims to pull back the curtain to share lessons learned in the first year as vice presidents on three small college and university campuses.

So what are the multiple balls that may be up in the air at any given time in the vice presidency role? How many times must we shift gears in a single day, and how do we stay focused in the process? What do we do when the hand we’re dealt is not the one we would have chosen? And what has worked for us to shoulder the weight of the role and maintain our own wellbeing? We'll hear from Dr. Heather French from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Dr. Darryl Holloman from Spelman University, and Laura Lyndon from Holy Names University as they discuss these and other lessons learned from their first year as SSOs.

Interested in talking about your work on the podcast? Contact the host at [e-mail].