Confessions of an Introvert in Student Affairs

One thing I have always been a little jealous of (with my extrovert friends) is how well some of them can work a room or how well they can strike up a conversation with someone after only meeting them seconds earlier. For many years, including those as an entry level professional in Student Affairs, this was a part of the job that was difficult for me. Even as I advanced in my career, now serving as Director of a Residence Life system, and advancing through and earning my doctorate in Educational Leadership, I have never been what I would label as anything more than proficient in small talk or how to work a room. Now, if you change the topic to something I have a strong background in, for example cycling, I can manage the conversation pretty well and my level of comfort goes way up. 

A few years ago I was provided an opportunity to participate in a training program, and I want to make a shameless plug for my introvert friends in the higher education field, especially those of us in Residence Life. The program I have become a champion of is the Dale Carnegie Human Relations program. I am currently assisting in teaching the course, and I am fortunate to be in a position to have had two years to reflect upon its lessons. I am as convinced now as I was then of the program’s value. For me, the difference can be reduced down to application vs. theory. As someone with “Dr.” in front of my name and a degree from the University of Missouri that reads “Doctor of Education” under my name, I am pretty fluent in the theory of leadership, and the theory of organizational development and change. My dissertation focused on how decisions are made by people in power (a great read, I must confess, as well) but in the end the application of these theories in the one on one or in those small group settings is where my success as a leader is forged. In order to advance the agenda for the organizations I am a part of I have to find ways to better manage my ability to interact with people. For me, someone who is an introvert, this remains an issue. While I am fortunate this aspect of my personality has not greatly hindered my career or work, it is an added problem I have to focus on.

The Dale Carnegie Human Relations program provides an opportunity to develop, learn and PRACTICE the strategies to better engage with others. From lessons on becoming better with names, how to get people talking and how to be more effective in your interactions with people, I found the Dale Carnegie Human Relations program among the very best professional development experiences of my career. The other two professional development programs I would consider as beneficial in my career to date are the Chief Housing Officer Training Institute offered by ACUHOI and the Aspiring Senior Student Affairs Officer Institute presented by NASPA. 

While it may be outside the normal areas we Student Affairs people look for our development, I believe that the Dale Carnegie programs have many things to offer our profession. For anyone looking to improve themselves in areas involving personal interactions with others, I strongly encourage you to consider the Dale Carnegie Human Relations program. 

http://www.dalecarnegie.com/

For anyone with Dale Carnegie who happens across these comments, I hope you find them consistent with principles 2 and 28! I also owe a shout out to my trainer, Mr. Rhett Hendrickson, a talented and effective Dale Carnegie man.

Best of luck to a talented colleague, Mr. Troy Vaughn

For this blog I want to take a little time to say a special thank you.

One of the most difficult aspects of being a Director for a Residence Life office, or really a professional in any field, is when you see good people who leave to take on a new opportunity. A few days ago, August 31, a talented professional left Southeast Missouri State University to tackle the Director of Recreation Services position at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale (SIUC). This talented professional is Troy Vaughn, former Director for Recreation Services at Southeast, who brought many positive improvements for the students, faculty, and staff of our campus. 

I still remember my first impressions of Troy. From his first days on the Southeast campus Troy worked to advance two ideas, at least two stuck out to me. First, was a focus on professionalism. From name tags for his staff, a focus on cleanliness, signage, and multiple other examples, Troy worked to present his facilities, his staff, and his programs as a professional operation. In my opinion there can be a belief that just because something is focused or targeted at students there is less of a need for a high level of professionalism. While this may be the case in years past, it is no longer acceptable to treat students in a manner where they are taken for granted. Troy’s commitment to professionalism is an important step in making sure the students of Southeast are provided the best possible facilities, programs and recreational opportunities possible. 

Second, Troy has a true passion for working with students. On many occasions Troy was at the front of asking about how students benefit (or don’t benefit) from decisions being made. These were constructive and important questions as they force people to make sure they are factoring in how things impact our students. For example, the Student Recreation Center is often called upon to host events or requested to close part of their facility for some event.  While these events are important, Troy was very disciplined in making sure that events did not trump the individual students (who pay for the Student Recreation Center) from using their facility. 

As Troy begins the Director position at SIUC I have a great deal of confidence he will be successful at his new University. While I am pleased Troy has been afforded this new opportunity, I am disappointed to see him go. One advantage Southeast does have is that Troy leaves the University with what Dr. Dennis Holt, Dean of Students at Southeast, described as “a very deep bench.” As I consider this deep bench I do not find myself at all surprised. Troy took the development of his staff, both professional and student, as a critical part of his role as Director. Many years ago I heard that the best leaders are those who train people to take over for them. I was always struck by this commitment of a leader to develop people who could challenge them for the very position the leader currently occupies. As Troy departs Southeast he has certainly lived up to this definition of a leader by training those around him to assume leadership roles within Student Recreation Services. 

On behalf of the many faculty, staff, and most importantly our students, I want to thank Troy for his work at Southeast. You have left a positive impact on our campus and that influence will have a lasting impact. I am thankful I was able to be his colleague during his time here, and I count myself as fortunate to remain his colleague as he assumes his new role.