Wednesday, September 5, 2012

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.

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