this is why i do what i do

Over the past few years I have built many relationships with students, faculty and staff alike on this adventure we call higher education.  One memory stands out for me in my first year working at Rollins as a GA  in Fraternity and Sorority Life.  If you know anything about recruitment you know that it can be the most stressful and rewarding time of year for an advisor.  My first recruitment I was asked to walk a student back to her dorm that was having a hard time with the bid she received as she knew it was not the place that she would call home for the next four years.  Olivia declined her bid knowing she would not be able to go through recruitment again for a full calendar year.  My supervisor asked me to walk her back and calm her nerves as she was visibly upset.  I was worried about Olivia because recruitment is one of the most stressful times for a potential new member.  I kept an eye on her and gave her my number so she could reach me at any time over the weekend if she was feeling too upset about her decision and the outcome of recruitment.

Over the next year I saw Olivia around campus engaging in various activities and getting involved in other student organizations.  The next spring when she was eligible to go through recruitment she did and she joined our local sorority NCM.  This time she had found her home and began going through the education process and getting involved in all that NCM had to offer.  Towards the end of my second year as a GA the NCM chapter decided it was time to go national and merge with a national organization to gain the countless benefits that these organizations can provide to collegiate and alumni women.  As their search for a national organization began Olivia was at the forefront of turning NCM into the best organization they could be.  


My first year out of graduate school NCM began bringing national organizations on campus to present to Panhellenic and decide what would be the best fit for the campus.  Lucky for me Delta Zeta was in the top three and they blew our women away in their excellent presentation with their attention to details and how they could fit the NCM values in with our own. Olivia had been pushing for DZ since they came on the table as an option and I worked with her to share my knowledge of the organization as I am also a member.  I watched as Olivia took the lead and ultimately became the president of the new Delta Zeta chapter.  

Over those four years I watched Olivia grow into an amazing and strong young woman and I am proud of who she has become. Just yesterday I was talking to Olivia about graduate school.  She wants to go into higher ed and become a fraternity and sorority advisor just like I had 4 years ago.  She has already been accepted at USC and is waiting to hear back from a few other schools.  I had the pleasure today to send a few referrals out on Olivia's behalf  in search of an assistantship for her.  I feel blessed to have been given the opportunity to reach out to my colleagues to help her and I can't wait to see where she goes next.  


I might not always love my day-to-day activities up here in good 'ole South Dakota but THIS is why I do it.  I joined this professional to make a difference in the lives of college students.  While I can't take all the credit on who Olivia has become, I can sleep at night knowing I helped her along this path.