October is Careers in Student Affairs Month! To celebrate, the Office of Student Life is highlighting staff members from different departments. Learn more about each staff member and their Student Life journey by reading the spotlights below.
Sarah Hunt
Student Advocates Office
Sarah Hunt is the Assistant Director for Conduct Concerns in the Student Advocates Office. Sarah has worked at IU and in the Student Affairs/Life field for four years.
What’s one specific moment or story that sticks out to you and shows why you enjoy working in Student Affairs/Life?
“In my role in the Student Advocates Office, I support students navigating charges of academic, personal, and sexual misconduct, which often requires sitting with students through difficult decisions and outcomes—such as suspensions.Recently, I heard from a student who had successfully been reinstated following a suspension and was returning for the upcoming academic year. They told me about how they’d spent their time away meaningfully reflecting on past decisions, investing in their personal growth, and doing important volunteer work. The last time I’d seen this student, they were in my office in a state of despair, calling their parents to break the difficult news. The student reminded me that following the suspension, they’d told me they felt like this was the end of everything they’d worked for, and I’d said that while this chapter didn’t end quite the way they’d hoped, to try to remember there was an entire novel ahead and that I believed in their ability to return successfully. They wanted to let me know that my support, following a moment of poor judgment, had meant a lot to them.It is moments of witnessing personal growth, development, and accountability like this that make our work in Student Life worthwhile and meaningful. That one extra moment you spend with a student can indeed make a big difference.”
What advice do you have for those looking to work in the field of Student Affairs/Life?
“Working in Student Affairs/Student Life requires a presence that can only be sustained through the practice of rigorous self-care. I recently saw a quote that expertly captured this sentiment: “Instead of asking ‘Have I worked hard enough to deserve a rest?’, I’ve started asking, ‘Have I rested enough to do my most loving, meaningful work?’” – Nicola Jane Hobbs.”
Marie Kosakowski
Accessible Educational Services
Marie Kosakowski is a Support Services Coordinator for Accessible Educational Services. Marie has worked at IU for eight years, and in the Student Affairs/Life field for four years.
What’s one specific moment or story that sticks out to you and shows why you enjoy working in Student Affairs/Life?
“In booking accessible exams for students, Accessible Educational Services (AES) faces multiple constraints. We need the space, the time available, and the proctoring staff in order to ensure that an exam can meet the student’s needs and reduce distractions for all students in our space. This balancing act can be difficult to pull off—it takes time to coordinate these factors. In addition, while coordinating future exams with faculty and students, my colleague John and I are often managing issues that are occurring in testing rooms in real time and need immediate attention. There is a particular exam that I remember which needed to be accessible for a student via screen reader, a type of assistive technology which is especially useful for those with vision impairments. Unfortunately, the format of the electronic file was not allowing for the screen reader to transmit any meaningful information. The information being read by the screen reader was total gibberish, and it was going to be very difficult for the student to complete the exam without access to its information. Thankfully, we had a very dedicated proctor who also happened to be a graduate student in computer science, and through clear communication with the faculty, persistence, and some ingenuity, the team was able to ensure that the student could complete the exam. These types of challenges are surmounted by our team every day, and that is what makes me proud to work for AES.”
What advice do you have for those looking to work in the field of Student Affairs/Life?
“Prepare for a lot of rewarding interaction with colleagues, faculty, and most of all—students! I first worked for Indiana University managing data for University Student Services and Systems (USSS). I am grateful to USSS for the time spent honing my attention to detail and learning about all of the hard work that occurs behind-the-scenes at a large university like ours. However, my role at AES requires a totally different level and frequency of communication. We coordinate with various parties every day, and almost constantly. Every moment, there is something that needs to get done to ensure a smooth operation for students with individuated needs. This communication requires consistent effort, energy, and brainpower, but ensuring that students have the means for success and having meaningful interactions along the way is fulfilling work. Part of these challenges and rewards are especially found for me in my supervision of our team of student workers. We have amazing student help here at AES, and I am extremely grateful for them and proud of all the work they do. I really feel that the proctoring and clerical work available to students in our office is amazing preparation for a diverse array of professional careers.”
Is there anything else about working in this field that you would like to share with others?
“I would say that the amount of nuance to the work required of employees in the Student Affairs field should not be underestimated. Workers at AES and elsewhere in Student Affairs need to engage with students on a heart-to-heart level while accomplishing a lot of processing in the background. Such work requires a wide breadth of skills, but we do it because we care. The people of this university matter, and their dreams, desires, work, and friendships all keep the university together. I think that employees in Student Affairs understand this deeply and are bonded by this firsthand experience of Student Life.”
Judy Downey
Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life
Judy Downey is the Greek Housing Coordinator for the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life. Judy has worked at IU in the Student Affairs/Life field for 24 years, 14 years at OSFL and 10 years prior at the IU Student Foundation.
What’s one specific moment or story that sticks out to you and shows why you enjoy working in Student Affairs/Life?
“I was challenged in 2010 to help spearhead the drive to bring National Pan-Hellenic Council plots to the IU campus. This was a monumental task and took years of research, fundraising, education, and time on-task to see this effort come to fruition in 2017. It marked a milestone for the historically African American “Divine Nine” Chapters that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) to feel that they have a “face” on the IU campus. This was a special moment for me to see the joy and pride in these undergraduate students and alumni members of the individual chapters at the dedication of the NPHC plots installed near the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center. Life (and work) was certainly good that day!”
What advice do you have for those looking to work in the field of Student Affairs/Life?
“You have to have a passion for working with students, enjoy the satisfaction when you get a “win” as well as the willingness to accept the challenges when the current culture doesn’t meet your expectations. You must understand that “buy-in” from the students is paramount in achieving shared goals. Most importantly, talk with the students as opposed to talking at them. Guide them to make good decisions and celebrate their accomplishments while also pushing them to be good human beings and helping to build their confidence in themselves and in the challenges of building a better campus, community and world. Show them you care.”
Is there anything else about working in this field that you would like to share with others?
“Personally, I think that working with college students has helped to keep me young at heart. I feel like the energy that I get from my incredible co-workers and the students that come and go daily in our office gives me the strength and enthusiasm to get through every day. It has never been a boring “second” career for me. Every day is different. Many days usually have a highlight from students or coworkers. It is a blessing for me to still be working with IU students and staff. I retired and came back…that tells you something! Besides the Student Affairs position, I have also been a co-advisor to the IU Student Athletic Board for the last 11+ years providing student development and community service guidance to a highly charged sports-centered organization. Life (and work) continues to be good!”
Marvelle Davis
Residence Life
Marvelle Davis is a Residence Life Coordinator for Student Development. Marvelle has worked at IU in the Student Affairs/Life field for 16 months.
What’s one specific moment or story that sticks out to you and shows why you enjoy working in Student Affairs/Life?
“There isn’t one specific moment or story that solidified my desire to engage in this work. As a Residence Life Coordinator, I have the opportunity to support students as they navigate new responsibilities, challenges, relationships, and a new chapter in their lives. While there is great joy that comes with the transition to college, there are also great challenges that many of them have never faced. In my role, I have the opportunity to provide support and perspective when life feels overwhelming. I find great joy in “showing up” for students and supporting them as they learn to face the things that life has to offer.”
What advice do you have for those looking to work in the field of Student Affairs/Life?
“Working in the field of Student Affairs/Life, the work is future-oriented. It is important to have a vision and work ahead so that you can also be present with students during the school year.”
Is there anything else about working in this field that you would like to share with others?
“IU is a large campus, and it is easy to get busy and feel isolated in your work. It is important to establish a community to remain connected and feel supported as you serve students.”
Elizabeth Pruett
Housing Operations and Assignments
Elizabeth Pruett is the Manager of Housing Operations for Housing Operations and Assignments. Elizabeth has worked at IU in the Student Affairs/Life field for 23 years.
What’s one specific moment or story that sticks out to you and shows why you enjoy working in Student Affairs/Life?
“I worked with a family whose student was a transfer student and wanted to live with another transfer student. It took a lot of time and a lot of communications and patience on the part of the family but we got the two transfer students together in their preferred housing. They were beyond appreciative, and it was great to be able to make it all work out.”
What advice do you have for those looking to work in the field of Student Affairs/Life?
“It is a people-oriented field. You will need to have listening skills, patience, and the ability to empathize and negotiate. I love working with students and families.”
Is there anything else about working in this field that you would like to share with others?
“I could not ask for a more rewarding field to work in!”
Thanks to everyone who participated in the staff spotlights for Careers in Student Affairs Month! We are so grateful for you and all that you do.
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