I am responsible for program and service development; implementation and assessment of dialogic programming (conversations around social contemporary issues with the community); supervision and mentorship of student staff; and administrative leadership and resource management of the office in a team of 4.
When you joined the SAA program at Lewis & Clark, what career path did you plan to pursue?
I planned to pursue Multicultural Affairs and DEI.
By the end of the program, did you have a different career outcome in mind? What either reinforced your original goal, or sent you in a different direction?
Ultimately I decided to pursue community based learning and research of student affairs/educational leadership. I am also engaged in nonprofit work at Coalition for Racial and Educational Justice (formerly Campus Compact of Oregon). My GA position at the Center for Social Change and Community Involvement (formerly Student Leadership & Service) allowed me to understand and pursue leadership identity scholarship with critical pedagogies praxis.
Where did you complete your practicum and what was that experience like?
1st Year Practicum: LC’s Student Engagement (formerly Student Activities).
2nd Year Practicum: Oregon Tech at the Treehouse.
How do you apply what you learned at L&C to your daily work?
I often draw upon the mentorship of the professors of color in my program along with the patience of being in a cohort.
Graduate Programs in Leadership Studies is located in room 308 of Rogers Hall on the Graduate Campus. MSC: 84
Lucas English ’22 entered the Student Affairs Program with plans to ultimately become a lawyer. A conversation with a faculty member set him on his path towards a PhD instead and helped him discover the work that was truly meaningful to him.
Andrea Salyer ’22 reminds herself that she doesn’t need to be the expert in everything related to social change and social justice. That, in fact, it is impossible to be an expert. Instead, she says her role is to be open, authentic, and driven by equity, justice and constant growth as a professional. Most importantly, she strives to instill in students that we are all whole people and deserve to be seen and honored as such.
Aaron Campbell ’20 often thinks about his supportive SAA cohort when he finds himself experiencing challenging times at work and in life. He calls his experience at L&C “incredibly impactful” and credits it with helping him succeed in all of his professional roles.
Kevin Wright ’16 is no stranger to complex systems. His career brings him both the privilege and opportunity to collaborate with leaders nationwide, both inside and outside of higher education, to transform them.
