Life is a series of beginnings and endings. Some are surprises, and some are planned. What they all have in common, though, is that they mark a change: a fork in the road. These types of thoughts are weighing on my mind as I come to the end of my term as the ACUHO-I president. It is the end of one road, but I know it has prepared me well for the rest of my journey. I believe I can say the same for our Association as a whole.
. . . for these past years I have strived to lead an Association that is welcoming to all professionals, regardless of age, race, orientation, identity, experience, geography, institutional type, or any other factor that has potential to divide us.
I will always be indebted to Tom Ellett for bringing me on the Board in an ex officio role while he was ACUHO-I’s president. I was asked to help develop “pathways to success” for professionals of color in the Association and the campus housing profession. When that time was done, I knew that my work was not, so I chose to run for president myself. Fortunately, the voters trusted me for that role, and I was able to continue down that path. Carrying that trust, for these past years I have strived to lead an Association that is welcoming to all professionals, regardless of age, race, orientation, identity, experience, geography, institutional type, or any other factor that has potential to divide us.
While work continues to be needed in some areas, I do think strides both big and small were made. Information was shared through special publications, and opportunities for participation were expanded within our educational events and institutes. This current Executive Board is the most diverse in our Association’s history. And a foundation for future growth in this area has been set with the inaugural class of the ACUHO-I Leadership Academy. This year saw a dozen professionals of color experience coaching calls, group projects, mentorship, and other intentional professional development opportunities that will help them gain the experience they need to be a more competitive candidate for both on-campus and Association leadership roles. They are gaining deeper insights into the issues and opportunities facing the profession, developing more intentional decision-making and negotiation skills, and will be better prepared to offer their unique viewpoint and voice in the ongoing conversations.
I also recognize that I am not the same person I was when I began this leg of my journey. Being exposed to so many talented professionals has opened my eyes to different ways of thinking and made me a stronger housing and student advocate. I have gained a much greater knowledge and appreciation of how housing operations around the world thrive. And serving alongside my Executive Board colleagues has made me exponentially stronger as a leader. I also would be remiss if I didn’t mention that, during this time, I also further enriched my life by getting married. So, I may be coming to the end of one road, but I know the experience will fuel me for the rest of my journey.
Alvin Sturdivant, ACUHO-I President
sturdial@seattleu.edu
@Alvinsturdivant
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