At the State of the Profession Symposium earlier this year, the attendees were graced by the presence of Dr. James Harris, president of the University of San Diego. His presentation was informing, inspiring, uplifting, and – to be honest – much needed after two days filled with discussions about our shared current experience as higher education professionals during this uncertain time. As part of the wisdom he shared, one thing he said in particular has really stuck with me and, I am sure, with the other participants: When looking for direction, he reminds himself and his campus team to remember that their job is to be the living embodiment of the university’s mission. Such a powerful statement!
Since Simon Sinek first walked onto the TED Talk stage in 2009, we’ve been encouraged to “start with why” – a great reminder to be true to our individual passions and motivations, both personal and professional, though it doesn’t necessarily give us direction as members of a broader campus team. His encouragement to be a living embodiment of the institutional mission rang so true because it’s something to hold onto during these fractious times.
When surrounded by that much uncertainty, you must have a foundation to rely on. Know your why. Be the living embodiment of the mission.
In my letter to you last issue, we talked about the Executive Board’s work with concepts related to Foresight, a specific mindset and methodology that will enhance our ability to identify and anticipate possible futures. Business and higher education leaders have described market and cultural landscapes for many years by using the acronym VUCA, which stands for an environment that is volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. Our work with the practices of Foresight reminds us that since the COVID-19 pandemic, we are further susceptible to the impacts of a society that feels out of balance and increasingly BANI (brittle, anxious, nonlinear, and incomprehensible). When surrounded by that much uncertainty, you must have a foundation to rely on. Know your why. Be the living embodiment of the mission.
I hope that all of you are familiar with your campus’s mission statement. Your department may have one of its own, but if you’re looking for inspiration, the “ACUHO-I Standards & Ethical Principles” document clearly states that “the housing and residence life program exists as an integral part of the educational program and academic support services of the institution” and “the program must provide an inclusive living environment that promotes academic success, learning, and development with an emphasis on supporting the academic mission of the institution.”
Meanwhile, on the Association level, the ACUHO-I Strategic Plan begins with a mission statement to “cultivate a diverse, inclusive, and equitable profession that delivers transformative residential student experiences. We will do so through extensive knowledge resources, innovative operational models, courageous advocacy, and resolute community connections.”
Our missions guide us in what we want our work to accomplish. Our knowledge, ingenuity, and spirit help us figure out the best way to make that so. As your ACUHO-I President, I don’t know that I can tell you what tomorrow may hold, but I can tell you that we are stronger when we face it together and draw from our collective energies and passion.
— Kathy Bush Hobgood, ACUHO-I President
Talking Stick magazine takes its name from the symbol of international friendship presented to ACUHO-I in 1973 by the Ohiat Band of the British Columbia Indian Nation. The talking stick, or speaker’s staff, is hand-carved, and the inscription explains, “It is a sign of authority carried when proclamations are to be made or a meeting of chiefs is in session. It is a token of common heritage both to Canadians and Americans.”
