What is your routine for the first few hours of your day?
I usually wake up, make a cup of coffee, eat a bowl of cereal or oatmeal, and watch the news. It’s a routine I’ve done for years and it helps me get the day started. Then, it is a shower and off to the office. I usually listen to a podcast or music on the way into campus. The start of the work day usually consists of more coffee and email or meetings.
What is the last thing you read, watched, or listened to that changed your perspective?
While I cannot say my perspective has changed, I am often horrified at the rhetoric I see on social media. Many times, items are posted without fact-checking, and this can be detrimental for development. In our roles as educators and practitioners, we continue to challenge students to think critically about what they view on X or Reddit and to question what is real and what is not. With the evolution of artificial intelligence, it is even more of a duty to ensure that we do our homework.
What is one piece of advice you wish you had received earlier in your career?
You do not have to know everything. I recall that in the first few years of my career (post master’s) I thought I had to know it all and do it all. In fact, no, you do not. It is perfectly okay to ask if you do not know and to readily admit when you are unsure of something. No one will think less of you, and if they do, as RuPaul says, “It is none of your business.”
What is your favorite campus dining hall meal?
When I was an undergrad, I always appreciated the simplicity of a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. A crispy grilled cheese sandwich always got me through the cold winter months in the dining hall at Eastern Michigan. Over the years, it has been hard to replicate the exact contrast between cheese, bread, and crispness that ones from the dining commons had.
What is something that someone has done for you lately for which you were most grateful?
I was having a really rough day, and it seemed like things were coming at me from every direction. I was venting to one of my colleagues, who essentially listened and replied, “What do you need?” A simple question can go so far in the work we do. I did not fully know how to answer her question, but sometimes we just need to vent. Sometimes we might need an ally in the unexpected issues we often face. I really appreciated her in that moment.
What tool does every campus housing pro need to know how to use, and when was the last time you used one?
I think every housing professional should have funding knowledge in their toolbox. What are the funding and sources, and how are budgets created? I have always been curious about funding, and every place I have worked I ask many questions. In one of my previous roles, I was given the opportunity to serve as a financial officer for the department. Housing funds come from our residents who live with us, so we become stewards of their funding. Being able to articulate and “speak budgets” has helped me in a number of situations where funding was being cut or staffing decisions were being made. I always encourage new professionals to ask questions about funding.
What was your favorite class when you were a student?
I was a telecommunications and film major (radio, TV, film), so my favorite class was television production. It was a very chaotic class with numerous projects and many deadlines, but I learned a great deal about patience and structure, which has helped me throughout my career.
What hobby would you pursue if time and money were no object?
I love to travel. I learn so much by going to new places and exploring different countries. I have appreciated being able to meet new people and gain various perspectives from different parts of the world. I would love to see more and interact more, and if money were no object, it would be my life’s work.
What is your favorite tradition from any campus where you have worked?
Singing the Michigan State fight song at almost any event. I think we learned it during residence life graduate assistant training, and it was engrained in almost every event on campus (with or without sports). I still know it and even work it into conversations when referring to MSU. “Where did you go to grad school?” Answer: “On the banks of the Red Cedar, there’s a school that’s known to all!”
What song do you count on to hype you up to start the day or help you celebrate at the end of a long one?
My go-to song that can always get me going is “Like a Prayer” by Madonna. When that choir hits, you can’t help but jump up and sing along.
James C. Smith is the dean of student affairs at the University of California in San Diego. Would you like to see yourself or a colleague included in the Snapshot column? Complete the questions on this form or share the link with someone you think we should get to know better.