September 2021Snapshot

TS HEADER IMAGEDanny Giles | Virginia State University “If I were college president for a week, I would try to meet with as many students as possible to hear their stories about why they chose Virginia State University as a place of higher learning.”
What first inspired you to pursue a career in student affairs or campus housing?I was first inspired to pursue a career in student affairs when I received my first work-study job working in one of the residence halls on campus as an office assistant. Performing this job allowed me to provide support and help to others. What was a recent occurrence or interaction that convinced you that you had made the right choice?The most recent occurrence that comes to mind is my interaction with a resident contemplating whether or not he was returning to school for the fall semester. I received a call mid-summer from this young man requesting help securing on-campus housing and registering for classes. He is back on campus and ready to start classes now.What is the biggest challenge you face in your job?The biggest challenge that I face in my job is when I can't help a student get financially clear for the semester, and they may have to return home. What must-have item do you have in your office (or wherever you are calling an office now)?The one must-have item in my office is a radio. It provides soothing sounds when it becomes a stressful day. I love to listen to smooth jazz and dim the light for a self-care moment in my office. What would you want to do if you were the college or university president for one week? If I were college president for a week, I would try to meet with as many students as possible to hear their stories about why they chose Virginia State University as a place of higher learning.What makes your current campus unique?Here at Virginia State University, we like to provide our students with a transformative experience that they will cherish for a lifetime. What are your favorite traditions or superstitions at any of the campuses where you've worked?One of my favorite traditions I like to share with first-year students that I encounter on the campus of VSU is this saying: "If you step on the Trojan Head, you will not graduate within the four years." What's something you've learned about yourself, your campus, or the profession as a whole with everything that's occurred in the last year?The one thing that I learned about this profession over the past year is that our students need us. To some of them, we provide that emotional support and positive reinforcement that's necessary from time to time.What motivates you in your work?THE STUDENTS. Also, seeing them achieve their personal goals.We know not all heroes wear a cape, but what superpower would be most helpful in your job?The superpower that could be helpful with this job would be the ability to clone me when I'm needed in two places at the same time to handle someone's problem when they arrive.

Danny T. Giles, M.Ed., is associate director of VSU TRiO-Student Support Services in the Division of Student Success and Engagement at Virginia State University. Have a colleague you think others should get to know? Please share with us at talkingstick@acuho-i.org and you may see them in a future issue of the magazine.CoverReader GuideAD - RT LondonVisionSeptember + October 2021 MastheadAD - Bath FitterSpotlight: DePauwSpotlight: Kennesaw State Universityad - ACCPage TurnerFirst PersonAD - AdirondackIt FiguresAD - Microfridge & SkyfactorOn Solid GroundAD - StarRezFurthering the MissionAD - Tempur + SealyMade for the MomentAD - Foliot & KenyonUnacknowledged LossesAD - American Bedding - Mackey MitchellTeaming Up for Mental HealthAD - BrillConversations: Caring for RAsNew MembersAD - MarketplaceYour ACUHO-ISnapshotDiscussion Guide