I believe most of us go into higher education because we fell in love with some part of our undergraduate experience. I was no different, as I found my passion for living and working at smaller institutions during my time as a student at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Since then, my nearly 30-year-career has included positions in residence life and housing at both large and small institutions, but I kept coming back to smaller institutions like Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania or Ashland University and–most recently–Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio.
At each of these stops, I found great mentors, friends, and colleagues who challenged me to get involved in the campus and surrounding community. Smaller institutions generally place a heavy emphasis on developing personal connections, serving others, and working together. Living out these values had a profound effect on the way I approached my life as a professional and as a person. Without a doubt, I learned the most about my values and myself from my time at smaller institutions.
At smaller institutions, staff and faculty are highly encouraged to become active participants in the campus community, often serving in multiple roles. These multiple roles helped me get to know students and colleagues in deeper ways. I was able to see firsthand the impact that a person could have on someone else. As I have gotten older (and hopefully wiser), I learned that, for me, it is not the number of staff members you work with or how many full-time staff members you supervise. Instead, it is the depth and breadth of quality personal interactions with residents, staff, parents, and faculty I remember and cherish the most.
Getting to know the people you are working for and with on a genuine level helps you to positively impact their lives. Thanks to the culture of small institutions, there are no shortages of opportunities to connect. Being an alternative break advisor to serve the homeless in cities around the country and helping children in the Dominican Republic were incredible experiences not only because of their uniqueness but also because of the people I met. I was able to connect with students beyond just their first name, residence hall, or position. I heard their stories and I discovered their career aspirations, their likes and dislikes, their take on current events, and the names of their family members and pets. The same has been true, on a smaller scale, when I’ve had opportunities to serve as an advisor to a student service organization or involve students in new projects and initiatives on campus. With every interaction, you have the opportunity to become a major part of their support system at the institution and in life. It becomes easier to refer that person to helpful resources, to provide a letter of recommendation recognizing their campus involvement, or to submit a nomination letter for a scholarship on their behalf. Quicker than expected, you become a cheerleader for all their major accomplishments, including academic achievements, internships or job offers, or acceptances to graduate school.
Being truly present throughout these pivotal moments makes you an integral part of a person’s journey well beyond their time at the institution. Thanks to social media, it is easier than ever to stay connected with students and colleagues and continue those relationships, even when they move on from your campus. It is truly wonderful to see these people post their exciting life updates. From engagements and weddings to new homes to new family members (pet or human), it is wonderful to see where life takes them and to know I had a role in shaping their experience.
I chose to work on a small campus, and that choice has become etched into my mind and my heart. It has helped me find meaning in my work and my life. Looking back, I may occasionally miss the executive title and salary, but I will never regret the shared values and sense of camaraderie I got from working at a small college or university. Those memories and friendships will last a lifetime.
