The Donut Guy Blog

I consider myself an educator. Sometimes it’s harder to find where you fit into education when you work in admissions and enrollment, but I never felt like that was hard for me. I got into it with the idea of helping students figure out the next step in their lives. Sounds a lot like an educator to me.

When I was working in student development at SUNY Delhi, I was lucky enough to work events for incoming students thinking about the college or celebrating their acceptance. I always found that work meaningful with people who had reasonable questions and needed the help. Upon finishing my master’s degree, the opportunity to enter the field at SUNY Oneonta opened to me.

I grew so much at Oneonta. I found myself outside of my original ideas in the field, but into something truly meaningful. My skills connecting with people and helping were on display every time I attended a college fair or worked an event. Corresponding with students and families allowed me to grow as a professional, as a writer, and as a well-rounded leader. I was lucky enough to move forward into the graduate side at Oneonta, adding even more experience and connection to another different type of student. I knew that I could keep moving forward to be a responsible leader in admissions and enrollment.

Eventually, I reached a level where I knew I could take on more responsibility in a place that mattered. This is how I arrived at SUNY Broome Community College. I did not have experience at the community college level, but I knew they were working with students in need of support and really growing across the system. I found a stride in this work; both reaching students who really needed and appreciated the support, and meeting colleagues who were truly devoted to the best for their students and each other.

I have felt the most rewarded by this work, particularly in what I have seen it mean to students. The work of a community college is meant to provide the best quality education, with a lot of support at a reasonable cost. I feel like we were doing that to the best of our ability, and moving in a direction to do better every day. Like all colleges, it’s not easy, but that’s not why we get into that work. It’s not about indoctrinating the youth, as someone would have you believe. It is giving people tools to find the most success possible and to know someone who is there to back them up.

Although my journey is at a crossroads, I would not change what got me here. This type of work is truly meaningful, and I say that to all my colleagues still doing it out there. Colleges are worth it and important. It may take work to find the right one for you or your student, but that really is what matters. Having a plan is what matters. I may not be the Director of Admissions right now, but if there is a student out there or family who has a question or needs help, I wouldn’t hesitate.