SEAHO Report - Fall 2019 - 12

SEAHO Feature Articles
around and was voted homecoming queen (still don't understand that one). Honestly, though, I was more proud
of my four-year streak as the women's ping pong intramural champion, a pastime I'd taken up while working
the desk at our university center. Prouder still that I finally walked across the stage and celebrated with my
family over a KFC meal deal, my Momma crying a little every so often.
I ended up going to grad school and pursuing a career in higher education. Like so many in the field, I became
inspired by the people that worked on campus who helped and supported me along my way: the work study
supervisors who taught me to play ping pong, create mail merges, make copies for professors; the ladies in the
caf who always let me in after I had used up all my meals for the week; my bosses in housing-an amazing set
of folks from whom I learned so much; everyone in the English and History departments (they were my people,
lol); my advisors who put up with my inability to make up my mind; the janitors who looked out when I needed
toilet paper or a cigarette or a friendly person to talk/cry to; Campus Police for holding me accountable that
one time; the counseling center; my Dean of Students, without whom the trajectory of my life might not have
spun this way. She saw a light in me I never knew I had and created opportunities I didn't know I needed to be
successful in a field I knew little about. These people-and so many more-were key in helping me succeed
and graduate.
I say all that to say this: college is hard. Not just for poor folks, either. I know it's rough for a variety of reasons.
For some, it is a completely different world from the one they lived in prior to move-in day. The work we do as
student affairs practitioners is important. Yes, it can sometimes be daunting and thankless and low-key doesn't
pay super well (in my experience). But, it's damned important. It's also fun, rewarding, and meaningful most
days. In each interaction we have with students, there is an opportunity to be kind, supportive, and helpful.
There are moments during which you can positively influence their growth and development. We never fully
know what students are going through or what they have overcome in the past. What we do know is that we are
in the position to enhance their future and challenge them to become a better version of themselves every day.
Looking back on my time as a student and working in housing, I think there are some key ways in which we can
assist students who grew up in poverty (or any student, really). While none of the following is groundbreaking, I
do have a few takeaways I'd like to share with you:
1. Be nice. Nothing turns a student off quicker than a bad attitude. You may have been asked the same
question or dealt with the same issue a hundred times, but for the student you are helping it may be
their first time facing the issue and in need of your help. Be nice, folks. It really makes a difference!
2. But don't be too nice. You can't do everything for students, but you can challenge and support them
(shout out to Sanford). Set firm expectations and push students to meet them.
3. Advocate for your students. A-D-V-O-C-A-T-E, for those of you in the back. Stand up for them and
work hard to create the best environment and experiences for them that you can.
4. Celebrate their success. This is so important. Positive reinforcement and recognition go a long way
in cultivating strong student success outcomes. One of my students had a really hard class this past
semester. She finally got an A on an assignment-that A is posted on my office door. Doesn't matter if
it's large or small; meaningful, individualized recognition can go a long way!
5. Offer students food if you can. Especially if you hear them say they are hungry. Those who don't need
it usually won't take you up on it. Those who do will be thankful. If the bottom of Maslow's hierarchy
isn't being met, they can't climb the pyramid of success and self-actualization. You can also give
students who you know struggle a heads up whenever there is leftover food at events. There was one
bad semester in school when I was literally starving myself to save money, living off bologna, ramen,
and bootleg cereal. Any and all free food was gratefully accepted.
6. Work on really knowing how growing up in poverty affects students. Everything hits differently when
you grow up poor. Everything. Too much to go into here, but check out Restricted Opportunity Theory
SEAHO Report Fall 2019

SEAHO Report - Fall 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SEAHO Report - Fall 2019