Every professional has a story about how they landed in student affairs—some stumbled into it, others chased it from the start. October is Careers in Student Affairs Month, the perfect time to share those journeys. In Housing & Residence Life especially, our paths are often winding, full of unexpected turns, yet strangely familiar too. Ready to hear how three colleagues found their way here? Let’s dive in.

A Student of the Journey

Like most of you, my student affairs journey started unbeknownst to me. Not like many of you (maybe some), it began at Oakland University where I had served as a tutor, desk worker, and orientation leader all before my junior year. The first time I heard of the career was in my junior year and my former academic advisor and current supervisor said have you ever wondered why you have liked all your jobs and never decided on a major for more than a semester? Well, that got me. I had switched my major 4 times at that point and was telling him how much I loved my job as a Student Success Coach and as a Housing Night Watch desk worker. He broke it down with me and showed me the conferences and the graduate programs I could get into. He even said I could become someone like our Dean of Students, who was iconic on our campus, it all depended on what drove me. Students. At the end of this conversation, he said I should look out for opportunities in Housing to get involved and ask my Residence Director about any others.

Sure enough, an email came out about attending OPE to all student staff to see who wanted to go to Wisconsin to be the interviewer for the graduate assistant positions we had vacant for the next year. This OPE experience changed my life like no other. I had the chance to learn about the ‘why’ of so many people that were eager to start their student affairs careers. I was also able to start a mentorship with my future supervisor in my RA role. He taught me so much about crafting my resume, cover letter, and how to interview in the placement exchange. Wild to think that an introvert like me was going to a placement exchange with hundreds of people that I didn’t know and talk to them like I had known them for more than a day. I don’t do small talk. This led me to the University of Central Arkansas. I was lucky enough to have moved across states along with a friend from Oakland and started this program together. Today, we are very much still the greatest of friends.

At UCA I would grow into my own as an RHA and NRHH Advisor and host a conference for SWACURH. Those two years I developed an understanding of what the field is and what it would mean to be a professional in my future ‘adult’ job. I am grateful for the friends I made, the classmates that aided my education, and most of all those that pushed me to be better whether you knew it or not. The impact this experience had on me is one for the books and cannot be fully described in words.

Who would have thought that I would still be in Arkansas today. It has been almost 7 years since my first job here at the University of Arkansas. While I was a Hall Director, I got to expand on my ability to participate in professional organizations and conferences. I was supported in being a Regional NRHH Advisor for SWACURH that taught me how to balance my roles, time, and energy. The COVID-19 pandemic and all that occurred in 2020 helped me find my professional voice and my drive as an educator in new ways. Professionally, I learned how to dedicate time to my own development in addition to my students. In 2018 I was a participant in SWACUHO-U and that led me to want to contribute back to the experience. I joined the Professional Development committee and helped transition it to an online experience during the pandemic. Little did I know this was setting me up to be the chair in the long run and one of the first chairs to bring SWACUHO-U back to an in-person experience.

My ‘new’ ‘adult’ job now is the Assistant Director for Residence Education here at the University of Arkansas. I supervise hall directors, and I do outreach for students in crisis. If you asked me what drives me today in my career, it stays the same. Students.

But students are not just the ones enrolled in classes. They are you. New experiences come up all the time. You could have a long-term goal of having a doctorate and not know when to start or what program. Then suddenly you are 2 years into a Human Resources Development doctorate program. The journey will always surprise you.

While I type this blog here, I am surprised with it. In that reflection I have determined one thing to be true, let the journey surprise you and let yourself be a student of the journey.

Maddie De BucceAssistant Director for Residence Education-University of Arkansas

When a Paycheck becomes a Calling

When people ask how I got into Student Affairs, I usually laugh and say, “Well, I definitely didn’t plan it.” My path wasn’t a straight line—it was more like a winding road with detours, wrong turns, and a few people pointing me back on track.

I grew up in a single-income household, so money was always a factor when it came to college. My family wanted me to go, but a university just wasn’t realistic at first. Then I received the President’s Leadership Scholarship at Rose State College, and that changed everything. It didn’t just cover tuition—it opened the door to experiences that ended up shaping my whole future.

Funny enough, I actually started out as a Criminal Justice major. That lasted one semester. I realized very quickly that science was not for me. Like, at all. (What’s biology? jk.) So I shifted gears, and honestly, I’m glad I did.

While at Rose, I jumped into everything—clubs, volunteer work, events. I even tagged along with recruiters to local high schools. At first, it felt odd. Me, an introvert, talking to groups of high school students about college? But I ended up loving it. That was probably the first real spark for Student Affairs. I didn’t know the name for it yet, but I loved connecting with students, sharing resources, and helping them imagine themselves in college.

Later, one of my advisors encouraged me to transfer to the University of Central Oklahoma and finish a bachelor’s in Strategic Communications. My “plan” at that point was corporate communications—helping organizations with internal culture and messaging. But then a former supervisor asked me to come back to Rose State and work in the housing department. I said no. For six months. (Yes, I was that stubborn.) Eventually, I gave in because I needed the money while finishing my degree.

That’s when everything shifted. What I thought would be just a paycheck became a calling. I loved Student Affairs—the late-night conversations, the quick “how’s your day going?” chats, the chance to walk alongside students through all the ups and downs of college. Cheesy as it sounds, I thought I was opening doors for students, but really, they were opening the door for me.

I did take a short detour to the Foundation and Resource Development office, helping raise money for scholarships. The work was meaningful, but I missed being in the thick of things with students. I missed hearing about their classes and their weekend plans, celebrating the little wins, and being there when things got hard. That’s when I realized where my heart truly was—right there in the halls, in Residence Life.

Looking back now, I see how much the Student Affairs professionals in my life shaped me. They encouraged me, believed in me, and pushed me toward opportunities I never would’ve taken on my own. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am. And that’s exactly the kind of influence I hope to have on the students I work with—that one day they’ll look back and remember that someone in Student Affairs cared, listened, and reminded them they belonged. That’s the full-circle moment I live for.

If you had told 18-year-old me—the quiet Criminal Justice major who thought she’d end up in corporate communications—that I’d be running around at housing events, laughing with students, and helping them figure out college life? I would’ve rolled my eyes and said, “Yeah, right.” But here I am. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Danielle Cornejo
Assistant Director of Residence Life-Rose State College, Oklahoma

Finding Joy in Creating Spaces Where Students Can Learn, Lead, and Thrive

Howdy SWACUHO!!

My name is Madison Evans, and I currently serve as a Community Manager at Texas A&M University. My journey in Residence Life began during my freshman year at Mississippi State University, where I took on the role of Resident Advisor. At the time, I was pursuing a degree in Criminology with the hope of becoming a Behavioral Analyst for the FBI. However, my experience as a RA opened my eyes to the transformative impact we can have on students’ lives. Being a part of committees in the departments allowed me to gain insight on what a full-time profession in Residence Life looked like and that’s when my path shifted towards student affairs.

Transitioning into supervisory roles- first as a desk manager, then a graduate student, and now as a full time professional did not come without its challenges. I have stepped into teams that were accustomed to different leadership styles and have not taken to change very well. I knew that I would need to be very intentional in being a supervisor to them. I know that I am a supervisor who builds trust and rapport, while also holding them accountable when necessary. Over time, I’ve come to define my supervision style as one that is rooted in Sandford’s Challenge and Support Theory. I strive to uplift and empower my staff, all while encouraging them to growth through constructive challenges. I am still evolving in this area, and I am thankful to have a former supervisor, now mentor, and a current supervisor who models this same supervision style with me. They remind have or do remind me of my professional goals even when I lose sight of them.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working Residence Life at Mississippi State University, the University of Central Arkansas, and now Texas A&M. Each institution has helped me grow in my passion for leadership development. From Chairing SAACURH RBC to Co-Chairing SWACUHO SSLC, I’ve found joy in creating spaces where students can learn, lead, and thrive.

Another area I’m deeply passionate about is supporting first-year students in their transition to college. For the past four years, I’ve overseen the operations of a first-year residence hall, where I’ve witnessed the amazing process of learning, unlearning, and relearning that these students undergo. It’s a vulnerable and often overwhelming time, but also one filled with resilience and growth. I believe that learning outside the classroom is just as important as what is happening inside it. From organizational involvement and programs to conduct conversation and roommate mediations, these experiences shape a student’s co-curricular journey and contribute to their holistic development.

Thank you for allowing me to share a bit of my story and what led me to Residence Life. I am excited to continue learning, growing, and connecting as I continue my professional journey!!

Thanks & Gig’ Em

Madison Evans
Community Manager- Texas A&M