Funding My SA Future: the Jim Rhatigan Fellowship
Supporting the Profession
November 16, 2018
For the past two years every day I have woken up, I have been excited to go to work. Working in student affairs is not just a job to me, but it is a career that I am pursuing. In order to do my job well, I must be aware of the future of Higher Education and current trends. Going to the 2018 NASPA Annual Conference allowed me to do just that while also being rejuvenating myself professionally. At the time of attending the Conference, I was a second-year graduate student (who was job searching) at the University of Central Arkansas who gets paid a stipend. Attending the NASPA Annual Conference would not have happened if the NASPA Foundation had not selected me as a Jim Rhatigan Fellowship recipients. Receiving these funds alleviated a huge finical burden off me and I was able to enjoy my entire time at the conference and not put have constant worry regarding cost.
From attending the African American Male Summit to the various workshops presented, I learned a lot and took ideas back to my campus to implement. Student affairs is a profession where I will be impacting the lives of tomorrow as well as managing what is happening at the moment. I look forward to all opportunities that I will be privileged to experience as I work my way up to becoming a vice president of student affairs. Higher education is truly a space that I believe I can leave my mark, as I truly care about the field. I believe there is no greater way to give back to my community and others than through education. I do not just want to educate students, but also serve as a role model and inspire students to see the greatness that is inside of them. The Annual Conference is such an environment that ensures future leaders in student affair like myself are achieving the proper preparation and networking with like-minded and successful professionals. My favorite motto is “If you want to be the best, you might want to be challenged by the best.” This is absolutely the case as I am being trained up in the best way that I should go. Thank you to the NASPA Foundation and their donors for ensuring my success as a student affairs professional.
Watch Relius Johnson's Rhatugan Fellowship submission video on mental health
Help support the work of the NASPA Foundation this #GivingTuesday
#GivingTuesday is a global giving movement that has been built by individuals, families, organizations, businesses and communities in countries around the world. Millions of people have come together to support and champion the causes they believe in and the communities in which they live. This year’s #GivingTuesday falls on Tuesday, November 27, 2018.