Week 8/9 Alumni Office

Just when I think things have slowed down they pick right back up. These past two weeks have truly been a learning experience. I had the pleasure to meet the National Board Members of the Mississippi State Alumni Association. In class I stated several times that networking was not my thing but the Board meeting forced me to network and it was great. I was able to meet Board members who lived in Cresswell years ago as well as Board members who started their first career job as an Admission Counselor for MSU. I sat around the table with some very prestige Alumni members. I was able to hear the President of the University speak about Leadership and the Role Alumni members play in recruiting students. The President also spoke about making Mississippi State’s degree worth more. Throughout the SEC MSU is the only institution without Phi Beta Kappa, which is a highly ranked Honors Society. He also stated professors haven’t had a pay increase in 4years. He said, how can we want distinguished professors if we can pay them? He asked Alumni members to continue to give back and support MSU initiatives.  

I also learned in the state of Texas they are now selling MSU car tags and all processed go towards out of State tuition to Texas residence who attend MSU.  MSU is also raising the bar for recruitment. Starting at the age of 12 they send out Birthday cards to children whose parents are MSU Alum.

The Board meeting was very interesting the Athletic Director spoke as well as a professor from Bowling Green, Kentucky who is a graduate of WKU GO TOPs, she has been teaching at MSU for 10 years now, Dr. Abraham, and the SA President.

On Wednesday I met with Dr. Tommy Stevenson who is the director of Diversity and Equity. He spoke about crafting your language, being intentional about the things you want, consistency is key to building relationships, and being transparent.  Dr. Stevenson gave really great advice he told me I needed to learn how to play golf because all major decisions happen on the golf course not in the office. He stated, “You don’t want to be the only one at the table that doesn’t know were making cuts and your office needs to let go two people.”  I also asked him about the African American Alumni Association and if he thinks if should exist.

He’s reply was very political listening to him made me realize sometimes the higher up you are in Student Affairs you don’t get to the real issues due to politics.