1. Are We Constructing Student
Affairs Robots?
Kelly McDowell
Florida State University
Alyssa Zewe
Florida State University

2. Programmed Framework
Social Media

3. Student Affairs Taboos?
Please share any “unwritten” rules to being
a successful student affairs professional

4. Glitches in the Robot Matrix
• Career move norms trumping
relationships
• Social Media personal versus professional
presence
• Selection of Graduate Programs
• Tattoos and personal appearance
• Job searches with similar applicants
• Mentees stress level

5. Does this speak to your experience?

6. How Do We De-program?
G
ME
AUTHENTICITY
N
ISI
NT
RV
OR
PE
IN
SU
G

7. Authenticity
• Role modeling is important
• Reflect in our cover letters/resumes
• How can we bring ourselves into our
work more fully
– SAC Band
– Student ACTIVEities

8. Examples

9. Examples

10. Can we be too Authentic?
Where is balance?

11. Supervising
• Intentional conversations with grads and
new staff about authenticity and what
personally they can bring to the office
• As we move up, open up! Higher ups can
seem difficult to connect with
• Counter peer pressure and checklist
mentality for graduate assistants

12. Mentoring
• Share multiple paths into the field (not
just our own)
• Push them to share their story
• Help broaden their view of the field

13. Questions/Thoughts?

14. Conclusion
There is room for life, love,
authenticity, and passion in
our careers—our profession is
in need of unique individuals,
not robots