The SACSA Podcast

In episode seven of SA Today, we are fortunate to be joined by Dr. Kimberly Thornton of Texas Tech University. Dr. Thornton shares about the Red Raider Food Pantry and its operations during the pandemic.

In episode 7 of The First Five Years, we start a series on how to build genuine networks in student affairs. Networking to many seems like an abstract nightmare of talking to strangers. Here, we hope to deconstruct that idea of networking and talk through manageable ways to find support in the field. We started with Dr. Matt Clifford of Wake Forest University and strategies for how to find a genuine network in professional associations. Come for the knowledge, stay for an extended discussion of chicken salad.

In episode six, we are joined by The First Five Years co-host Erica Aguiar. Michelle discusses with Erica her work at the University of Florida with the Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars Program.

In episode 6, we conclude our SA Moments series with stories from Bri Price, Dr. Susan Komives, and Lin Chun. We want to share that we recorded this episode before the latest instances of violence and police brutality in our country. In this episode we discuss student activism and supporting students of color. Thank you in advance for your engagement with these topics. Black Lives Matter, now and always.

On Episode 4 of SA Today, we are joined the Drs. Mary Alice and Matt Varga of the University of West Georgia. The Drs Varga share about balancing their new "co-workers" aka parenting and work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In episode 5, we are joined by Jessica Wiggins of Jacksonville State and Robyn Sanderson of Anderson University to discuss the balance of work as a student affairs practitioner with parenting during COVID-19.

In episode 5, the First Five Years team continues to find amazing SA Moments from around SACSA. In this one, we are joined by SACSA President Jason Cassidy who shares about a redemptive student conduct case. SACSA Vice President Fred Tugas joins and talks about the meaning of a student union renovation project. And, Mississippi State's Beca Spencer tells about an unlikely Homecoming King. Can't wait for y'all to listen!

Content warning - Honest discussion of mental health, including a mention of suicide, is included in this episode. The specific reference is at 18:20. On the next episode of SA Today, we welcome Ciera Durden. Ciera currently serves as the Associate Director for Multicultural Community Development in The Harvey and Lucinda Gantt Multicultural Center. We discuss with Ciera the process of moving Clemson's Pride Celebration online. Discussed at length is the tremendous Living Library Podcast featured in the online Pride celebration. The link to the Library is included below. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clemson-pride-living-library-podcast/id1508253251

In this episode, our production team took the (emotional) journey of sharing our best SA Moment. Agassy tells about learning with an amazing site leader from Clemson's Alternative Breaks Program. Myles offers a moment of serendipity and the love that came after with GW TRAiLS. Erica concludes by sharing about one incredible student assistant and participant in the Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars program.

In this uncertain season, we wanted to offer something meaningful. So, we reached out to amazing professionals from around SACSA and asked a simple question: what is your best student affairs moment? These folks delivered with the kind of stories we need in this moment. Please join us for Part 1 featuring Dr. Tim Miller, Jonathan Tunwar, and Sarah Grace Walters. Run to this episode y'all.