By Kimmi Sterner
Well, guys, it’s here! For most of us, the school year is about to go into full swing. Some people might be starting at new universities or colleges, while others will continue to “Do Great Things!” at their current institutions. Either way, I think we should all take a moment to think about values. The theme for NIRSA 2015 is “Moving Our Values Forward,” after all; so why not consider our values now and practice moving them forward all year?
I was fortunate enough to experience life at a new university this summer.
At UCLA, I was exposed to a brand new set of values that I had to learn, adopt, and live.
At the end of the summer, when I returned to Ole Miss, I discovered that another set of new values had actually been introduced while I was gone, giving me another opportunity to adjust and adapt all over again.
This got me thinking.
No matter where you work, you want to share the same values and goals as your teammates. If you don’t, then establishing a unified team will be nearly impossible since not everyone will be working toward one common vision. This does not mean that you need to think exactly like your teammates do, just that you all have similar principles. In fact, you should always strive to look at things with a unique perspective; put your own spin on the wheel presented to you.
As an organization, NIRSA shares the values of service; health and wellbeing; leadership; global perspective; sustainable communities; and equity, diversity, and inclusion. These are all respectable values, so think about how you can do your best to honor and embrace them!
Do you know someone who has done exceptional service work? If so, nominate them for the NIRSA Annual Service Award—the deadline is September 15! If you’ve found a new leadership philosophy, submit an application to be on the Student Leadership Team by September 30. Recognize and celebrate when someone else is living their values, and do your best to live yours.
If you’re starting a new journey at a new institution, your first mission is to take pride in where you work. One way of doing this is to embrace your new school. Make sure you update your NIRSA profile to reflect your current position, decorate your office with the school colors, and put all the polos and t-shirts from your previous institution in a separate drawer so you don’t accidentally wear them to work. None of this says you’re abandoning your old school; only that you’re giving yourself the chance to be completely immersed in your new experience.
You were selected for your respected position for a reason. You provide your department with a unique vision and with endless opportunities for growth. Let your values motivate you to continue working hard, learning a lot, and inspiring others. Always think outside the box, don’t take no for an answer, and create room for innovation and excitement.
As Mick Deluca, one of my most-respected mentors, would say: “If you’re not on the cutting edge, you should at least be able to see it.” Give your department the lens it needs to see the cutting edge—show them how their values can be used in new ways to constantly move the profession forward.
