You'll notice that the location of this post is a campus, which I know we said was not what this is about! Today's second post actually speaks to a pair of defections; Mason Reuter, today's author, has defected twice! He left the field of higher education in 2003, only to return several years later. Now solidly … Continue reading The Defectors: Mason Reuter, UNCC
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The Defectors: Emily Yates, IIE
The first of our Defectors contributor posts comes from Emily Yates, currently working as a scholarship advisor for the Institute of International Education, based out of DC. Her defection was somewhat accidental, the result of exploring "adjacent options." But now, she's realizing she wouldn't have it any other way. Thanks so much for sharing your … Continue reading The Defectors: Emily Yates, IIE
The Defectors: Introduction to the Literature
So in truth, "the literature" is a bit of an overstatement. But the fact of the matter is, the idea of being a "Defector"- of doing this work in a manner different from the standard- is becoming increasingly common. For my part, I truly appreciated the testimonies of people like Kayley Robsham, Paul Gordon Brown, and Keith … Continue reading The Defectors: Introduction to the Literature
Welcome to the Defectors!
Happy August to you! After a break to focus on a few others projects and, in truth, take some time away from a dedicated writing grind, I'm returning to regular posting with some help from friends and colleagues. As you may recall, I put out a call earlier this summer to find and tell the … Continue reading Welcome to the Defectors!
[VIDEO] SA Speaks: Lighting Up Introverts on College Campuses
Back in March, I had the pleasure of giving one of seven SA Speaks talks at the 2016 NASPA National Conference in Indianapolis, IN. Spread over two days, the presentation style resembled that of a TED conference- right down to the big stage and unseen crowd. At last, my talk is available for viewing. I … Continue reading [VIDEO] SA Speaks: Lighting Up Introverts on College Campuses
5 Ways to Embrace Introverts in a Residential Community
Last week, I had the pleasure of delivering a twenty minute TED-style talk about "Facilitating Quiet Success in Residence Life" at the NEACUHO Annual Conference in Westfield, MA. We had a lot of ground to cover in the twenty allotted minutes, and was pleased to get through it all and have time to answer questions … Continue reading 5 Ways to Embrace Introverts in a Residential Community
Call for Submissions: “The Defectors”
Since we last spoke, the six-month anniversary of my shift to independent work has come and gone. There are moments in the past six months that have felt like incredible triumphs, and just as many (in fact, likely more) where I've felt lost, confused, and wondered if things were going to work out. But one … Continue reading Call for Submissions: “The Defectors”
Not Just Another Manic Monday
I'll start here: I don't talk enough about how mental illness affects me. I don't talk about how I've learned to tell when an anxiety attack is coming on, and have left the office (or house, now) on more than one occasion to walk around the neighborhood, calming my breathing and willing my hands to … Continue reading Not Just Another Manic Monday
Parody in Practice: The Gentlemen of Humans of Higher Ed [Interview]
Last week, we discussed the nature of parody, the challenges associated with doing it well, and why it feels like the type of comedy we really need right now. This week, I want to take an in-depth look at a higher education-specific example of the form, in (the award-winning) Humans of Higher Ed. Developed earlier this … Continue reading Parody in Practice: The Gentlemen of Humans of Higher Ed [Interview]
Surely You Can’t Be Serious: On the Necessity of Parody
What's it called when you read a diagnosis and its symptoms, and immediately determine that you have the disease in question? Whatever the technical name, I've got an ailment to add to my hypochondriac's litany of likely diseases: witzelsucht. Witzelsucht is a neurological condition in which the sufferer is essentially a nonstop fountain of jokes and … Continue reading Surely You Can’t Be Serious: On the Necessity of Parody
Amma Marfo 