(Tips for Success continued)

TIP #3 – MAKE IT YOUR OWN

As students start class this week, it's time to reflect on the 3rd Tip for Success - MAKE IT YOUR OWN. New students receive plenty of advice from people in their lives and messages from our culture about what to do in college.  The pressure may be parental - 'pick a major to get a good job, or don't stray too far from our values.'  It may be peer pressure - 'that class is for losers, or why are you studying on Thursday night when there's a great party down the block?'  Either way, it can be hard to resist.

The message I share with students is to listen to the advice, some of it is very important, but to decide for themselves.  Take courses that are interesting, join organizations that are intriguing, attend sports and arts events that are new to you.  Make decisions and learn from the consequences; take responsibility for your life; and when they happen, learn from your mistakes.  No one can go to college for you so what do you want your UTSA experience to be?

Now how do we Make It Our Own?  Obviously there are at least as many different answers as there are people reading this, and only you know if you are taking this final step.  I suspect that each of us has made a decision at some point that met someone else's need and we lived to regret it, or had to back track in some way.  Often we know it doesn't feel right at the time, but we push that voice of truth away.  What do you do to make your job your own, to 'put your own personal signature' on the work you do?  What do you do in your life, your home? Here's a great example of a making it your own - Video - The Simple Truths of Service.*

Name: Jana Kennelly

Title

Associate Director of Development – Student Affairs

Department

Vice President of Student Affairs & Vice President of University Advancement

Job Description

• Set direction for fundraising strategies for Student Affairs

• Build partnerships with community to benefit student programming

• Create alumni base of student leaders

• Be a liaison to Advancement and educate on the benefits of Student Affairs

Background

My husband and I moved here from Indianapolis, Indiana.

Experience

• Grew up on a small farm in Beeville, Texas

• Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Development from Texas A&M University. Whoop!

• Master of Science degree in Agricultural Education from Texas Tech University

• Eleven years of fundraising and marketing experience with National FFA Foundation – Indianapolis, Indiana and Texas Department of Agriculture

Describe your job

My role is to build and cultivate relationships that will result in funding for the division. I am convinced that I have the best job because I get to work with a great team and division that believe in partnering with the community to help us enhance our programs for the benefit of students.

What job skills to you use most often? 

Building relationships is the skill I use most often. It is very important for me to provide customer service to internal and external customers.  Follow up, timely responses, and holding high expectations are key to our success in Student Affairs Development.

What is the most unusual job related case you have worked on?  

Have you ever worked with Bob Miller or Bruce Howard?  Enough said! 

How do you unwind?  I love spending time with my family! Plus I enjoy being active, shopping, going to parties, making jewelry and watching movies

What advice would you give to other Student Affairs staff?

Think big! Be innovative! We have such an opportunity at UTSA to set the pace for other universities.  Let’s build cutting edge programs for the benefit of our students.

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