Joe Sabado – Higher Education & Technology Leadership

I was at a meeting with a campus network administrator and other technical staff once to discuss whether e-vite is allowed to be used by student affairs staff as an event planning tool. The person leading the meeting introduced others in the room by their official titles and responsibilities  and when that person introduced me, he referred to me in a dismissive tone including a smirk as someone who was ” just at the meeting invited to represent the users”. The introduction set the negative tone as to how my input was received , dismissed as words coming from someone technically incompetent. I personally felt devalued and had to prove my competence throughout the meeting.

I’ve also been to meetings where our Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs introduces me as a “tech wizard/magician/expert” and seemingly, the room took my words as authority. It also provided me some boost of confidence knowing such a person of significance held me with high regards.

I don’t think I’m neither technically incompetent nor a technical expert. The point is perception matters and words can either be used to bless or curse others.

I walk into some of my colleagues’ offices and I see their diplomas (MBA. Masters, technical certifications) on display on their wall. Sometimes I feel embarrassed that I don’t have an advanced degree. Because of financial reasons and that as a first generation college student, I didn’t really know that there’s formal education beyond a 4-year university, going to graduate school was never my goal when I entered the university. I suppose I can hang my undergraduate diploma to show my credential but I somehow never found it to be that important to show. What I really value though and what I have on my wall in my office are those that represent me and what I value. Some of the things on my wall are the following:

* Picture of my wife and me

* Certificate of Appreciation for being a facilitator for a 2-week summer transitions program for first-generation students

* “Best Team Builder Award” certificate

* A Filipino Jeepney toy

* Some toys from past department White Elephant gift exchanges

* Collage of pictures with a “thank you” message from a group of Filipino-American students I used to advice

* Copy of a campus newspaper that has a story about a campus-wide web committee I chaired

*  “UCSB Margaret Getman Service to Students Award” nominee and recipient certificates

What’s on your wall?