Joe Sabado – Higher Education & Technology Leadership

The ability to understand and share the perspective of our students plays a very important role in how effective we are as student affairs professionals and educators in building relationships and helping our students.  Personally, while I fully acknowledge the fact that I can never fully understand today’s students’ perspectives due to our differences in age and experience, some of my experiences and background help me not only understand what their needs and opportunities may be but build relationships as well.

I was a discussion leader for a First Year Experience course for international students three years ago. Most of them were Chinese, with one student from Brazil. Most had only been in the United States for about two months. In addition to adjusting to their academic lives, they also had to adjust to the cultural norms and language and navigate their environments. Their discomfort with their new environments was apparent during the first few weeks of the course. In my one-on-one discussions and in class, they shared their issues in trying to understand how the university works, the habits of their American roommates, and difficulties with activities we take for granted as Americans. The language was one of the main barriers during their times of transition. Some even going to the grocery stores or taking the bus proved difficult. I would not have been able to appreciate their difficulties to the extent  I did if it was not for my experience traveling to Italy with my wife only a month before this course. Through my experience preparing for the trip and during our time in Rome and Florence, I could feel some of the issues these students faced. The fact that this was our first time traveling to Europe became a source of stress for me for a couple of months before our trip. I did not know how to speak Italian, and while I researched as much as possible through the web, perusing travel sites and reading stories from travelers, I could only speculate how our experience would be.

I had difficulty learning Italian even with the multiple translation and language apps I downloaded on my iPhone. This difficulty added to my concerns about the trip. I was also worried about being pick-pocketed in Rome. Stories about different tactics used and the prevalence of thieves out in the streets became my focus during our preparation. During our trip, the local Italians we interacted with were very accommodating to our limited Italian, but nevertheless, even ordering food or asking for directions proved challenging. When I met with the students, I shared some of my experiences and issues with our Italy vacation to connect with them. I could have genuine discussions with them and reassure them that they were not the only ones who have had to experience the difficulties of adjusting to a new culture and location.

Last week, I facilitated a transitional course for a one-week summer bridge program for first-generation and low-income first-year students. Having gone to the program myself and as a UCSB alum, I could relate to what they may be experiencing and anticipate/address some of their concerns. As a first-year generation student from a low/middle-income family, I was also able to relate to some of their family values and views on education. While each student certainly brought their unique and individual experience, there were also common topics, including financial concerns, first-time away from home, and the lack of directions with their intended majors I was able to share because of my personal experience.

As I had my orientation class for my online MBA last week, I found myself experiencing/feeling the same concerns the students shared during the summer bridge program. One of the students expressed doubt about whether she belonged at UCSB. As she mentioned in class, she realized high-achieving students surrounded her and wondered if she could compete with them. I also wonder if I have the aptitude and intelligence to complete my MBA. What was interesting as well was that one of the lectures was on critical thinking and research, both of which are topics in my orientation class. I have seen the same lectures a few times but found myself more interested this time. During our class discussion, I was able to share some of my perspectives and provide additional information on the topics.

From personal experience, I find it easier to relate and build relationships with others with similar backgrounds and experiences. In my interactions with students, especially Filipino-American students, our shared cultural background has proven to be important in building relationships.

There’s not a week I look forward to in my job more than STEP Program, a summer bridge program for incoming first-year, first-generation, and under-represented students at UCSB. I have served as a transitional facilitator for the last four years, and it’s one of the most fulfilling personal/professional experiences I have ever done in my career. STEP Program has a special place in my life. I was a student in the program in 1991, and I was also a Resident Assistant in 1994. I met some of my life-long friends through this program and became friends with some students who have also considered me my mentor.

A few years ago, this program was for two weeks, and unfortunately, due to budget cuts, the program was reduced to one week. Even so, it is remarkable how much transformation happens with the students. I enjoy watching their confidence grow and their connections with other students within this short week. It’s a testament to how well the program is designed and the dedication of the staff and volunteers.

STEP Program facilitation is not one of my responsibilities as an IT Director. My job description does not mention working with students in a classroom setting, nor does working with first-generation students. But my interaction with the students through my role as a facilitator drives my purpose. It reminds me of why my job matters and who I work for. I don’t work for my supervisors; I work for students. In the end, while the systems I help develop with my technical teams enable our business staff and departments to be able to serve the personal development and learning of thousands of students at a mass scale, I would like to believe the personal interactions our faculty, staff, and the relationships our students develop with their peer’s matter as much towards a fulfilling college career.

When I read the students’ reflections of their STEP experience at the end of the program, I get the sense of how much they value the program and how much more confident and comfortable they are with their transition into UCSB. Personally, the STEP program provides me with the opportunity to build connections with the students. Even if most of them will never contact me again, I consider it a privilege and honor to be a part of their introduction to their new lives at UCSB. My one-week STEP experience is enough to nourish my soul and provide me with motivation and a sense of purpose for the rest of the year.

I have heard other folks say good ideas come when they’re in the shower. Could it be because that’s one of the few minutes within our busy days we actually get to think freely and not get distracted with the worries and issues we must face at work and in our lives?

It’s been a hectic year at work. We started several major projects and maintenance of existing systems kept increasing. This is a sign of the increasing role of technology in how we do business in student affairs and on our campus. In my role as  information systems director, most of my time is spent in meetings from steering committees, oversight committees, project work groups, and with my supervisors. These meetings are in addition to managing resources, providing leadership and support to my staff, working with our business units to plan projects and to solve unexpected issues. There were times when I had to remind myself to step back and take on tasks one at a time. It’s been stressful and I definitely felt drained and frustrated at times. I took a much needed vacation this week with the goals to just read, write, and review my future career goals. It’s been awhile since I’ve actually had the time to think and reflect. As I think about why I felt so frustrated at times, I began to realize what I stopped doing the last few months — I stopped learning, thinking/dreaming about new ideas, and reflecting on growth and accomplishments. I was so busy at work managing that I had gotten away from the two activities I enjoy and used to spend a lot of my time on – reading and blogging. I read  a lot of books in 2013 but not so much this year.

I’ve only written a few blog posts this year as well. One of the many things I enjoy about blogging and reading was that one idea led to another and when different topics like politics, history, culture, and technologies came together, there was a sense of personal satisfaction in being able to synthesize these different perspectives. It was even more fun when I was able to apply what I’ve learned to my work. For me, learning and reflecting energize me. To be able to dream about the future in a world filled with pessimism and constraints is liberating. To be able to reflect and document on my  challenges, and accomplishments this past year also provided me with a sense of growth and progress. It’s hard to fully appreciate the blessings and the relationships I’ve developed without spending some time reflecting on them.

It’s amazing how easily we can get into the routine of just dealing with what’s immediately in front of us and forget to dream about possibilities and reflect on our experiences. Taking some time away from our day-to-day grind is healthy and something we should all consider.

For all the challenges I face in my job from time to time, I can’t see myself working for any other place outside UCSB student affairs at this point in my career. It’s been more than a week since the Isla Vista tragedy and within that time, I’ve seen so many remarkable acts, events, selfless dedication by my colleagues and students that remind me of how remarkable UCSB community really is. I was further reminded of how blessed I am to be working in student affairs at UCSB during our divisional meeting when our Vice Chancellor Michael Young recounted all the amazing campus-wide collaboration in response to the tragedy. As he said “people just showed up and did what needed to be done.” He also acknowledged the leadership of the key individuals who were on the front line, moments after the incident.

It is during this time of the year, when I feel mixed emotions. I’m both happy to see the successes of our students and at the same time, I can’t help but feel sad that I will no longer seeing them, some of them of which I’ve seen grow since the first days of their classes at UCSB and whom I’ve developed mentor relationships with. I feel honored when students asks me to go to lunch and take the time out of their busy schedules preparing for finals and graduation to chat before they leave. I feel honored when a couple of graduating seniors I just met a month ago wanted to have lunch with me.

I have a great job and I’m very proud to say that. At the end of the day, in spite of the challenges of the job, what an honor it is to be able to serve the students and to be able to play a part in their lives. As VC Michael Young said this morning, “It’s often the personal connections that matter in the lives of our students.” I think he captured the essence of why I love my job. Through technologies, I help serve the UCSB community so students may successfully navigate the university and prepare them for their careers and develop as human beings. However, it is through the personal connections I’ve made with the few students that really makes me realize how blessed I am to be in a position wherein I can make a difference in their lives.

I want to write about the emotional roller coaster I’ve felt the last few days about the senseless and tragic incident that happened to our community. But, there’s so much to process, I don’t even know where to start. If this is a rambling post, that’s a reflection of my feelings at this point. It’s hard to believe this could even happen in our community. I’m still in shock, sometimes feeling numb. I personally don’t know the students that died, though not all of their names have been released, but I am feeling the impact. I cannot even imagine the sorrow their families and friends are going through. I’m not on the front line like my fellow UCSB colleagues and so I cannot even imagine the emotions they are going through with as they deal with their own emotions and those they are helping. How could this happen to UCSB community? It doesn’t make sense. I feel angry, frustrated, sad, confused, and hopeful that something good will come out of this. The healing process will be slow and painful. We will all grieve and go through the healing process in different ways. The degree to how we will feel the pain will vary but I think we will have been changed by this incident in some way or another. In the next few days, even weeks, as our community will begin to process and more information will come out along with the personal stories of the victims, we will all be reminded how connected we really are as a community. Personally, I expect stories from my UCSB colleagues and students who interacted and even developed relationships with the victims, our students. I am grateful, and not surprised, at the level of response of our university in our efforts to help students and those affected cope with this tragedy. Minutes after the shooting occurred, several of my student affairs colleagues went back to campus to offer counseling and provide information.The Candlelight Vigil held last Saturday evening, an event led by students, organized by many, and attended by thousands showed how quickly our community can come together and work as one. The outpouring of support from UCSB alums through social media, student affair colleagues from other universities checking in to see how we’re doing have been really helpful as well.

I have long considered UCSB as home since I came here as a student in 1991 and when I turned professional. It’s a place I thought I could get away from, leaving the university twice, but I felt the need to come back. It just feels right here, professionally and personally. It’s during these unfortunate times that I know, what I have here is more than a job. It’s part of my life. My wife and I both have spent half of our lives here. The students I get to work with and get to know, my colleagues I come to respect and value, and the pride of being a Gaucho — these are the reasons why I’m still a part of the UCSB community.

“Everyone in IV please stay inside right now.” This was a status update I saw on Facebook at approximately 9:30 pm on Friday, May 23rd, 2014. It was from a student I just recently met a few weeks ago through our Filipino-American student association at UCSB. A flurry of updates from other students soon followed urging others to stay inside and an alum visiting Isla Vista posted she saw “a guy bleeding to death…”. I could never have imagined this horrible event could ever happen at UCSB. This has been a crazy few days. Tragic.

I end my thoughts with this – we’re a community. As a community, I know we’ll support each other. We’ll be there for each other.