Oct 10, 2024
Navigating the Past, Present, and Future with Kamakshi Velamuri
In the latest episode of SA Voices from the Field hosts Dr. Jill Creighton spoke with Kamakshi Velamuri, a rising senior at North Carolina University (NCCU) who aspires to pursue a career in student affairs. The episode, rich with personal stories and professional insights, explores the challenges, triumphs, and future aspirations for higher education professionals. This blog post delves into the key themes discussed during this insightful conversation.
Navigating Educational and Career Paths
Kamakshi’s journey into student affairs began with a keen interest in education reform. Initially aspiring to become a teacher, her direction shifted toward becoming an educational consultant and eventually focusing on student affairs. The consistency in her passion for education reform has guided her through these transitions and solidified her commitment to creating a positive impact within the higher education system.
Addressing Challenges in Student Affairs
Kamakshi articulated several key challenges in student affairs:
-
Curriculum Issues:
Standardized testing, GPA concerns, and outdated curriculums need reform.
-
Staff and Faculty Challenges:
Overwork, insufficient staffing, resource constraints, and underpayment are prevalent issues.
-
Wage Gap and Economic Challenges:
Dr. Jill Creighton emphasized the wage gap in the student affairs profession and the anticipated impact of upcoming federal overtime laws.
These challenges underscore the need for systemic changes to ensure well-being and fair compensation for all professionals in the field.
The Importance of Student Support Systems
Kamakshi shared her experiences as a first-generation Asian Indian female student at an HBCU. She discussed the cultural and familial expectations she navigated while pursuing a non-STEM career. Her story highlights the importance of support systems for nontraditional students who face unique challenges. She highlighted experiences of microaggressions and emphasized the role of diversity and inclusion departments, counseling centers, and peer mentoring groups in providing support.
Reflecting on the History and Future of Student Affairs
When discussing the broader scope of student affairs, Kamakshi and the hosts reflected on the importance of learning from the past while addressing ongoing and future concerns. The profession has seen improved collaboration among staff and faculty, leading to better support for students. However, Kamakshi emphasized the necessity of continuous and structured efforts for progress and adaptation.
Shaping the Future: Kamakshi’s Vision
Kamakshi’s vision for the future of student affairs involves intellectual and practical reform. She advocates for stronger collaboration between student affairs and academic affairs and calls for practical life skills education beyond traditional academics. The need to address economic challenges, mental health issues, and basic needs like housing affordability is crucial for the well-being of contemporary college students.
Building Systemic Change Together
The conversation concluded with Kamakshi’s optimistic outlook on long-term systemic change. Dr. Jill Creighton echoed this sentiment, quoting an African proverb: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." This mantra highlights the collective effort required to bring about meaningful change.
The Lightning Round: Getting to Know Kamakshi
To showcase the lighter side of their guest, Dr. Jill Creighton led Kamakshi Velamuri through a rapid-fire "lightning round”:
-
Entrance Music for a Keynote:
"This Girl is on Fire" by Alicia Keys
-
Childhood Dream:
To be a kind, influential person
-
Most Influential Mentor:
Miss Lauren, a board member
-
Essential Student Affairs Read:
None specifically, as she is not keen on reading
-
Recent TV Show Binge:
Occasionally "The Office" for fun
-
Favorite Podcast:
Enjoys yoga, meditation, and nonprofit reform podcasts
-
Shout-outs:
To herself for reaching her current position and to NASPA professionals for their support and respect
These questions offered a glimpse into Kamakshi's personality, hobbies, and the influences that have shaped her journey so far.
Connect with Kamakshi
Listeners inspired by Kamakshi's journey can reach out to her via email at kvelamuri4@gmail.com, kvelamur@eagles.nccu.edu, or connect with her on LinkedIn.
Final Thoughts
This episode of "Dads with Daughters" offers valuable insights into the challenges and future of student affairs through the lens of a passionate and driven young professional. Kamakshi Velamuri’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, support systems, and collective effort in shaping the future of higher education.
About our guest
TRANSCRIPT (Unedited transcript created through Castmagic)
Dr. Jill
Creighton [00:00:00]:
KamakshiWelcome to Student Affairs Voices from the Field, the
podcast where we share your student affairs stories from fresh
perspectives to seasoned experts. Brought to you by NASPA, we
curate free and accessible professional development for higher ed
pros wherever you happen to be. This is season 11, the past,
present, and future of student affairs, and I'm doctor Jill
Creighton, she, her, hers, your essay voices from the field host.
Today on Essay Voices, I'm thrilled to feature an undergraduate
student, Kamakshi Velamuri is a rising senior at North
Carolina University or NCCU, majoring in interdisciplinary studies.
She founded an education nonprofit in high school to advocate for
meaningful reform in the education system. Kamakshi plans to pursue
a master's in higher ed to become a student affairs professional.
As a first generation student leader, Kamakji brings a unique
perspective to the world. Her passion and focus is on driving
positive change in education reform. Kamakshi, welcome to essay
voices from the field.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:00:55]:
Thank you for the welcome. I'm excited.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:56]:
You're welcome. Welcome to SA Voices from the Field.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:00:59]:
Thank you for the welcome. I'm excited.
Dr. Jill
Creighton [00:01:01]:
You are one of our, I think, maybe only undergraduate students to
appear on the podcast or maybe 1st or second. You're also enough,
and you've spent quite a bit of time growing into a future career
in student affairs. So you're the perfect person to have on for the
season of the past, present, and future of student affairs.
Normally, we kick off our episodes by asking our guests how they
got to their current professional seat. But since you're an
aspiring student affairs professional, I'm hoping you can talk
about your undergraduate journey and how you've arrived at the
decision that the student affairs profession is where you wanna
be.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:01:33]:
Definitely. So my journey has actually started since elementary.
It's kind of crazy how that goes back to. But I originally wanted
to become a teacher since I've seen amazing teachers, of course,
bad teachers too, but focusing on the positive side, they've
inspired me. And since then to high school, I was on that mindset
of being a teacher until I moved or transitioned into education law
or that kind of career vibe. And then I got to college with all
hopes of getting into law school after graduation. But I was told
by my career counselor that I should rather be an educational
consultant. So long story short, I did a reflection and realized,
yes, I wanted to be all these different roles.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:02:15]:
But at the end of the day, they all had a common point, which was
education system as a whole. So I was like, so why did I want to do
education system keeping those roles aside? And that's when I
realized it's all about education reform and how I'm personally the
type of person. I'm not like since I had to deal with it, everybody
has to deal with it. So I wanted to make sure if I struggled that
the next generation did not have to struggle, and then I voice the
concerns because everybody can stay complaining, but who is
actually putting in the work to resolve these issues? And that's
the thing that motivated me into getting student affairs in
specific because I felt like with student affairs in specific, I
would have the opportunity to be a point of contact in a way with
my advising role or some kind of role to a point where I work with
students, staff, and faculty, and I can influence a group of a
collective of people. And then if I were to go for advocacy or
reform to any kind of administration, I have a backup of people
that can come work with me and advocate together. Because I feel
like the more people that join in, the louder the voice is and the
more clear it is to the administration of the importance in making
the decision or changing the system, in other words. So I felt like
student affairs could be a platform or an industry I could use to
kind of really get those people to work together on the change.
Because I know if I go by myself and say this is wrong, he won't
listen to me.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:03:46]:
They need research. They need backup and people to be collectively
saying that this is a concern. So that's why I feel like student
affairs was the best place to still do reform, because I could do
reform in whatever industry, but I chose this would be more of a
not just easy, but, like, a productive way to make change while I
enjoy it. Because as a student myself, since middle school, I've
always been in leadership roles, SGA, whatever it could be. So I
enjoy that stuff. I enjoy product management, project management,
event planning, pretty much everything that specifically student
affairs entitles into. And then as I discovered this, I realized I
started a nonprofit in high school, but that also was also
education reform. So it kind of, like, all connected together, how
everything was working.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:04:35]:
And, of course, as I was in college and realized this dream, I was
already working with the office of vice chancellor at our campus.
So, fortunately, the vice chancellor of our campus is the liaison
for NASPA. And, generally, my mentor for NASPA, NUF program, is
also part of the Office of Vice Chancellor. So I kinda worked with
all of them in joining it and then built my connections and to make
it more of a reality. So that's kinda my journey into figuring out
what this is.
Dr. Jill
Creighton [00:05:06]:
I think you may have figured out quite a bit earlier than a lot of
us that student affairs was a viable career path for you with what
makes you passionate and how you want to affect systems for
students. Now the reasons may sound similar across time for student
affairs professionals about why we come into the field. We're
generally a group of people who are designing experiences for
students with the hopes that we're impacting positive change or
creating support systems or helping people exercise critical
thinking skills or what have you, you know, that co curricular
experience. So what part of student affairs are you hoping to
center into as you begin your journey?
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:05:42]:
So it totally depends on time because, like, you can see since
middle school to now, it kinda changed. I always have plans. One
thing about me people can tell you about that know me is I'm all
about planning and organizing and actually overplanning. So I'm
ready to take career anything that involves event planning,
programming, and a direct contact with students. But I want to make
sure that, yes, they're having fun through events, but they're also
getting purposeful outcomes and objectives. So that's why even when
I plan programming that it kind of align, actually has objectives,
like a lesson or something that they can take away. Even if it's a
fun event, they take away social wellness or something of that
sort. So I feel like that kind of work can give me a fun, exciting,
and something that I'm good at and I enjoy doing, but also can
impact the students.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:06:34]:
So I feel like anything event planning, so maybe, I mean, every
department has event planning. I personally worked with the Seal of
our campus, Student Engagement Leadership Department, and I've
worked with different departments within that. Student Orgs, I've
always, I'm part of Through Student Orgs myself as a leader. So I
feel like that kind of journey is the start of my career because
I've been in it, and I can just expand more on, like, the knowledge
of it and eventually get up to whatever role it takes me to. But no
matter what I do, I wanna involve learning or advocacy, but in a
fun way because students like fun. I like lessons. How do we
combine them is my mission.
Dr. Jill
Creighton [00:07:14]:
As a current student, what types of challenges are you and your
peers currently facing that you wanna be the problem solver for as
you come into the profession?
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:07:23]:
So when I did choose to come to this profession, I already decided
there were some concerns that I definitely wanna take place in or
advocating for. And one of it is really just curriculum. I know
that it's not easy to work on, but for me, education reform meant
student issues with standardized testing, GPA, outdated curriculum,
and then staff and faculty issues. As I got into NASBA, and like
just in general, some other higher education as a whole, I realized
staff and faculty are the point of contact for students and
parents, and they're blamed for anything and everything sometimes
that are not even under their control because administrators or the
government made those rules. But I feel like staff and faculty
issues with overworking, understaffed, under resourced,
underfunded. These kind of issues are important. Also, underpaid.
That's one thing.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:08:16]:
We're all in here for passion because I feel like the amount of
wage issues we have is kind of concerning. And then just in
general, wellness as a whole, I don't feel I feel like we try to
prioritize wellness, especially last few years, but there's more to
go into it. And sometimes, like, we try to find work life balance
or wellness as a whole, but that's not realistic. So also, like,
that learning, not just for students, but for staff and faculty so
that, there's more resources for them and everyone. But personally,
one thing I care about is nutrition. I feel like campus foods could
be better. There's a lot of issues with it. I tried doing a
research project, it never worked out, but I would probably do that
for my master's or PhD, who knows, which is my goals.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:09:01]:
But I know there's a lot of other issues with diversity inclusion,
title 9, safety, accessibility to nontraditional students. One of
the main populations I wanna serve is nontraditional students
because we always forget that they're students from different
cultural, economic, religious backgrounds, and to serve all of them
is really important. People come from different backgrounds. How
can you accommodate everyone is important. So I know that's a lot,
and sometimes people tell me you're very unrealistic with
abolishing standardized testing, abolishing GPA or outdated
curriculum. And I'm like, probably I mean, yes, it's probably,
like, unrealistic for now. But eventually, I know that it's a
process or a journey that I could reach. And I'm just at the start
of my journey, so there's a long time to achieve this.
Dr. Jill
Creighton [00:09:50]:
You're a future VPSA in the making. You've got long range goals.
And if you're going to change systems, it takes time. We have a
colleague, I would say a late colleague actually, who loved the
quote, if you want to go far, go together. If you want to go fast,
go alone. It's an African proverb. And that was said often by Mary
Anita Nesbitt, who was a colleague of mine at Washington State
University. And she really lived that through her work, and that is
something I hear you're working towards.
Dr. Jill
Creighton [00:10:18]:
So I I like to see those threads tugged on, by multiple people
across space and time. And as you look forward to that, how are you
approaching the journey into possible master's programs?
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:10:29]:
So like I said, I'm a huge planner. So I've already started my
planning, like, long time ago. But event starting this summer, I've
gotten more serious about it with my master's planning so that I
could apply. December is the deadline for a lot of programs. So
kind of researching what programs are there and what meets my
needs. One thing about me with master's planning or anything, I'm
also, like, the type of person that thinks as much as a program or
even a job recruits me, I'm also getting into that program. So, I
mean, my needs also met. So I have some requirements for myself of,
like, choosing between in person or online programs, if I should do
graduate assistantship jobs or anything of that sort.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:11:09]:
So there's a lot of options. But most importantly, I feel like I
wanna figure out what are the ethics, values, and purpose of each
of these programs in different institutions? Because I understand
that not my whole, like, handbook of myself of ethics values could
align with the institution's policies. But at least them
understanding and accepting or respecting my perspective is
important to me, because I don't wanna get to a space and have
negative trauma or any kind of concerns. So I wanna prevent that
before I get there. So in that sense, also realizing that. So I'm
in the journey of, like, planning, figuring out what requirements
or financial requirements. I'm a 1st generation student. So also,
like, making sure that I understand what I'm doing, and I'm doing
this kind of, like, alone, you know, most first gen students.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:11:57]:
So kind of figuring that out. And kind of the main thing I'm doing
right now is scheduling a meeting with different people within an
institution. I felt like with the same point I just started off
with. I need to meet with an admission or HR office, a professor, a
student, and alum for each institution I want to go to, so that I
get different perspectives of living at an institution. Sometimes I
might not be able to do that for every institution, but my hope is
to do that so I can get make the best decision. But I have chosen
top 3 universities I'll definitely apply that I know of, so I'm
ready for it. And I feel like it's important that I take this step
in my higher education, especially as a 1st year student, because
just starting undergrad itself is big deal. And then continuing to
master's program is a whole another level of a challenge.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:12:49]:
So I feel like there's gonna be challenges coming in between with
the background I come from and kind of making sure everybody
understands that or just that me sticking still and strong on my
words and my needs. So there will be challenges, but I'm ready for
everything, I guess. And that's kinda like where I'm at with
master's program. And, really, me as an individual, I feel like no
matter what I choose, I'm an overthinker, but I also wanna make
sure I'm actually planned and prepared because I don't wanna get
into something and struggle to a point. I'm I mean, I would
struggle, but at least I wanna be ready for it or prepared for it,
which is why I kind of am in the plans.
Dr. Jill
Creighton [00:13:32]:
You mentioned that your background is having an influence on your
selection process. Would you mind sharing some of your background
with our listeners?
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:13:40]:
Definitely. So there's a lot of background identities I take myself
pride in or perspective in. So one of which is being an Asian and
specifically Indian, and that brings a huge influence as to my
education, my lifestyle, and everything. And I say that to say
because my whole family of 1 and also my gender as a female.
Majority of females within India or Asia are not still working or
not still studying, if that makes sense. So even my family has a
background. Pretty much my mom and pretty every woman from last
generations have not studied or graduated or anything of that sort.
They got married early on and or housewives, which I support.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:14:26]:
Everybody's journey is different, but they weren't given the
option. So for me, I have the option or that which I'm grateful
for. Some of this is like, oh, it's a basic need to have education.
But for me, sometimes, for some people coming from different
backgrounds, more than a need, it's us getting that, like,
individual morality from our family and support, which I appreciate
my family for. But that also gives me a huge challenge or
responsibility to keep my word in that education past. But, again,
the identity of being an Asian and Indian as a female that, like,
statistics from how it was from past to now and how you want to be
the change maker in your in, area is important. Being a 1st gen
student, is also crazy because you have no support from family, so
you kinda have to freestyle everything. Lot of, wood statistics
again.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:15:21]:
I feel like, a lot of first and students are overachievers. They
wanna make sure everything's perfect. They wanna do everything they
can to get acceptance from their community, their family, and
everything of that sort. So it's a challenge, but I feel like those
identities involve a lot of hard work. And I'm willing to put my
time and effort into it, but I feel like these are really
significant. My identities with my gender roles within my community
of being an Indian or Asian, and also with the subject I chose.
It's kind of irregular within my background to choose education
system, like work or career within the education system. Everybody,
we know the stereotype, Asians go to STEM.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:16:04]:
And I'm fully opposed to that. But again, that's depending on the
choice of people. But I want to break break those stigmas,
stereotypes, microaggressions, or everything and prove people wrong
that I could still make it in life, in other words, or grow without
being in a STEM major, without doing the specific pathway, an
individual creative for me, whereas I have to create my own
pathway, if that makes sense. So my identity has given me so much
influence onto what I should do, how I should lead my life and that
in a positive way, but it comes with a lot of challenges. So it's
like you gotta balance it out and choose what's best for you.
Dr. Jill
Creighton [00:16:46]:
And you chose to attend an HBCU for your undergraduate experience
to receive the support and care that you needed as a person of
color in the higher education community, as a first gen student.
What are some of the things that your institution has done
exceptionally well to ensure that you have that support safety net
in place as you move through your undergraduate career.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:17:06]:
Definitely. So that's one of the greatest thing I've specifically
experienced last few years in a good and bad way, but the bad way
has told me the resources I've on campus. So I had to deal with the
concern on campus and I had to report it. And then I got the full
support from my diversity and inclusion department on campus. They
were very supportive and they gave me the resources I needed,
counseling center, and so much more. So I feel like, yes, there
won't be, like, a full not sure what the word is, but, like, a
whole red carpet pathway of welcome. There will be challenges and
issues. I had to face an offensive statement, a body shaming, and a
racial slur on a HBCU.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:17:49]:
But still I made it through with the support, with staff and
faculty. So I was directed to the resources we had. And most
importantly, sometimes it's not really the resources on campus, but
the people you meet on campus that you connect with. There's a lot
of peer mentoring groups and peer support, and I personally support
a lot of my peers whenever they have these kind of challenges, and
they're always there for me. One of the biggest reasons were I had
to figure out this whole journey of why am I falling into these
issues or stuff like that. And then these friends, I guess. I can't
even believe that they're my friends because if you think about my
past to now, I wouldn't assume that this would have gone this way.
But I feel like at the end of the day, it's a well put out
book.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:18:36]:
It has a beginning and end conclusion, which is still continuing,
like, as a chapters of life. But I feel like it's coming together
already. So it's just we have resources, but sometimes it's just
next to you, and you gotta realize the people that are near you
could also be a resource. It does not necessarily have to be a
department.
Dr. Jill
Creighton [00:18:56]:
As we get older as a generation of student affairs professionals,
we are farther and farther away from the present day student
experience in terms of how it reflected our own experience. And
it's our job to change our mindsets with new generations of
students and different needs and different sets of expectations and
all of those things. What would you like current student affairs
professionals to know about the present day college experience,
especially for students in that kind of average 18 to 25 year old
range that maybe we're not seeing or not thinking about or you wish
we thought about more?
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:19:30]:
This is a clear answer for me, and I'm excited to share this
because it's a problem, honestly, that I wish a lot of staff and
faculty realize, it's the collaboration I wish, the bridge between
student affairs and academic affairs that I wish is not broken and
that we can kind of combine together for collaboration. And I've
always discussed about it and the way it impacts students. Because
I feel like with students, especially student leaders as a whole,
we have a lot of stuff on our plate and we're passionate about
student leadership to a point. We're part of 1,000 student orgs,
extracurriculars. Most of us do 2 to 3 jobs and a lot of other
things apart from academics. Ideally, from past and history, from
what I've heard, everybody was like, education come in and out of
class, and that is all you gotta do for the degree, which is still
the reality of getting a degree. But college life is more than just
getting that degree. It's experiencing life as a part of college
life.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:20:32]:
I felt like in past, it was like when you're in college or when
you're in just like your education era, it was more of education
was your life. Now people have realized with the 8 dimensions of
wellness, it's reality of wellness or life as a whole. There's more
to life than education. It's part of your life. It's not your life.
And so I wish staff and faculty realize the struggle that students
are going through in balancing because they're still students.
Sometimes staff forget, oh, they're adults. They gotta figure it
out.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:21:03]:
But it the reality is, yes, we're trying to figure it out. We're
still trying to figure it out. Most of the adults that have
graduated are still trying to figure it out and change stuff, their
careers, or anything in a minute. So them expecting us to have our
life together once we get to college because we're adults is kind
of unrealistic because we have to go through some issues with maybe
family emergencies or just in general life as a whole in balancing
social life, extracurriculars, and how this generation is in a
competition. Of course, every generation is it. But like for me, I
feel like because of the economic state, we're trying to get jobs,
we're trying to live because in past, you guys could afford a house
to buy a house. Now we can't afford to rent a house. That says a
lot.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:21:50]:
And us, we want to make sure that we gain as much experience as
possible to get a job that can pay for basic needs, because
unfortunately, I feel like a lot of students can't even meet the
basic needs because of the economic state. And I wish staff and
faculty could understand that as we're dealing with this concern,
because it's important that, yes, we have academics, but can we
actually have a practical life skills and actually learn that
there's more to life than this course and the GPA? Because, yes,
this is important, but a number does not define my talent in
education. Because outside that classroom, I'm a talented artist.
I'm a talented professional. I'm part of 5 orgs. I do this, this,
that. And I got 3 awards. And this is me personally.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:22:36]:
But, again, a lot of students did have to deal with this, and some
of them had to quit a lot of their passions just so they they could
get that degree. And was it worth it? Some of them even had to
cheat or plagiarize just so they could get a degree. And so it's
like, is it worth a degree if you're cheating and just doing
something just for the sake of societal expectation of getting the
best grade when you can do what you like while also knowing that
education is just part of life and also enjoying life as a whole
with campus life, which is where student affairs comes into place.
And just the fact that, like, with my first point of the bridge
between student affairs and academic affairs, I feel like sometimes
there's a fight between them. It's like not student affairs and
academic affairs, student affairs versus academic affairs. Like,
both of those are important. I mean, both divisions are important.
But I feel like academic affairs thinks or assume sometimes that
student affairs is just giving away random stuff, like gifts and
and getting students to do parties and stuff.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:23:40]:
But we're more than that. We have a lot of resources we're
providing and providing them life. And then academic affairs, as
important as doing all this, you're coming to campus paying 1,000
of dollars just for that degree. So it's I'm not saying academics
is not important, but I wish that we could collaborate as
professionals together with those 2 deficient to make it better for
the students. Students already have to go through a lot of other
things, especially with the economic state, the journey that they
have to go through to just have some basic need. I don't know if
that makes sense. I know it was kind of a lot, but it's comes from
my experience and my peers. And I just feel like all these concerns
that student go through causes a lot of student suicide, student
mental health issues, and so much more.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:24:28]:
And still, I want to make sure, yes, this sounds like us
complaining, but we're complaining for a reason because we've seen
our peers struggle through it, and we're barely surviving.
Dr. Jill
Creighton [00:24:38]:
I think advocating for your needs is not a complaint. Advocating
for your needs is what helps us understand what it is that student
affairs needs to be doing the same and differently in order to
support your journey. That's what we're here to do is to help you
develop into a fully functioning member of society as you move
across the stage, get your diploma, and then head into the working
world wherever that might be. And it is a different economic
environment right now than it was 10 years ago, 20 years ago. I do
wanna say though, you mentioned that quote unquote you all can
afford to buy a house. I think that's only true for, like, baby gen
xers and baby boomers. And right now, you know, a lot of
millennials are struggling with that too. And I think it's
important for our gen z students and young professional colleagues
to understand that that is a problem that's been plaguing us for
quite a while.
Dr. Jill
Creighton [00:25:23]:
And so I think that economic perspective is also something that the
student affairs profession really is going to need to come to terms
with pretty soon here. The federal overtime laws, I think, are
gonna make an impact on how things change for us. But I think more
often than not, we have a wage gap in the profession, and that's
just something that I know everyone is trying to figure out how to
tackle. And I don't know that any of us have done it well or right
yet, but it's gotta be something that we reckon with as a field. So
that leads me right into our theme questions for the season. So,
Kamaakji, I have 3 questions for you on the past, present, and
future. So on the past, what's one component of the history of the
student affairs profession that you think we should either continue
to carry forward or we really need to let go of?
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:26:08]:
So I have a long answer, but I'll keep it short. I feel like with
any system, but focusing on educational system, sometimes it's
build with pillars with that foundation. So I wish people realize
that whenever we got some kind of new thing, that they don't just
concentrate on that, but go back and actually resolve one concern.
Because I feel like with any system, there's been back to back
issues. And so people, whatever is a current issue, they're
focusing on that, doing whatever they couldn't to resolve it, but
realize the past issue has never been resolved. So I feel like with
the history, I wish there's a change in terms of how people realize
that, yes, there's a lot of issues, but make sure when you start a
project, you finish that concern before you get to another concern
kind of thing. So let's say again, as an example, DEI and Title IX.
If there's an issue with DEI this year, the Title IX next year,
next year people are forgetting all the work they've done with DEI
and starting on title 9, but this has never resolved.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:27:09]:
So I feel like it's important to stick on one thing, resolve it
instead of just building so many blocks and never resolving none of
them. It's important to go back and realize we need to rebuild all
this because we're renovating, but we actually have to, like,
rebuild everything. There's no foundation. There's just
pillars.
Dr. Jill
Creighton [00:27:30]:
Moving into the present, what's happening in the field right now
that's going well for student affairs?
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:27:36]:
I feel like as much as collaboration can be improved, it has been
better for the current student affairs journey because the way that
we're promoting professional development for staff faculty to
support the students then at end of the day is really important
with NASPA and many other orgs. So I feel like that's the best
thing that's happening in student affairs, the collaboration and
the willingness to support staff and faculty as much as we can.
Because at the end of the day, they're the point of contact for
students. If they're not well, how are the students gonna be well
and get the support they need? So I feel like the current state it
could be better, but it's definitely been better than in past.
Dr. Jill
Creighton [00:28:15]:
And looking towards the future, in an ideal world, what does the
field need to do to thrive towards our future?
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:28:21]:
I mentioned with past. I feel like the field needs to get to a
conclusion to build collaboration so that they can definitely
rebuild the structure of student affairs in a way where it actually
is gonna work, and it has a foundation and pillars where everything
is gonna be solid.
Dr. Jill
Creighton [00:28:42]:
So, Kamakshi, is there anything else that you'd like to share on
the past, present, and future of the profession?
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:28:47]:
Well, if I could, I'll share forever and talk with you for hours,
but with time's sake. In conclusion, I feel like we had a great
conversation, and it's important to talk about this because there's
change every day, and we gotta adapt and accommodate the needs of
the current generation or be more of current. And so I wish there
is more work towards it. I know we are working towards it, but I
just wanna make sure with my work that it's definitely a continuous
journey of consistency in growth for the collective, and nobody's
doing it for themselves. It's, at the end of the day, benefit in
the growth of the system.
Dr. Jill
Creighton [00:29:28]:
It's time to take a quick break and toss it over to producer Chris
to learn what's going on in the NASPA world.
Dr.
Christopher Lewis [00:29:34]:
Thanks, Joe. So excited to be back in the NASPA world. Today, I
want to start off by congratulating our 2025 pillars of the
profession. Each year, the NASPA Foundation recognizes exceptional
members of the student affairs and higher education community
through the pillars of the profession award, one of the
foundation's highest honors. The award comes from you, our members
and supporters, as a way to recognize your fellow colleagues who
represent outstanding contributions to our field and our
organization. Individuals receiving honors this year are Kevin
Kruger receiving the 2025 John L Blackburn distinguished pillar of
the profession award and the following individuals receiving the
2025 NASPA foundation pillar of the profession. Mordecai Ian
Brownlee, Ainsley Carey, Zduy B. Chu, Philip Covington, Frank
Cuevas, Jon Dooley, Jacinda M. Félix Haro, Leanna Fenenburg, Anne
G. Flaherty, Ann M. Gansemer-Topf, Cynthia L. Hernandez, Mylon J.
Kirsky, Ryan Lombardi, Roger Ludeman, Keegan Nichols, Patty
Perillo, Frank Ross, Alvin Sturdivant, Rameen Talesh, and Derek
Vergara. I am so excited to be able to welcome all of these
deserving individuals to the pillars of the profession. And you
have an opportunity to be able to celebrate the 2025 pillars of the
profession with a donation to the NASPA Foundation in their honor.
Take a moment to say thank you to these amazing professionals. You
can donate online and learn more about the foundation's pillar
class.
Dr.
Christopher Lewis [00:31:14]:
There's still time to sign up for a new short course, campus Crisis
Management in Times of Chaos. This course starts online September
23rd and goes through October 25th. You can either register by
yourself or for you and a team to acquire the competencies and
knowledge that will help you support your students when crisis
situations arise. The course will give a broad overview of how
student affairs professionals can best support their students and
campus during crisis situations. Topics will include foundations of
crisis management, crisis management teams, or emergency management
teams, the creation of crisis management plans, communications
during times of crisis, recovery following an incident, and
relationships across the institution and with outside agencies.
Registration is still open, and you can sign up up to the live
session start of September 23rd. So I highly encourage you to look
internally at your own institution for ways to be able to engage
your own campus in some amazing dialogues that will help your
campus to be ready in times of crisis. I know I've talked about it
in the past, and there are always opportunities to be able to give
back to the NASPA family and community.
Dr.
Christopher Lewis [00:32:28]:
And one way is through the NASPA journal board. There are a number
of opportunities that are currently open for individuals to be able
to get involved in our NASPA journal board. Some available
opportunities include being an editorial board member or a new
professional and graduate student review board member for the
Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, an editorial
board member, or a new professional and graduate student review
board member for the Journal of Women and Gender in Higher
Education or an editorial board member for the Journal of First
Generation Student Success. If any of these sound interesting to
you, I highly encourage you to apply for these opportunities. You
can find out more on the NASPA website. Every week, we're going to
be sharing some amazing things that are happening within the
association. So we are going to be able to try and keep you up to
date on everything that's happening and allow for you to be able to
get involved in different ways, because the association is as
strong as its members. And for all of us, we have to find our place
within the association, whether it be getting involved with the
knowledge community, giving back within one of the the centers or
the divisions of the association.
Dr.
Christopher Lewis [00:33:42]:
And as you're doing that, it's important to be able to identify for
yourself, where do you fit? Where do you wanna give back? Each
week, we're hoping that we will share some things that might
encourage you, might allow for you to be able to get some ideas
that will provide you with an opportunity to be able to say, hey, I
see myself in that knowledge community. I see myself doing
something like that. Or encourage you in other ways that allow for
you to be able to think beyond what's available right now, to offer
other things to the association, to bring your gifts, your talents
to the association and to all of the members within the
association. Because through doing that, all of us are stronger and
the association is better. Tune in again next week as we find out
more about what is happening in NASPA.
Dr. Jill
Creighton [00:34:37]:
Chris, thank you so much for continuing to share with us what's
going on in and around NASPA. And, Kamachi, we have reached our
lightning round. So I have 7 questions for you to answer in about
90 seconds. You ready to roll?
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:34:49]:
I'll try my best.
Dr. Jill
Creighton [00:34:50]:
Alright. Number 1, if you were a conference keynote speaker, what
would your entrance music be?
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:34:55]:
This Girl is on Fire.
Dr. Jill
Creighton [00:34:57]:
Number 2, when you were 5 years old, what did you want to be when
you grew up?
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:35:02]:
I just wanted to be a kind person that had an influence on people
just like I was as a child.
Dr. Jill
Creighton [00:35:08]:
Number 3. Who's your most influential professional mentor?
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:35:11]:
Oh, I got a list of 1,000 people, but I got to say huge shout out
to miss Lauren. She was enough board member, and she's one of my
best mentors currently.
Dr. Jill
Creighton [00:35:22]:
Alright. Number 4, your essential student affairs read.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:35:26]:
Honestly, I'm not a reading person as much, so I don't have
anything as of now.
Dr. Jill
Creighton [00:35:30]:
Number 5, the best TV show you've binged lately.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:35:33]:
I'm not watching TV shows. If I were to, it's really like my native
language. But I can say I binge on Office at times just for fun
because you always need that fun with chaos happening.
Dr. Jill
Creighton [00:35:45]:
That comfort show. Yeah. Number 6, the podcast you've spent the
most hours listening to in the last year.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:35:50]:
I don't listen to podcast again as much, but if I do, sometimes my
advisers suggest some of these yoga meditation podcasts, so I love
to, like, just tune into those. But also, there's been, like, a
podcast about reform and nonprofits, which is my kind of industry,
so I listen to those too.
Dr. Jill
Creighton [00:36:09]:
And finally, number 7. Any shout outs you'd like to give, personal
or professional?
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:36:13]:
Oh, shout out to myself. I mean, I've not expected myself to be in
this stage, and I feel like a lot of people think this is selfish,
but it's important to be selfish for yourself. It's more of self
love and care. So I shout out myself for getting to the stage. Like
you said, I'm kind of proud of myself for being here today to be
part of a NASPA, National Association, and working with all these
professionals and the fact that they respect and value me. Yes. I'm
an undergraduate student and maybe like that societal normals age
and everything changes. But, like, again, the respect I get is
really appreciated.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:36:49]:
So I'm proud of myself and a huge shout out to me, but also huge
shout out to you for pulling this off and doing great stuff. Now
this is our first time meeting, but this has been a great pleasure
talking with you. And I really appreciate how you led this and all
the NASPA professionals, or not just NASPA, everybody, because
we're trying our best. I know it's not gonna happen in one day, but
we're making it through. And that's a shot at itself.
Dr. Jill
Creighton [00:37:12]:
It's been a joy to listen to your perspective. And I am very much
looking forward to watching your rise in the profession over the
next several years. And if anyone would like to connect with you
after the show airs, how can they find you?
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:37:24]:
So my emails, I'll say to, is kvelamuri4@gmail.com or kvelamur@eagles.nccu.edu .
Eagle pride again. And then you can also find me on LinkedIn with
my name, Kamakshi Velamuri, kamakshivelamuri. Thank you.
Dr. Jill
Creighton [00:37:52]:
Kamakshi, thank you so much for sharing your voices with us
today.
Kamakshi
Velamuri [00:37:56]:
Thank you.
Dr. Jill
Creighton [00:38:01]:
This has been an episode of SA Voices from the Field brought to you
by NASPA. This show is made possible because of you, the listeners.
We continue to grateful that you choose to spend your time with us.
If you'd like to reach the show, you can email us at sa voices at
naspa.org or find me on LinkedIn by searching for doctor Jill L
Creighton. We welcome your feedback and your topic and guest
suggestions. We'd love if you take a moment to tell a colleague
about the show and leave us a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts,
Spotify, or wherever you're listening now. It truly does help other
student affairs pros find the show and helps us to become more
visible in the larger podcasting community. This episode was
produced and hosted by doctor Jill Creighton, that's me, produced
and audio engineered by doctor Chris Lewis.
Dr. Jill
Creighton [00:38:43]:
Special thanks to the University of Michigan Flint for your support
as we create this project. Catch you next time.