Choosing a career in student affairs means choosing a life of leadership, dedication, passion and adaptability. For Luisa Craig, it all started when she was a resident advisor, working with the women on the first floor of Jackson Shaver Hall at Sam Houston State University. Being the first in her family to graduate high school and attend college, she wasn’t really sure what she wanted to study half-way through her undergrad. She knew she wanted to follow her own path and that journey led her to a career in student affairs.

“I wish I knew student affairs was a career path to begin with,” she said. “I was a first-generation student, the first to graduate high school, the first to graduate from college. And so, I picked a major…just anything. I thought I wanted to be a detective, but I knew that was not the path for me.”

The more she thought about her future, the more her thoughts would focus on student affairs when she became a resident advisor, working with her first-floor students and the joy it brought her.

“I had in the back of my mind that working in student affairs was potentially something I would really enjoy doing,” she said. “I spent a lot of time with my students, getting to know them, figuring out what they needed in their dorms, making sure they were connected with resources,” she said. “When emergencies started to happen, they would come to my door and knock on my door versus their own RAs. They just felt more comfortable with me. That really sparked my genuine care for other students.”

Luisa has followed her path all the way to Texas A&M where she currently is a program manager and advisor to the MSC Committee for the Awareness of Mexican American Culture within MSC Programs. Her ultimate goal is making sure they’re comfortable, confident and capable of being future global leaders.

“I want to make sure students know that what they’re doing right now does matter,” she said. “They initially believe the skills they’ve developed through program planning won’t make an impact but they really do. Whether that’s learning how to speak publicly or how to send an appropriate email or even being able to communicate with their peers, all those things matter.”

As higher education and advising students continues to evolve, Luisa believes empathy and understanding are the keys to being a successful student affairs practitioner.

“When students come to such a huge university and interact with so many different people for the first time on top of being away from home, I think they get really anxious and their mental health can get in the way of their success,” she said. “I always make sure I have an open heart and compassion when speaking with my students while also maintaining a focus on the realities of the real world.”

Looking to the future, especially those wanting to begin their career in student affairs, Luisa truly believes in being flexible and adaptable, especially with the rise in AI and other emerging technologies.

“A goal is to be able to have an open mind to change,” she said. “There’s a lot of technology out there; my advice would be to adapt to the changes in technology, marketing and innovation. Don’t be afraid to try new things.”

Every day Luisa is excited to come to work and interact with students. She is grateful for those unexpected moments when former students she advised come back for a visit or send cards of gratitude at the end of year. For her, these are some of the defining moments as a student affairs practitioner. These are the reminders that leave her feeling like she’s made a difference in her students’ lives. “I finally found my passion and I don’t plan to leave the work of student affairs anytime soon.”