Revolving Door

by Joshua Wilson
@jjwil325

Spotted the graduates.

In Student Affairs there is a revolving door of student leaders, graduate and undergraduate, who continuously step into leadership roles. Today we celebrated our second year graduate students with a hooding ceremony. The hood is a garment that is added to the graduation gown. Faculty members for the Student Personnel in Higher Education program at the University of Florida hooded the soon to be graduates as tradition for master's candidates. As I watched the graduates be hooded one by one, it hit me that in this revolving door of a field, we have learned how to say goodbye and how to transition fiercely to welcome, train, and encourage those brave newcomers who step into empty positions. We are a revolving door of a profession and in the work we do with student leaders. Shout out to Emily our Programs, Arts, and Leisure graduate student and Richard who interned with us last year. You'll always be a "PALs."

Not only here recently have I had to say goodbye to graduate students but also to my undergraduate student leaders. This year I was especially struck hard because this is one of the best group of leaders and seniors that I've worked with at UF. There were challenges throughout the year, there was also laughter, tears, celebration, and so much more! This revolving door can be hard for us professionals. I see many students more than I see my own family and so the connections we make can be life changing. Thank God for Facebook, Twitter, and phone technology.

My cohort of student leaders and seniors.

It's bittersweet saying goodbye to student leaders. We know that those who meet our challenges, step out of their comfort zones and open themselves up for learning are those who will be the leaders needed in this world. They will be able to lead teams and advance in their career paths. We advisors only want the best for them. Though, many of us wish that we had just a little bit longer with our students to keep the train moving. So, I'll do what professionals are doing all over the country. We'll say goodbye, reflect on the good times and welcome the next wave of student leaders. We'll try to bring out the best of their leadership and we will do our best to prepare them for life after college. And it's true one day we will say goodbye to them. It's the revolving door that doesn't stop turning. But I say to all of you, we'll never stop believing in you.