My Longest Relationship
Over time, my relationship with higher education has deepened and evolved. I’ve played almost every role there is: the wide-eyed undergraduate, the ambitious graduate assistant, the curious doctoral student, the dedicated professor, the visionary associate dean, the resourceful grant writer, the encouraging staff developer, the passionate college sports professional, the relentless fundraiser, and the director of community and corporate education. I’ve been the one teaching, learning, mentoring, approving, and advocating, sometimes all in the same week.
You know, I think the longest relationship I’ve ever had is with college. We met when I was eighteen, and honestly, we’ve never really broken up. Most people have a love story that involves another person; mine involves universities, textbooks, and tuition bills. I’ve attended ten universities, which at this point feels less like education and more like a lifelong commitment.
Like any relationship, it has had its ups and downs. There were days I wanted to quit, nights I questioned everything, and yet somehow I always kept showing up. There were years I couldn’t get enough. The late nights, the cheap coffee, the smell of new textbooks, the rush of discovery. And yes, there were times I was reading the textbook for the first time the night before the final, hoping caffeine and divine intervention would join forces in my favor.
But I still remember the first time a professor told me I was smart. It felt like a first kiss, unexpected, a little awkward, but unforgettable. It wasn’t about grades or approval; it was about being seen. For the first time, someone reflected back the potential I hadn’t yet believed in myself. That moment changed everything.
I’ve seen education from every angle, from the classroom to the conference room, from cheering on student-athletes to writing seven-figure grants that opened doors for others to learn. Through it all, I’ve never stopped being a student. Because for me, learning isn’t a title or a transcript; it’s a way of living.
College has challenged me, shaped me, and occasionally driven me crazy. It has taught me to think critically, communicate clearly, and never underestimate the power of curiosity. More than anything, it has given me the chance to pass that same spark to others, to help students, peers, and even my own children believe in what is possible.
Every degree, every paper, every all-nighter has been part of something bigger, a lifelong commitment to learning. Some people find comfort in familiarity. I find it in discovery.
After all these years, I realize my relationship with higher education isn’t just about earning degrees; it’s about earning perspective. It’s about staying curious, staying humble, and remembering that growth doesn’t stop at graduation.
Maybe we all have that one great love story. Mine just happens to come with transcripts.
