Here’s Part 2 of our ongoing series celebrating October as Careers in Student Affairs Month! (Go here to read Part 1.) All month, we are highlighting staff members from different teams and departments.
Read on to learn more about each staff member and their Student Life journey.
Kim Jenkins
Groups Scholars Program
Kim is currently associate director of Groups, and this month celebrates 26 years of working at IU.
What drew you to this field?
I have a deep interest in helping others. I genuinely enjoy being part of someone’s developmental journey. Working with students from the moment they arrive at IU as first-year students in the Groups Scholars Program to the day they graduate is incredibly rewarding. Being able to support their decision-making and help shape the opportunities they pursue is a privilege.
I’m always looking for ways to connect people with resources, experiences, or with each other. It’s inspiring to see students accomplish things they never imagined possible, and I find great joy in facilitating those opportunities.
What’s one specific moment or story in your career that exemplifies why you enjoy working in Student Life?
While it’s hard to pinpoint just one moment, graduation season always stands out to me. It’s a time when I reconnect with students at the end of their undergraduate journey and reflect on how far they’ve come. I’ve had the opportunity to hear about the meaningful experiences students have pursued during their time here, whether through internships, research, or leadership roles, and how those experiences have led to successful outcomes, such as securing employment or receiving admission and funding for graduate school.
It’s truly inspiring to witness students stepping outside of their comfort zones and seeing the positive impact that growth has on their futures. What’s especially meaningful is when a student has faced significant challenges—personal, academic, or financial—and still perseveres to earn their degree.
What advice do you have for people thinking about working in this field?
My advice is to stay open-minded and embrace a lifelong learning mindset. This field is constantly evolving, whether it’s shifts in student demographics, changes in university policies, or new approaches to student success. Being adaptable is very important. It’s also important to listen to others’ ideas and perspectives. Collaboration and curiosity go a long way in student affairs. When you approach change not just as something to manage, but as an opportunity to grow and innovate, you’ll thrive in this work. It’s challenging work but incredibly rewarding.
Debbie Anderson
Accessible Educational Services
Debbie has been a senior access coordinator at AES for the past nine years.
What drew you to this field?
This position drew me to work in student life/affairs because of my interest in helping students implement accessibility measures and because I enjoy giving individual support for study skills.
What’s one specific moment or story in your career that exemplifies why you enjoy working in Student Life?
I have many students who I have worked with who have overcome great challenges due to their qualifying medical conditions (disabilities). Some even have had to sit out for a semester to get their health back on track.
Many of these students had conditions develop during college. I’m so proud of them for digging down deep to be able to finish their program and go on to get jobs. Many of these students I worked closely with during our Collegiate Life Coaching meetings.
What advice do you have for people thinking about working in this field?
Begin each meeting with a smile and show you care to students. Know that your positivity will make a difference in the lives of the students you support.
Kathy Adams Riester
Dean of Students Office
Kathy has served as IU associate vice chancellor for student life and dean of students for the past 6.5 years.
What drew you to this field?
When I started college at the University of Arizona, I was originally pre-med but I struggled in chemistry. Around the same time, I became a resident assistant and loved the role. My hall director at the time planted the idea of working in student affairs—and it became my dream. I was drawn to the idea of helping students navigate their college journey to become successful graduates.
What’s one specific moment or story in your career that exemplifies why you enjoy working in Student Life?
This fall marks my thirtieth year of working full-time in student affairs. One of the things that keeps me going—especially in challenging times—is knowing that we can truly make a difference in a student’s life. One of my proudest moments was when a student I had worked with since the beginning of their first year graduated from IU. This student had many challenges, struggles, and barriers to overcome in their journey. Through it all, we met regularly at their request because they felt like I was someone who was in their corner. Seeing them walk across the stage and meeting their family members who were there to celebrate their success was inspirational.
What advice do you have for people thinking about working in this field?
I think it is important to know your “why” for working in student affairs. It helps keep you focused during challenging times and when you must make hard decisions. I know higher education is in the midst of many changes. My ability to focus on advocating for students and supporting student success keeps me grounded in my work and brings me back when I get distracted by what is going on in the world. I also like to focus on my sphere of influence and the areas where I have the capacity to make an impact.
Tyler Kivland
IU Outdoor Adventures
Tyler is coordinator of skill development at IUOA and started working there in 2008 as an undergraduate student.
What drew you to this field?
Outdoor Adventures first caught my attention at a time when I wasn’t yet a student and didn’t realize I could build a career in outdoor recreation. I quickly immersed myself in the day-to-day activities that IUOA offered, and in 2008 I was hired as an adventure specialist in the equipment shop and later as a trip leader. From there, I couldn’t walk away—I found immense value in the experiential style of learning and teaching that outdoor recreation is known for. The role allowed me to travel to new places, try new activities, and meet people from all walks of life. Most importantly, it helped me learn more about myself than ever before.
What’s one specific moment or story in your career that exemplifies why you enjoy working in Student Life?
I have enough stories from trips and events to fill a library, but the most memorable moments are always the ones when things don’t go according to plan. Anyone who has spent time outdoors knows this is not only frequent but almost inevitable. One of my favorite personal sayings is, “the more miserable you are, the more fun you’re having.” For me, mistakes and mishaps are gifts—they turn into the most meaningful memories and help us connect more deeply with ourselves, with others, and with the world around us. I love guiding students through these moments and witnessing their growth over time. Today, I have former students and trip leaders in every corner of the world (yes—even Antarctica), and I couldn’t be prouder of who they are and all that they’ve accomplished.
What advice do you have for people thinking about working in this field?
Well, if you’re working in a field, hopefully the weather is nice and there’s some flowers to smell. Also, never stop being a student yourself. It helps you grow and lead with empathy. Oh! And have fun!
Patrick D. Smith
Mentoring Services and Leadership Development
Patrick is executive director of MSLD and has worked at IU for 19 years.
What drew you to this field?
I have always had a heart for working with young adults. I have always wanted to help them grow educationally and shape them into future leaders, educators, and mentors.
One story involves the first time that I was invited to the wedding of one of my former peer mentors. She was one of many who either invited me to their special moment(s) or asked me to write professional letters of recommendation for post-graduate opportunities. I enjoy attending those special moment events and activities of former students who have shown gratitude or an appreciation for how the FASE Mentoring Program has been instrumental in their lives.
What advice do you have for people thinking about working in this field?
My advice is not to expect students to “get it” the first time around. It may take a while for them to understand the impact that your mentoring will have on their lives. When they do realize it, be prepared for them to contact you and express their appreciation.
Jana Cox
Student Advocates Office
Jana is associate director of SAO and has worked at IU for 28 years.
What drew you to this field?
I have always had a genuine passion for helping students succeed. Throughout my life, I’ve found that problem-solving comes naturally to me, and there’s something incredibly fulfilling about using those skills to support students through the challenges they face. Working with this age group is especially rewarding, as it’s a time when they’re navigating significant transitions and personal growth. It is inspiring to witness students’ resilience and an honor to help them overcome obstacles and see them earn their degree.
What’s one specific moment or story in your career that exemplifies why you enjoy working in Student Life?
I recently worked with one student and their family because the student had initially failed their courses due to some mental health concerns. They reached out to our office for guidance on requesting retroactive withdrawals, and we were successful in getting the grades changed to W. With support services in place, they were able to return to IU, refocused and determined to succeed. Their resilience is a reminder that failures don’t define us—it’s how we respond and grow from them that does. Although asking for help can be difficult, it often makes all the difference in our ability to succeed.
What advice do you have for people thinking about working in this field?
It really helps to have a passion for helping to find a solution to their concern, whether it is struggling with classes, going through something personal, or just trying to figure out their place here at IU. The work can definitely be tough at times, but it is also very rewarding.
Sarah Robertson
Health Promotion
Sarah is a substance use prevention coordinator in Health Promotion and has worked at IU for three years.
What drew you to this field?
After spending years working with clients struggling with substance use disorders in community mental health and correctional settings, I was excited for the opportunity to work with a different population and experience a change of pace. Having been a college student myself at a time when services related to substance use were not widely available, I was encouraged to see that Indiana University was providing these vital supports for students in need, and I wanted to be a part of that work.
What’s one specific moment or story in your career that exemplifies why you enjoy working in Student Life?
I enjoy working with a team of interns and peer educators who assist with program development, campus initiatives, and event planning to address alcohol and substance misuse among IU students. Collaborating with these students is exciting, as they bring fresh ideas, creativity, and an understanding of the campus culture that ensures our work is relevant and engaging. Last year, for example, my team of interns successfully wrote, received, and executed a $15,000 grant, gaining valuable experience in grant writing and program implementation that they were able to highlight on their résumés. Supporting students as they develop professionally has been the most meaningful and fulfilling part of my role.
What advice do you have for people thinking about working in this field?
My best advice for anyone in this field is to truly listen to the students. They understand the campus culture, know what their peers need to thrive, and often have ideas that can drive meaningful change. By giving students a platform to share their voices, supporting them, and empowering them to lead, we create opportunities where both students and the institution benefit—a true win-win.
