Here at the IU Office of Student Life, we love when October rolls around because it is Careers in Student Affairs Month! To celebrate, we are highlighting staff members from different teams and departments. Learn more about each staff member and their Student Life journey by reading the spotlights below.
Holly Anspaugh
Student Legal Services
Holly is a staff attorney at Student Legal Services, where she has worked for the past six years.
What drew you to this field?
When I was a student at IU, I served as a resident assistant during my senior year and a practice group advisor during law school. I found that I was happiest when I was helping students navigate the challenges and triumphs of their collegiate experience. There’s something deeply rewarding about helping students build the tools they need to succeed—and seeing their growth along the way. After graduating from law school, I knew I wanted to use my legal education to make a difference in people’s lives. A career working for student clients was the perfect fit.
What’s one specific moment or story in your career that exemplifies why you enjoy working in Student Life?
Student Legal Services has a two-fold mission: to serve the legal needs of students and to provide a meaningful clinical experience for law students. This year, one of our graduating interns stopped by to say goodbye. He shared that his happiest memories from law school were spent in our office—helping fellow students and developing the practical skills essential to the legal profession. His experience with Student Legal Services inspired him to pursue a career working with students. It was a full-circle moment to witness an intern discover a passion for serving his peers and to choose to follow that path professionally.
What advice do you have for people thinking about working in this field?
Support the students you serve by equipping them with the tools they need to succeed—but also give them the space to try and sometimes fail. Trust in their potential and never underestimate their ability to grow and rise to a challenge.
Adin Kawate
First Nations Educational and Cultural Center
Adin is the native education and program coordinator at First Nations. She has been there for four years.
What drew you to this field?
I found my role thanks to my friendship with former FNECC director Nicky Belle. I had already collaborated on a couple of events with the FNECC through my involvement with Indy Hula so when the position was available it seemed like a good fit—and it was!
The memory that stands out to me was our first Party for the Pasifika Celebration in March 2023. It was the first time that Pacific Islanders from all over the Midwest came together on this campus to celebrate who we are. It was also the culmination of a dream that the founding members of the Pacific Islander Student Association had for their time at IU. All who attended felt like it was the “thing” that we all didn’t know we needed. I realized then that creating space for every community on this campus was important work and something I wanted to keep doing.
What advice do you have for people thinking about working in this field?
Never accept the word “can’t” if you have a good idea. And make all the friends you can because there’s a lot of interesting and fun people all over the university.
Hannah Anderson
Office for Sexual Violence Prevention and Victim Advocacy
Hannah is a confidential victim advocate in the Office for Sexual Violence Prevention and Victim Advocacy and has been in this role for less than a year.
What drew you to this field?
Working with adult learners in diverse capacities has shown me the impact that support, guidance, and resources can have on a student’s personal, professional, and academic growth. What drew me to the field of Student Life is the opportunity to create environments where students feel empowered, supported, and equipped to succeed. 
What’s one specific moment or story in your career that exemplifies why you enjoy working in Student Life?
In my role, I have the privilege of engaging with students in a variety of ways, including advocacy, tabling events, and presentations. While many aspects of this work are rewarding, I especially value meeting with students who want to learn more about our office’s mission. These conversations allow me to equip them with the knowledge and resources needed to support others and make a positive impact within their communities.
What advice do you have for people thinking about working in this field?
If you are thinking about a career in Student Life, remember that every student you meet will have their own story, experiences, and needs. Approaching your work with openness, compassion, collaboration, and flexibility not only helps you support them more effectively but also makes the work deeply rewarding.
Erika Araujo
21st Century Scholars Program
Erika is the special projects coordinator for the 21st Century Scholars Program, and she’ll celebrate two years in November.
What drew you to this field?
As an IU Bloomington alum, I really wanted to give back. I was the first in my family to move away for college, and I had a wonderful yet challenging time as a student here. When the opportunity came to work with 21st Century Scholars, most of whom are first-generation and limited and low-income students, it felt like the perfect chance to do that.
What’s one specific moment or story in your career that exemplifies why you enjoy working in Student Life?
This spring, I had the opportunity to plan a visit to the Indiana Statehouse in collaboration with our partners at the Commission for Higher Education. Our students got the chance to see a live State Supreme Court case and a House of Representatives committee session, meet with lobbyists and representatives, tour the Statehouse, and visit the law library. For a lot of our Scholars, this trip opened their eyes to potential internships and jobs they didn’t know were possible. Being able to provide opportunities like this for our Scholars and hearing first-hand how much it means to them is why I enjoy working in Student Life.
What advice do you have for people thinking about working in this field?
There is an exciting energy when it comes to working with students! Every day is different as students bring questions or challenges, and the best days are when they come to share good news. There is a lot of support in Student Life, and so many opportunities to connect with other departments and colleagues. My biggest advice is to listen to student needs, to embrace every opportunity, and to make the most of every day.
Sai Sneha Paruchuri
Health Promotion
Sneha is a sexual health education coordinator with Health Promotion. She started her career as a graduate assistant in the Office for Sexual Violence Prevention and Victim Advocacy and then transitioned to her full-time role in June 2025.
What drew you to this field?
I was an international student, and when I first saw the graduate assistant position, it immediately felt right for me. Back home in India, conversations about sexual health are often stigmatized, but I’ve always been passionate about raising awareness and creating safe spaces for students to learn and ask questions.
What’s one specific moment or story in your career that exemplifies why you enjoy working in Student Life?
One of the most rewarding experiences for me has been talking with students during our information sessions and events. Seeing them engage, ask questions, and leave with new knowledge is incredibly meaningful. I also enjoy organizing events that bring together multiple campus partners and watching students connect, learn, and feel empowered. It reminds me why I love this work. I believe that even if just one student benefits from what we share, it makes a real difference and can be the start of something bigger.
What advice do you have for people thinking about working in this field?
Sometimes it may not feel like you’re making a difference in the moment, but change often happens in small, unseen ways. Celebrate the small wins, believe in the work you do, and remember it’s okay to take breaks when you need them. Listen to students, collaborate with campus partners, and support one another. Building these connections and having even brief conversations with students can make a meaningful difference.
Penny Dillon
Assessment, Research, and Impact
Penny is director of the Office of Assessment, Research, and Impact. She has worked in Student Life for 14 years.
What drew you to this field?
I am an accidental Student Life professional. Around 2011 or 2012, the Dean of Students Office was looking for a software/website administrator. I had a friend who was working in the office at the time who invited me to apply.
What’s one specific moment or story in your career that exemplifies why you enjoy working in Student Life?
For me, the joy of working in Student Life is the variety of the work. Each year there is something new to explore or build or implement—all with the purpose of improving the student experience. The teams are always different, but the commitment to student success is always the same. When I look back, seeing the differences is exciting and inspiring.
What advice do you have for people thinking about working in this field?
Be curious. Curiosity leads to learning and learning leads to success.
Christina Eads
Housing Operations and Assignments
Christina is an assignment specialist in Housing Operations and Assignments who has worked at IU for 15 years.
What drew you to this field?
As an intercampus transfer student whose focus was secondary education here at Indiana University, I did not live in the residence halls and missed connections on campus that I might have had. I wanted to help students see why on-campus living is so beneficial, and at the same time give back to the university. I was hired by John Summerlot to oversee center desk operations at McNutt Quad, and he encouraged me to view life through a “higher education/student-centered lens.” He suggested taking part in higher education student affairs professional development activities. The more time I spent with the resident assistants and residents in the building, I knew I had found the place I could give back and capture those students.
What’s one specific moment or story in your career that exemplifies why you enjoy working in Student Life?
In my current role, I meet students and families in many stages of their time at IU. The ones I enjoy the most are the incoming students with a long list of questions. One specific student was the first generation of her family to attend college. Her family had gathered every bit of money they had to send her to school to make her dream of higher education happen.
The student and her family visited our office and shared their concerns, questions, and fears. I answered as many questions as I could and shared resources with them so they could connect with campus partners. After listening to all their concerns and their backstory, I talked with them about how to apply for housing, how to get involved in the community, and other avenues to stay in the residence halls beyond the first year.
A year later, that family returned to the office, and detailed how well things were going. Before they left, both the mother and daughter mentioned the same thing: part of their success was knowing that their needs were being heard and that we made them feel comfortable. They felt safe talking with me. I am one part of a collective whole, but one person listening and guiding made all the difference.
What advice do you have for people thinking about working in this field?
Recognize that students are at the heart of what we do. When we become a safe place for them to live and grow, we are empowering them to continue their journey through higher education. Show up for them, every day, and encourage them to show up for themselves. Be invested in their success and show that investment. Your attention to their progress fosters growth in their self-confidence.
Damen Morris
Student Life Communications and Marketing
Damen is a senior graphic designer with Student Life Communications and Marketing who has worked at IU for 25 years.
What drew you to this field?
My goal is to bring my creativity to Student Life through impactful marketing efforts for the campus and community. I strive to create eye-catching designs and artwork that support the mission and dedication of each department. My aim is always to broaden the audience’s perspective and highlight the hard work happening within Student Life.
What’s one specific moment or story in your career that exemplifies why you enjoy working in Student Life?
I enjoy makeovers that touch the heart, and one memorable example is the IMU’s “Heart of Campus” campaign. It’s a beloved campaign among parents, students, and the community. In fact, our pole banners around the building sometimes go missing—taken as keepsakes—because they’ve become part of meaningful memories at the heart of campus.
The campaign was designed with a distinct IU-spirited look that reflects our campus culture and the essence of Student Life at the Indiana Memorial Union. It offers students a visual reminder of a place where they can find relief and relaxation from academic stress. The campaign is timeless. Semester after semester, it continues to remind the community that the IMU is both a destination and an inspiration—a place to take a break from studies, connect with friends, get involved, or enjoy campus activities. Ultimately, it encourages everyone not to give up on pursuing—or serving—the career of their dreams.
What advice do you have for people thinking about working in this field?
To work in this field, one should be passionate, purposeful, and embody the IU spirit. The role involves helping the community discover the many resources Student Life offers. It requires a love for teamwork and a willingness to collaborate with individuals with diverse backgrounds and skill sets. Most importantly, it’s about bringing ideas to life to help students achieve their vision and goals.
Nicole Motz
Student Health Center
Nicole is an infection prevention nurse at the Student Health Center who has worked at IU for 11 years.
What drew you to this field?
Indiana University played such a vital role in inspiring me to be the person I am today, so when I moved back to Bloomington in my late 20s there was no other place I wanted to work. When I first came to Bloomington at 17, I lived in Wright Quad, which is right across the street from the Student Health Center, where I now work.
Arriving in Bloomington marked the arrival of some horrible seasonal allergies, so I had many visits to the Health Center as a student. The staff seemed to understand how new and scary it was to access the health care system on your own for the first time, and they were kind and supportive. I always left feeling like I had gotten the best of care. The positive experiences here, and being on this gorgeous campus, are ultimately the things that drew me to working in the Office of Student Life.
What’s one specific moment or story in your career that exemplifies why you enjoy working in Student Life?
There are many moments in my career that come to mind, but I’ll share one that happened most recently. I was vaccinating students during a flu clinic when a familiar face came to my workstation. He had just gotten his flu shot and walked away, but he returned to ask me a question. He shared that he was currently studying in a major that did not feel like the right fit, and he was curious about choosing a path in health care. He wanted to know if we had any sort of volunteer or work opportunities for undergraduate students. Something about his experience at the Health Center had felt like it was in alignment with his interests, and he wanted to explore that further. The work I do at the flu clinics is extremely rewarding to me because I get to protect the health of students, but also because sometimes I get to see the same spark of inspiration and curiosity that I had here many years ago.
What advice do you have for people thinking about working in this field?
Follow the breadcrumbs, and your curiosity. Notice what you like about the shows you watch, the books you like to read, the classes you enjoy attending, and the conversations you find intriguing. Pay attention to what makes your eyes open a little wider and explore it deeper. Go toward the things that interest YOU rather than what other people tell you to be interested in.
