With a focus on “authentic leadership,” Southern Illinois University-Carbondale’s resident life specialist Kayla Reed is poised to promote trust and rapport among students as the university’s first Student Affairs Fellow through inclusive and inspiring staff workshops.
Connecting with students, cultivating their trust and showing sincere care for their well-being as they achieve their academic goals is foremost for Reed, a Maryland native who has worked at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale since July 2015. Having earned her MBA and bachelor’s degree from Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland, Reed brings her own brand of sensibility to the new position.
“When we lead authentically, we are able to create a circle of trust that opens the door for greater communication, and when we have better communication, we will be able to better hear the needs of our students when they are asking for help,” Reed said.
SIU’s student affairs department will benefit from career development to widen comprehension of everyday student life. The university will select one fellow each semester and all student affairs staffers are eligible to apply. Each fellow will work on a culminating project during their ranking semester.
“Reed is a great fit for this position,” Lori Stettler, interim vice chancellor for student affairs, said. “Her positive energy, passion for student success and genuine commitment for student advocacy, aligned with her proposed professional development series, will strengthen the Division of Student Affairs as we strive to meet the needs of today’s students.”
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