SUNY Oswego is one of only 22 institutions included on the latest link of “The Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs.” Christy Huynh, dean of students and assistant vice president for student affairs, started at her alma mater in 2002 and is an example of staff members who found the university a place to grow and thrive.
SUNY Oswego is once again included in “The Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs,” one of only 22 institutions to receive this designation.
The prestigious list is published by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education in partnership with ACPA: College Student Educators International.
“It's important confirmation that what we are doing matters to our students and to staff members,” Vice President for Student Affairs Kathleen Kerr said. “And it sends a vital signal to others who might be considering coming to SUNY Oswego, either as a student or for employment, that SUNY Oswego is a great place to learn, grow, and to make a difference.”
“With a focus on workplace diversity, staffing practices and work environment, the research uses a web-based survey approach to examine categories such as family friendliness, salary/benefits and professional development opportunities, to name a few,” Diverse: Issues In Higher Education magazine said in releasing the list.
“I find it exciting and fulfilling to work in a division and at a university that is laser-focused on student success,” Kerr said. “Through valuable campus partnerships, student relationships, and practices grounded in scholarship and data, we walk the walk to ensure affordability, access, and inclusion that lifts up our students and our region with transformative educational experiences.”
Growing and thriving
Christy Huynh, dean of students and assistant vice president for student affairs, is an example of a staff member who has found SUNY Oswego a place to grow and thrive.
“A one-word answer would be ‘people,’ especially students,” Huynh said in terms of why she has enjoyed working and gaining increasingly responsible roles at SUNY Oswego. “In all the roles, I’ve had opportunities to connect with students in various ways.”
A 1998 SUNY Oswego psychology graduate, Huynh returned to work for the institution in 2002, adding a master’s in counseling services in what was then a student affairs track in 2008. Work on the graduate degree played a big role in her career trajectory in supporting students.
Huynh returned to run what was then the campus Center for Service Learning and Community Service in 2002, which connected students with fruitful volunteer opportunities in the community or further away during alternative spring breaks.
“I especially enjoyed those early service learning trips across the country,” Huynh recalled. “It was wonderful student engagement and I’m still connected to those people, who are now alumni.”
While attending graduate school –- supported by a United University Professions program that offers one tuition-free course per semester and with the encouragement of her colleagues –- Huynh looked to help what was then an underrecognized population, which segued into her next role.
“For my research methods class, I was interested in looking into how to support undeclared students –- what was helpful to them, what supported them, what helped them make the decision, and to identify gaps to make it helpful,” Huynh said.
“Out of the project, that shifted into a role in the Student Advisement Center in fall 2007,” she noted. “That role was really about building a major exploration program on campus. We had some advisement but didn’t have a process until then.”
After major exploration shifted over to Career Services for a while, Huynh received an invitation from Jerri Howland, then vice president for student affairs, to take on some roles in the Dean of Students Office on an interim basis. It was February 2021, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 disruptions, but Huynh readily accepted the challenge.
When Kerr became the vice president, she saw and appreciated Huynh’s work. Huynh would officially become dean of students in November 2021 and add the assistant vice president title in 2023.
But whatever the title or role, Huynh’s emphasis has remained on students: “I enjoy supporting students and supporting structures to support students in a holistic role,” Huynh said.
“My supervisors have always been super supportive and I've felt supported on the professional level,” Huynh said. “I’ve found that to be awesome and professionally allowed me to try new things and think outside the box sometimes.”
Huynh also noted that the greater Oswego community has provided additional satisfaction for her and her family: she met her future husband Michael –- now the director of campus ministry at the Hall Newman Center –- during her first semester as an undergraduate.
“As an undergrad, I felt very connected to the greater community," Hunyh said. "I really love this area and I’m committed to it. We stayed here and raised kids in this county.”
Administrators from “The Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs” -- including Vice President for Student Affairs Kathleen Kerr, seated second from right -- gather at awards presentation during the ACPA: College Student Educators International Conference. Diverse: Issues In Higher Education and ACPA compiled the list of just 22 institutions.