From the Dean’s Desk to the Student’s Chair

In just a month, I’ll be stepping into a classroom for my first class of the MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. At this point, I have enrolled in classes, bought my textbooks, and blocked class time in my work schedule. As you can imagine, the blend of excitement and anxiety surges through me like a tide. For years, my life has been entwined with the intellectual growth of others, acting as a professor, a department chair, and a dean. But now, it’s time to flip the script and cast myself into the role of the student.

Transitioning from an experienced higher education administrator to a student isn’t as simple as changing a hat. It’s more like switching languages mid-conversation. As seasoned educators, we are conditioned to teach, evaluate, and lead. But now, I must learn to absorb, question, and grow.

To make this shift successfully, I need to embrace the learner’s mindset. This concept emphasizes openness, curiosity, and the willingness to embrace the unknown. But it’s more than just an idea. It’s a practical tool for transforming my approach to learning.

While the transition is intimidating, my years in higher education aren’t going away. Rather, they are evolving into a mosaic of insights and perspectives that can breathe life into classroom discussions. And more importantly, they can shape my future role as a therapist, infusing it with wisdom, empathy, and creativity.

So, I have been asking myself how I’ll navigate this new journey. After some thought, these are the three guiding stars I have come up with:

1. Cultivating a Growth Mindset: This means recognizing my identity as a student—curious, receptive, and ever-evolving—rather than as an evaluator. My professional background will be a guiding light, not a barrier to discovering new horizons.

2. Embracing Organization: Planning, setting goals, and prioritizing will be my allies in balancing both professional and academic realms.

3. Fostering Collaboration: Engaging with peers, contributing insights, and staying open to feedback will help me grow.

As the leaves turn golden this coming fall, so too does a new chapter of my life unfold. The journey from leader to learner isn’t just a new piece my story. It’s a testament to the transformative power of education and the beauty of lifelong learning. It’s a step towards fulfilling a lifelong dream of continual growth and exploration.