Colleague Profiles
Dr. Peter M. Gotlieb
Associate Dean for Experiential Learning & Career Services
Cooperative Education Program, 2nd Floor, Henneberry Hall
Years of Service at SPC: 31
Educational Background
AB (1970) from University of Pennsylvania in Russian; MA (1972) from U.C.L.A. in Slavic Languages & Literatures; MA (1973) from Teachers College, Columbia University in Student Personnel Administration; Ed.D (1981) from Teachers College, Columbia University in Student Personnel Administration
Previous Students Affairs Background
I have worked in Admissions at the City University of New York and in both Student Activities and Career Services at Brooklyn College, a Division of the City University of New York
Current Responsibilities
I oversee the Center for Experiential Learning & Career Services, supervising two professionals -Director of Cooperative Education and Director of Career Services, as well as two support staff and several work study students. In addition, I support the work of several faculty sponsors of Cooperative Education courses each semester. Other responsibilities include service on various College Committees and overseeing special projects from time to time.
Why did you choose a career in Student Affairs?
I decided while in graduate school that I was not really motivated to go on to earn a Ph.D and join the faculty, but liked the idea of working with college students and being engaged in an intellectual community.
What do you enjoy most about working in Student Affairs?
The intellectual environment is stimulating, and I enjoy helping students achieve their personal goals. I have found working directly with students very rewarding and have also enjoyed the opportunity to make creative contributions outside of my work with students, both at Saint Peter’s and through my professional association activities.
What advice would you give to a student considering a career in Student Affairs?
If you enjoy being in a college environment, that is a good start, particularly because the benefits are primarily derived from that - helping students and being engaged in an intellectual environment, rather than financial compensation. The excitement derived from such benefits will help you get through the challenges of having limited resources, as well as a job that can occupy your attention 24/7, even if you are not “on campus/in the office” all of the time. For many, such challenges might really drain their energy and enthusiasm for this work.
Michael J. Lord
Assistant Director of Residence Life for Community Development
Office of Residence Life, 2nd Floor, Saint Peter Hall
Years at SPC: over 1 year
Educational Background
BA (1993) from Boston College in Psychology; MA (1998) in Student Affairs Administration from Michigan State University
Previous Students Affairs Background
I have worked at Landmark College, the only college in the country specifically for students with diagnosed Learning Disabilities, from June 1998 to May 2001 as a Resident Dean. I worked from July 2001 to June 2006 at Dartmouth College, as a Community Director. All of my post-masters professional experience has been in Residence Life. In graduate school, I also worked in academic deans’ offices, and in Admissions. Other experience working in higher education includes time in the fields of academic advising, financial aid, and health resources.
Current Responsibilities
I oversee the operation of the Community Development program in the residence halls at Saint Peter’s College. I directly supervise the Resident Coordinators, two professional staff members who run two separate areas of campus. I indirectly supervise 27 Resident Assistants, who work directly with the students in their communities. I plan and implement Training for the Resident Assistants, the Resident Coordinators, and develop long term goals for the building of positive community in the residence halls.
Why did you choose a career in Student Affairs?
I decided when I was an undergraduate that I liked the idea of working at a college. The environment was positive, and I resonated with the idea of helping students achieve their personal goals during their years away at college. Developing student leaders, assisting in the creation of a positive community, and working directly with students who want to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others has been a motivating force for keeping me engaged and interested in working in this field.
What advice would you give to a student considering a career in Student Affairs?
If you have a “big picture” reason for doing what you do, it will help you get through some of the tough “little picture” issues that can really drain people’s energy and enthusiasm for this work. Friends who have moved on to other areas in their career from student affairs have either lost that “big picture” spark, or have decided to move on to areas where they still have that spark, but just utilize it in different areas of their work.
 David Surratt
Office of Residence Life, 2nd Floor, Saint Peter Hall
Service at SPC: 1 month
Educational Background
BA (2002) from The University of Oklahoma in English Literature; MA (2004) from The University of Oklahoma in Human Relations
Previous Students Affairs Background: I have worked in Residence Life and Student Affairs as a professional since Fall 2002, where I was a Resident Director at the University of Oklahoma. By Spring of 2004, I began working with Penn State University at three different locations over a three year period serving as Coordinator of Residence Life at Penn State Mont Alto Campus and University Park (State College, PA). I was later promoted to Assistant Director of Student Affairs & Residence Life at Penn State Berks Campus. While at Berks, I served as the chief residential life administrator and additionally taught courses that included a First-Year Seminar on “Achieving College Success” and a three-credit course in Counselor Education that focused on Basic leadership skills, communication, peer mediation, social justice training and student development theory.
Current Responsibilities
At Saint Peter's College, I serve as the chief housing officer for residential students. I work with a talented staff that helps to provide residential housing to our students as well as promote learning within the residence halls. Our residence life staff includes an Office Manager, two Assistant Directors, two Coordinators of Residence Life, a Coordinator of Operations, an Assistant Coordinator of Operations, and 28 Resident Assistants, who work directly with the students in their residential living communities.
Why did you choose a career in Student Affairs?
Like many other people who are asked this question, I stumbled upon this career field. As an undergraduate I became an RA during my junior year and upon graduation I was encouraged to apply for a professional staff position in Residence Life at the University of Oklahoma. I immediately enrolled to get my master’s degree in Human Relations and a year and a half into the program I began looking at jobs. I asked myself, “what types of jobs am I most interested in and passionate about? What am I most qualified to do?” The words “Residence Life” kept appearing in my mind and I decided to dedicate myself to areas of Residence Life and general areas of Student Affairs (ie. Multicultural Affairs, Judicial Affairs, and Student Activities).
My ultimate goal is to be a Vice-President of Student Affairs. It is my hope that I can positively impact student lives as they pursue an education and career and it is that same hope that inspires me to continue working in Student Affairs.
What do you enjoy most about working in Student Affairs?
What I particularly enjoy is the opportunity to meet students and to have them share with me how their relationship with Student Affairs professionals has helped them in their success during and after college. I take a great deal of pride in knowing that my efforts are not in vain and that I am helping a student as an advocate, educator and mentor.
I also love the interpersonal nature of my work. Developing sincere relationships with people is an important part of my personal values and it is intertwined in the nature of my career. I realize I am fortunate to be working in a career that interfaces so well with the things that I enjoy. When your job relates so closely to your own values, it makes a “job” seem much more interesting, fun, and energizing!
What particular advice would you give to a student considering a career in Student Affairs?
I have a range of advice that I would offer to someone considering a career in Student Affairs. Academically, I would say to make sure you plan (financially, physically, and mentally) to pursue no less than a master’s degree and try to get a diverse working knowledge of different areas of Student Affairs. Once you have that education and diverse knowledge of the career, you will be able to know what direction you ultimately want to go and also be able to compete with the many other aspiring young professionals looking to break into the field.
I would also say to be patient. Student Affairs work in entry-level positions can be rewarding but sometimes disappointing financially. Working in this career, you have to be prepared to pay your dues and push through during times when you may feel underpaid and sometimes underappreciated. Although the pay initially is low, remember to look at many of the positives that could include such things as flexible vacation times, great benefits packages, tuition remission, free housing and/or positive work environments. Also know that after you have paid those dues, the financial rewards have the potential to be great when you move into mid-management and senior-level positions that have competitive salaries.
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