When Dr. Shawnboda Mead looks back on her career in student affairs and nearly 20 years of involvement with the Southern Association for College Student Affairs (SACSA), she can trace much of her journey to a series of opportunities she never expected to receive.

She began her journey as a graduate student, excitedly helping to decorate an awards luncheon, and later as a young professional invited to join an association committee. An emerging leader, she was encouraged to take a seat at a table she wasn't sure she was ready for. Each opportunity became another meaningful step forward.

Today, Mead serves as Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of Mississippi, where she provides strategic leadership across a comprehensive portfolio focused on student success, wellness and well-being, access and opportunity, leadership development, and community engagement.

Within SACSA, she has served as SACSA President, Conference Chair, Program Chair, Executive Council member, and currently serves as the association’s Time and Place Chair.

She is now being inducted into the SACSA Gavel & Gravel Society.

For Mead, however, the recognition is not simply a reflection of the positions she has held. It represents more than 20 years of engagement with SACSA and a sustained commitment to contributing to the association and the profession.

“When I think back to my first SACSA conference as a graduate student, I never could have imagined the journey ahead—from finding my place in the profession to one day having the opportunity to lead the association,” she said.

Finding a Place in the Profession

Mead’s journey into student affairs began at Mississippi State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in educational psychology. During her undergraduate years, she was a resident assistant and a student recruiter. These experiences initially inspired her to pursue a career in guidance counseling and recruitment.

Her view of higher education expanded during a summer work-study in the vice president for student affairs’ office. While preparing annual reports, she realized the extensive work happening behind the scenes on a college campus.

"‘Oh wow! That experience opened my eyes to an entire profession I didn’t know existed. I realized there were so many ways to build a career on a college campus and make a difference in students’ lives.” she remembered.

This experience motivated her to earn a master’s in Student Affairs/Higher Education Administration at Western Kentucky University, where she gained experience in housing and residence life. She started as an assistant hall director, then became a hall director, guided by mentors such as Ben Ellis, Dr. Lynne Holland, Howard Bailey, Dr. CJ Woods, Brian Kuster, Dr. Monica Burke, and Dr. Aaron Hughey, who shaped her professional growth.

It was also at Western Kentucky that SACSA first became a part of her professional life. She had heard graduate students discuss attending the association’s annual conference. During her second year, she expressed a desire to attend SACSA; however, financial constraints prevented her from doing so. Dr. Monica Burke kindly offered her hotel accommodations, facilitating Mead's attendance at her inaugural SACSA conference in 2006.

A few months prior to the conference during MSU homecoming, she encountered another familiar professional: Dr. Anne Bailey, who was then serving as SACSA president and director of housing at Mississippi State. Bailey, who knew Mead from her undergraduate years, promptly identified an opportunity for her to engage in the association’s activities. “She simply ‘volun-told’ me,” Mead reminisced. “You’re on the awards committee.” [SM1]

Her initial responsibility within SACSA involved assisting with the decoration of the awards luncheon. Mead advanced from committee involvement to committee chair, from chair to the Executive Council, and ultimately to the organization’s highest elected leadership role. “I have always tried to say yes when there was an opportunity to serve, contribute, and help move SACSA forward,” she stated.

Growing Into Leadership

Mead's SACSA journey illustrates a pattern that has defined much of her professional life: she rarely seeks leadership solely for the title. Instead, she has grown as a leader through participation, building relationships, serving others, and embracing new challenges.

She served on the Executive Council as vice president for member relations, helping to launch SACSA After Hours. She contributed to introducing My First SACSA buttons and the Joe Buck Bucket List, initiatives still integral to the conference experience. Later, she was the program chair for the 2014 Louisville conference and conference chair in Chattanooga in 2016.

In 2019, she was elected president-elect, but due to COVID-19 disruptions, her term was extended by a year, leading her to serve as SACSA president in 2022 in Birmingham. For Mead, titles matter less than what those roles represent. "I have always believed that the impact of the work should speak for itself,” she remarked.

This philosophy is evident in her account of her development. Despite moving into more visible leadership positions, she was frequently surprised that others saw her as ready. This perspective has influenced Mead's understanding of leadership, viewing it not as an innate trait exclusive to those who consider themselves leaders, but as a quality that can be cultivated through openness to opportunities and a willingness to grow.

Making Room at the Table

Mead's personal journey of being welcomed into professional environments has profoundly influenced her leadership style. A key achievement she takes pride in within SACSA is her role in recognizing individuals who do impactful work behind the scenes, those who might not initially be considered for leadership roles. "Many people did that for me, offering opportunities, inviting me in, and tapping me on the shoulder, so I have always aimed to do the same," she shared.

For Mead, leadership means spotting talent that may go unnoticed by others. "When I'm at that table, I try to help bring others along," she said. This mindset also shaped her presidency. During her term, Mead intentionally supported minority- and women-owned businesses at SACSA's conference in Birmingham. She saw this as part of a broader effort to highlight voices, businesses, and contributions in professional spaces.

She views meaningful leadership as a collaborative effort, bringing people into decisions, forming partnerships, and ensuring those most impacted by choices have a voice. "To me, leadership is very much about collaboration," she explained. “It's about bringing people along and inviting their participation." This philosophy also guides her beyond professional associations, influencing her institutional leadership.

Building Something That Lasts

Mead joined the University of Mississippi in 2014 as the first director of the Center for Inclusion and Cross-Cultural Engagement. She was tasked with creating the center from scratch, rather than managing an existing one. “I got to build and create the center,” she said. What started with Mead and two graduate assistants grew into a vibrant center with six full-time staff and four graduate assistants, along with programs reaching students on campus and across Mississippi.

One of her key initiatives is the MOST Conference, a recruitment and leadership event for high school seniors in Mississippi. Initially a one-day event, it was expanded under her leadership into a three-day, two-night program aimed at fostering students' connections to the university through mentoring and community activities. The initiative’s impact goes beyond the conference, as the program now hosts two events every summer. In summer 2025, over 500 students took part, with many later enrolling at the institution. The 2026 summer events drew around 650 high school seniors from all over Mississippi, many of whom have already applied for admission.

For Mead, a key reward is seeing her ideas develop into lasting influences on students’ lives. “You get to see your work in action,” she said.

Her responsibilities at Ole Miss extend beyond a single program or center. As Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, she manages initiatives related to student success, wellness, access, leadership, and community involvement. Her primary goal is to create an environment where students can fully engage and find effective pathways to achieve their goals. Mead views this as part of a broader mission to make the campus more accessible and welcoming by mitigating barriers that prevent students from participating fully in college life.

Leadership Measured by Impact

For Mead, leadership is primarily about making an impact rather than gaining visibility. She does not judge success solely by the initiatives that carry her name or the roles she has held. Instead, she seeks proof that her work has made a difference for students, colleagues, or the institution. “I think everyone should recognize the importance of helping your team see their role in the bigger picture, and understand that every contribution and voice matters,” she said.

This reflects a view of leadership as a collective effort. While a vice chancellor may hold a prominent position, real change occurs through the combined efforts of many, even if their individual contributions go unnoticed.

For Mead, recognizing these contributions is part of her leadership. She sees true leadership as focusing on "the main thing"—being student-centered and forming partnerships that improve the institution's ability to serve students effectively. Her emphasis on impact also shows why she values work beyond public recognition. “It's not about the accolades,” she said. “The most meaningful impact often happens quietly. You may never receive recognition for it, but you know you have made a difference for someone.” The importance of the work comes from its cumulative effect. A conversation, a program, a professional opportunity, or an invitation to participate can all matter. Over time, such moments influence institutional culture and the professional community.

Twenty Years of SACSA

After nearly twenty years of involvement, Mead has attended nearly every SACSA conference, missing only one in 2018 after the birth of her second son. Throughout her career, her relationship with SACSA has evolved from graduate student to association president, and from first-time volunteer to a member of The Gavel & Gravel Society. This history makes the honor especially meaningful.

“It’s a little bit surreal,” Mead said. “In many ways, I grew up professionally in SACSA, so to see my name alongside people I've admired throughout my career completely unexpected.” Her surprise mirrors her humble approach; she’s never sought titles but simply accepted opportunities to contribute.

“I serve SACSA because I truly love it,” she explained. SACSA has been her professional family, where she’s grown and made lasting friendships. She also views the Gavel & Gravel Society as an opportunity to invest in SACSA’s future by supporting fundraising efforts for emerging professionals. Her induction honors her past contributions and highlights her ongoing commitment to SACSA, the community she has been part of for over 20 years.

What You Put into It

Mead’s core philosophy is clearly reflected in her advice to emerging professionals: 'You get out of SACSA what you put into it' and “You get out of the profession what you put into it.” She emphasizes the importance of not dismissing small opportunities, as they can lead to bigger roles.

Her own SACSA journey started with organizing an awards luncheon, which opened doors to committee work, leadership positions, and her induction into the Gavel & Gravel Society. She stresses that no volunteer role is insignificant because volunteers are the organization's heartbeat. Mead encourages professionals to take risks, step outside their comfort zones, and understand that readiness often follows opportunity.

She advises, “You don’t have to wait until you feel completely ready. Sometimes you have to say yes to the opportunity, step into it, and allow yourself to grow along the way.” For over 20 years, she’s chosen growth over spotlight, continuously seeking ways to expand her influence and support others. Her journey from a novice volunteer to a leading figure embodies her message: “Take advantage of every opportunity you have.”