Damian Washington serves as the Assistant Director for Residential Student Success and Retention at Georgia State University. In this role, he leads and supports initiatives that directly impact the residential student experience, with a strong emphasis on student success, belonging, and persistence. His responsibilities include overseeing key programs such as the First-Year Residential Experience, Living-Learning Communities, and the Housing Faculty Fellows program. He also collaborates with various departments, partnering with Student Success on the Summer Success Academy and with the Office of International Initiatives on the Summer Institute.

At the core of his work is a commitment to creating environments where students feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive not only academically, but holistically.

Damian Washington attended his first SACSA conference in 2017, hosted in Chattanooga, TN by the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. At the time, he had just begun graduate school at the University of Central Arkansas and was encouraged to attend by Dr. Thomas Bruick and Dr. Relius Johnson. That initial experience proved to be a pivotal moment in his professional journey.

Entering the conference unsure of what to expect, he quickly found support and guidance from professionals like Dr. Veneta Fricks and Sherita Kern, who took the time to mentor his cohort not only in how to navigate a conference, but in how to be fully present and engaged.

One particularly memorable moment was the opening reception at the aquarium. More than just an enjoyable evening, it symbolized connection and growth. It was there that Damian began forming relationships with professionals he once admired from a distance, many of whom have since become mentors, colleagues, and friends. Even the shuttle rides between events became meaningful opportunities for learning and community building. For him, SACSA was and continues to be community in motion.

One of Damian Washington's most unforgettable SACSA moments took place last year in Charlotte, NC, when he had the privilege of coordinating the Graduate Preparation Fair. Welcoming and supporting individuals who were just beginning their journey in the field within the very same space that had once welcomed him, was a powerful full-circle experience.

The opportunity reinforced for him the importance of giving back. SACSA had once provided a strong foundation for his growth, and now he was in a position to offer that same support to others. The conversations he shared with first-time attendees, graduate students, and exhibitors not only deepened his sense of purpose but also challenged and expanded his vision for the future of the profession.

“No venture, no gain” is a guiding mantra for Damian Washington, one that rings especially true in his experiences with SACSA. 

For first-time SACSA attendees, Damian Washington encourages a spirit of boldness and curiosity. He advises newcomers to lean in—step outside their comfort zones, connect with unfamiliar faces, sit at tables with strangers, and introduce themselves to those they admire. He emphasizes the importance of asking questions and sharing one's story.

Damian firmly believes that every attendee belongs in the SACSA space, and that the full impact of the experience comes from showing up authentically and unapologetically. In his view, SACSA has the power to stretch, surprise, and ultimately shape those who fully engage with it.

For Damian Washington, the academic year often brings its share of challenges and fatigue but SACSA consistently arrives at just the right moment to rekindle his passion and sense of purpose. It serves as a grounding force, reconnecting him with the deeper “why” behind his work in higher education.

Within the SACSA community, he finds a space to be vulnerable, reenergized, and re-centered among peers who understand the unique demands of the profession. For Damian, SACSA is more than a professional gathering, it's a movement. It affirms his commitment to transforming student lives and fostering inclusive communities. It's a powerful reminder that educators are not here merely to maintain systems, but to spark meaningful change.

SACSA remains a space where Damian Washington continues to grow not only professionally, but personally. He returns each year knowing he'll be surrounded by colleagues who challenge him, friends who uplift him, and leaders who inspire him. 

This year, he's especially looking forward to reconnecting with his MMI cohort and welcoming new faces who are just beginning their journey in the field. Whether it's someone's first SACSA or their fifteenth, Damian believes there is always something new to learn and someone new to walk alongside.

Damien, thank you for your hard work, dedication, and commitment to not only the field of Higher Education but to the organization.