As the Southern Association for College Student Affairs (SACSA) celebrates its seventy-fifth anniversary, members across the region continue to affirm the association’s enduring role in shaping the professional and personal trajectories of student affairs practitioners. For Bernard Nichols, Assistant Director for the Office of Student Conduct at Johns Hopkins University, SACSA has been more than a professional organization—it has served as what he calls his “professional home.”

Nichols attended his first SACSA conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in November 2018, while pursuing graduate studies at the University of Central Arkansas. Introduced to the organization by a colleague before even beginning his program, Nichols quickly recognized SACSA’s impact on his professional identity formation. Reflecting on that initial experience, he noted that it “was truly the conference that solidified the reason why I want to work in the field.”

Beyond professional affirmation, Nichols emphasized the relational core of SACSA. He described a consistent “sense of belonging” that emerges from the organization’s emphasis on connection and care—qualities he associates closely with the MAC Committee, which he described as “a space to separate ourselves from everything happening in higher education and just enjoy fellowship, laughter, and support.” Nichols credits these spaces with sustaining his commitment to the field through challenging professional moments.

Mentorship and professional networks are central themes in Nichols’s SACSA journey. He identified two individuals who significantly shaped his development: Dr. Nicole Lewis and Dr. Kim Bullington. Of Dr. Lewis, Nichols stated, “We may not talk often throughout the year, but when I see her at SACSA, it’s like we pick up where we left off.” Similarly, he credited Dr. Bullington for “seeing something in me that I didn’t see in myself and challenging me to be more involved.”Such relationships, he suggests, exemplify SACSA’s long-standing reputation as a “home for growth, mentorship, and accountability.”

Nichols’s involvement within the association has evolved from session volunteer to leadership. Initially hesitant to participate—“I was really intimidated to get involved”—he eventually served as Co-Chair of Career Services, where he contributed to the rebranding of the Focus Hub and the expansion of career development initiatives. Nichols emphasized that “it always starts with volunteering”, positioning service as both an entry point and a pathway to leadership within SACSA.

In reflecting on the association’s future, Nichols highlighted the importance of intentional engagement and generational voice. He encouraged emerging professionals to share perspectives on the organization’s evolution: “Our field is evolving, and so the way we do things will evolve. Speak up and share your opinions and your thoughts about how the association should move forward.” For him, SACSA’s sustainability depends on the active participation of new professionals who bring diverse skill sets and ideas to the community.

Nichols also underscored the necessity of cultivating professional community beyond one’s institution. He observed that “it’s extremely important to have community outside of your respective institution… networking is powerful because you can benchmark, get advice, and share your expertise.” His comments emphasize the role of interinstitutional networks in mitigating burnout and fostering professional resilience.

Looking ahead, Nichols remains optimistic about SACSA’s future and its role in advancing the field. He envisions “new rising experts who are intentional about gathering each year and sharing their knowledge.” Despite ongoing challenges within higher education, he maintains that SACSA’s enduring spirit of community ensures its longevity: “SACSA is a home to a lot of individuals… we spread that spirit and love every year, and because of that, we’ll be fine.”

When asked what keeps him returning to SACSA annually, Nichols reflected on its restorative power: “SACSA is truly a place where I get my cup refilled… when I’m on the verge of burnout, I go to SACSA and I remember, this is why you’re doing what you’re doing.” For him, the conference operates as both a professional development space and a "familial reunion"—a reminder of purpose, connection, and the collective “why” that fuels the student affairs profession.

As SACSA commemorates seventy-five years of service, Nichols’s reflections underscore a central truth of the association’s legacy: its ability to nurture belonging, inspire leadership, and sustain the passion of professionals across generations. In his own words, “SACSA fuels my why.”