With nearly 22 years in higher education and 21 years with the organization, Dr. Lakiesa Rawlinson currently serves as the Senior Associate Vice President of Student Affairs & Dean of Students at the University of West Georgia. Dr. Rawlinson oversees the Office of Student Conduct and Advocacy, Parent and Family Services, the Center for Student Involvement and Inclusion, and Fraternity and Sorority Life. Being in the field for nearly 22 years is a milestone she finds difficult to believe because “time flies when you are having fun.” Her journey into student affairs was somewhat unexpected. Early in her life, she was influenced by ministers and teachers and, as a young adult and child, did a lot through service and giving back to the community. As a young adult, she spent considerable time supporting others, which naturally led her to believe that she wanted to become a teacher. She entered Clemson University intending to teach high school history, which was her area of interest. However, during her student-teaching experience, she realized that teaching was not the career path she wanted to pursue. In her final semester of undergraduate study, she began considering other options and decided to pursue counseling. The program offered several different tracks, including higher education and student affairs administration. That track immediately resonated with her and became her entry point into the student affairs profession. Her graduate assistantship was in student conduct and in the Office of Multicultural Programs and Services. Although she did not initially enter it intending to pursue student affairs, she always knew she had a passion for helping others. That desire ultimately guided her toward the profession. 

Dr. Lakiesa Rawlinson describes her professional journey within SACSA as having come full circle. When she began her graduate assistantship at Clemson University in the Office of Multicultural Programs and Services, Dr. Melissa Shivers was heavily involved in SACSA, along with Drs. Pam Havice and Tony Cawthon, who served as faculty advisors, and Tony continues to be a mentor today. Both encouraged students to participate in SACSA. Dr. Shivers, who was serving as chair of the Multicultural Awareness Committee at the time, specifically encouraged Dr. Rawlinson to become involved. Rather than simply asking her to attend, Dr. Shivers told her that she needed her help. As a result, Dr. Rawlinson’s first SACSA conference experience involved both participating in the conference and volunteering to support the Multicultural Awareness Committee's work. That first experience became the beginning of a much deeper relationship with the organization. She eventually served as chair of the Multicultural Awareness Committee for several years. During that time, she and a colleague and close friend, Dr. Creston Lynch, created a multicultural knowledge café, which has now been folded into Courageous Conversations designed to provide space for courageous conversations about social and political topics. Although the program has since evolved, she is proud that the one they established around 2006 or 2007 has become a longstanding part of the conference. In addition to her work with the Multicultural Awareness Committee, Dr. Rawlinson has served as local arrangements chair and a part of the executive board, as Member-at-Large. She later transitioned into the role of Vice President of Member Engagement. Her service in that position extended during the COVID-19 period as the organization worked to maintain stability during an unprecedented time. She also served as one of the leaders involved in developing the organization's strategic plan. Today, her involvement has evolved into mentoring, developing, presenting, and investing in emerging student affairs professionals. She also works 

to provide leadership and stability within the organization. SACSA has become an important cornerstone of both her professional and personal life. 

Dr. Rawlinson’s first became involved with SACSA in 2005. Her involvement began under the leadership of Dr. Melissa Shivers, serving as a volunteer and a co-chair of the Multicultural Awareness Committee. From there, she continued taking on different leadership roles at the executive level, supporting conference coordination and contributing to the organization's broader work. She also received the Bobby E. Le Award, around 2010, in recognition of her contributions to SACSA and her professional work. After more than two decades of involvement, she considers SACSA not only a professional home but also a place where she has developed some of her closest friendships, professional relationships, and mentoring connections. She identifies several colleagues and friends, including Tanisha Jenkins, Khorey Baker, Sabrina Brown, Creston Lynch, Cord McLean and Shawnboda Mead and many more, as part of a peer mentoring group that has remained connected throughout the years. Although some are no longer directly involved with SACSA, their relationships have continued both professionally and personally. For Dr. Rawlinson, SACSA has provided valuable friendships, mentorship, professional opportunities, and a sense of community. 

Throughout her career, Dr. Rawlinson’s involvement with SACSA has evolved several times. She began as a volunteer, moved into committee leadership, served on the executive board, and eventually took on responsibilities related to presenting, mentoring, and helping the organization grow and remain sustainable. Her involvement has therefore expanded from simply participating in the organization to actively contributing to its leadership, development, and future. 

One SACSA experience that has remained particularly meaningful to Dr. Rawlinson’s, occurred around 2005, when she gave her first presentation (Strengthening & Conditioning your Multicultural Workout session) at a conference. At the time, she was a graduate student whose professional work and passions centered on diversity, equity, and inclusion. She remembers being extremely nervous and worried that she would not perform well. Her presentation focused on multicultural education and incorporated a Family Feud-style activity designed to engage participants in conversations about multicultural topics. What began as an interactive activity eventually developed into a much deeper conversation, Courageous Conversations. The room became filled with participants, and Dr. Rawlinson remembers feeling overwhelmed by the experience and by her own emotions. Despite her concerns about whether she had done well, she was surrounded by mentors and colleagues who supported and encouraged her. Many people approached her afterward to compliment her presentation, offer feedback, and encourage her. The experience taught her an important lesson: she could do hard things and try new things, and there would be people willing to support her along the way. Dr. Rawlinson is currently leading the Special Committee, established to develop professional development opportunities for mid-level professionals and individuals aspiring to Assistant Vice President (AVP) roles, with a focus on strengthening the leadership pipeline in student affairs. She will also be leading a pre-conference session on this topic during this year’s 2026 conference in Greenville, SC. 

For Dr. Rawlinson, SACSA has been deeply interconnected and integral in both her personal and professional life. For her, SACSA is everything. Over the years, many significant life moments have occurred during her involvement with the organization. She considers SACSA a professional home and an important part of her life and career. Her experiences within the organization have helped shape and mold her into the leader and individual she is today. 

Dr. Rawlinson encourages new professionals and those who want to become more engaged with SACSA not to be afraid to step outside of their comfort zones. She encourages people to seek out opportunities to connect with others and to recognize that engagement does not have to begin with a major leadership role. She acknowledges that not everyone is extroverted or naturally comfortable in social situations. Regardless of personality, she encourages professionals to stretch themselves and to make connections with people at different levels of the organization, including peers, mid-level professionals, and senior leaders. Building that social capital, she explains, allows professionals to learn and grow while developing lifelong relationships and friendships that can provide support throughout career transitions and other significant moments in life. Her advice is to start small. Someone might begin by volunteering, then serve on a committee, and eventually pursue leadership opportunities. She also encourages professionals to establish personal goals for their involvement, gradually increasing their level of engagement over time. She emphasizes that the organization needs new talent, fresh ideas, and individuals willing to help sustain it. 

When reflecting on what she hopes her story leaves with the next generation of student affairs professionals, Dr. Rawlinson hopes to be remembered as someone who was eager to learn and grow, unafraid of new experiences, and committed to kindness and relationship-building. She hopes people remember her as someone who built relationships at all levels of the organization and challenged others to pursue leadership opportunities, just as her mentors had challenged her. 

Dr. Rawlinson’s final piece of advice is to never stop learning. Although she recognizes that the advice may sound cliché, she believes professionals should always remain students and approach their careers with a willingness to absorb new information. She encourages professionals not to assume they know everything or have reached the limits of their growth. Instead, they should seek opportunities to learn, develop, and continue challenging themselves. She points to the constantly changing world around us as evidence that student affairs professionals must also continue evolving. She encourages professionals to attend conferences, meet new people, read books, pursue certifications, and seek out other opportunities for professional development. For Dr. Rawlinson, continued learning and growth are essential to meeting the changing needs of students, the student affairs profession, and the responsibilities associated with the work. 

Dr. Rawlinson, we would like to extend our sincere appreciation for your unwavering support and leadership. Thank you for your dedication, hard work, and the countless hours you have devoted not only to the field, but also to the continued growth and success of the 

organization. Your contributions and commitment have made a meaningful impact, and we are truly grateful for all that you have given.