Ti-Ana Pyatt serves as the Assistant Director for Student Engagement in the Center for Student Leadership and Engagement at Clemson University. In her role, she advisesTigerLive Entertainment, Clemson's student programming board, as well as Central Spirit, the university's spirit and traditions organization focused on athletic engagement. She supports these groups in planning and executing major campus events such as the Homecoming Float Build, Tigerama Concert, First Friday Parade, and Moonlight Breakfast. Additionally, she leads a comprehensive training initiative for faculty and staff advisors of student organizations, providing education on expectations, university policies, and best practices in student organization advising.

Ti-Ana attended her first SACSA Annual Conference in 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama, as a second-year graduate student. Having always heard that SACSA was a welcoming and intentional community, she quickly experienced firsthand the authenticity of that reputation. The environment was warm and inclusive, filled with individuals who were deeply invested in the field and eager to share their knowledge and experiences.

During that conference, she served as a SACSA Ambassador and was excited to connect with both graduate students and professionals from across the region. Her goals were to expand her network, deepen her understanding of the field beyond assistantship and internship experiences, and most importantly, to find a sense of community where she could grow as both a learner and a leader.

Those hopes were more than fulfilled. That initial experience laid the foundation for her ongoing professional involvement in SACSA. She connected with professionals who not only offered guidance but also took a genuine interest in her personal and professional development. She left the conference with new friends, mentors, and a clearer sense of purpose within the field of student affairs. SACSA quickly became a space where she could see herself growing long-term.

One of her most meaningful takeaways from that experience was the importance of investing in a professional community early in one's career. Attending sessions led by professionals who shared honest reflections on both their successes and challenges helped her understand that there is no singular path in this work. It reinforced the idea that student affairs is ever evolving and that staying connected, curious, and collaborative is essential.

Today, SACSA continues to feel like home for Ti-Ana—a place where she is seen, supported, and celebrated both personally and professionally. Whether reconnecting with mentors, engaging in sessions, or sharing laughter with peers who have grown alongside her, SACSA is still a space of both rejuvenation and challenge. It reminds her that she is not alone in the work, and she consistently returns to campus reenergized and committed to creating that same sense of belonging for the students and colleagues she serves.

 We would like to take a moment to express our sincere appreciation to Ti-Ana for her unwavering dedication and meaningful contributions to both the field and the organization.