For this
interview I decided to talk to the director of TRIO Student Support Services at
Arizona State at the Downtown Phoenix location, Rafael Guzman. Some of his
responsibilities as director of a TRIO program are to administer the budget
that is given to the program by the federal government, collaborate with
Educational Outreach and Student Services to develop and administer the program
and its services and manage and supervise all TRIO staff. When I asked him he
chose the director position for TRIO SSS he told me that he is always
interested in positions where he can help students navigate the university. His
first college jobs while still a student here at ASU were in the Career and
Advisement center. After he graduated with his bachelor’s degree he worked for
an Education Planning and Information Center, which gave him experience
assisting students with information on postsecondary schools nationwide.
He mention that some of the
experience and education required for his position include a master’s degree, experience
with postsecondary schools, experience with diverse populations and experience
with all university departments (financial aid, career services, student
financials, admissions). Something he said was very important was to have a passion
for what you do in order to be successful at this particular position and be
able to help other students succeed.
