Students often grow into themselves during their college careers. Participation in organizations and events on campus contributes a lot to that growth.

Dana Barnard, the new assistant director of Student Life, was one student who was changed by that participation, and now she enjoys watching the effects on the students she advises.

“I was in a wide variety of activities, and I see my students get involved in those same kinds of activities,” she said.

When Barnard started college at McKendree College, now McKendree University, in Lebanon, she wanted to become a high school teacher and guidance counselor. Her experiences there influenced her to alter her path to working with students in a higher education setting.

“I liked watching what all the professionals around me were doing,” she said. “I altered my career path from there.”

Barnard, who started work at Eastern on July 1, is the Black Student Union and Latin American Student Organization advisor.

“My first priority is being part of the Eastern community and being there for the students I work with,” she said. “I’m still working on meeting a lot of people and getting my bearings for the university.”

Supporting and guiding students through their college years is her main role, and watching her students grow into themselves is the most rewarding part for her.

“One of my favorites is seeing people grow and be able to work with people they didn’t think they could work with and having huge success with their events,” Barnard said. “Most of it is growth in those students being told they could do something.”

Her experiences as a graduate student at Missouri University-St. Louis and an advisor for various organizations at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla have helped prepare her for working with student groups at Eastern.

“Not necessarily every program is a transferable program, but some of it can be implemented,” she said. “I want to see what they’re doing before I bring in my own ideas.”

Outside of working, Barnard is focused on exercising and improving her personal health.

“No matter what I have going on with my students, I make sure I get in at least an hour or two of exercising for myself every day,” she said.

Sarah Ruholl can be reached at 581-7943 or [email protected].