Dr. E. Ann Bailey

2006-07 President of Southern Association for College Student Affairs (SACSA)

Director of Housing and Residence Life, Mississippi State University

Educational Background:

Mississippi State University, Ph. D., 1997
Educational Leadership

Florida State University, M.S., 1983
Higher Education Administration

University of Montevallo (AL), B.S.
Counseling and Guidance

By Aurelio Manuel Valente, Nov. 2006

Despite the success that FSU alumna Dr. E. Ann Bailey has achieved, she clearly remembers how overwhelmed she felt as she moved into graduate housing in Rogers Hall. She recalls being “scared to death” about beginning graduate education in a large university having just graduated from the University of Montevallo, a small rural institution in Alabama with an enrollment just over 2,000.

Memories of her masters degree experience here, at the time, a 36 credit one-year program, are still very vivid and she describes that it was “clear from the beginning that this would be a whirlwind experience.” Her cohort, a group of 7 women who were dubbed the “7 sisters” provided a great deal of support through the process.

With few computers available and no internet access, her graduate work at the time was much more laborious. She recalls that deliberate planning was needed as the library would often not have the literature available and would require several weeks to secure a cross-library publication necessary for her assignments. She also clearly remembers Dr. Hardee’s fat magic markers that would often bleed through her papers.

Dr. Bailey recalls Dr. Hardee warmly and describes her as very “precise and theatrical.” Among her fondest experiences was her practicum trip, a program initiated by Dr. Hardee and still in place today. She was placed in charge of coordinating the finances for the entire trip, including fundraising for their expenses to visit three universities, including Mercer.

Currently, Dr. Bailey serves as President of the Southern Association for College Student Affairs (SACSA), a dynamic organization devoted to advancing all aspects of student affairs, with approximately 800 members in 16 Southern states. She attributes her appreciation to professional development organizations like SACSA to Dr. Hardee.

Stating that involvement in professional associations is the best way to extend the principles of Dr. Hardee’s “LifeNet” beyond FSU, she recalls Dr. Hardee telling the “7 sisters” that they would be attending the SACSA conference in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in 1984. It was clear to her cohort that this was not a request, but an expectation, and they would simply have to find a way to make that happen. This conference was her first SACSA experience, one of a long history of experiences with the association that would lead to her presidency today.

Involvement in SACSA, which Dr. Bailey describes as “an important part of her professional life,” has been quite impressive and extensive, including chairing the committee for new professionals and serving as the development chair. In 2002, she served as the local arrangements chair for the SACSA conference in Biloxi, Mississippi. When it was time to decide on her next role in SACSA, and specifically whether she would seek the organization’s presidency, she could hear Dr. Hardee in the background asking her to “stand and deliver.”

In early November, Dr. Bailey will preside over the SACSA conference, an annual gathering in association with NASPA Region III, which is expected to draw over 400 participants in Jacksonville, Florida. SACSA contributes to the field of higher education in many ways including, publishing a refereed journal, sponsoring annual conference and research grants, coordinating professional development institutes, and an annual placement conference. During her tenure as president, Dr. Bailey’s goals have included increasing collaborative agreements with NASPA Region III, focusing on technology, and marketing SACSA by establishing long-term partnerships and sponsorships.

Since SACSA doesn’t employ paid professional staff to manage a permanent home office, SACSA depends more strongly on its committed membership than other organizations that do. Dr. Bailey encourages as many people as possible to join professional associations, such as SACSA, since professional organizations are the best way to understand the micro and macro trends, appreciate the broad field of higher education, and establish longstanding professional relationships. In Dr. Bailey’s case, since 1984 SACSA has been critical to her professional success and a wonderful way to understand how other institutions have addressed issues facing the field and developed strategies to secure scarce resources.

In terms of emerging issues that face student affairs, Dr. Bailey places technology on top of the list. While technology often enhances the manner in which student affairs professionals execute their responsibilities, it often compromises efforts to create and nurture a sense of community. It is important to use technology as a way to enhance how we communicate and provide quality programs and services, but not as the sole way to execute them.

Enrollment management is also a challenge for higher education. Student affairs professionals are expected to serve increasing number of students, required to generate additional revenue, especially at tuition sensitive institutions, and are also expected to continue to “deliver quality services with a personal touch.”

Dr. Bailey’s extensive background allows her to be in a unique position to offer valuable advice to new professionals. She encourages graduate students and new professionals to “let their career take shape.” New professionals are often eager to advance and may miss educational and professional opportunities that might inform their long-term values and experiences. During these formatives years, she encourages graduate students and new professionals to seek out mentors and appreciate different approaches and viewpoints to their work in higher education.


				Dr. E. Ann Bailey 2006-07 President of Southern Association for College Student Affairs (SACSA) Director of Housing and Residence Life, Mississippi State University Educational Background: Mississippi State University, Ph. D., 1997 Educational Leadership Florida State University, M.S., 1983 Higher Education Administration University of Montevallo (AL), B.S. Counseling and Guidance ## By Aurelio Manuel Valente, Nov. 2006 Despite the success that FSU alumna Dr. E. Ann Bailey has achieved, she clearly remembers how overwhelmed she felt as she moved into graduate housing in Rogers Hall. She recalls being “scared to death” about beginning graduate education in a large university having just graduated from the University of Montevallo, a small rural institution in Alabama with an enrollment just over 2,000. Memories of her masters degree experience here, at the time, a 36 credit one-year program, are still very vivid and she describes that it was “clear from the beginning that this would be a whirlwind experience.” Her cohort, a group of 7 women who were dubbed the “7 sisters” provided a great deal of support through the process. With few computers available and no internet access, her graduate work at the time was much more laborious. She recalls that deliberate planning was needed as the library would often not have the literature available and would require several weeks to secure a cross-library publication necessary for her assignments. She also clearly remembers Dr. Hardee’s fat magic markers that would often bleed through her papers. Dr. Bailey recalls Dr. Hardee warmly and describes her as very “precise and theatrical.” Among her fondest experiences was her practicum trip, a program initiated by Dr. Hardee and still in place today. She was placed in charge of coordinating the finances for the entire trip, including fundraising for their expenses to visit three universities, including Mercer. Currently, Dr. Bailey serves as President of the Southern Association for College Student Affairs (SACSA), a dynamic organization devoted to advancing all aspects of student affairs, with approximately 800 members in 16 Southern states. She attributes her appreciation to professional development organizations like SACSA to Dr. Hardee. Stating that involvement in professional associations is the best way to extend the principles of Dr. Hardee’s “LifeNet” beyond FSU, she recalls Dr. Hardee telling the “7 sisters” that they would be attending the SACSA conference in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in 1984. It was clear to her cohort that this was not a request, but an expectation, and they would simply have to find a way to make that happen. This conference was her first SACSA experience, one of a long history of experiences with the association that would lead to her presidency today. Involvement in SACSA, which Dr. Bailey describes as “an important part of her professional life,” has been quite impressive and extensive, including chairing the committee for new professionals and serving as the development chair. In 2002, she served as the local arrangements chair for the SACSA conference in Biloxi, Mississippi. When it was time to decide on her next role in SACSA, and specifically whether she would seek the organization’s presidency, she could hear Dr. Hardee in the background asking her to “stand and deliver.” In early November, Dr. Bailey will preside over the SACSA conference, an annual gathering in association with NASPA Region III, which is expected to draw over 400 participants in Jacksonville, Florida. SACSA contributes to the field of higher education in many ways including, publishing a refereed journal, sponsoring annual conference and research grants, coordinating professional development institutes, and an annual placement conference. During her tenure as president, Dr. Bailey’s goals have included increasing collaborative agreements with NASPA Region III, focusing on technology, and marketing SACSA by establishing long-term partnerships and sponsorships. Since SACSA doesn’t employ paid professional staff to manage a permanent home office, SACSA depends more strongly on its committed membership than other organizations that do. Dr. Bailey encourages as many people as possible to join professional associations, such as SACSA, since professional organizations are the best way to understand the micro and macro trends, appreciate the broad field of higher education, and establish longstanding professional relationships. In Dr. Bailey’s case, since 1984 SACSA has been critical to her professional success and a wonderful way to understand how other institutions have addressed issues facing the field and developed strategies to secure scarce resources. In terms of emerging issues that face student affairs, Dr. Bailey places technology on top of the list. While technology often enhances the manner in which student affairs professionals execute their responsibilities, it often compromises efforts to create and nurture a sense of community. It is important to use technology as a way to enhance how we communicate and provide quality programs and services, but not as the sole way to execute them. Enrollment management is also a challenge for higher education. Student affairs professionals are expected to serve increasing number of students, required to generate additional revenue, especially at tuition sensitive institutions, and are also expected to continue to “deliver quality services with a personal touch.” Dr. Bailey’s extensive background allows her to be in a unique position to offer valuable advice to new professionals. She encourages graduate students and new professionals to “let their career take shape.” New professionals are often eager to advance and may miss educational and professional opportunities that might inform their long-term values and experiences. During these formatives years, she encourages graduate students and new professionals to seek out mentors and appreciate different approaches and viewpoints to their work in higher education.