Sonoma State Star

Issue date: 10/7/08 Section: Features

She sits in the Student Union carrying on her business of the day and she interacts with students when they have questions regarding clubs, organizations, and Greek Life, yet her name is what draws attention to the campus community. She is Cynthia Beard, the new Campus Life Advisor at Sonoma State.

Beard is originally from the Los Angeles area and she received her undergraduate bachelor's degree in Organizational Communications at California State University, Chico.

While at Chico State, Beard joined Alpha Delta Pi sorority and after she graduated, she traveled across the country as a Leadership Consultant.

After finishing her work with Alpha Delta Pi, Beard took a 360-degree turn to work in the Corporate Finance Industry.

"I entered a two year managing program, where I was trained and rotated every four months," said Beard. "Some of the sectors I worked in were banking, investing, human resources, sales and marketing."

She was placed in the subsidiary trust and state planning, where she worked with clients that had $10 million or more in assets.

"After three years I was happy, but I didn't feel like I was making a difference, so I went back to school and attained my master's degree in Education and Student Affairs at Indiana University in Indianapolis."

Beard began working in the Center for Student Leadership, Involvement, and Service office this past June.

Her daily duties consist of advising sororities, fraternities, student clubs and organizations.

Beard is also the advisor for Student Advocates for Education and she helps assist programming for leadership opportunities. In addition, facilitating workshops, planning award recognitions and scholastic awards are some of the many projects and responsibilities she has.

"I could come in and have a million different emails from a million different people and it can get overwhelming at times, but my supervisor Heather Howard is amazing and the student assistants are so supportive. They all help me get things done, I couldn't do it without my team," said Beard.

One of her ultimate goals for Sonoma State University is to bring the Fraternal Values Movement to campus.

"Growth and change doesn't happen overnight, it takes time. I don't want to change traditions, but make it the best that it can be," said Beard.

Some of the values of the Fraternal Values Movement include: helping students think critically and become more pro-active about programs that they want to occur on campus, including risk management.

Programming for students also includes: establishing why rules are enforced, improving resources and information that is currently online and creating workshops on programs for up and coming leaders on campus.

"I could work twelve to thirteen hours a day, but I have to weigh my priorities. Once I leave the office I don't check my emails. It is my strict policy that after 8 p.m. It is my refreshing time," said Beard.

Beard shared that she had her own life goals and that staying organized and setting times for things that she valued also helped her balance work life.

Beard is very knowledgeable, helpful and plans to help students make Sonoma State University a better place where they can make things happen for themselves.

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