GRADUATE ASSISTANT SPOTLIGHT - David Fisher
Degree Programs: PhD Higher Education Administration degree; Higher Education and Student Affairs program; School of Counseling, Higher Education, Leadership, and Foundations; College of Education and Human Development
Graduate Assistant: Center for Archival Collections in the University Libraries for the National Student Affairs Archives
While I started classes here at BGSU in the fall of 2022, I almost began a completely different journey a few years prior. After completing my masters in 2015, I took two positions teaching music. One as an adjunct instructor where I have since taught 102 credits/37 sections of various music courses. It had long been my intention to get some faculty experience and then to pursue a terminal degree in music. In 2019, I applied and was accepted to pursue a PhD in Music Composition at another university in another state. This would have made sense since both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees were also in Music Composition. Yet, I took a chance on something different. I did not follow the path I had carefully planned, decided not to start that program, and prepared for a new direction.
In my position as adjunct, I was very focused on students. Beyond helping students in the classroom and outside of the classroom, I became more active in student advocacy and representation. I served on several committees, coordinated with staff and faculty colleagues for student success, and developed curriculum both at the course and degree level. As I became more involved with students, I became more involved with the college. In part, this is why I shifted from a degree in music to a degree in higher education.
In transitioning back to student—however temporarily—I have found a way to continue this work both academically (in the study of Higher Education Administration) and as a leader (as the Graduate Student Senate’s president). As part of GSS, I work with a team of 14 Senate Executive Committee (SEC) officers and nearly 50 program senators. Together we engage the university, including over 60 faculty administrators; 4 constituent groups; dozens of executive leaders; and around 30 committees, councils, and groups. If you get a chance, look up your program senator or one of the SEC members and make sure to thank them for their service. Additionally, in my assistantship, I work to manage and maintain 47 collections and facilitate student affairs research involving the archives for people across the US.
Outside of my academic work, I go for long walks (or hikes depending on the terrain), and after a lifetime of downhill ski racing, I am quite used to the snow and bracing wind, so I am rarely deterred by the weather (this week included). I also do oil painting and I like to build thick textures on unusual canvas sizes and shapes. I am looking forward to this semester and all that it will bring, and if you see me around say hello.
