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Professional development is more than attending conferences or adding another line to your
résumé. It’s about making intentional choices that align with your values, goals, and the impact
you want to have throughout your career.
In this episode, host Dr. Glenn DeGuzman brings together three student affairs professionals—
Dr. Conor McLaughlin, Windi Sasaki, and Hannah Aksamit—to explore what meaningful
professional development looks like across different career stages and functional areas. From
finding mentors and taking on stretch opportunities to navigating leadership, identity, and career
transitions, this conversation offers practical insights for professionals for student affairs
professionals.
Whether you’re just beginning your student affairs journey, considering your next career move,
or looking to grow where you are, this episode will challenge you to reflect on your professional
goals and discover intentional ways to invest in your own development.
DeGuzman, G. (Host). (2026, October 27). Into the Professional Development-Verse (No. 365) [Audio podcast episode]. In Student Affairs NOW. https://studentaffairsnow.com/into-the-professional-development-verse/
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Panelists
Conor McLaughlin
Conor McLaughlin serves as the Staff Development Manager in the Center for Inclusive Excellence at San Diego State University. Conor’s work focuses on ensuring everyone at SDSU approaches their work in ways that advance equity in everything we do and ensures that everyone across the university has equitable access to professional development. Conor also researches leadership and the ways leadership learning can challenge hegemonic masculinity and white supremacy in college students and student affairs professionals.
Windi Sasaki
Windi Sasaki is a multi-ethnic Asian American woman. She serves as the inaugural Asian Pacific Islander Middle Eastern Desi American Program Manager at the University of California at San Diego. She has been involved in the APIDA higher education community for over fifteen years.
Hannah Aksamit
Hannah Aksamit (she/her/hers) is currently the Assistant Director for Education for the Women’s Center at UC San Diego in La Jolla, California. She teaches multiple gender-equity courses and has built out dozens of trainings, workshops, and lesson plans for student leaders and career staff through the lens of wellness. Using the eighth dimensions of wellbeing as a model, her intersectional feminist work shows up outside of her Center in positions like the campus’ Wellness Chair on the Staff Association Executive Board and her various roles on the Mid-Level Community of Practice Directorate the past few years.
Hosted by
Glenn DeGuzman
Glenn (he/him/his) believes that equitable access to quality education is foundational for people to learn, dream, and thrive. For over 30 years, Glenn has helped students achieve their dreams through a myriad of higher education roles and functions, including residential life, conference services, student life/activities, student unions, cultural centers, campus conduct, and leadership/diversity centers. He has also concurrently held various adjunct and lecturer roles, teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses on topics in higher education and ethnic studies. Glenn has delivered hundreds of keynotes and trainings for national and international institutions, popularized by his creative, humorous, and passionate approaches to teaching and facilitation. Throughout his career, Glenn has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the ACPA Diamond Honoree which highlighted his work in mentoring emerging higher education professionals and students from marginalized communities. Glenn currently serves as the Associate Dean of Students and Director of Residential Life at the University of California, Berkeley. He currently lives in his hometown of Livermore, CA, staying active playing pickleball, attending Comic-Cons, watching his kids compete in Taekwondo, and traveling.