Sinclair centers his identities as a Black male as he speaks with us about his insights as a newer professional in Student Affairs. He shares strategies to practice mindfulness in daily Student Affairs Work. Sinclair offers tips to maintain personal and professional balance, to exercise control over his daily energy expended in his work on campus, and a mindset for thinking about workload. Sinclair spent his early years with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps NW where he learned about injustice and acquired language and frameworks to respond. Listen in for his perspective on contributing when invited to the table, not in spite of our race, gender, and social identities, but because of these identities.
Sinclair Ceasar is an Assistant Director of Student Life at Loyola University Maryland. He lives on campus with his wife, Tynesha. He has several years of experience with residence life and social justice work. Sinclair enjoys doing improv in Baltimore, doing speaking engagements at various colleges and universities, and sending weekly inspirational emails at The SA Pro Next Door.
Show Highlights:
- Sinclair discusses his salient identities and experiences as a Black man 01:55
- Find out more about the work Sinclair is doing in Residential Life and social justice and inclusion in higher education 03:11
- Getting to know students that might be missed by other forms of campus support and services through one-on-ones over coffee 04:48
- Sinclair asked students about the legacy they want to leave at Loyola and shares how students are responding 05:53
- I flip the question back on Sinclair about the legacy that he wants to leave in Student Affairs 07:53
- Early lessons of applying student development theory and putting students first 08:49
- strategies for achieving personal balance and battling the pressure to do it all, including a social media detox 10:53
- Sinclair shares the biggest lesson he’s learned in his professional life about slowing down and working on growing consistently in one area at a time 19:34
- What’s the one piece of guidance Sinclair recommends for newer professionals? 23:26
Notable quotes:
- “A way to be inclusive of students is to invite students to coffee, who might be missing otherwise.” 05:03
- There is so much that’s out of our control, so I find it so important for me, personally, to use what I have control over and use it wisely, whether that’s time or whether that’s resources.” 13:24
- Use the resources you have and the knowledge you have to contribute when you feel like it’s time to contribute. You can’t do that without being mindful, without being aware, and really just checking yourself…” 26:29
- Inspirational quote by Ella Fitzgerald “Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there’s love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.” 29:13
Links Mentioned:
- Connect with Sinclair on Twitter @SinclairCeasar
- Check out Sinclair’s recommended podcast,“Another Round”, that influences his daily inclusion work
- Find out more about Sinclair’s next project, a podcast featuring stories of mental health experiences, particularly for people of color at The SA Pro Next Door
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