15 Years on June 1, 2025 – Reflections

Reflecting on 15 Years of Growth and Consulting

Fifteen years ago, on June 1st, I walked into Richmond International Airport in Virginia with a suitcase and backpack full of things I thought I needed—but didn’t. What I lacked in packing skills, I made up for in curiosity and courage.

I was headed to Houston, Texas, to begin a new chapter as a Systems Consultant for SunGard Higher Education (SGHE) —now known as Ellucian. At the time, I had no idea what I was stepping into. But I took the leap anyway.

Fast forward to today, and I can confidently describe what I do as a Principal Consultant. My role has evolved, but the heart of it remains the same: helping institutions thrive through thoughtful, informed guidance.

Here’s how I approach my work:

• Observe – I gather contextual clues, facts, and insights from our customers and stakeholders.
• Inform – I share relevant findings with the right people, ensuring everyone has the context they need.
• Instruct – With customer consent and alignment, I offer consultative guidance—often grounded in industry best practices. This can take the form of recommendations, knowledge transfer sessions, configuration coaching, or tailored solution engineering.

It’s been a journey of learning, adapting, and growing alongside the institutions we serve. And I’m just getting started.to move forward is obtained, I provide consultative instruction which often includes industry and peer “Best Practices” in the format of recommendations. This may lead to formal or informal Knowledge Transfer sessions, configurations coaching and best-fit solutions engineering, if required.

Fifteen Years of Growth, Gratitude, and Grit in the Ellucian Ecosystem

Somewhere along the way, I became a trusted advisor and influencer within the Ellucian Banner ERP space—particularly in the Student, Accounts Receivable, and General modules, among other areas of influence. It’s been a journey filled with learning, evolving, and connecting. Along this path, I’ve had the privilege of working with individuals who have challenged my credibility, supported my growth, witnessed my vulnerabilities, and celebrated both my failures and successes. What an adventure it has been—and I hope there are many more years ahead.

Lately, I’ve felt the weight of constant, necessary change—navigating ambiguity, adapting to shifting priorities, and pushing through fatigue. Still, the memories I’ve collected along the way continue to inspire me. One that stands out is my experience at what we now know as Ellucian Live in San Diego. A colleague had transitioned to a new role, and I was asked to step in and co-present on their behalf. That July also marked his 15th year in the field—a milestone we now share.

The presentation I delivered didn’t resonate much with many U.S. higher ed institutions at the time. But immediately afterward, I was approached by several UK attendees who were eager to dive deeper into the topic—particularly around GDPR, data management, and data retention and destruction, which were hot topics then. That moment reminded me of the relativity of relevance and introduced me to the concept of “prevalence-induced concept change”—how our perception of importance shifts based on context.

San Diego brought more surprises. I was approached—quite publicly—by a customer who offered me a position at their institution, right in front of my direct leadership. Navigating that moment with grace and professionalism was no small feat. After that illustrious memory, I also reconnected with a colleague I had worked with in Strasbourg, France. That reunion reminded me just how far I’ve come—how I’ve taken ownership of my career, embraced autonomy, and never lost sight of what matters most: family.

Yes, I’ve passed on some opportunities. But I’ve rarely missed a chance to be grateful—for the people, the experiences, and the connections I’ve made in the educational technology space.

So, when I look at my well-worn backpack and suitcases that have logged over a million air miles, I can’t help but smile. What a journey it’s been. As I step into my 15th year, I do so with gratitude, anticipation, and a readiness for whatever comes next—one step, one meeting, one success (or failure) at a time.

Here’s to many more adventures while I am employed by Ellucian.