Michara DeLaney-Fields, PhD

Interim Vice President for Student Affairs

What drew you to the higher education world?

My observation of many successful people was one of the reasons that drew me to the higher education profession. Its lure was solidified once I was in undergraduate school when I met a professor who eventually became my mentor. She was highly respected, thoughtful, and kind, but, on the hand, very stern. My interaction with her became the catalyst for me to learn, continue to learn and, just as she did, lift others. Higher education was the method I chose to do just that.

What do you enjoy most about your role at SFA?

My role at SFA provides experiences that in some terms are immeasurable. Interacting with various constituents within the UT System, internal and external partners and the SFA administration, students, staff and faculty allows me to learn from those who guide and impact the university daily. Operating a university requires knowledge of higher education laws, regulations, policies and budgets. It requires an immense ability to balance the interests of all stakeholders, for which I am vested to engage consistently. If I had to say what I like the most about my role, it would be the opportunity to learn while, at the same time, being able to share my knowledge and experiences.

What do you hope students gain from SFA?

Students at SFA have a great opportunity. I have visited many universities during my career – some were larger and others smaller. Some were in large metropolitan cities, and others were in smaller cities where the university was the driving economic force of the town. SFA is not too big and not too small. It offers small professor-student class ratios with a caring administration and faculty. The facilities are superb, and the campus is safe. With everything considered, the student's success is the goal we want to achieve. Thus, having a superb collegiate experience is what I want the students to gain from SFA.

What are you passionate about outside of your role at SFA?

My interests outside of my role at SFA are varied. I love to travel and see other places and cultures. I also like to continually learn about subjects that I know little about. Presently, I try to immerse myself in anything that is technology related. I am amazed at the very concept of Silicon Valley — how to code, Bitcoin, blockchain and even the internet itself are subjects that I would like to learn more about. So I watch, observe, and read in order to learn more about anything that is related to technology.