April 24, 2020
Jerrica Stovall
University of South Florida St. Petersburg
My NACA volunteer experience began 10 years ago during my programming assistantship under the supervision of Katie Winstead Reichner at Christopher Newport University (VA). I am very grateful to have had a supervisor who gave me such a warm introduction to the Association and encouraged my participation on the regional and national levels. Since 2010, I have found a true professional home in NACA. I’ve had the opportunity to work with NACA® South associates, in the Campus Activities Marketplace, chair the Programming Basics Institute, serve on the planning team for the S.P.I.R.I.T Institute, participate as a Leadership Fellow and Mentor, serve on various advisory groups, coordinate the Leadership Fellows Program and, most recently, serve on the 2021 NACA® Live Team. I have also been able to share my love of the Association with students and staff that I have supervised.
Professionally, NACA continues to inspire me as a campus activities practitioner. My network has expanded tremendously and I’ve been able to add to my résumé in ways that would not have come naturally through the institutions where I’ve been employed. Personally, I have met some of my closest friends, who’ve now become family. I remember in 2018 I missed my first NACA event in years because I was home caring for my newborn. It was during that same year that my NACA Leadership Fellows Mentor, Ebony Ramsey, paid a visit to my house while in town on business simply to check on me. It meant the world.
Additionally, volunteering with NACA has been a great way to get my name out there. As a Leadership Fellow, I wrote my first article for Campus Activities Programming®, which is distributed nationally. After I wrote a few more articles, it became pleasantly surreal for people to reach out to learn more about my areas of interest. As a presenter, I’ve been able to craft presentations on topics I am passionate about and share my interests with other professionals who completely understand my passion, building authentic relationships as a result. My experiences as a NACA volunteer have been invaluable. It’s been fascinating to see the Association grow, knowing I’ve been along for some of the ride.
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my NACA journey!
Jerrica Stovall is the associate director of Student Involvement at the University of South Florida St. Petersburgh. She currently serves as the Leadership Fellows Coordinator for the Leadership Fellows Program.
