Brittny Daubenheyer is executive director of the National Association of Presidential Assistants in Higher Education (NAPAHE). Daubenheyer earned a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies with emphasis in Communications and Writing and Master of Liberal Arts in Communications from Arkansas Tech University. NAPAHE is a professional association that serves presidential assistants, chiefs of staff, provost assistants, and other professionals supporting higher education leaders. An excerpt of the interview with Daubenheyer follows:

What career path led to your profession of executive director of NAPAHE?

Several years ago, I served as the assistant to the president and secretary to the Board of Trustees at my alma mater, Arkansas Tech University. While in that role, I learned of the NAPAHE Annual Conference while registering my president to attend the American Council on Education Conference. I attended my first NAPAHE conference and was thrilled to learn of a professional association specifically for presidential assistants. I welcomed the birth of my first child several years ago. While I was on maternity leave, I learned that NAPAHE was advertising a part-time, telecommute position. I applied and subsequently hired as the executive director of NAPAHE.

What influenced you to pursue a career in your profession?

While in graduate school, I worked as an admissions officer at Arkansas Tech University and was introduced to the world of student affairs and student success. I believe people are most fulfilled by a career when they feel they are making a difference, and the ability to interact with students while serving in higher education is certainly an opportunity to do just that.

What professional, civic or community organizations do you belong?

I am an associate member of the Junior Auxiliary, a non-profit organization that serves children in the local community and a new member of P.E.O., a philanthropic organization focused on providing educational opportunities for women worldwide.

What advice do you give to students who desire to pursue a leadership position in higher education?

Seek opportunities to learn more about higher education administration by serving as a graduate assistant, student worker or volunteer. If those opportunities are limited, get involved as a student leader in your institution’s clubs and organizations and attend applicable conferences and networking events.

What educational background and/or professional training are essential for presidential assistants, chiefs of staff, provost assistants and other professionals supporting higher education leaders? 

A background in student affairs would prove helpful to those serving in these types of roles; however, it is not essential.

What are some of the success stories of presidential assistants, chiefs of staff, provost assistants, and other professionals supporting higher education leaders?

Many presidential assistants/chiefs of staff aspire to and eventually become college or university presidents. For example, Dr. Margaret L. Drugovich, President of Hartwick College, recently shared at the 2019 Closing Plenary of NAPAHE’s 2019 Annual Conference that she once served as a presidential assistant.

What are some ways NAPAHE provides professional support to Higher Education Leaders?

NAPAHE strives to enhance our profession through programs, networking, and information resources that address the broad range of roles fulfilled by our members in service to presidential leadership in higher education. A few benefits of NAPAHE membership include a discount on the annual conference registration, free webinars on pertinent topics, access to the NAPAHE e-Roundtable discussion board where members can post questions and get answers from fellow members, and professional development resources such as sample job descriptions, salary surveys, and scholarly articles. To learn more about NAPAHE, please visit napahe.org

Dr. Ronald Holmes is the author of 18 books and publisher of “The Holmes Education Post,” an education focused Internet newspaper.  Holmes is a former teacher, school administrator, test developer and district superintendent.