After nearly five years of working with Ball State's multicultural and greek organizations, Assistant Director Terry Frazier of Student Organizations and Activities will resign in June to pursue a doctoral degree
"I feel like one reason this is a good time to leave is that I've done a lot here," Frazier said. "Hopefully people feel like I've done a lot, and I don't see where else I can go."
Upon arriving at the university in 2000, Frazier helped move the three multicultural organizations -- the Asian American Student Association, Black Student Association and Latino Student Union -- from the Multicultural Center to the Office of Student Organizations and Activities in the L.A. Pittenger Student Center, where they formed better connections with the other student groups, said Kay Bales, associate vice president for Student Life.
"Terry was very instrumental in getting us through the transition and really building up the student organizations at that point," Bales said.
Frazier also strengthened student leadership and improved fundraising and co-sponsorships among the multicultural groups, as well as the Interfraternity, Panhellenic and National Pan-Hellenic councils, Bales said.
Frazier will enter Iowa State University's doctoral program in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies this fall. He is hoping to eventually become a senior-level university administrator in student affairs, such as a dean of students or vice president of student affairs, he said.
Lynda Wiley, Ball State's director of Student Organizations and Activities, said she has admired Frazier's role as an advocator and voice for students during the past five years.
"We're really sad to lose him, and it's definitely not something I look forward to," Wiley said, "but I also know this is something personally and professionally that he wants to do, and it's good for him to have this advanced degree because he can continue to work with students on a totally different level."
Bales said she is hoping to name a search committee of about six or seven faculty, staff and students by the beginning of next week. A nationwide search should be completed before the end of finals week with a new assistant director taking office July 1, she said.
Senior Lily Tsay, member and president-elect of the Asian American Student Association, said she will miss Frazier, who helped her to overcome her shyness during her freshman year and motivated her to succeed.
"I'm so happy he's going to get a Ph.D. and go on to bigger and better things," Tsay said. "Whatever his dreams are, he's got to pursue them, and I wish him best of luck and I know he's going to go very far."
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