Assistant Director of Student and Community Engagement, David Gonzalez, has departed from Capital’s staff to take a position at New York University.
In his time at Capital, Gonzalez oversaw Fraternity and Sorority Life, Leadership Development, and Student Organizations. For the students and staff that worked with him, he will be missed.
Sam Metcalf, President of the Interfraternity Council (IFC), first met Gonzalez when he was elected onto the executive board of Activities Management and Programing (AMP). Metcalf points to the effect Gonzalez had on Greek life at Capital.
“When [Gonzalez] started at Capital, 12 percent of the student population was involved in Greek life. Today nearly 25 percent of students at Capital are involved in Greek life,” Metcalf said. “That growth was all through his initiatives. It’s interesting to see the amount of growth he brought in just a couple years. It wouldn’t have grown without him.”
Shideh Javan, will miss Gonzalez but is happy for him, as she considers him a mentor.
“I first met David as a Cap Scholar. After I interviewed for and became a Fraternity and Sorority Life intern, I worked for a year with him,” said Javan. “Throughout that year we formed a friendship and he became my biggest mentor here at Capital. When he left it was hard for me because he had such an impact on so many students here.”
When asked what made Gonzalez so well known throughout campus, Metcalf said he believes it was due to his ability to connect and relate with students.
“He knew how to be a mentor and a friend. He encompassed you as a person and as a student. He had a specific sense of humor that allowed for a strong connection with students,” said Metcalf.
Javan is quick to refer to the lengths Gonzalez would take to look after the well-being of students.
“He was definitely relatable to students. There were times that students would turn to him for counseling,” said Javan.
According to Deanna Wagner, Director of Student and Community Engagement (SCE), his vacant position is currently being evaluated.
That being said, there is no set timetable for a hire date at this time. Until his position can be filled, other staff members within the office have divided his responsibilities.
Wagner is looking for an individual with strong motivational skills who will have students’ best interests in mind.
“In all members of our team, we look for self-starters who are committed to their work and assisting students in accomplishing their goals,” said Wagner
Metcalf hopes that whoever takes over the vacant position will have a broad range of communication skills in order to relate to students.
“I think what is important is that he or she should be able to manage a relationship with multiple people and different personalities,” said Metcalf.
“He or she needs to be able to identify different leadership styles and bring those different styles together. A sense of humor and open mind will certainly be important as well. Whoever fills the position needs to be able to deal with students on a professional level and a social level.”
Javan hopes whoever takes over will be able to cope with the range of emotions that comes with the position.
“He or she ought to be able to deal with the high points and the low points, and the balancing of emotions that comes with being involved in Greek life,” Javan said.
Wagner believes the position will be filled by someone who falls in line with the objectives of SCE.
“We strive to create challenging programs and services, community partnerships, and student resources that contribute to students’ intellectual, cultural, social, moral, ethical, and emotional growth and exploration while encouraging self-governance,” Wagner said.
Gonzalez certainly embodied and embraced that broad range of growth in students.
As a final good bye, Gonzalez said, “I miss everyone – students, staff, faculty, and administration, a lot. I miss driving past campus, walking up to my office, and saying good morning to Don D. everyday; to the funny and good conversations in the SCE with Deanna, Kim, and Jody, and Bexley Pizza Plus. Most of all, I genuinely miss the students. I hope my time has been a positive impact to many and helped teach and guide them much like my mentors did for me in college. Even those who may not look back so fondly at least learned a thing or two, even if it’s down the road and they realize a lesson or two later.”
He went on to say, “I miss being a part of the CapFam, but at the same time am very excited for not just the next steps in my career at New York University, but in my life. Life’s both excruciatingly long and short; you have to make the most of it. And that’s what I intend to do.”
Capital wishes him well in his new endeavors at New York University.
