Former RA takes new job as Student Activities Director

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Former RA takes new job as Student Activities Director
Alex Whitford, former SAB director, and Zane Mabry, current SAB director. Haley Strack | Collegian

Less than six months ago, Zane Mabry was working as a resident assistant in Simpson Dormitory. Now, as a recent graduate of Hillsdale College, Mabry has secured a full-time role working for the college as director of the Student Activities Board. 

After graduating with a major in economics, Mabry’s job hunt found its way back to his alma mater.

“I thought it would have been cool to stay in the area and work for the college,” Mabry said. “Once I applied for it, it was the plan. I was hoping I would get it, but it wasn’t like I came into senior year knowing that I was going to be sticking around.”

Mabry is taking the reins from fellow Hillsdale alumna Alex Whitford ’18, who is looking for a marketing or public relations job in Chicago.

Former Director of Student Activities Board Whitford said that the virtual interview process, a product of COVID-19 restrictions in the spring, made selections difficult. Still, Whitford said she knew Mabry would fit the role well. 

“He went through a tricky process to be able to interview over Zoom and talk to everyone that he needs to talk to,” Whitford said. “But we decided that he was a great fit for the office and for the student body.”

Even though it’s been only four full weeks since the start of classes, Mabry is already thriving in his new position. 

“He’s been doing awesome. He has a great ear for the student body,” Whitford said. “He understands the needs and the desires that the students want to see in student programming.”

Whitford and Mabry have been spending the first month of the school year ‘co-directing’ SAB to ease Mabry into the role. 

Director of Student Programs Ashyln Neveau, Director of Student Programs, said Whitford has been training Mabry to take over for her once she leaves.

As a former Director of SAB herself, Neveau said she looks forward to seeing Mabry take over the position.

“Every time there’s a new person as the director of student activities, SAB goes in a new, fun direction, and we try new things,” Neveau said. “I’m excited to see how he takes SAB in this role. I think it’ll be really cool.”

As Mabry transitions into his new role, SAB is facing many other changes due to the pandemic. Mabry’s had to juggle the transition and new restrictions at the same time.

Running SAB has been far from a cake-walk in these unprecedented times, he said. 

“The biggest thing is the food,” Mabry said. “Bon Appetit has a lot of regulations that they have to follow, and they cater a lot of our events. It’s tough to work around all of those moving pieces.” 

Mabry is taking these difficulties in stride and has already adjusted to the responsibilities of his new job.

“Zane loves to just get all in on any project that he’s doing,” Whitford said. “Whether it’s leading meetings with SAB students, or setting up tables for The Source, or planning the goals for the office, he just puts his whole heart and soul into things, and it’s very clear that he cares a lot.”

Whitford said she is proud to leave Mabry in charge, and fully supports students who choose to work for the college after graduation. 

Whitford said she sees Mabry’s hire as a great one, and fully supports all those willing to continue working for the college after graduation.

“It is a rewarding decision to stay in Hillsdale for a couple of years after college, and be able to give back to the place that gives you so much as a student,” Whitford said.