By Ilana Kowarski

Stephen L. Varvis has had eight jobs on the same campus.

During his 25 years at Fresno Pacific University, he has been business manager, a faculty member, a dean, a public-relations director, and head of a department and a division. Often he has held multiple jobs at the same time. He began his career at Fresno Pacific as a part-time adjunct professor, and today he is a history professor and vice president for enrollment management.

Still, in his long and varied résumé, Mr. Varvis finds substantial continuity. "In some ways," he says, "I've seen higher education as my occupation, rather than a specific area, since I've had such a variety of positions."

Work in university administration and pedagogy can be complementary, he believes. "In the largest sense, you're here for education, whether you're teaching or administrating. You're working for students either way. And if you keep that in mind, one thing reinforces the other."

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It is important for educators to avoid overspecialization and tunnel vision, Mr. Varvis says. Because of his breadth of experience, he understands various perspectives on his university, and says more academics should have the same opportunity.

Relatively small universities like Fresno Pacific, which has about 2,400 students, are more likely to need jacks-of-all-trades like Mr. Varvis. "Being in a smaller institution allowed me to test out some areas and figure out where I could contribute to the institution in a greater way," he says.

He credits his peers on the campus with being amenable to his desire to try new things. Having such open-minded co-workers is necessary for a career-switcher like himself, he says: "You need people who see your potential and give you opportunities."

Mr. Varvis considers himself lucky. "I enjoy teaching, and I can't imagine not doing it, but I also have a little knack for putting things together. Now I get the chance to do both those things."

Sometimes, he acknowledges, he has struggled to manage his time effectively. Multitasking requires flexibility and careful planning, he says.

Mr. Varvis spaces out his schedule to allow time between administrative and professorial tasks. "It's hard to rush from an administrative meeting to a classroom and be an effective instructor," he says.

But it is easier than people might think to switch jobs, he says. For example, he uses much of what he learned about admissions, as a dean, in his current work in enrollment management.

Mr. Varvis is glad that he has not had to abandon teaching in order to become a leader at Fresno Pacific. "I've always thought that keeping a foot in the classroom keeps me aware of who the students are that we serve."