What I Learned in the World of Student Affairs

What I Learned in the World of Student Affairs: Gwendolyn Jordan Dungy 1

NASPA

Gwendolyn Dungy

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NASPA

Gwendolyn Dungy

Gwendolyn Dungy, who is 67, is retiring this month as executive director of Naspa—Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, a position she has held for the past 17 years. Here's her story, as told to Sara Lipka.

Growing up was a complex story, with my dad in Memphis and my mom on the West Side of Chicago. I had not planned to go to college because there was no money. So I took an exam to be a long-distance telephone operator. I made $45 a