Profile for

Sierra Jones

Director

Having a background in mental health counseling has equipped Sierra Jones with the tools to help students navigate the ups and downs of college life. Her job is to make sure every student who steps foot on campus has a strong foundation from which to build their future. Sierra finds fulfillment in her role by seeing her students evolve to become their whole selves while working toward their passions.

A conversation with Sierra Jones

How do you help students?

I work with students who know college is a big transition but are often still surprised by what that actually feels like once they get here. At East Texas A&M, my office exists to make sure you don’t have to navigate that alone. Through peer mentors, life coaches, and two first-year courses, we walk alongside you from day one to help you build the foundation you need to not just stay in school, but actually thrive in it. I also have the privilege of serving as the faculty advisor for the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honors Society at East Texas A&M.

What would you tell a student who is thinking about attending East Texas A&M?

Come ready to be challenged and supported at the same time. East Texas A&M is small enough that you won’t get lost, and intentional enough that there are people here specifically watching for students who need a hand before they even know they need one.

What do you like most about your career?

The honest answer is that I love the moment a student realizes they are more capable than they thought they were. My job asks me to believe in people before they believe in themselves, and I get to do that alongside our College Life Coaches and Peer Mentors as we design experiences that create those moments for hundreds of students at a time. Those moments of realization look different for every student. Sometimes it is finishing a hard semester they weren’t sure they could get through. Sometimes it is standing up in front of a class for the first time and realizing they had something worth saying. Sometimes it is just making one real connection on a campus that felt overwhelming at first. But every single time, it is a reminder of why this work matters.

What do you like doing when you're not working?

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my dogs, hiking and enjoying the outdoors or woodworking in my garage. My dogs tend to be involved in all of those activities, even though they cannot hold the power tools.

Educational Background

• M.A., Mental Health Counseling, Stephen F. Austin State University, 2014
• B.A., Psychology, Stephen F. Austin State University, 2011

Featured Courses

• CID 1300: The Student and The University
• FLC 100 and FLC 200: First-Year Leadership Course
• CID 2300: Learn and Lead