Jessica Chavira

I attribute my success to being curious and not being afraid to ask questions. Throughout my career, I've always wanted to understand how things work and why they work that way. Even when IT representatives would question why I needed to know something technical, I'd insist they enlighten me because I knew that knowledge would help me solve problems more effectively later on. I'm very curious by nature, I want to know and understand things deeply, not just accept them at surface level. My willingness to learn and adapt has been crucial, especially since I started in this field without any purchasing or procurement background. When the opportunity fell into my lap to rebrand the purchasing department, I could have been intimidated, but instead I dove in and learned everything I needed to know. I also believe my success comes from truly listening to people, both the staff who do the day-to-day work and the end users who interact with our systems. I don't just implement solutions from the top down, I ask the boots-on-the-ground individuals what their roadblocks are, and I work collaboratively with them to find ways to make their jobs easier. When someone comes to me and says they want to try something new with our platform, I get excited about brainstorming with them rather than shutting down their ideas. That collaborative mindset and genuine desire to help others has opened doors I never expected and led to the creation of my current director role.

The best career advice I've received has come from several women in leadership roles who told me, 'Don't be afraid. You can do this. Keep going.' These weren't formal mentoring relationships, but rather indirect influences from women I observed and admired throughout my career in higher education. I watched how they presented themselves, how they spoke, and how they conducted themselves in their leadership roles, and they became role models for me. Over time, different women in various industries have encouraged me not to hold back, to believe in my abilities, and to keep pushing forward even when opportunities seemed unexpected or outside my comfort zone. That consistent message of confidence and encouragement, delivered by multiple women at different points in my journey, has given me the courage to take on new challenges and say yes to opportunities I might have otherwise questioned.

Be curious. Definitely be curious, and don't be afraid to ask questions, because those two things go hand in hand. Higher education has transformed in so many different ways, and the field is constantly evolving, so you can't just sit back and assume you don't know anything. Go out and research it. Go figure it out. There are so many tools available now, and you should find someone who knows the information you're looking for and just say, 'Hey, I'm curious, what is this position about? What did you do? How did you get here?' I love talking to people about my journey, and I always tell them that it just fell into my lap, really and truly. I applied for an HR position, and they loved how I handled myself in the interview, so they asked me to rebrand purchasing instead. Nobody just says, 'Hey, I'm going to be a purchaser,' you know? But it's a fun industry, I will have to say, and everybody, especially in higher education, is always open to sharing knowledge. If you're willing to ask questions and willing to learn, people will share what they know. Don't let fear or uncertainty hold you back from exploring opportunities, even if they arise unexpectedly or seem outside what you originally planned.

One of the biggest opportunities in my field right now is that we work for a technical college that is very prevalent and in demand. Everybody needs a plumber, everybody needs an electrician, and there's a shortage of people in these skilled trades, so we're very fortunate to be in a position where our programs are highly sought after. That puts us in a strong position compared to other areas of higher education that might be struggling. The challenge, though, is keeping up with all the rapidly evolving platforms and technologies we use. Our different platforms are constantly releasing updates and enhancements throughout the year, so I have to stay current with all of those changes while also managing the day-to-day needs of our departments. But those technological changes also create opportunities for automation, streamlining processes, and finding new ways to make people's jobs easier. There's also a real spirit of collaboration in higher education right now, where institutions are willing to share knowledge and resources with each other. People are open to helping each other succeed, which creates opportunities for learning and growth across the industry.

Curiosity is absolutely central to who I am, both professionally and personally. I'm always asking questions, wanting to understand how things work and why they work that way. I value the ability to make someone's day easier, whether that's a colleague struggling with a process or a student trying to use our systems. That drives everything I do in my work. I also deeply value collaboration and listening to others. I don't just implement solutions from the top down, I truly listen to the boots-on-the-ground individuals who do the day-to-day work, and I value their input and ideas. When someone comes to me with a suggestion, I get excited about brainstorming with them and figuring out how to make it work. In my personal life, family is incredibly important to me. I have three wonderful kids who have given me grandchildren, and spending time with my children and grandkids is something I cherish. I recently took my parents to Branson, Missouri, and it was a wonderful time that I know I'm going to cherish forever. I also value experiences and learning through travel. I love to travel and even work as a part-time travel advisor because I enjoy experiencing new places and helping others do the same. Whether it's solo travel or family trips, those experiences enrich my life and give me balance.