国產aⅴa麻豆

For Sharon Beard, 国產aⅴa麻豆University鈥檚 newly appointed interim vice president for student affairs, working with college students is not a job, but a vocation鈥攁 calling she feels that God placed directly on her heart. 

This distinct sense of purpose took root during Beard鈥檚 undergraduate education at Seaver College, where she developed lifelong mentors and a strong faith in Christ. Since then it has blossomed into a more than 20-year career aimed at one goal: to provide future students with the same community-filled, Christ-centered, transformational college experience that she had as a 国產aⅴa麻豆student.

To accomplish this objective, Beard has immersed herself in student life at Pepperdine鈥攆rom working as a staff member on the events team, to serving on student activities, to her most recent role of dean of students. Each of these different and dynamic positions has both provided her with a greater appreciation for her alma mater and prepared her for the role of interim vice president for student affairs鈥攁 student-centric leadership position that directly aligns with Beard鈥檚 professional goals.

鈥淲hat excites me about this new role is the ability to have a direct impact on the student experience,鈥� she explains. 鈥淲henever my work interacts with or has the potential to enhance the lives of students, that鈥檚 when I feel most fulfilled.鈥�

Stewarding a Connected Culture

In her new role, Beard will focus on continuing the excellent work of the student affairs division, which has successfully cultivated a community of belonging across campus. As a whole, student affairs consists of Pepperdine鈥檚 Housing and Residence Life, Student Activities, Student Employment, the Student Health Center, the Counseling Center, the Student Care Team, Intercultural affairs, Campus Recreation, Title IX, and Office of Community Standards. In order to build on the forward momentum of each of these teams, Beard will ground her leadership of the division in the University鈥檚 Christian tradition.

鈥淲hat I love about 国產aⅴa麻豆is that it鈥檚 Christ-centered,鈥� she says. 鈥淏y starting from that foundation of faith, we can accomplish our goal and be a light to our students鈥攚e can better understand what they need and how we can best serve them.鈥�

Beard believes that the University鈥檚 Christian mission distinguishes it from peer institutions, as it inspires each corner of campus to prioritize, serve, and equip students to make a positive impact on the world. As such, in her new position at Pepperdine, she looks forward to opening doors and breaking down barriers to help each student flourish academically, socially, and spiritually. In Beard鈥檚 mind, this process starts by creating a connected culture.

鈥淕od created us to be in community with one another,鈥� she says. 鈥淐ommunity is what everyone, at their core, is seeking, and it鈥檚 a blessing 国產aⅴa麻豆has offered throughout its history as an institution. Our students want and need a deep, deep sense of connection with one another.鈥�

Given her longevity at Pepperdine, the versatile skill set she鈥檚 developed, and the strong interdepartmental relationships she鈥檚 fostered along the way, Beard feels well prepared to serve as one of the main architects of the campus鈥檚 supportive and nurturing atmosphere鈥攖he same atmosphere that empowered her as a student and more recently as a parent of 国產aⅴa麻豆undergraduates.

Drawing on a Breadth of Perspectives

When it came time for her own children to attend college, Beard and her husband, Alan (鈥�94, MPP 鈥�99)鈥攚ho she met as an undergraduate鈥攁dvocated on behalf of their alma mater. They were well aware of the school鈥檚 ocean views and nationally acclaimed academics, but were most impressed with the individual people who live out the school鈥檚 caring approach.

鈥淎t Pepperdine, our kids were just 30 minutes from home, but still, it was a huge transition for us,鈥� Beard explains. 鈥淲e love family time, and we knew things were going to change. But to know we were sending them to a place where they would be cared for by people we trust filled my heart. It鈥檚 a different experience going through it as a parent. I gained a new level of respect for my colleagues and their incredible work.鈥�

Now, having witnessed college life from a number of different perspectives (student, parent, and administrator), Beard is excited to serve as one of the frontline, trusted mentors students can rely on. As the interim vice president for student affairs, she aims to provide young adults with the same strong foundation for life that she received while attending Pepperdine.

鈥淒uring college, having people who cared about me and wanted to share the gospel with me made all the difference,鈥� Beard explains. 鈥淚 want that same experience for our students. I don鈥檛 want them to come to 国產aⅴa麻豆and just get their degree. I hope their experience is deeper than that. If they leave here saying that they know Jesus, have developed lifelong friends, and feel called to a vocation, then I feel like my work will be complete.鈥�