The Bridge

The Writing’s on the Wall

The south wall of Beth Crawford’s office speaks volumes. Adorned with photos, newspaper clippings, graduation announcements and other memorabilia, it is a minor testament to how many students she’s helped succeed and determine a ‘trail to blaze’ during her 24 years with San Diego State University.

Scrolling over photos of past students who have since gone into teaching and law enforcement, among other professions; and members of the sorority she has advised for the past 11 years, Lambda Sigma Gamma; and baby photos that prideful moms and dads – students – have shared with her, Beth can still recall each name and story related to the items on her office wall.

As a counselor in the office of Educational Opportunity Programs/Ethnic Affairs (EOP), Beth advises first-generation college students from low-income, educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. Beyond the grade point average, test scores and transcripts, Beth sees the potential of “what could be” in each of her students. She knows about and listens to their personal and financial struggles, and is able to offer them a way to a better future: “Go to college and get that degree.”

“I know this (college) is a way to change everything for them, their families and future generations,” she said. “I try to encourage them. I try to push students to the next level. I’m a big advocate of grad school.”

Her advice to students on succeeding in college: it’s half intelligence, half strategy. “Clearly they have the intelligence to be here, but they can’t underestimate the strategy,” she said. “The strategy lies in determining what classes, professors and class times best compliment the student’s interests, needs and expectations.”

And when it comes to navigating the college system, Beth says first-generation college students experience particular difficulty. In her capacity, she works to help students define a strategy – a pathway – to succeeding in college.

“It’s hard to blaze a trail when you don’t know where you’re going. That’s what I tell them.”

Rising above adversity

Student success stories: “There are so many,” said Beth.

There’s the student and single mother who was involved in (and led) a number of student organizations, while volunteering in the community, and later graduating from SDSU summa cum laude. Now 24, she, along with her 8-year-old son, just completed her first year of law school at the University of California, Los Angeles.

And then there’s the student who persevered through 10 years of college, despite incredible obstacles. “But he graduated!” said Beth, who remained in contact with and provided counseling to the student throughout the years.

“I’ve seen students from every end of the spectrum,” she said. “I take the students at whatever level they come.”

Recently, Beth met with a former student who decided to leave the university before graduating. Outside of SDSU, Beth continues to advise and encourage her former student. She is adamant the student return to college, this time leaving with a degree in hand.

“I told him I can’t retire until he graduates, so he needs to graduate,” she laughed. “That’s what I tell students in similar situations to his. Hopefully this motivates them to earn that degree.”

Experiencing student life

As a sorority adviser, Beth has been able to help students beyond the realm of EOP. Having no previous affiliation with university Greek Life, Beth says that she wasn’t exactly sure what she had agreed to when one of her students had asked Beth to be her sorority’s adviser. “The sorority has given me the opportunity to become closer to these young women, become more involved in their lives. Getting to know them and develop a closeness.”

In addition to Greek Life, Beth experienced yet another college first while working at SDSU – living in the university’s residence halls. One summer, while serving as the academic counselor for the Summer Bridge program, Beth spent five weeks in the residence halls with new students. “I learned the hard way that you had to wear water shoes in the shower,” she laughed.

Arriving at SDSU

Beth began college at the University of Maine, before moving cross-country to San Diego. After transferring to SDSU from a local community college, Beth began working as a student assistant on campus, and soon after applied for and obtained a full-time administrative assistant position with the university.

“I enrolled in the Fee Waiver program, continued taking classes on campus and worked my way up. I really encourage people to use the Fee Waiver program. It changed my life.”

She continued participating in the university’s Fee Waiver program, ultimately earning a bachelor’s degree in public administration and a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in multicultural counseling. She later received her Pupil Personnel Services Credential from Point Loma Nazarene University.

“It took me 15 years to get my bachelor’s degree. I can really relate to my re-entry students because I was one also.”

Twenty-one years ago, Beth accepted the position of office manager with EOP. “It changed my path,” she said. “I looked around at what was going on here (EOP) and said ‘this is what I want to do.’ ”

While her professional duty is to serve as a source of guidance for students, it’s her unending encouragement that has kept thousands trekking forward.

“It doesn’t take much to help somebody,” Beth affirms. “It’s so important for students to feel connected. It’s the people who touch their lives that make them love SDSU.”

In 2005, Beth was named United Sorority and Fraternity Council Chapter Adviser of the Year. That same year, she was a Quest for the Best faculty/staff honoree, and also received the Enrollment Services Exemplary Academic Advising Award. In 2000, Beth was named an Honorary Homecoming Dedicatee.