Trevecca Welcomes New Director of Student Life

By Alayna Simons

Editor-in-Chief

After a national search, Natalie Specht has officially filled the position of director of student life.

In July and August, more than 40 people applied from different backgrounds, and Megan McGhee, assistant dean of student life, says that it is a miracle that they found someone within two months of the job being vacant.

“It’s unusual. I just feel like the Lord went before us and provided us with the candidate that we needed for this season. We’re really fortunate and we’re so thankful for her,” said McGhee.

Specht moved from California to Tennessee a little over a year ago. She attended California Baptist University for her bachelor’s degree and received her master’s in spiritual formation and soul care from Biola University.

At those universities, Specht worked two years as a graduate assistant, one year with new student programs, another year in a student leadership development office, and then four years as a residential director.

“That experience was so valuable because it taught me how to walk with others, how to invite them into spaces where they can be with the Lord, and how to be curious about what he’s doing in their life,” said Specht.

After hearing about the open position, Specht said that she already had a good insight on the heartbeat of the school through friends who had attended Trevecca, realized that she missed working with students and higher education, and decided to apply.

“She has the experience and the heart that we were looking for. We really wanted to find someone who not only had the administrative gifts, but also the relational gifts of building those connections with students,” said McGhee.

The month of September will be dedicated to Specht’s training, and in October she will step fully into her role on campus.

“It’s a combination of allowing her to kind of passively observe things and learn that way, but also actively do projects as a way of learning all of the different pieces—the functional pieces of our job,” said McGhee.

The director of student life role includes guidance and leadership directly with SGA and overseeing student programming and social events along with many other coordinating details.

“Her role impacts our entire student body. So there are big shoes to fill, but I believe that Natalie can do that really well. I’m excited to see how she works with SGA, how she helps them meet their goals, and I just think that she’s going to really accelerate that. I’m excited to see how that all works,” said McGhee.

Celest Cabello, ASB president, is excited for Specht to join the team and is thankful for the leadership that has guided her through her role so far.

“Even though Justin and Daniel were limited in their knowledge of what this position entailed while they were filling in, they were able to support us in a more emotional and mental way by saying, ‘We don’t have all the answers for you, but we’re walking in this with you and we’re working through the challenges together,’” said Cabello.

Daniel Magee, a graduate assistant, partnered with Justin Jose, director of leadership and community engagement, to be an interim director of SGA this summer through the beginning of the school year, and says that it has been challenging but the most fun he has had while working at Trevecca. He is hopeful for the new year for SGA and the new director.

“I think there’s a new sense of energy and empowerment from SGA this year. My goal is to empower people and allow them to bring their best,” said Magee. “I would love to see this turn into leaders training other leaders and calling them into the work. A model of discipleship that Jesus shows us, and that continues to produce more leaders.”

While Magee is still involved with SGA and their events moving, he is excited to hand over the position to Specht and see her take on the role of director.

“I’m hopeful that she will be able to fully capture and embrace the culture of Trevecca in a way that allows her to add fuel to that fire and keep pushing it forward,” said Magee.

Specht’s goals going into the role are to catch up with what SGA and student development have already started this year. She hopes to offer insight from her own experiences to help make a stronger program, along with becoming familiar with the already set traditions.

“A huge part of it is working with SGA and helping support them and all that they’re doing,” said Specht. “A lot of it is jumping in and seeing how I can support and keep them and other groups running well, as well as helping them reach their goals. I’m excited to learn from them.”

Even though there have been challenges of stepping into a new role, Specht feels supported and encouraged through the process.