Meet Brenda Beasley, 2022 VSU Presidential Excellence Award for Classified Staff Honoree

Pictured are Dr. Richard A. Carvajal, president of Valdosta State University, and Brenda Beasley, assistant director of orientation for the Office of Student Transitions and the Division of Student Success. She is the recipient of the 2022 Presidential Excellence Award for Classified Staff.

VALDOSTA — Dr. Richard A. Carvajal, president of Valdosta State University, recently honored Brenda Beasley with the 2022 Presidential Excellence Award for Classified Staff.

The Presidential Excellence Award for staff is an annual tradition at VSU, one that recognizes the high standards of service, initiative, reliability, professional attitude, exemplary job performance, and leadership of the university’s dedicated staff.

Beasley joined the VSU staff in 2000 and currently serves as assistant director of orientation for the Office of Student Transitions and the Division of Student Success. She is responsible for coordinating all in-person, virtual, and online orientation sessions for first-year and transfer students joining the Blazer Nation family each semester.

When not helping new students explore campus and learn about available resources, Beasley devotes her time to supporting the university in a variety of ways. Her volunteer experience includes serving as campus advisor for a Greek organization, a member of different selection committees, a staff advisor for the Commuter Success Coach Program, a member of the Move-In Crew, advisor for the University Ambassadors Program and the Golden Key International Honour Society, and a member of the Alumni Association Board.

VSU: What advice do you have for VSU students and young alumni who wish to demonstrate excellence in their current / future professional roles?

Beasley: Everyone is juggling a lot in their lives today — life in general, education, work and careers, self-care, self-awareness, and more. Keeping a positive perspective and achieving a level of excellence for yourself is challenging to say the least. Give yourself the freedom to recognize your true self, and find your own path. Be the center of your universe. Life is not a one-size-fits-all gig. Follow your instincts and learn to trust yourself as you move through all of the stages of your life. Failure is just an opportunity to find another way to do something, not an invitation to give up or lose faith. Excellence is an achievement that you earn over time. There are no rules, policies, or procedures printed somewhere to guide you toward achieving excellence or your goals in life. Everything is achieved by your personal efforts, contributions, and perspective. Focus, work hard, take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way, and believe in yourself. If you want kindness, give kindness. If you want more, give more. If you desire excellence, you must desire to be excellent.