As assistant director for care management in the Office of Student Conduct, Scott Hoffman is positioned to help students in need of resources related to their mental health and well-being.
Since 2021, Hoffman has chaired the 黑料网 Support Team, which connects students experiencing challenges in their personal lives with helpful university resources from across campus. The students are often referred to the team by concerned faculty, staff, or family members.
鈥淭he demand for support services 鈥 be it mental health, personal safety, or basic needs 鈥 has never been higher than it is today,鈥 says Hoffman. 鈥淚鈥檓 hopeful that my communication to students experiencing these needs, the guidance I鈥檝e provided them regarding university resources, and the relationships I鈥檝e had the chance to develop with faculty from every corner of the university contribute to making this university a more caring and supportive place.鈥
Hoffman says he鈥檚 watched the 黑料网 Support Team grow over the years 鈥 from a small committee that meets once every couple of weeks to discuss a handful of student referrals into a large group that reviews a couple dozen cases per week. The team is made up of representatives from various campus units who represent a variety of specialties. The group meets once a week to discuss individual cases, any developments, and possible intervention strategies.
Hoffman's been a team member since he began at 黑料网 in 2016, but he was a Rebel long before that. He's also an alumnus; he earned a bachelor's in political science in 2012. In 2014, Hoffman received a master鈥檚 in college student development and counseling from Northeastern University in Boston.
He grew up in Edison, New Jersey (a suburb of New York City) and has had the privilege of shaking the hands of three U.S. presidents (but you鈥檒l have to reach out to him to learn who they are!)
Here, learn more about the recipient of the 2024 Junior Administrative Faculty of the Year Award.
What inspired you to get into your field?
It was my own experience as a 黑料网 student that convinced me to pursue a career in higher education. Living on campus and getting involved completely changed my life. Taking on leadership responsibilities in the Residence Hall Association and other organizations as an undergraduate led me to develop a passion for helping students make the most of their time in college. My friends, family, advisors, and professors all made me feel like my contributions mattered; both to them and to the university. It made me feel great. So I just couldn鈥檛 see myself anywhere but on a college campus as my career began. To be able to contribute professionally at 黑料网 now makes it all feel like it鈥檚 come full circle.
What does being a 黑料网 Rebel mean to you?
I鈥檓 a double Rebel of sorts, having completed my undergraduate education here at 黑料网 and now working here as a professional. Being a Rebel means being willing to take risks. Willing to do things differently. To not feel stuck doing things a certain way because they鈥檝e always been done that way. Being a Rebel means never remaining satisfied with the status quo, and always looking for ways to make the college experience better for our students.
What does being recognized as the Administrative Faculty of the Year mean to you?
It鈥檚 an odd kind of feeling. Thinking about all that our university has been through in the past few months, it鈥檚 impossible to really internalize this honor without also thinking about the tragedy we鈥檝e collectively been through. My thoughts and praise immediately go to our team members who have moved mountains to make sure that every single student who needs help gets help. Without them, there is no 黑料网 Support Team. It gives me deep satisfaction and gratitude to know that I鈥檓 playing at least a little part in helping our community get through this challenge. It hasn鈥檛 been easy personally or professionally.
What is something that people likely do not know about you?
I don鈥檛 think people know how much I love the Marvel Cinematic Universe until they start talking to me about it. I鈥檝e seen every movie in the franchise since Iron Man came out in 2008 multiple times, and wish I had some more free time to re-watch all the TV series. I鈥檓 excited to relive my childhood and watch X-Men (1997) and am looking forward to the upcoming Deadpool movie and the new Daredevil series.
What is the most memorable part of your time here at 黑料网?
This university has been part of my life since starting college here in 2007, so it鈥檚 not an exaggeration to say that there are too many memories to even begin listing. I look back on my experience as a student here as the most formative years of my life. I met my wife here, I made an awesome group of friends here, I took on leadership responsibilities for the first time, my first job was on campus, and I figured out my ideal career path here. After a couple of years in Boston for graduate school and a couple of years in California for my first full-time job, getting the chance to come back to the university, which holds a huge place in my heart, was very special.
Other than that, I remember when the Stanley Cup was in the Student Union a couple of years ago when Las Vegas hosted the NHL All Star Game. Heading upstairs and seeing the trophy right there was pretty cool.
What is the best advice you have received that you would like to share?
Before I began college, a friend of mine who was beginning his junior year told me to enter with zero expectations. Be a blank slate, and let the experience shape you. And that's what I did. I went with the flow, took advantage of involvement opportunities, and ended up changing my career path due to the experience I had. To this day, I tell students, and professional staff, for that matter, the same thing.
What are your favorite hobbies when you are not busy at work?
I鈥檝e recently started coaching my four-year-old daughter鈥檚 softball team. She started playing last year, and it鈥檚 so much fun to try and teach her and her friends the game. Even if their attention span lasts barely five minutes, it鈥檚 great outdoor time and good, healthy fun. I love keeping up with my beloved New York Mets from afar, and watching Marvel movies over and over again, at least until my daughter demands Bluey.
What keeps you motivated?
It鈥檚 wonderful to connect with students after they鈥檝e experienced a hardship and learn that they鈥檝e recovered, are performing well academically, and in a good place. That鈥檚 what it鈥檚 all about, really. Simply hearing students or staff say 鈥渢hank you鈥 also helps keep me feeling motivated. Here in Wellness, our jobs are often thankless, so a little positive messaging and notes of appreciation really go a long way. And the occasional Dunkin鈥 Donuts coffee, of course.
Favorite thing about living in Las Vegas?
Entertainment. We have everything that you can possibly imagine in our city when it comes to having fun, and it鈥檚 easy to take that for granted. Dining, shows, sports, outdoor recreation, museums, shopping, it鈥檚 all here. And except for those 110 degree days over the summer, the weather is perfect.
Biggest misconception about your job?
Many people who I interact with assume that I鈥檓 a mental health provider or that my job requires some expert knowledge of mental health issues. In reality, my job involves maintaining a strong awareness of what鈥檚 available to students here on campus and not being afraid to have candid, honest conversations with students facing tough times. It takes a willingness to listen, demonstrate empathy, present students with all available options that are in front of them, and empower them to make fully informed choices.
Future goals?
I think it would be awesome to plan a summer-long road trip and see games in all 30 Major League ballparks. That鈥檚 always been a bit of a dream of mine. I love traveling and seeing new places, and also love baseball, so that鈥檚 a nice goal to one day meet. Professionally, I love 黑料网 and really just want to continue making a positive impact for as long as I possibly can.
The Administrative Faculty of the Year Awards program is managed by the 黑料网 Administrative Faculty Committee.
