Business and Industry | Lion VoicesApril 30, 2024

Debbie Dameron and the Pursuit of Student Success

Written By: Ian Silvester

Entering the fishbowl on the second floor of the Business and Industry Institute building at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, finding out that one of the first offices belongs to someone with years of experience in higher education won’t come as a surprise. What may be a surprise, however, is that its occupant, College of Business and Industry advising coordinator Debbie Dameron, amassed said experience from half a dozen universities along the way.

Dameron began working at UAFS in February 2023, bringing nearly 20 years of working in higher education with her. Dameron’s journey starts in her southern Kentucky hometown, Murray.

Where It All Began

Dameron grew up in the small town of Murray, KY, and chose to attend her hometown college, Murray State University, to follow her dreams.

“Growing up, I always played school; I always wanted to be a teacher,” she explained. “So, I started in education.”

However, in hindsight, Dameron realized she wasn’t ready to take college seriously. A career as a teacher ended up not being the fit she hoped it would be, leading her down the path of changing her major five times before finding business.

“That’s when I finally thought, ‘OK, this is my calling,’” she said proudly.

Throughout her journey of discovery, Dameron worked in the financial aid office as a student worker. When her position was offered as a part-time employee, Dameron paused her education in pursuit of earning a living.

Little did she know it would become a decision that impacted the rest of her life.

One afternoon, the financial aid office went to lunch, but their reservation had been given to the new football coach, Houston Nutt, and his staff. While eating, Nutt’s new defensive coordinator, Kim, had eyes for Dameron.

“The people that I worked with kept telling me, ‘This guy, he keeps staring at you,’” Dameron said with a smile. “As we were getting ready to leave, he walked by me and knocked over the coat rack.”

As fate would have it, the financial aid and football secretaries were cousins and set up a phone call between the new coach and Dameron.

“I ended up talking to Kim for about 20 minutes on the phone, and we went out that night,” she recalled. “It’s history ever since.”

Life as a Coach’s Wife

After meeting in 1993, Dameron decided to finish her bachelor’s degree at Murray State while Kim’s coaching tenure continued. She said the decision to return as an adult made all the difference.

“When I went back, I felt like, ‘OK, I’m the older student in this class, I need to make sure that I show students that I’m mature and adult, and go to class, ask questions, raise my hand, talk about stuff, and get more involved in classes than I did when I was younger,’” Dameron shared.

It was a mantra she has since applied to the students she helped. After completing her bachelor’s degree in business management from Murray State in the fall of 1995, Dameron accompanied Kim to Cincinnati and made stops in Tampa, Nashville, and Illinois before the two wed in 2001. That April, Dameron was hired by Stephen F. Austin University, where Kim was coaching, beginning a decade of going from university to university while Kim moved up the college football coaching ladder.

Between 2001 and the end of the spring semester 2013, Dameron did everything from working in admissions to athletics and with commuter and non-traditional students. She worked at the University of Louisiana Monroe, Ithaca College, and the University of Mississippi during that time.

While at Ole Miss, Dameron continued her passion for working with student-athletes, but this time in a brand new role.

“I really enjoyed the transition,” she said of the move advising as an academic counselor in the Office of Student-Athlete Academic Support.

Dameron enjoyed a break from higher education starting in the fall of 2014 after Kim earned his coaching break and became the head football coach at Eastern Illinois University. Over the next five seasons, Dameron acted as “team mom” and got to cheer on her husband and the Panthers.

COVID Chain Reaction

After their stint in Illinois, the Damerons landed at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. Dameron was hired as enrollment management student services coordinator while Kim was back on the sidelines. Less than a year later, the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the world. But a phone call would set Dameron and her husband down a path to where Kim grew up: Arkansas.

A former colleague at Ole Miss, Michael Beaumont, had recently been named Director of Athletics and Activities for Fort Smith Public Schools, and he needed a new football coach to lead Southside High School.

“(Kim) always told me, as far back as when I met him, he would like to get back to Arkansas,” Dameron shared. “(Beaumont) asked if he’d be interested in coming here, and we talked about it and said, ‘At this time in our life, let’s go somewhere, let’s settle down instead of moving every three years.’”

Despite still working for the University of Kansas, Dameron moved with her husband, but working remotely for KU made the transition smoother. But once the university began calling staff back to campus, she knew it was time to find something in Fort Smith.

“When I started looking, I didn’t even see any positions here at UAFS,” Dameron said. But her persistence has always been a strong suit. “Then, one day, all of a sudden, I looked, and there was a position in financial aid, which I had experience with, and a position for advising coordinator in the College of Business and Industry.”

Dameron applied to UAFS, and her background spoke for itself. She was hired as an advising coordinator, and with it, she has a fresh take on helping UAFS students succeed.

“I don’t want to come across as a know-it-all, but I try to make everything a one-stop-shop or a little more convenient for students or employees with the way we do forms and advising,” Dameron said. “I’ve been at bigger and smaller schools, so I have ideas for how to make this an easier process for everyone.”

Coming from a background in working in student affairs and with student-athletes, Dameron also pulls from her time as a student to make connections with the students she advises.

“We’re all here to help students succeed,” she said proudly, explaining her keys to success. “I encourage them to get to know their professors, advisors, and staff on campus. Be interested in class and be courteous because people tend to help you a little extra if you are.”

The Future Awaits

Dameron reflected on the past few years and said she believes she is here to stay. Her husband is happy to be back where he is from, and she continually makes a difference at UAFS.

Plus, for the first time in her adult life, her entire family all live within an hour’s drive. Dameron’s daughter, son-in-law, two grandchildren, and her mom all call Arkansas home. During her off time, Dameron enjoys visiting with her family, spending time on Beaver Lake, and golfing.

Even while enjoying the simple things, Dameron’s persistence continues to push her.

She is involved in nearly a dozen UAFS committees, and with plans to remain in Fort Smith, she hopes her experience can lend itself to creating a new position on campus.

“I want to broaden my horizons. I want to move up. My goal is higher aspirations,” Dameron said with a smile.

Only the future will tell what’s in store for Dameron; until then, she’ll continue to have an open door and lead the students of UAFS.

 

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