Hackley takes dean position at Holy Names College

By Chris O'Connell

Raquel Hackley, the associate director of the Center for Student Leadership, worked her last day at Santa Clara yesterday.

The 32-year-old San Diego native has been a presence on campus for three years as an advisor to clubs, the Associated Students and the Multicultural Center.

"I've decided to leave SCU for a number of reasons," Hackley said. "When my daughter asked me why I was leaving, I told her it was like what she'll experience going from elementary school to middle school. I'm going from one great school that I love and have learned a lot from and taking what I've learned and loved to the next level at another school."

Hackley is leaving to for Holy Names College in Oakland to serve as the associate dean for first year students, where she will assist students with all aspects of their first year experience.

Director of CSL Jonathan Gray, who originally hired Hackley, said that he is in the process of filling her position.

"She will be missed," said Presidential Fellow David Thompson, who has known Hackley since her first day of work at Santa Clara. "She can play so many roles as an advisor. She is my mother away from home."

Director of the MCC Manuel Perez agreed, saying Hackley will be hard to replace as an advisor because she fosters relationships with people before focusing on the logistics of their positions.

"We call her Mama Raquel," Perez said.

Hackley has served as a Project Manager for the Center for Multicultural Learning, taught for the Emerging Leaders Program, designed and implemented diversity training for orientation leaders and facilitated an orientation program for the summer Parent Orientation.

Hackley also co-chaired the University Dialogue Council, helped coordinate the Pan-African Senior Ceremony and assisted the Welcome Dinner for new students of color at Santa Clara.

Many students and administrators see Hackley not just as a co-worker, but also as a friend.

Associated Students (AS) President Taylor McClure said Hackley is a unique person to work with.

"She gains your trust and gets inside of your head to try and make you feel that you are accomplishing goals you want to accomplish," McClure said.

AS Vice President Nathan Iglesias remembered an instance when Hackley shared a part of her life story at an executive council meeting.

"None of us knew her that well," Iglesias said. "It was very intimate. She extended her hand towards us and gained our trust, which has made working with her a friendship, not just a business relation."

Hackley has been working and building friendships at Santa Clara since January 2001. She said she applied to work at Santa Clara three years ago because of the university's undying commitment to educating the whole person.

"I visited the campus and fell in love with the people and the grounds," Hackley said.

Hackley added that she sees a bright future for CSL, MCC and for the Santa Clara community in general.

"[Santa Clara] is a place that is continually enhanced by the many lenses looking at the university and seeing what can be improved upon a place that's already great."

Hakley said she plans to keep in touch with the Santa Clara community in the future, as she has many friends here who she considers to be like family members.

"I've lived, laughed, and learned an enormous amount at Santa Clara," Hackley said. "I'm taking the knowledge, education, and experiences on to share with others at another campus, who I think will benefit from them and where I'll be able to grow and learn more."

û Contact Chris O'Connell at (408) 554-4546 or coconnell@scu.edu.