If you asked Libby Daggers, Ph.D, what she wanted to do with her life going into college, she would've enthusiastically told you about her dreams of being a traveling photographer with Rolling Stone, capturing epic moments featuring famous bands and musicians at concerts around the world.

That was her plan as an art major at the University of Illinois – until it wasn't. The catalyst? A game-changing experience she had with the student orientation team at her college that made her rethink her major and her entire career path. As a shy freshman from the suburbs of Chicago, wondering how she would make her way at the University of Illinois, a lightbulb went off when she saw students leading orientation sessions and then joined them as a student worker herself. 

Fast forward to 380,000 'Howdys' and a doctoral degree later, Dr. Daggers has built a career within Student Life’s New Student and Family Programs (NSFP) through the most unexpected beginnings. She never lost her love for the arts, but now, the impact of the friendly introduction she once received is something she gets to pay forward every day on the job at Texas A&M.

From Chicago Suburbs to College Station

Q: What brought you to Texas A&M?

Here's a story for you. I came to Texas A&M through a time in my life where there was some pivotal momentum. I was getting my masters in College Student Personnel Administration in 2011 at Illinois State University and the program I was in required an internship through a professional organization focused on higher education orientation. At the time, there were a limited number of internships you could apply to through the program.

My mentor advised me to pick three I felt like I would definitely get into and would accept an offer from, and two that were a big dream. Texas A&M was my big dream. I had never been to Texas and didn't have any connection to Texas A&M either, but I got matched to the internship. It was so exciting!

So in 2011, I packed up and traveled to Texas to be a part of new student conferences that summer. The very first day, I moved into a residence hall, went to lunch with colleagues and was immediately welcomed into the community in the office. It felt like a fit right off the bat. So for 12 weeks, I learned the ropes, and along the way, I really bought into the 'howdy' and other traditions. I got to meet the yell leaders, too. It was a great experience, and when it was over, I headed back to Illinois, unsure if I would ever make it back.

So as I was job searching after graduating with my master’s, I knew I was committed to working in the orientation space and I was looking for large public institutions, just like Texas A&M. It was like destiny that as I was looking, a job opened in New Student and Family Programs. I was so excited at the opportunity to go back and I knew people at Texas A&M at that point. So if I was going to pick up and move across the country, it felt nice to know I'd be coming back into the Aggie family.

So I applied and was hired as the first full-time staff member dedicated to Family Programs. At the time, I only thought I would be here for a few years – but that was in 2012. Little did I know that 12 weeks that summer would lead to 12 years and a doctoral degree.

Q: You've grown within the Student Life department tremendously, and got your doctorate to boot. What is your why and how has that kept you motivated over the years?

There are so many things, the opportunities at Texas A&M, the ability to try new things that make the experience of our students and families better, the times I've been able to help students through crises like Hurricane Harvey, getting to know Aggies and Aggie Moms and feeling like an Aggie myself. There are countless things that have kept me both grounded and excited. I especially love being able to greet every single new Aggie that comes to Texas A&M, it's so unique to be able to do that.

Q: Does Texas feel like home to you now? At what point along the way did you feel like an Aggie?

Texas does feel like home to me now. We're raising a family here and have become rooted in the Bryan-College Station community. But I've felt like an Aggie for a really long time and had lots of people tell me, “you don't need an Aggie ring to be an Aggie.”

But my decision to pursue my Ph.D here and actually receive my own Aggie ring was a special decision. When I got my ring, Meredith Malnar, who hired me as an intern many years ago, presented me with my Aggie gold. I truly intended to only come here for 12 weeks, and now can't imagine my life without this Aggie experience!

Q: What's one thing you love about your job? Texas A&M?

For my job, it would have to be problem-solving. I get to look at a really big picture, because putting on New Student Conferences (NSCs) for more than 30,000 new Aggies and their families every summer is a really big job, and we get to answer the question of, 'how are we going to tackle this?’ NSCs don't happen with one person or one office, either, so I enjoy the network I've been able to build and the relationships that have formed along the way.

What really made me love Texas A&M is how unique it is with traditions and the way students and the community as a whole lean into core values. It really creates a sense of community. The students who come to Silver Taps and Muster are really special to witness, too, and I fully understand how it can be hard to describe to others.

Q: What's something about Student Life/NSFP that you wish more students knew or would take advantage of?

I wish students knew that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Texas A&M, Student Life and New Student and Family Programs offer so many resources, you just have to take advantage of what is out there.

Also on the flip side, I know that students also can get overwhelmed by the amount of resources. Here's what I would tell them: You're high achieving and smart, and you wouldn't be here if you couldn't succeed. Let's break down the belief that “everybody else has it together but me.”

Q: What is your advice to current students?

Everyone's student experience looks different. But many students are under this pretense that "I have to do this, or take these steps." But especially on a campus this size, you don't need it to look one way. Your Aggie experience is going to look different and that's what makes it special.

There's so much pressure on students around what they perceive is going to make them successful, or other people's expectations. Use time in college as an opportunity to start to figure out what success means to you and don't be afraid of doing what makes you happy.