The biggest risk Tasha Myers ever took was accepting an interim position and knowing there was no guarantee she’d be offered the job permanently. After six months in the position, it was offered to someone else. But taking the risk did eventually pay off.         

“Sure, I was disappointed, but shortly after, I was offered my position at Georgia Tech,” said Myers, who is an associate program director at the Student Center. “Not getting the interim job was a blessing in disguise, because I love what I do at Tech.”

As a child, Myers didn’t dream of going into student affairs — she wanted to be a lawyer. This career aspiration morphed into becoming a math teacher until Myers got to college and realized that teaching wasn’t a good match for her.

“I was always good at math, but it wasn’t fun for me anymore,” Myers said. “I knew I needed to find something I could be truly passionate about.”

Once Myers realized she could make a living advising students about the same extracurricular activities she’d enjoyed in college, she knew that student affairs was a fit. 

Recently The Whistle had a chance to learn more about Myers and her time at Tech.

How did you arrive at Georgia Tech?         
While I was in graduate school at the University of Georgia, I worked in an assistantship at Tech with Stephanie Ray, associate dean of students and director of diversity programs. After graduation, I initially worked at Spelman College — in the interim student affairs role that I mentioned. When it came time to find a new job, I was offered my position at Tech and have been here since 2010.

Tell us a little bit about your job.      
I oversee the OPTIONS program, which offers noncredit leisure classes for students, faculty, staff and anyone else interested in participating. In addition, I advise the homecoming and the Atlanta Life committees, and I oversee Under the Couch, a music venue in the Student Center where students can see live shows, practice, play, record and learn. Also, whether it’s listening to stories about breakups or providing advice about internship options, I end up becoming very involved in students’ lives.

What is the most satisfying part of your job?    
Watching students develop over the years they are at Tech. But it’s also nice to hear that the students appreciate what I do for them. I remember receiving a thank you note from a student who was really involved in campus activities. He wrote that I was one of the best advisors he’d worked with at Tech, which meant so much to me.  

What is the one piece of technology you can’t live without?
My Android phone  — my whole life is on that device.

Which do you prefer: Facebook, Twitter or a world without any of this social media stuff?
I actually like Facebook and Twitter a lot. Both of my accounts are linked, so my updates go out on both platforms. I like how Facebook allows you to connect with other people. But Twitter is useful for putting my random thoughts out into the world.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
My mom would always tell me to “Never forget who you are and who you represent.”  

If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be?
Walt Disney. I would want to ask him how he imagined places like Disneyworld and Disneyland, and I’d ask him what he thinks of what his legacy has become.

Where is your favorite place to have lunch, and what do you order?
Chow Baby. I don’t really have a regular order, because it’s so easy to change up the ingredients in the stir-fry dishes they serve.

Tell us something about yourself that others might not know.
I met my husband on a dance team when I was an undergraduate. And when I retire, I would love to open a cupcake bakery of my own.