I am Christopher Wilton Spellman, senior at Old Dominion University (ODU), from Chesapeake, Virginia. I was raised in a praying family of five who serve as my biggest support system. My grandparents have blessed me in many ways and it is because of their assistance that I was able to afford college. My father has 15 brothers and sisters who have provided me with an overflow of cousins. The interactions over the past 22 years of my life with my family have contributed to my WOO (Winning Others Over) character strength. These interactions have also enabled me to establish my values in faith and grow in my spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ. Since I was born, I’ve been a member of Guiding Light Apostolic Church of Christ Camden, NC, and I have been serving as the pianist and organist for the past ten years. I use this gift to minister musically and touch others. God is the reason for my success and I try my best to share the love of Christ through all that I do. I’ve learned and lived Psalms 37:4, “Delight thyself in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” I’m humbled to say that I’ve been granted the desires of my heart, and this is how my ODU experience have played a role in that;

During my undergraduate journey at Old Dominion University I have developed the ability to work well with others through a variety of on campus jobs, I have enhanced my leadership skills through on campus involvement, and I have expanded my competence in the field of student affairs through membership in the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators’ (NASPA) Undergraduate Fellows Program (NUFP).  

My current experiences as an undergraduate include serving as a second year Resident Assistant, leading the Legislative Branch of ODU’s Student Government Association as the Speaker of the Senate, completing NASPA’s 150-hour internship for the University of North Carolina Greensboro’s (UNCG) Division of Student Affairs, and presiding over the Project Crown Mentoring Program which provides a positive, life-lasting influence on young males ages 11-19 who identify as the sons / grandsons of ODU’s faculty workers (custodians, cooks, etc.). Because of these experiences and spiritual confirmation, I have found that I have a strong calling to pursue a career in Student Affairs in Higher Education Administration. 

Prior to finding my passion for student affairs I began my undergraduate journey as a Civil Engineering major with aspirations of becoming an Architect. During the second semester of my sophomore year (Spring 2018), I realized that my aspirations did not align with my core values, it did not compliment my personal identity, and it did not bring me fulfillment. During that time, I lost motivation and as a result encountered academic challenges. Being proactive, I began exploring my newly discovered passion and life purpose for Student Affairs. I actively prayed about pursuing this profession and met with several professionals in higher education. One of those professionals was Dr. Ellen Neufeldt, former Old Dominion University Vice President of Student Engagement and Enrollment Services. She recommended that I join the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), Undergraduate Fellows Program (NUFP). After applying, I changed my major to a discipline that compliments this field and was accepted as a NUFP in May of 2018. As a NUFP Fellow, I have been able to attend professional development conferences and serve in a Student Affairs internship during the Summer of 2019 as a Coordinator for Residence Life at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). During this internship, I was able to fortify my competence in Student Affairs, advance my professional development, and affirm that Student Affairs is the field for me through exposure to the field. 

Since changing my major from Civil Engineering to Leadership in Interdisciplinary Studies, I have focused on recovering academically and being intentional with my involvement. I ensured that my active involvement in student organizations, leadership, and paraprofessional positions aligned not only with my values and identity, but also contributed to my professional development in Student Affairs. My academic performance has improved and I have successfully balanced my leadership roles by exercising strong time management and organizational skills. These recent changes have resulted in a resurgence of my motivation and ability to leave a legacy at ODU. Part of this legacy includes me being crowned as the 2019-2020 Mr. Old Dominion University Royal Monarch. It is my dream to expand my legacy in the field of Student Affairs in Higher Education Administration as a Vice President or Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs. My next step to reaching that goal is to obtain a Master of Education in Student Affairs.