UNF student balances full-time role while advancing toward a career in higher education

Shea Leary’s smiling face is the first thing most visitors see when they step into the Office of the President at the University of North Florida.  

While finishing her bachelor’s degree, Leary has taken on the role of office manager in the top office at the university.  

The Jacksonville native began college later than many of her peers as she spent years balancing work and life responsibilities. After earning her associate degree from Florida State College at Jacksonville, she enrolled at UNF in 2024.  

“I knew I wanted to be a faculty member somewhere one day,” Leary said. “UNF felt like a place that could meet me where I was in life as a working student. It offered opportunities for academic and professional growth without forcing me to sacrifice the life I had already built.”  

This summer, Leary graduates with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in gender studies. Next, she plans to pursue UNF’s Master of Science in Higher Education Administration program.  

From Student Employee to Higher Education Professional  

Leary initially worked at the Writing Center in spring 2024. What started as a student job soon became something more meaningful.  

“Working with students was incredibly fulfilling,” she said. “There was this camaraderie because I was also a student. Being able to support my peers really solidified my passion for becoming a faculty member someday.”  

That passion led her to a new opportunity in the Office of the President beginning spring 2026, where she helps ensure the office operates efficiently, coordinates projects and events, welcomes visitors and supports other work that helps keep the University running smoothly.   

She has loved seeing how many people and departments contribute to the University’s success.  

“It showed me that no matter what role someone has, every job is important,” she said. “Whether it’s the smallest task or the largest initiative, everything is interconnected.”   

Her colleagues have noticed the impact she has made in a short amount of time.  

“Shea is a true asset to our team,” said Hannah Sjostrom, President’s Office coordinator. “Her positive, can-do attitude is contagious, and she never backs down from a challenge. She always finds a way to make things work. She’s reliable, responsible and someone I can trust to always follow through.”  

Her first major project as office manager, helping coordinate the Faculty Appreciation Reception, stood out as an early lesson in collaboration and adaptability. She also worked on a social media project for the president that felt especially full circle, combining the research and communication skills she developed as a student with the responsibilities of her new role.  

A Passion for Research  

Leary has embraced opportunities to conduct undergraduate research. Under the mentorship of faculty members Dr. Mandi Barringer and Dr. Juan Salinas, she spent the past two years conducting research focused on gender attitudes and social behavior.  

Her work has included both quantitative and qualitative research methods, with her most significant project exploring the experiences and decision-making processes of women who have chosen not to have children. Through UNF’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program, she presented her findings at campus, state and regional conferences and will present this summer at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association in New York City.   

“Although Shea is still an undergraduate, she performs at a level I would expect from an outstanding graduate student,” Barringer said. “She is exceptionally self-motivated, intellectually curious and capable of independently conducting high-quality scientific research. I continue to be impressed by Shea’s accomplishments, and I am confident that she will excel in graduate school and beyond.”  

A Future in Higher Education  

For Leary, the support of faculty and staff at UNF has made a lasting difference in her life.  

“I am way more capable of doing difficult academic and professional work than I ever thought I could be,” she said. “That’s a direct outcome of being a student at UNF.”  

Leary said the University has given her both confidence and clarity. She sees herself staying at UNF long-term, continuing to grow in higher education administration and, perhaps one day, returning to the classroom as a faculty member.  

“This is where I want to be,” she said. “I love UNF – the people, the community, the campus, the atmosphere. My goal is to invest in UNF long term as it has invested in me as a student and a professional.”