Finding a way to blend a bachelor's degree in business and a graduate degree in student affairs could be a challenge for many people. For Mississippi State alumnus Nav Ashford, that challenge has been his life in recent years.
Ashford doesn't have a traditional role in student affairs, or even a position in an office on campus, but he deals with students daily as retail/residential manager for Aramark, which provides dining services for MSU.
"It connects both of my degrees," he said. "I work with many students and also manage the business aspect of things."
While Ashford manages five campus dining areas now, many people know him from when he worked as manager of the State Fountain Bakery a few years ago. His friendly attitude helped him to make friends with what seemed like the entire campus, or at least the part of campus that visited the bakery. Working on campus with students, faculty, staff, and visitors, Ashford enjoys his job, from the business side to the personal side.
"I'm doing what I like to do," he said. "Being on campus, involved with students, networking."