Real Success with Nate Kaeding: Xavier Romano

Xavier Romano and Nate Kaeding pose for a photo at Sigma Lambda Beta’s national headquarters in North Liberty. PHOTO ADAM MOORE

Sponsored by West Bank, this is the latest edition of the CBJ’s Q&A feature with Nate Kaeding and notable Iowa business and cultural leaders, available first to CBJ members. Read more about the idea for the series here, and watch the video interview at the CBJ’s YouTube channel.

 

By Nate Kaeding
news@corridorbusiness.com

According to John Austin, a fellow and researcher at the Brookings Institution and author of the article, “A Tale of Two Rust Belts,” the future relevance of cities like Cedar Rapids and Iowa City depend largely on two factors: properly funded universities and colleges, and being more welcoming to immigrants. Both elements work synergistically, Mr. Austin argues, growing and preparing the skilled population needed to support a rapidly changing economy.

Xavier Romano finds himself at the nexus of these two very important issues. As executive director of Sigma Lambda Beta (SLB), a Latino and multicultural fraternity founded at the University of Iowa in 1986, and now with 120 chapters across the United States, Mr. Romano has a unique perspective on what it takes to successfully prepare students of diverse backgrounds for life after college and as contributors to the nation’s economic success.

I sat down with Mr. Romano at SLB’s national headquarters in a North Liberty business park to discuss his career path, why fraternities and sororities are important in the age of social media and the larger role SLB is playing in helping to improve access to higher education for minority populations in Iowa and beyond.

 

NK: Could you tell us a little bit about your origin story and how you wove your way to North Liberty?

XR: I’m from San Diego, and went to school at the University of Oregon for my undergraduate degree in psychology — and 
like so many people, I thought, what do you do with that? As it so happens, I was at a Cal-Oregon football game and I came across a mentor friend of mine. He asked, ‘have you ever worked in higher education or thought about working in higher ed?‘ And I said, ‘no, I hated you guys.’ [laughs]

Thirty years later, I’ve had a great career in higher education, with 20 of those years as vice president for student services and dean in public and private higher education, which has literally taken me around the world. I did a Fulbright [scholarship] in Germany, and was able to look at German student services and also do some work with that in England as well with the British Council, looking at residential colleges and other faith-based institutions.

All those years later, my 
daughter and her then-fiancé came to us in Oregon, where my wife and I were living, and said you guys need to move back to the Midwest, because we are getting married and you need to be a part of our lives. So we agreed.

A colleague told me about this unique opportunity at Sigma Lambda Beta to be the executive director … and I did a little bit of homework. I’m not a Sigma Lambda Beta [SLB] member — in fact, it didn’t exist when I was in school — but I really just hit it off. I met an amazing group of men [at SLB] who have a very passionate mission and invited me to be a part of this ride and this story. And I’ve been here for over a year now, and it’s been an absolute joy.

It’s been very different from what I thought it would be. I thought that three decades in higher education would prepare me for this, but oh no. But I walk away from it thinking our students are amazing. … They rejuvenate me in terms of what we’re doing here, part of which is trying to provide options for wonderful young men who are in college at more than 120 colleges and universities — which, when you think about it for an organization that is only 32 years of age, is spectacular.

We are different, though. As you noted, we are a Latino-based multicultural fraternity that is growing and growing significantly, and we have to be rather thoughtful in terms of our expansion and our ability to support that expansion. But we are also non-residential — that was intended from day one and that allows us to have a lesser degree of risk management. This brotherhood is not based on bricks and mortar.

Speaking of the differences in experiences for young men in SLB compared to other fraternities, looking back at your time at the University of Oregon, how have the challenges facing undergrads changed?

The environment has changed. If there’s one place that really overrides it all, it’s social media. We are having to remind individuals of the importance of interpersonal communication. One on one. Learn how to communicate and do it well, and that does not mean text messaging, that is not Facebook. If I had my dream, I wish I could turn it all off for just 24 hours, just to see how people handle it. I do believe social media has added another layer to the experience and how we communicate with one another, and it’s going to be something that we all have to overcome. But the landscape itself, particularly as it relates to risk management at colleges and universities, it’s a different animal. Fortunately, much of what was allowed, or what people turned a blind eye to, in my day is simply not possible, not feasible and it’s a great way to get yourself expelled from campus.

We fast-forwarded a bit, but this is a uniquely Iowa City origin story. Can you tell us more about SLB’s roots and how it was founded?

Thirty-two years ago, we had the good fortune of being founded at the University of Iowa, and after considerable conversation, there was a desire to be close to the alpha chapter, to be close to where we were founded. Rituals, experiences and history allow us to connect to the UI in a very special and meaningful way, which, frankly, we could not do if we were based out of Indianapolis or Los Angeles or Miami. And occasionally we hear, ‘I would love to work with you but you’re in Iowa, for God’s sake.’ But let me tell you what — the Corridor is a great place to be. When you look at the economic growth of the Corridor from Iowa City north to Cedar Rapids, this is actually a pretty vibrant community.

One of the main pillars here at SLB is cultural awareness. I’m assuming that entails going to different communities that the fraternity is involved with and helping to educate people, but can you speak to how your fraternity helps with that awareness?

We are obviously very engaged with any access issues. In fact, this morning I was meeting with [President] Dr. Lori Sundberg over at Kirkwood Community College, talking about how we can partner together. And rightfully so — you’re a fraternity, what’s your interest in Kirkwood? If you’re successful with multicultural and Latino men, they will then move on to the four-year sector, let’s say Iowa or Iowa State, where we are present, and we look forward this year to expanding to Coe. But then there’s a conversation that we are a part of that’s all about access and opportunity, not just “Greek.” And our men see that in doing so, we’re part of that national conversation — we’re not cloistered off, only interested in Greek life. We’re interested in social engagement that happens to come from a nuanced perspective, and that matters to our membership.

What role are you playing in Latino relations here in the Corridor and how are they changing?


It’s interesting when we look at the demographic shifts that are happening around Iowa — the Corridor is changing vastly. I think the University of Iowa is doing a very good job in terms of access and outreach opportunities. Kirkwood is struggling a little bit with that, but at the same time, their new president is so exciting and she’s going to bring some great skillsets to Kirkwood. We’re going to see their numbers begin to change and evolve, but again, over time – you don’t want to do this overnight. You need to do it thoughtfully. If you look at Coe, they are starting to diversify their student population to begin to reflect more of the national conversation and frankly, the national complexion of students. So, diversity isn’t this thing that’s for them, it has to do with all of us.

At the same time, it’s not mutually exclusive. When I was in England and Germany, I really realized for the first time there’s no such thing as that white majority population, because everybody’s got a frame of reference — Germanic, English, Scottish, and so on. And it really forced me to think beyond the overt. The fact of the matter is, all of us bring a culture to the table and we need to be able to celebrate that culture. This is just part of the byproduct as this country has become more diverse and demographically interesting. Right now, we’ve got a few hiccups in that, but we’ll find our way through the mess.

Talk a little bit about the professional development work you do at SLB. How does the fraternity help position members for employment after they graduate?


It’s all about networking. These guys from coast-to-coast have a network that is awesome. So, whether they are an engineer or going on to medical school, or maybe they want to start their own practice or run their own insurance firm, there are role models and networks that they can connect to very quickly that pay dividends for them. And I think our senior members of the fraternity – and when I say senior members, remember they’re only 30 to 40, they’re still young – they still have that connection to youth, which try as I may, it just ain’t there. [laughs] But having that opportunity to contact an individual who’s in your career path in your network via one single email, that’s pretty awesome. At the end of the day, it’s about relationships, and I think that’s the one thing that SLB does very well.

How do you measure success for a member who comes into SLB as an undergrad, graduates and moves on?

You know, if you look solely at outcomes – of course, we can look at graduation rates and then grad school rates, etc. etc. That is clearly there, but what is interesting to me are the personal stories that change from region to region – why a man joined SLB at Eastern Washington University versus a gentleman at Florida State. It’s similar but different. Everybody’s looking for something important and what I tend to find is they are looking for relationships that matter. I think we offer an intimacy of relationships through everything from our processes to our rituals. I see it across the country, this bond, this brotherhood that is really special and very distinctive. It reminds me that you don’t have to have a brick-and-mortar experience to have a great fraternity experience. I will also say that these men are tight. Regardless of whether they’re in their 20s, 30s or 40s, there is a cohesion among these men that I marvel at, that I respect.

RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS

Given the chance, what profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

That’s easy: archaeologist. It’s a passion of mine.

Favorite business leader?

Richard Branson. I love his entrepreneurial spirit, but he also has a foundation and a set of standards that speak to both the present and the future.

Preferred daily news source?

I start with Deutsche Welle [Germany’s public broadcaster], then I move onto BBC. That will take me to Al Jazeera, and then that will take me to National Public Radio and Iowa Public Radio.

Favorite podcast or a TV show?

A BBC podcast called “In Our Time” by Melvin Brag. It is a look at history through the lens of culture, society, politics and religion. He tackles everything from Thomas Aquinas to Middle East oil.

Motivational quote?

It’s something my father said before he passed: “All men die but not all men live.” Make sure you’ve lived a life worth living at the end of the day.

30 extra minutes in the day?

I’d spend time with either my wife, my daughter or my dogs (two Labs).

Favorite business books?

One is by Deborah Tannen called “You Just Don’t Understand,” about communication dynamics between men and women. The other is Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War.” I’m reminded that it’s not about the battles we fight, but those we opt not to fight.

How do you define success?

Do you feel joy? At the end it’s not about the dollars, but whether you feel personal joy.