While student filmmakers were eying Campus MovieFest awards last week, the program had an eye on a prize of its own: Brandon Chong, assistant director of student services and the Vaughn Center.
Chong plans to leave UT June 1.
Chong, who led UT’s Campus MovieFest for the past three years, will work for the program’s founder, Ideas United.
Chong announced his resignation in a Feb. 28 e-mail to the administrators, faculty and students he worked with closely. Chong wrote of his hope to utilize the skills and experiences he built at UT and share them with students across America through the film festival.
“Many of the values I have learned as an educator I [will] have the opportunity to transfer to schools and students throughout the nation and help give them a voice and opportunity to tell their story through film,” Chong wrote. “I feel very fortunate for everything I have been given the opportunity to do.”
He recounted his experiences at UT, which included learning the small detail that ceiling tiles are two feet by two feet and experiencing the Vaughn Center’s 2001 opening.
As assistant director of student services, Chong worked closely each day with student organizations.
“Brandon Chong has been a huge advocate for the P.E.A.C.E. office. He supports us and listens to our needs,” said Krysten Loielo, head coordinator of P.E.A.C.E. “He will be missed and hard to replace. He will be a great asset wherever he goes.”
Stephanie Russell Holz, assistant dean of students and director of student activities worked daily alongside Chong.
“[Chong] is such an advocate for students. He is a great listener, adviser, supervisor and role model for students. They learn so much from him,” Holz said. “It is always fun to work with people that challenge you to be a better professional.”
Cheryl Chernoff, a student activities staff assistant, said Chong was not only dependable to everyone, but he trained her in many areas of her position and that his continuous willingness to help without complaint is part of why he will be missed.
“Brandon has set the bar and will be a tough act to follow. It’s going to be very hard to say goodbye to him, but at least I know he’s still in Tampa,” Chernoff said.
Chong has been employed at UT for six years and will continue to live in Tampa.
“I will not only cherish the experiences but utilize the skills I learned from this adventure and apply them in my future journey,” Chong wrote.
“The memories I have had here at UT will be with me forever.”