SAS Uncovered: Meet Mirela Mazalu

Forever Young, Forever Inspired: Inside the Heart of Student Affairs with Mirela Mazalu 

Student Affairs & Services (SAS) is a dynamic field essential to higher education, focused on supporting students beyond academics and helping them develop (soft) skills to thrive in a complex world.

Mirela Mazalu, Secretary General of EucA, captures this spirit perfectly: “My work has a profound meaning and impact on other people.” For Mirela, joining student affairs wasn’t planned - it “just happened,” but it quickly became clear that accompanying students on their journey is a powerful way to “change the world.”

What makes SAS unique is its unpredictability and energy. She describes how “every day is different,” filled with surprises that keep the work “challenging, but fun.” The role demands flexibility, problem-solving, and above all, empathy.

In an increasingly digital age, Mirela emphasizes the importance of developing soft skills: “Everything we do helps young people not only survive, but thrive in the digital world.” Student affairs professionals nurture those human skills that technology alone cannot replace.

Through stories and people behind SAS, it’s clear that it’s not just about managing student services, it’s about igniting potential, fostering belonging, and shaping leaders with heart and purpose.

Watch the interview here! 

More inspiring stories from student affairs leaders like Mirela are on the way.

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