SVC of Student Services and Administration says farewell to Troy University after 38 years
Troy University’s Senior Vice Chancellor of Student Services and Administration concluded his time at the university after 38 years of service on Oct. 1.
Sohail Agboatwala has been at Troy University since 1988 – the year he left his home country of India to begin his studies at what was then Troy State University. Over that time, the university gavehim a lot of memories.
“I think every memory would involve people,” Agboatwala said. “We all have special people in our lives who have brought us to this point – mine are my wife and kids and my friends, even ones that have retired or graduated from Troy.
“All the moments that are special are the moments when you connect with the people.”
As a freshman, 38 years ago, his first university job was a dishwasher at the dining hall, which at the time was in the current International Arts Center (IAC) building. He then started helping some of his athlete friends in classes they had together, and after a few semesters became the university's athletic tutor.
After graduation, he stayed to build a career at the university and was put in charge of the academics for the Trojan football team. From there, he advanced to managing fundraising for athletics and eventually the entire university.
Then, after some years of continuing to move up, he became the senior vice chancellor for academic affairs – the position he held until Sept. 30, 2026.
He built that entire career path from nothing but years of getting to know the community and the people of Troy.
“I came from 10,000 miles away; I knew maybe two, three people here,” Agboatwala said. “You can get anywhere from here and the opportunities are out there, but you still have to go meet people, connect with people and then actually show that you care and prove yourself as you go.
“I tell everybody one simple thing: get to know people and network, network, network.”
Although he is in a country 10,000 miles away, hebuilt not only a career but a life for himself that wouldn’t have been possible without Troy.
“Well, I can’t miss home because I am home,” Agboatwala said. “Anytime you make a major change in your life it’s always bittersweet, you know?
“You think to yourself, ‘What have you done? What have you known’ and for 38 years I’ve known nothing but Troy.”
His time as administrative staff at the university may be over, but his time at Troy is not. His youngest daughter will be starting at Troy next fall like her brother and sister before her. Agboatwala said he intends to stick around and help out all he can around the university and the community.
Now that he is retired, he plans to spend some more time with his family, particularly his new granddaughter andsome of his family in India, who he hasn’t seen for longer than a week since he’s been living in the United States.
Even though he doesn’t plan on going anywhere, he said he won’t be on campus talking to students every day. In case he doesn’t get the chance to tell enough students in person, he left some advice for anyone looking to leave a similar impact to what he’s left on the university.
“Please take it upon yourself to get out and put yourself out there because unless you do that, it’s just not going to happen for you,” Agboatwala said. “My main advice is network, connect, build relationships and at the end of the day; be genuine.”
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