With all of the nostalgic and informational “list” posts on Twitter the last two weeks, I figured, why not jump in the fun?

2009 was a transformational year for me, where I had a lot of “Oh Wow! and “Oh Really?” moments.  After some reflection, here are 7 moments that my good friend, Tony D’Angelo (@tonydangelo), would classify as my professional (and personal) 2009 “Quantum Leaps”:

1.  Using Twitter (Oh Really?)
- While I created my Twitter account on January 28th, I really didn’t begin “using” it until June.  Since then, it has opened up an entire new world of connections, learning, and big picture thinking.  Twitter reminds me every day that connecting with many different people will ultimately make me a more well-rounded professional, and person.  I learn WAY more here than I do on Facebook

2.  My Blog (Oh Really?)
- I struggled with the idea of creating a blog.  I always had wanted to do one, but never really had the motivation to follow through.  Thanks to Twitter, I connected with many bloggers who were doing amazing things and created such wonderful content and connections, that it inspired me to take action.  I owe many thanks to folks like Shannon Albert (@shannonalbert), Karen Hill (@dreaminthelife), Kate Klingensmith (@kate__k), Sydney Owen (@sydneyowen) and Tara Hunt (@missrogue), whose blogs I still follow religiously.  In 2010, I will have a better plan for my blog!

3.  The Whuffie Factor and Whuffaoke (Oh WOW!)
Speaking of Tara Hunt (@missrogue), her book, “The Whuffie Factor”, was a huge catalyst for me in developing my social media skills and developing best practices for my work in Higher Education.  My belief in social media grew when I offered to help Tara with her amazing Whuffaoke tour this past summer, and I got to plan the Boston area tweetup, with the help of the fantastic Liza Sperling (@lizasperling).  Here I got to meet amazing people like Karen Hartline (@KHartline), Phillip Zannini (@PhillyMac), Laura Fitton, (@pistachio), and Todd VanHoosear (@vanhoosear).  [Tara, I still think a "Whuffaoke II - The College Tour" still needs to happen!]

4.  Mashable’s Social Good Conference in NYC (Both!)
In late August, I traveled with my two Marketing Assistants (for LTE Consulting), Sarah Campbell and Ashley Lenz (@nonprofitista) to NYC for Mashable’s Social Good Conference.  Here I learned some great Social Media tips from notables like Randi Zuckerberg of Facebook; Shira Lazar (@shiralazar); and Pete Cashmore (@mashable)!  The day long event showed me how powerful social media could be for Social Good, when used collaboratively.

5.  The Student Affairs Blog (and #SAchat Community) (Both)
This was, by far, the greatest connection I made this year.  I stumbled upon it after meeting Debra Sanborn (@debrasanborn) on Twitter.  This opened the door to connect with so many Student Affairs practitioners and gave me a place to blog about Student Affairs type topics (like connecting with students over Twitter, which got mentioned on another blog!)  Each Thursday, thanks to Tom Krieglstein (@tomkrieglstein) and Debra and my new friends at Swift Kick, I have the opportunity to connect with these folks on an #SAchat over Twitter.  I’ve learned just as much in these online chats, as I have at any SA conference I’ve ever attended.  I look forward to meeting many of these folks in person at annual spring events!

6.  Guest Blogging (Oh Really?)
I was shocked when I was offered a guest blogging opportunities this fall on Optimalresume.com.   Kelly Giles (@optimalresume) was great to work with and her site is great for those looking for career services in and out of Higher Education.  I was also honored to be interviewed for Jeff Lail’s (@jefflail) blog, which has great content and someone who I will be working with on a new book project in 2010 (very excited)!

7.  Videos on Ted.com (Both)
I must have been hiding under a web 1.0 blanket, but thanks to Twitter, I was introduced to some amazing video content on Ted.  Now whenever I need some motivation, ideas, or just bored, I visit Ted.com to learn from some of the best speakers in the world.  Some of my favorites, that I stumbled upon this year, include:  “Don’t Eat the Marshmallow Yet”; “How Social Media Can Make History”; “Schools Kill Creativity”; and “The Pursuit of Happiness … Through Spaghetti Sauce”.

I’m sure there were more people, events, and connections from 2009, but these are what stood out to me.  How about you?  What happened in 2009 that helped you say “Oh WOW!” and/or “Oh Really?”

I  look forward to a prosperous 2010 and wish you and yours the same!