NASPA Region I Newsletter August 2003 Volume 1, Issue 5 IT S TIME TO NOMINATE THE CREAM OF THE CROP IN NASPA REGION I! BY MAUREEN ARMSTRONG, UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT It is time once again to reflect on the past year and think about those colleagues that have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Maybe it's a program that you had the chance to observe on your home campus, or a student/professional you have witnessed excel in their leadership opportunities. As the fall semester approaches, take a moment to think about those individuals and consider nominating that particular person for a NASPA Award. Each year we honor a group of colleagues at the annual Fall conference. Below you will find a listing of the awards. For more information on the description of each award as well as instructions for submitting nominations visit the NASPA website at www.naspa.org/regions/r1.htm. Submit your nominations prior to September 1st so we can begin to plan our annual recognition ceremony to be held during our regional conference, November 9-12, 2003 in Hyannis, Massachusetts. REGIONAL AWARDS Distinguished Accomplishment Continuous Service Award Institutional Leadership Award NEED Award INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Reflections of a MUFP Intern 2 Welcome from the Vice-President Elect 2 Record Number of Program Submissions for Fall Conference Thoughts from the Editor 3 Drive-in Workshop on Assessment 4 Melvene D. Hardee Dissertation of the Year Award Caryn s Career Corner 5 3 4 Scott Goodnight Award for Outstanding Performance as a Dean The President's Award Outstanding Contribution to Literature or Research Outstanding Contribution to Higher Education STATE AWARDS Catch a Rising Star Outstanding Graduate Student Outstanding New Professional Outstanding Mid-Level Professional Outside Program of the Year
August 2003 Volume 1, Issue 5 Page 2 REFLECTIONS OF A MUFP INTERN BY Natasha Billie, Eastern Connecticut State University As a senior at Eastern Connecticut State University, I was able to participate in the Minority Undergraduate Fellows program. I had the opportunity to attend the Summer Leadership Institute at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA. I really enjoyed myself. The institute was a four full days filled with trust exercises to promote team building, to being apart of family clusters to give presentations of case studies at the end of the institute, attending a semi-career fair of USC Student Affairs offices, to having a night out with my fellow MUFPS. The institute allowed me to expand my horizons and learn more about self and why I want to continue to pursue a career in Higher Education. Specifically, the panel discussions with the various panelists from Assistant Dean of Students to Student Activities Coordinator to Vice Chancellor allowed me to engage in conversations and ask questions relevant to my life and where I want to be in the future. Another piece of the institute was the workshop on True Colors. It was interesting to see the break down of the group based on personality traits. I turned out to be gold which fit me being the structured person that I am who likes time frames, makes lists of things to do, and just an overall supporter. After completing trust exercises to gain a sense of comfort within the group, we then proceeded to work on our case studies that would be presented that Saturday. The cases were a great tool to use so all family clusters could see what situations many Student Affairs professionals, especially Vice Presidents and Dean of Students go through at any given time. As family clusters, decisions had to be made and presented on Saturday; however, in reality Student Affairs professionals do not have days, more so hours to figure out a solution to the problems. The career fair that we attended to coincide with the case studies to get information to back up our solutions was also helpful. It gave me the opportunity to see what other areas are within the umbrella of Student Affairs. I was able to receive information that will help me in the future when I need to decide what practicum or internships I will do in the fall for graduate school. Although the institute was a majority of the work, we did have a night or two off campus. The first stop was to a Mexican restaurant with a Mariachi band. It was beautiful and the food was excellent. The following night we were able to have dinner with the Vice President of Student Affairs, and former NASPA President, Michael Jackson. Afterwards, it was time for a night to let loose and have fun. We went to Santa Monica to the Pier and Carnival. It was a nice night to talk and hang out with the MUFPS. There are just some things that come to mind as I reflect back over the institute. It was a great experience one of, which I hope other MUFPS next year apply to and attend. It is a time in my life I will not forget. The connections I made, the friendships and bonds that were established but also the lessons learned will remain throughout my career. For more information regarding the MUFP Program in Region I contact: Tarome Alford at alford@easternct.edu WELCOME BY THE VICE-PRESIDENT ELECT To the Region I Membership: I look forward to my continuing service to Region I as your Vice president-elect. Working under the able guidance of Cynthia Smith Forrest over the next year will be excellent preparation for assuming the duties of Vice President next year. I remain strongly committed to the mission and goals of NASPA and look forward to working with an extremely strong and dedicated membership as we collectively seek to improve service to, and education of, our students. Warmest personal regards, Craig Hutchinson, Vice President Student and University Life University of Southern Maine
August 2003 Volume 1, Issue 5 Page 3 RECORD NUMBER OF PROGRAMS SUBMITTED FOR THE REGION I FALL CONFERENCE This year s call for programs for the Fall Regional Conference taking place in Hyannis, MA from November 9th 12th brought in a staggering 73 submissions! The Program Committee is diligently working at narrowing down the number of programs to the necessary 45 session slots available. The committee is working hard at making sure there is a cross section of programs which reach all of the constituencies represented in our Region (SSAO, Mid-Level, New and Graduate students). The Conference Program Committee would like to thank everyone for their submissions and should be in contact by the middle of September. THOUGHTS FROM THE EDITOR BY CHERYL B ARNARD This past week my computer experienced a fatal error. It was dead! Dead as a door knob and I still had not finished the final copy of the Orientation Schedule which needed to be at the Print Shop within 24 hours. Unlike thirteen years ago when I was a new professional, I did not panic! Some of you, especially those who know me, may be surprised at this fact. Others of you may ask, Well, don t you back up your files monthly on a zip drive or better yet, save them to the University s server? No, in my world that would make too much sense. I am happy to say that during my tenure I have learned the power of creating relationships across campus. So, my plan of action was to start making phone calls to the people I knew in our Instructional Technology Department. After two phone calls, I had someone on the mission and was assured by his supervisor that they would take care of me and not to worry. Although it did take almost 24 hours, they did come through for me. As the semester swiftly approaches for all of us, it is a perfect time to think about how you can create more relationships across your campus. Unfortunately, with the advent of email, visiting or even calling your colleagues across campus has become a thing of the past. Although this serves us well in our hectic day to day world, it is essential we not forget the importance of face to face communication. As technology becomes ever increasingly a part of the student affairs world, we can not forget that our profession was founded on the understanding and creation of relationships. So I urge you to make the effort to get out and about on your campus. I am thankful I did or I would still be a workorder number waiting to be processed by the HELP Desk!
August 2003 Volume 1, Issue 5 Page 4 DRIVE-IN WORKSHOP SLATED FOR OCTOBER! As the summer continues to unfold with fall planning, NASPA Region I wants to alert you to an opportunity for professional development focused on assessment that will occur in October. Under the sponsorship of NASPA, a Regional Drive-In Assessment Workshop will be held on Friday, October 24, 2003, at Rhode Island College in Providence, Rhode Island. This one day program will be led by Merilee Bresciani, Director of Undergraduate Assessment, North Carolina State University and Jack Warner, Commissioner, Rhode Island Office of Higher Education. Registration is $125 for Individual NASPA Members, $185 for Non-members, and $50 for graduate students. This fee includes lunch. For more information and registration visit: http://www.naspa.org/prodev/pddetail.cfm?id=123 or call Kristen Salemi, Director of Student Activities Rhode Island College 401-456-8538 Melvene D. Hardee Dissertation of the Year Award The Hardee Dissertation of the Year Award is designed to encourage high quality research relevant to the field of college student services and administration and the general field of student affairs, and to recognize outstanding dissertation research conducted by doctoral degree recipients presently in or intending to enter the student affairs profession. The requirements for the award is that entrants must have completed their dissertation and had their degree conferred between July 1, 2000 and August 30, 2001. To obtain application materials or additional information contact: Phyllis McCluskey-Titus Assistant Professor Illinois State University EAF 5900 Normal, IL 61790-5900 Pamcclu2@listu.edu APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 1, 2003
August 2003 Volume 1, Issue 5 Page 5 CARYN S CAREER CONCERNS Each month Caryn Crane, Assistant Director of Student Employment at Quinnipiac University, will answer your questions regarding the job search process, office politics, job hunt strategies etc. If you have a question you would like Caryn to discuss, please email her at caryn.crane@quinnipiac.edu. I am a new professional who just started a job in student affairs at the beginning of July. It has already become apparent that many staff and faculty at the institution I work at think I am an undergraduate student. Do you have any tips on how I can change this? - I look too young! Dear I look too young! Don t worry as this is a common problem for many new professionals when they enter their first full-time position. I would suggest that you make sure that you are dressing the part of a professional and not that of a graduate or undergraduate student. Little things can make a huge difference such as for a male wearing a button down shirt with chinos instead of a short-sleeve golf shirt. Depending on the culture of your institution a male may even want to wear a tie on a daily basis until the distinction between student and professional staff is made. For a female, pay close attention to what the other professional women are wearing on campus. Wearing nice dress pants with dress shoes as opposed to chinos and sandals may make all the difference in the world. You may also want to start eating with other professional staff in the faculty dining room as opposed in the student dining hall. Attend events geared only toward professionals. But most of all, if you supervise a student staff, make sure you aren t trying to fit in with them as opposed to your professional colleagues. Dressing the part is crucial, however, it may take more than that with some of your colleagues. Respect takes time. Perform to your highest level while forming mutually beneficial relationships and you should see results after your first year. Caryn MARK YOUR CALENDARS Friday, October 24th NASPA Student Learning & Development Assessment Workshop Rhode Island College For more information and registration materials visit: www.naspa.org Sunday, November 9th Wednesday, November 12th NASPA Region I Fall Conference Hidden Treasures! Uncovering Our Potential For more information visit: www.naspa.org