COLLEGE STUDENT AFFAIRS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM Alumni Newsletter Issue 4 Fall 2015 uwf.edu/csaa FACULTY Program Coordinator: Dr. Kevin W. Bailey baileyk@uwf.edu Program Advisor: Dr. Jim Hurd jhurd@uwf.edu Faculty: Dr. Vannee Cao-Nguyen vcao@uwf.edu Dr. Ruth Davison rdavison@uwf.edu Dr. Sarah Luczyk sluczyk@uwf.edu Dr. Susan Stephenson sstephenson@uwf.edu Dr. Ben Stubbs bstubbs@uwf.edu Dr. Keya Wiggins kwiggins@uwf.edu Please let us know what you think about our newsletter. Your feedback and suggestions are welcome and greatly appreciated. Email us at csaa@uwf.edu. From the CSAA Program Coordinator Dear Alumni, I know it s been a while since we last communicated with you. For that, I apologize. I know that alumni can be a powerful resource in recommending students to come to UWF to receive a master s degree in student affairs. In order for you to be as informed as you can be, it is up to me to make sure you have up to date information about what s going on at you alma mater. I will be sure to be more communicative with you on a go forward basis. The CSAA Program in enjoying a renewed relationship with its home department, Research & Advanced Studies. The new department chair, Dr. Francis Godwyll, has made it a point to incorporate us in department meetings and is interested in the continued success of our program. Some of our faculty have gone from instructors to Assistant Professors (non tenure track). We were integrally involved in a proposal regarding a doctoral specialization in higher education administration. We have a designated office in the department that all of the faculty to share since we all have administrative offices in our respective departments. The advising function for our students has been centralized within the College of Education & Professional Studies. Dr. Hurd will continue to admit students then direct them to the college s advising office for degree planning. In other program news, we will also implement comprehensive exams beginning Spring 2016 and there s a story on page 4 you can read about that process. Dr. Stubbs is piloting a 2016 summer seminar course in conjunction with higher ed/student affairs faculty and students from Mississippi State University and the University of West Georgia. Their students came to visit UWF in summer 2015 as part of their summer seminar course. The two week course in May is a field experience to various institution types in the South (HBCU, public, private, community college) where students compare and contrast those higher education institutions, examine southern higher education through historical, PR and organizational lenses, engage in service learning and reflect on the truths, myths and stereotypes embedded in those perspectives. We are excited to partner with our colleagues in MS and GA and look forward to providing this experience for our students. Dr. Kevin W. Bailey Vice President for Student Affairs Associate Professor, Department of Research & Advanced Studies CSAA Program Coordinator COLLEGE STUDENT AFFAIRS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM Alumni Newsletter UNIVERSITY of WEST FLORIDA 1
Faculty News Program News New Professional in Student Affairs. Dr. Bailey is also working on a book chapter with Mikia Carter ( 13) related to networking and connecting for a future NASPA publication. In Fall 2015, Dr. Kim LeDuff, Chief Diversity Officer and Associate vice provost for Equity, Diversity and International Affairs taught the multicultural course. We thank her for giving our students the time and attention. Demystifying the n-word : A contextual explanation of African Americans perceptions through the lens of racial identity attitudes to submit for publication. Dr. Wiggins will be utilizing her dissertation research for this project. Dr. Kevin Bailey Dr. Kevin Bailey was recognized in Spring 2015 as a Pillar of the Profession by NASPA. The award is given for sustained professional distinction in the higher education field and or having served leadership roles in NASPA at the regional or national level. He also received the 2015 Alumni Scholar Award from the College of Education & Education Technology from Indiana University of PA and the 2015 Alumnus of the Year from the Department of Higher Education and Student Affairs at Bowling Green State University. Dr. Bailey and Jenny Hamilton ( 12) cowrote a chapter on supervision in the 4th edition of the NASPA publication, Beginning Your Journey: A guide for Dr. Ruth Davison SAGA UPDATE Dr. Keya Wiggins Dr. Keya Wiggins has been working with Dr. Ashley Stripling (Assistant Professor at Nova Southeastern University) on a manuscript titled Dr. Ruth Davison has been selected to be an outside reviewer for the Journal of College Student Development. The 2015-2016 Student Affairs Graduate Association (SAGA) Officers are Alexis Heppler ( 16, President), Michelle Lawson ( 16, Vice President), and Abigail Bradley ( 16, Program Coordinator). They have been working hard to plan exciting social events for the cohort members to hang out at campus sponsored events as well as community events. Events include various Gallery Nights in downtown Pensacola, attending a UWF Scrimmage Football game, social dinners, and a 5K in the local area. We are excited about the various social events planned for the upcoming year. This past summer Michelle Lawson ( 16) completed her first internship at Western Carolina University s International Student Services Office in Cullowhee, North Carolina. She had a wonderful time learning all about International Education. She was able to complete several projects in each area of the office, including Study Abroad, International Student Scholar Services, and the Intensive English Program. The latter was her favorite part because she was responsible for programming for the six students from Mexico s Proyecta 2 COLLEGE STUDENT AFFAIRS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM Alumni Newsletter 100,000 program. She loved being able to bond with them and she even received several invitations to Oaxaca! The internship was also a great way for Michelle to solidify her passion for international education. Matthew Reinhard ( 17) will be representing UWF as a 2015-2016 NASPA Graduate Associate. Spent the summer at the University of Tampa as an Orientation Assistant/ NODA Intern; evaluated and helped plan their 4-day orientation program. In December 2014, Dr. Kathleen Hudon, Assistant Director of Career Services, and Career Services Graduate Assistant and CSAA student, Sarah Fox ( 16), presented at the Southern Association of Colleges and Employers (SoACE) Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA. Dr. Hudon and Mrs. Fox s presentation was conducted on Monday, December 8th in front of over 20 conference attendees, comprised of mostly big dogs in the world of career services. The presentation was about UWF s Career Services Intake Model, titled Operation Intake. The UWF Career Services Intake model was implemented in order to afford students and alumni better access to services and to improve pairings of advisees with appropriate advisors. Through this structure, UWF Career Services staff members were able to meet with individuals seeking appointments during intake in order to determine needs and relevant background information. Dr. Hudon and Mrs. Fox explained the process of implementing the Intake model, incorporated case study activities to allow audience members to practice using the model, and explained the successes experienced after implementing the Intake model. Dr. Hudon and Mrs. Fox s presentation was a big success and was featured in the conference program under the SoAce Graduate Student Programs. Sarah Fox stated, The experience was absolutely phenomenal. I met many wonderful people from other colleges and universities, and I was also able to attend four informational sessions and four roundtable discussions about the trends in Career Services. This experience helped me solidify my interest in the Career Services field as a future career, and for that I would like to extend a big thank you to Dr. Katie Hudon and the UWF Career Services office for giving me this opportunity. UNIVE RS ITY of WE ST FLORIDA 3
Alumni News CLASS OF 2015: Where are they now? The CSAA Program graduated 14 students in May. Their names are listed below with their job title and institution. Some of the students are still engaged in the job search process at the time of newsletter dissemination. Alan Alleyne, University of New Hampshire, Residence Life Jordan Almos, currently job searching Jennyfer Amano, UNC Charlotte, Residence Life Sarah Cohen, Indiana University Bloomington, Fraternity and Sorority Life Owen Gates, UWF, Retention Coordinator Laura Glasgow, University of Central Oklahoma, Hall Director Marcus Graham, UWF, Technology Coordinator, Housing & Residence Life Ashton Hartley, Florida Gulf Coast University, Student Activities Paul Hinkle, Coastal Carolina University, Hall Director Victoria Lively, currently job searching Courtney Miller, Skills USA Amy Pounders, University of Alabama Huntsville, Hall Director Lerren Tyler, Macalester College, Student Activities Coordinator Janice Welch, UWF, College of Education and Professional Studies 4TH ANNUAL CSAA BANQUET FALL 2015 COHORT August brought the following 12 students to the CSAA Program for the next two years: Rasha Cheek, UNC Charlotte Andrew Herridge, Florida State University Gary Pelletier, Lynn University Briana Quintanilla, Saint Martin s University Matthew Reinhard, University of Northern Colorado Tendai Ushendibaba, Fairmont State University The 4th Annual Banquet was held at Seville Quarter, which is located in downtown Pensacola. Most of the students, faculty and supervisors were in attendance. The 2015-2016 SAGA Officers were inducted and there was a duet by Jen Amano and Allen Alleyne. Graduate Exemplar was created in 2013 by the faculty to recognize a graduating student who exemplifies the totality of our program good student, success as a graduate assistant and a positive reflection of the program. Past winners were Dorran Glasser (2014) and Liz Madaris (2013). The 2015 Graduate Exemplar was Amy Pounders who was a graduate hall director and now employed as a full-time hall director at the University of Alabama Huntsville. Congratulations Amy! COMPREHENSIVE EXAMS TO BEGIN The then-cspa Program s only program review was conducted during the 2010-2011 academic year. One of the outcomes of that review was to implement comprehensive exams as a graduation requirement. Beginning with the entering cohort of Fall 2014, comprehensive exams are a requirement to graduate. The exam, to be administered in February each year, is really more of a case study than an exam. The assignment requires students to develop and present a proposal based on a prompt that is developed by the faculty. The proposal is a combination of oral presentation, written executive summary and visual features that directly gets at students ability to: 1. apply theory to practice; 2. identify and discuss relevant issues and trends in higher education; 3. describe relevant legal issues; 4. design assessment plans and 5. cite and relate relevant research. A panel of faculty will listen to and grade this assignment on a pass/ fail scale. Monday, February 22, 2016 will be the date for the first ever comprehensive exams. Taylor Williams, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg Brandi Crews, UWF Toshia Johnson, Wright State University Montelleo Hobley, Bethune-Cookman University Steven Macks, UWF Katelynn Cutshall, UWF WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Alums in Action! By Jim Hurd One of my favorite things about working with the CSAA program is keeping track of our wonderful alumni as they continue to grow professionally and personally. Recently I contacted a few of our alums from different cohorts over the years to see what they were up to. I did not plan it this way, but interestingly enough all four of them have just moved new jobs in the field. From the class of 2005: Ginny-Beth Joiner Title: Director of Student Life at Eastern Kentucky University I currently head up a five person staff that is on track to expand in the next few month. Areas in our purview are student activities, student center operations, fraternity and sorority life, community service, leadership programs, and registered student organizations. We are also on the slate for a full remodel of the student center within the next few years. Mix this with general student concerns and plans for expansion (both space and personnel) and no two days have been the same since I became a Colonel. 3 Months to this position? After UWF, I took my first position post-graduate school at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, UT. I was there for 5 years in a generalist position (director of Student Life). Then I moved to Lacey, Washington to take their Director of Campus Life position. I was in the Pacific Northwest for 3 wonderful years. Then, due to some family health issues back in Florida, I moved back home to DeLand and taught middle school for two years. It was an amazing experience in which I was able to see firsthand where a number of learning gaps I observed in college students originated. However, I missed college students and their stage of student development so last spring I started my job search to return to higher education. Honestly, moving back into public higher education. I spent 8 years in private, liberal arts schools and it is different. I think the two years in public K-12 helped soften the blow, but there is inevitably more red tape when you are using state funds. Having more students (EKU is similar in size to UWF) is a challenge, but a welcome one. The planning and executing of programs and building up students and staff is where most of my time is spent and where all of the rewards come from. Even only being here for, I can see the impact that myself and our team has on the campus and our students. To me, there is nothing better. CSAA students? The best thing that I could have done when I took my first position out of graduate school was to take a position where fit was key. They were looking for a generalist, I had background in various areas because of my undergraduate and graduate experiences. They were looking for someone that was engaging and creative, no one has ever called me quiet or boring. I was looking for a position outside of the Southeast to stretch myself, they were in Utah. Finding a position that pays a living wage is important, but it s what you will learn and how you will grow in that first job that will really fulfill you, not a paycheck. Also, say yes. Say yes to sitting on committees, say yes to presenting at conferences (or at RA training), and say yes when people are trying to give you feedback to make you a better professional. Anything else that you want to add? I cherish my time as an Argo. It honestly has made me the professional, if not the person, I am today. I was mentored by amazing people there, some who are still around and some who have moved on, but it has always been on my heart to pay that forward. I hope that you will take that charge as well, to build a legacy and raise up the future of our profession. (Hi Bri!) From the class of 2006: Josh Barnes Title: Director of Student Activities at Clemson University I m responsible for directing and providing leadership to the Student Activities Office within the Department of Campus Activities & Events. Our office consists of student leadership programs, civic engagement, student media, student programming, and the management of over 500 clubs and organizations. I am responsible for the supervision of twelve staff members and managing a budget of approximately $500,000. to this position? I served as the Senior Associate Director of Campus Activities & Events at Clemson for 3 years. Prior to that I worked at a small liberal arts college for five years where I held multiple positions. 4 COLLEGE STUDENT AFFAIRS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM Alumni Newsletter UNIVERSITY of WEST FLORIDA 5
The most rewarding part of my job definitely is the look on people s faces during events I coordinate. It makes all the hard work worthwhile knowing that people are enjoying themselves and those being honored feel appreciated. In student activities, managing risk is always a daily challenge. I m constantly working with our students and staff on managing and minimizing risk associated with their events and programs. The goal is to support their endeavors while striking a balance with protecting students and the university. I really enjoy my interactions with students. Seeing our students grow and develop because of their involvement with our programs and services is very rewarding. Take responsibility for your own professional development. Don t wait on your supervisor to provide these opportunities. They may be limited on what they can and can t provide or support. Placing your development on a supervisor might only lead to disappointment. If you re interested in learning about something or developing your skills, take the lead on it. Lead your career. From the class of 2008: Kenny Lopez Title: Assistant Director for Residential Academic Initiatives and Assessment Supervise and continuously train full time master level Residence Directors. Oversee the function of 16 Resident Assistance, Community Desk Manager in their community development, programming, crisis management, administrative skills, policy enforcement efforts, and personal development. Develop, manage and expand 10 Residential Learning Programs (RLPs). Collaborate with campus stakeholders in the development of academic resources on the residential portion of campus. Coordinate, conduct, evaluate and assess all assessment initiatives for Student Housing Services. 3 Months. Residence Director at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Managing the politics that come into play with working with academic stakeholders. From the class of 2009: Danielle Ojeah Bell Title: Senior Event Director Office of Special Events, University of Georgia I am a part of a team whose primary responsibilities is to design, develop, and manage special events that showcase the University of Georgia s excellence. In addition, the Office of Special Events strives to promote advocacy and support for UGA and we do so on behalf of the President of the University. We handle on average 115 events per year. Some of our events include Groundbreakings, Donor Relation Events and Commencement. From the class of 2015: Alan Allenye Title: Residence Hall Director, University of New Hampshire Currently I oversee a residence hall which houses approximately 250 students, whom I engage in developmental contact with and provide an engaging environment in which to facilitate learning outside of the classroom. I was obtaining a Master s in College Student Affairs Administration from the University of West Florida, while also working as a Hall Director on campus through my graduate assistantship. Most challenging part of Managing my time. By which I mean finding the time to do things for work, and making time to live a personal life. One of the biggest drawbacks of my job is that I don t truly leave at the end of the day. Most rewarding part of Being a consistent part of so many student s developmental process. I get to watch it happen in real time. I can see their growth on a day by day basis, and that makes my day. Try not to compare yourself with others in the program. I struggled with this often, and it led me to forget about and neglect my own strengths. Take the experience for what it is, and embrace all that you can get out of it. Anything else that you want to add? While you re in the program, do what you can to experience as many sides of the Student Affairs world as possible. Just because you start in one department, it doesn t mean that that is where you ll stay for the entirety of your career. Take this time to figure out what it is you like, what you don t, and the reasons behind that. Being the first person at our institution with this position, I am able to set my mark, and make a difference. Prior to this, I was the Senior Coordinator for Student Activities & Organizations. While serving as the Senior Coordinator, my primary responsibilities include working with University Homecoming, Student Programming Board, Student Radio, and University Yearbook. CSAA students? Get involved in a multitude of projects and initiatives, they will make you the most well rounded candidate when you finish the program. Ask all of the questions. Challenge yourself academically. Most challenging part of As a new mom of an awesome little boy, the job responsibilities after 5pm are sometimes challenging. However, with a supportive husband and the understanding of fantastic supervisor it makes it a lot easier. 6 COLLEGE STUDENT AFFAIRS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM Alumni Newsletter You are more than what you learn in the classroom...you are more than your assistantship. Invest in this experience! What more can you volunteer for? What more can you learn? What more can you expose yourself to prior to entering the job search? I know for a fact that my additional experience in conjunction with my education and primary assistantship made the job search a pleasant one. I wanted to know about Greek Life so I assisted the University in chartering NPHC. I wanted to learn more about Student Conduct, I requested an additional practicum. The list goes on... I was able to experience these things on top of Student Activities because of the environment created by the Faculty, Staff, and University Community! Anything else that you want to add? My experience at the University of West Florida changed my life, and I don t say that lightly. I learned so much about myself and what I am capable of. It pushed me, it challenged me, it molded me in to the professional I am today. I am truly thankful for how that community invested in me and my success! ALU M NI U P DATE S Jenny Hamilton ( 12) is back at UWF working as the SGA Advisor. In the spring, she co-authored a chapter with Dr. Bailey entitled, Supervisory Style in the NASPA Publication, Beginning Your Journey: A Guide for New Professional in Student Affairs. Nathan Hendrix ( 14) is back at UWF working in Housing as a Hall Director. He was previously employed at the University of North Alabama. Liz Madaris ( 13) is a full-time student in the M.Div program at Vanderbilt University. Chris Powell ( 14) is the Assistant Director of Residence Life at Wingate University with responsibility for student conduct. Jessica Ryan (Tweed ( 12)) and husband Patrick Ryan ( 11) welcomed their son Bray Austin Ryan into the world on September 17, 2015 weighing in at 9 lbs 11.6 oz. Erica Schmidt ( 12) works in compliance at Texas Christian University (TCU). Desmon Taylor ( 14) and Mikia Carter ( 14) participated in the SACSA/NASPA Region III New Professionals Institute in June held at the University of Alabama Huntsville. Roy Kaplan ( 13) has been accepted into the doctoral program at the University of South Carolina. UNIVE RS ITY of WE ST FLORIDA 7
College Student Affairs Administration Program 11000 University Parkway Pensacola, FL 32514 uwf.edu/csaa C O L L E G E S T U D E N T A F FA I R S A D M I N I S T R AT I O N P R O G R A M Alumni Newsletter REFER A STUDENT If you know undergraduate students who would benefit from our program, please refer them via the online form at uwf.edu/csaa. COLLEGE STUDENT AFFAIRS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM Alumni Newsletter