Update from Denver

It’s been a week since I returned from the Regional Advisory Board meeting in Denver, so I apologize for the delay in updating, but here is a brief synopsis of what went down.

We had about 38 of our board members there which was one of the highest turnouts we have had in my memory, and I have to thank them all for making this a priority – a few even made it their family vacation. That’s dedication!

We spent most of the first day working through the recent Moving Forward survey results, which can be found here, and working with special guest Dr. Sam Ortiz to guide us through a planning process for the future of NASPA and Region IV-West.

As a group we identified the following priorities for our Region:
• NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program
• Graduate Student Support
• Research in the following areas:

• Student Affairs Leadership, Administration and Organizational Management
• Returning Student Veterans
• Student Mental Health
• Student Development and Evolving Student Populations
• Cost of Higher Education
• Student Affairs and Community Colleges
• Emerging Technologies
• The Implications for Student Affairs of Institutional Sustainability and Viability
• Globalization and Internationalization
• Social Justice
• History of Student Affairs
• Student Success and Persistence

• Access and Involvement in NASPA
• Knowledge Community Initiatives
• Technology
• Mentoring and Networking Opportunities
• Faculty Engagement

In the next couple of weeks, we will be announcing a new process for members to propose projects, ideas, or research for funding at the regional level that align with these priorities.

The Regional conference site – the Denver Sheraton Downtown is an amazing hotel and right on the downtown mall. Overall it is a great place to walk around and enjoy Denver. The conference committee is working hard, and we should have registration available next week to take advantage of any 2010-2011 budget dollars.

At the National level, I will be attending a meeting on June 21st with the NASPA National Board and Keeling & Associates to begin work on the national strategic plan, work that we will continue at the originally scheduled summer board meeting in July. Please check out my previous post with updates from Gwen for a full slate of what’s shakin’ at NASPA!

It’s an exciting time in Region IV-West!!!