What a great NASPA Board Meeting it was!

If you haven’t already heard the news, Dr. Kevin Kruger has been selected as the first NASPA President after the title changes.  (You may recall that we had a bylaw vote in August that changed the appointed head of NASPA from Executive Director to President, and our current elected President will become Chair of the Board).

I am particularly excited for Kevin’s hire because he has been with NASPA and has been through all the conversations about how we want to improve and use all that we have learned over the last couple of years.  Kevin will be able to help us keep moving forward and making necessary changes to impact our profession and our organization. 

Conference:

The 2012 Conference is moving forward with a ton of programs and initiatives –32 preconference programs and over 900 program submissions !  NASPA is still working with local organizations to identify ways that we can aid their work, not take it over. 

Since the Convention Center is built on sacred ground, this history will be honored during the Opening.  The conference will kick off with keynote speaker John Legend discussing his Show Me Campaign to reform education and alleviating poverty.  Throughout the conference there will be an art display that explores immigration by a former NUFP fellow.   And watch for more information on the NASPA values purposeful sharing modeled after the NPR “this is believe.”  I hope you will consider participating.

International Programs:

NASPA is working with IASIS (International  Association of Student Affairs and Services) to create a database for international experiences in higher education.  If you are considering working abroad, I encourage you to check out the IASIS website and listserv.

While the majority of the meeting was spent on the selection of the NASPA President, we did take a lot of time discussing how the Board works (and doesn’t work).   This really focused on how the board currently uses their time together and how we should be using our time together to best impact the strategic plan of NASPA.

And lest you think we didn’t enjoy ourselves,  Stephanie Gordon, Senior Director of Educational Programs, arranged for us to cook dinner together at Culenaire in DC.  Here you see Dr. Larry Roper, our Denver Keynote and 2012 National Conference Chair, leading the cooking of a wild mushroom bisque with Tisa Mason about to jump in.

And my contribution…..a lovely brandied cherry bread pudding.  It was gooood.  Yes, I am both a comedian and a cook!

So whether it was great interviews, good conversations or homemade food, the 2012 NASPA Board Meeting was a fantastic experience.  

Voting Changes Approved

I'm very excited to say that the NASPA voting delegates have approved the recommended changes in the by-laws made by the NASPA National Board.  If you haven't seen the e-mail, here it is -- clearly they recognized that the over 100 grad students and affiliate members that attended our fall conference!!!

After a month-long voting period, the NASPA voting delegates overwhelmingly approved a proposal to revise the voting structure of the association to allow associate affiliates, graduate student affiliates, and emeritus affiliates the opportunity to vote in elections for the chair of the NASPA Board of Directors (previously NASPA President) and Regional Directors (previously Regional Vice Presidents).

"As a result of member feedback, the Board of Directors voted unanimously in May to submit this Bylaw Amendment to NASPA's Voting Delegates," said NASPA President Patricia Telles-Irvin. "I feel strongly that this was the right thing to do at this point in time, and I am so gratified that the Voting Delegates agreed and voted so overwhelmingly in favor of the change."

"Graduate students, in particular, have been increasingly active within NASPA and have been its fastest growing membership type over the past year," said NASPA Executive Director Gwendolyn Jordan Dungy. "I am particularly pleased to see the governance structure adapted to better recognize the contributions our members along the full spectrum of the student affairs career trajectory."
 
The expanded voting rights will go into effect immediately with January's ballots.

What I’m thankful for

Many of you watched me choke back tears at the closing of the NASPA IV-West Conference as I reflected on a tumultuous semester and all the fantastic NASPA people that have been there to support me and my family.  Truly amazing.  So I thought it would be fun (for me) to write a few things about what I’m most thankful for about my experiences at the conference:

• I had the opportunity to host a reception for the undergraduate students interested in the field and my heart soared as they talked about feeling welcomed and accepted at the conference.
• With over 100 plus graduate students in attendance I wasn’t able to host the reception that I wanted, but had a fantastic opportunity to learn about the Colorado State University SAHE jacket (that used to be a couch).  Seriously. Ask Tony Pang all about it.
• An overwhelming number of fantastic sessions – it looks like Tim Alvarez and crew will need to try and add some program sessions in Rapid City!
• Three seasons in three days.  It was a lot of fun to hear grads and undergrads alike share that it was their very first snowfall.  Super cool.
• Hugs.  Many of you know that I love a good hug, and NASPA provides me with great opportunities to connect with friends.  If you were kind enough to share a hug with me. Thank you.
• Watching former student staff members shine in their presentations – it was fantastic to see how far they have come.  I am very proud.
• The laugh I had when Gwen and Patricia gave me Jayhawk gear, and the number of folks who looked genuinely confused (KU Doc class 2005)
• The fantastic speeches and stories by our award winners.  From Rich Rossi’s “say yes”  to Ryan Gove’s meadowlark, I think we all took something great away.
• I’m thankful that I was able to control my inner smartaleck and not pinch Dr. Blanche Hughes’ elbow when she said that she just wanted to be pinched to ensure that her outstanding Dean award wasn’t a dream.  It wasn’t Dr. Hughes, you are amazing.
• Quiet and not so quiet time with fabulous colleagues, new and “seasoned.” I think I learned as much sitting at meals and in between sessions as I did anywhere else.
• Fantastic conversations with Gwen Dungy and Patricia Telles Irvin.  The opportunity to engage and learn from such tremendous leaders  is something that I will never forget.
• I had the chance to visit with a friend and see her the happiest I’ve ever known her to be.  You know who you are, and I’m excited for you.

So, I am a very lucky and thankful person.  I hope that those of you in attendance had a similar experience.  Thank you all.

Thank you!!!

I am finally feeling caught up following an amazing Region IV-West Conference and  I want to take a moment to thank all of you that attend (375 ish) and all of you that made the conference and our New Professionals Institute (and its 27 participants) happen.

New Professionals Institute:

Chaired by Emily Griffin Overocker of the University of Central Oklahoma with faculty:

• Dr. Pat Mahon, Vice President, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
• Dr. Liz Donnelly, Assistant Vice President, Oklahoma City University
• Alex Gonzalez, University Registrar, University of New Mexico
• Rueben Perez, Director of Student Involvement, University of Kansas

The participants had a wonderful experience and I believe truly connected with each other and will continue to make a positive impact on our profession and professional organization.

Our regional conference was chaired by Dr. Earle Doman, Vice President at Missouri State University, and it was Earle’s guidance and driving force that made the conference as great as it was.  He consistently reminded me and anyone that would listen that it “takes a village” to run a conference and I couldn’t agree more.  A special thanks to Earle and his committee:

• Kristen Abell, University of Missouri Kansas City
• David Adams, Pittsburg State University
• Fonda Briles, University of Kansas Medical Center
• Angie Cottrell, University of Missouri Kansas City
• Dusten Crichton, Creighton University
• Cheryl Gibson, University of Colorado-Denver
• Ryan Gove, University of Kansas Medical Center
• Kris Hess, Nebraska Methodist College
• Tisa Mason, Fort Hays State University
• Sara Mata, Oklahoma State University
• Kerry McCaig, University of Denver
• Gretta Mincer, Metropolitan State College of Denver
• Richard Monroe, Missouri State University
• Tony Perrin, Drury University
• Steve Willich, Metropolitan State College of Denver
• Whitney Wolk-Maddux, Missouri State University

I can’t thank you all enough for the work that you put in making this experience a great one, and bringing three of the four Denver seasons to us in three days!

For a more “informal” view of the conference, check out my amazing colleagues blog!

Fantastic Business Partner Support

With the 2011 NASPA Regional Conference in the books and over 380 attendess, I want to take a minute to thank our business partners who really helped us pull off a fantastic experience.

Chartwells – the sponsor for our Rising Star Award Reception and a great help to the committee and our conference chair Dr. Earle Doman!

USA Today – their readership program has been a great addition to many campuses, including my own.  They also sponsored our SSAO Breakfast on Wednesday.

Southwest Contract – they have been supporting IV-West for the past couple of years and provided our LEED Certified residence hall at UMKC with all of its furniture.  Trey stated that anyone can sell you furniture and get it in the building, but they are truly selling their service, and with Southwest Contract, that service is tremendous.

Please support our business partners and thank them for their service to Region IV-West!!!

Denver here we come

The 2011 NASPA IV-West Regional Conference in Denver, Colorado is fast approaching !

Participants in the New Professional Institute will be arriving on Sunday, October 30, and the full conference will begin on Tuesday, November 1.  Registration and check in will open at 8 A.M. on Tuesday, November 1, and will be located on the Terrace Concourse, I.M.PEI Tower of the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel.   The conference welcome and opening keynote will begin at 1:30 P.M. in the Majestic Ballroom.  The hotel address is 1550 Court Place, Denver, Colorado 80202, hotel phone number is (303) 893-3333. The current forecast is calling for cool days in the 60’s and chilly evening hours in the low 30’s.  And, for all of us lower elevation inhabitants, remember that Denver is called the Mile High City for a reason!  Keep hydrated and watch your beverage intake!

For those of you who will be staying at the Sheraton Denver Downtown do know that internet service will be provided in your rooms free of charge (mention that during check in), and those of you who have personal transportation will receive a reduced self parking rate of $12 per day.

Remember that Wednesday will be “Show Your Colors Day,” so be sure to pack and show off your institutional shirts, sweaters, sweat shirts, etc.

If you arrive for the conference on Monday,  October 31st---Join us at 9 P.M. for Club NASPA at the Wynkoop Brewery !

1.       From the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel cross over 16^th Street and catch the free 16^th Street Mall Shuttle toward Union Station

2.       Exit the shuttle at Wynkoop Street

3.       Walk 2 blocks north on Wynkoop Street

4.       Turn right on 18^th Street.  The Wynkoop Brewery will be immediately on your right

The ride on the shuttle will give you a great view of everything that the 16^th Street mall has to offer---it is awesome!

The conference theme of “VIEWS THAT INSPIRE” will soon come alive for the 320+ registered delegates!  On behalf of the entire Conference Planning Committee---SEE YOU IN DENVER !      

Denver 2011

It is hard to believe that the 2011 Region IV-West Conference is almost upon us.  Dr. Earle Doman and his amazing committee have been working hard to ensure a View that Inspires in beautiful Downtown Denver in a few short weeks.

For those of you that like to plan ahead, the schedule and presentations are available on-line now.  We have some fantastic presentations– you and the other 298 people that are registered as of today are going to enjoy it!

There will be a breakfast for SSAO's on Wednesday, and special receptions for Grad Students, Undergrads and our NUFP Fellows.  Check the schedule!

As you prepare for the conference, I hope that you will review the NASPA Strategic Plan”Advancing Leadership, Shaping Change” as we will have the NASPA President Dr. Patricia Telles-Irvin and our Executive Director, Dr. Gwen Dungy in attendance to visit about the direction of our organization.

Hopefully, you are aware that this will be Dr. Gwen Dungy’s last trip to Region IV-West, as she will retire from the position of Executive Director in March.  Please show her the IV-West love when you see her!  If you are interested in applying for the NASPA President role (remember we voted to change the name from Exec. Director to President) details are available here.  Review of applications begins Oct. 15^th.

I look forward to seeing everyone in Denver!