Careers in Student Affairs Month

In celebration of Careers in Student Affairs Month it is your chance to make a difference in someone else's life! As graduate students and new professionals our transition into the field is likely prominent in our minds. It is unlikely that any of us colored pictures in kindergarten of being a Student Affairs administrator. Most commonly, someone saw potential and reached out to guide each of us into the field. SCGSNP has some excellent ideas for ways that you can reach out to be that mentor for others. Together we can grow the future of our profession.

The first step is to identify students that may be interested in the field. Plant the seed during your next meeting with a promising student or during a one on one over coffee, "Have you ever thought of doing this as a career?" Begin engaging in that conversation with the students around you. Most students don't realize it is an option and will often respond with an extensive list of questions. Use your story and experiences while providing other resources as well.

Beyond one on one conversations with the students you already know here are some other ideas:

• Register for the free SCGSNP Careers in Student Affairs webinar. Advertise and invite students to participate.
• Host an interest session for students. Advertise around campus and invite other colleagues to help spread the word or facilitate. If you have any other campuses nearby consider inviting them as well--in addition to being a benefit for their students it could also help you to network with their professionals!
• Invite a senior Student Affairs officer to host a discussion group.
• Work with students to create a student organization for future Student Affairs professionals.
• Share with students about upcoming opportunities including attending ACPA's Next Gen conference to learn more about Student Affairs and graduate programs.

We each work with exceptional students each day and while not all of them will desire to be in Student Affairs, some may. Take the opportunity this month to serve as a resource to help build our future. If you or your institution are doing other programs or events please feel free to share with others in the comments.

This month is also a great chance to think about the individual(s) that helped to guide you into the field. In addition to building the future, I encourage you to take an extra moment to thank those that have helped or mentored you. You can also consider nominating them as the "Outstanding Mentor to Graduate Students" or the "Outstanding Mentor to New Professionals" awards. These are both great honors to show your appreciation for their commitment. Nominations can be submitted here: http://www2.myacpa.org/convention2/awards.

September Updates and Opportunities for Involvement

As I'm sure you've all noticed, the year is rolling by quickly! In addition to everything taking place on campuses around the world, the past few months have also been busy for SCGSNP! The committee has continued their work on some exceptional projects to better serve you and to meet your needs! We are particularly excited about the free webinar for Careers in Student Affairs Month and an upcoming free webinar and online case study competition being hosted in conjunction with SCLGBTA.

We would like to thank everyone that submitted programs and those that volunteered to review programs! We had 184 people volunteer to review the 20 programs that we received. This is absolutely outstanding! If you're looking for other ways to get involved please see this months list:

• Graduate students, renew your membership for a chance to win a convention package! ACPA will be drawing names of those that have renewed their membership before November 1. They will be giving away free registration packages and packages that include registration and travel funds!
• Call for award nominations is now open! Please take 5 minutes from your day to appreciate the hard work and dedication of those around you. To learn more about our awards or to nominate someone please go to http://www2.myacpa.org/convention2/awards.
• If you would like to help review award nominations please email our awards coordinator, Nicole Robbins, at n.robbins85@gmail.com.
• SCGSNP Structure and Elections Review- Over the past few years there have been many discussions about the current election procedure for the SCGSNP Directorate. We are currently evaluating this system to determine if there is another method that would allow for greater involvement. There will be a small committee working on this project. If you have any thoughts about this or would be interested in serving on this committee please email chair.scgsnp@gmail.com.

Thank you for your membership and involvement. If you have other suggestions or ways in which we can assist in enhancing your ACPA experience please let us know!

Better Know a Member--Cristina Miller!

Institution: Western Michigan University

Position: Alumni Relations Summer Initiative Ambassador (just for the summer—I’m job searching!).

What brings joy to your professional life? Working with students (and alumni). When I hear a past or current student express pride in their institution, it makes my job feel meaningful.

If you could be a candy bar, which would you be and why? Skittles because they are fun and colorful.

What did you want to grow up to be when you were 10 years old? A cook—turns out I’m not great at cooking.

Name somebody who has /have made a difference to you in your professional life? How so? Linda Varvel. She was my RA and later my roommate, and she encouraged me to consider student affairs as a profession.

If you had to work on only one project for the next year, what would it be? I would love to work on raising money and awareness to renovate the original buildings on WMU’s campus. There is so much tradition and history there and they are just crumbling—I’m scared that we will lose an important aspect of our campus’ culture without their preservation.

What is your favorite food? Pizza, French fries, and portabella mushrooms. Not together.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? Cook! :)

How are you involved in ACPA or the SCGSNP? I am the incoming Sponsored Programs Coordinator.

What is your favorite color? Purple.

What is a personal motto that you live by? "Do what you like, like what you do."

Nine Ways to Live the Lifestyle of a Champion

Most people recognize a champion only when he steps up the podium, but he actually has become a champion far before it. In fact, he has become a champion years before that glorious moment. Why? Because to reach that moment, first and foremost he has to become a champion in his daily life. He has to train hard for years, control his diet, and deny a lot of pleasures to prepare for the contests. While other people can live whatever way they want, he must live a disciplined life. Most people only see him in the glorious moment, but it is this lifestyle that actually brings him to the podium.

Our life is similar. Do you want to be a champion in life? Then there is no other way:

Live the lifestyle of a champion.

The way you live daily determines what you can achieve in life. Do not hope to achieve great things if you don’t want to pay the price in the first place. Live the lifestyle of a champion, and years from now people will recognize you as a champion when you step up the podium.

Here are nine ways to live the lifestyle of a champion:

1. Have a clear goal

First of all, you should know what you are aiming for. An athlete who clearly aims for Olympic gold medal will live differently from those who do not have any clear goal. Your goal will inspire and motivate you throughout all the hard work you need to go through.

2. Aim high

Having a clear goal is important but not enough. Your goal should also be challenging to inspire you to do your best. It should be both realistic and difficult enough to get you out of the comfort zone and push your limits.

3. Make a plan and do it

Besides having a clear goal, a good athlete has a clear plan for his training and contests. He knows what kind of training he will go through to prepare for the contests. Similarly, you should have a clear plan on how to achieve your goal. What kind of skills and knowledge do you need? When and how do you want to acquire them?

4. Cultivate your motivation

The journey to mastery is long and difficult. You need sustained motivation to walk it. Otherwise, there is no way you can go through the years of hard effort needed. You can’t depend on others to motivate yourself, you should be able to motivate yourself. Your goal (point #1) is a powerful source of motivation.

5. Train hard for long time

You need to have superior skills and knowledge to achieve your goal. There is no other way to have it but by training hard for long time. Study shows that people typically need 10 years of effortful study to become an expert on something. It is this kind of training that you need to go through.

6. Go beyond your comfort zone

Not all kinds of training will give you the improvements you need. The study I quote above says that you need to do effortful study to become an expert. Effortful study is the kind of study which entails continually tackling challenges that lie just beyond your competence. It takes you out of your comfort zone to increase your capacity.

7. Go one mile further

A champion won’t just do things like anybody else. Instead, he tries to add a little more to what is expected. He walks the extra mile to give superior value. This certainly is not easy, but developing this attitude will put you ahead of the game.

8. Have competitors to motivate you

A healthy dose of competition is important to make you move forward at full speed. Without competition, it’s very likely that you will do less than your actual capability. Competition keeps you alert to continuously improve yourself.

9. Put your skills to the test

Training is not enough, you must join real contests.Test your skills and knowledge with real challenges by jumping in and actually doing what you intend to do. Do your dream job, start your dream business. Put yourself out there to really hone your competence over time.

Donald Latumahina is an avid learner who blogs about personal growth and effectiveness at Life Optimizer. Read his articles on 30 Practical Tips to Make Yourself Indispensable to Others and The Art of Arbitrage: The Key to Living Smart.

Better Know a Member--Dale O'Neill

Institution: The University of New Orleans

Position: Coordinator of Leadership Programs

What brings joy to your professional life? Within my position as the Coordinator of Leadership Programs, I am able to work with an array of students in various steps of their identity development. I love being able to meet students during their first year of school and see how through Student Affairs programs, their holistic development is fostered.

If you could be a candy bar, which would you be and why? Either a Snickers because I am always smiling and laughing or a Butterfinger because I am sooo clumsy. :)

What did you want to grow up to be when you were 10 years old? Oh I totally wanted to be a children’s book writer… I even attempted to write one when I was 8!

Name somebody who has /have made a difference to you in your professional life? How so? My present supervisor, the Interim Dean of Student Affairs, has greatly influenced my professional life. She has shown me that through both challenging and supporting students, student affairs professionals can foster students’ physical, social, intellectual and emotional growth.

If you had to work on only one project for the next year, what would it be? In my present position, I also oversee service programs. I would love to spend the next year focusing on creating a Leadership Through Service Certificate Program. For me, leadership and service goes hand and hand.

What is your favorite food? Meatloaf and macaroni and cheese. :)

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? I would love to learn sign language. It is definitely one of my five year goals.

How are you involved in ACPA or the SCGSNP? I am the co-chair for communications for SCGSNP as well as serve as the Newsletter Co-Chair for the Standing Committee on Disability.

What is your favorite color? Pink!

What is a personal motto that you live by? "Live simply so that others may simply live." Mohandas Gandhi

An Update from Our Chair

I recently returned from the awesome experience of participating in the ACPA Summer Leadership Meeting. As the new chair for SCGSNP I was not certain what to expect. I was slightly apprehensive as I thought about all of the leaders in the field that would be present. When I arrived in Louisville I instantly felt at home with my ACPA family. I was greeted by colleagues that I knew and introduced to others from throughout the association.

The meetings, discussions, and conversations were wonderful! It was an incredible opportunity and experience to be at the table engaging in conversations about the future of myACPA! Here are just a few of the highlights:

ACPA Globalization- We helped give direction for the development of the globalization initiative. I also gained a new perspective on the concept and a better understanding of the ways that globalization can better inform the work that we do on a daily basis.

Financial Management- The transparency of the leadership allowed for discussion about the budgeting, spending, and income for the association. As a new professional it was wonderful to see financial management for such a large association. If you’d like to learn more please feel free to email me at amollet@radford.edu and I’d love to discuss it with you!

Convention 2012- Wow! ACPA has done an absolutely incredible job in taking our feedback and creating a convention to meet the needs for graduate students and new professionals! Specifically:

Lodging- The Galt House is offering huge suites with two beds and a pull-out sofa! There is room for 6 at a rate that is less than we typically pay for a standard room!

Parking- The parking rate has been reduced from $21-24 to only $8/night!

Internet- All convention hotels will be providing free internet to attendees!

Dining- There are tons of affordable (both fast food and sit down) restaurants within close walking distance to the convention center!

ACPA Foundation- The Foundation has been working diligently to raise funds to provide additional services and resources to the association! They now offer funding for research initiatives as well as programs/events!

Career Central- ACPA is currently soliciting feedback from graduate students and new professionals about ways to improve placement. They have some excellent ideas and I anticipate a revised and outstanding placement experience in Louisville!

Summer Leadership was a truly valuable experience for me to provide better leadership to SCGSNP and also to expand upon my own professional development. I am looking forward to expanding on some of the connections and opportunities to work with other ACPA groups to better meet the needs of graduate students and new professionals! If you have any questions, suggestions, or would like to discuss any association topics further please let me know!


Amanda L. Mollet
Muse Quad Area Director
Office of Housing and Residential Life
Radford University
Chair, ACPA Standing Committee for Graduate Students and New Professionals
Phone: (540) 831-6077
Fax: (540) 831-6654

Better Know a Member--Brian Hopkins!

Institution: Syracuse University

Position: Residence Director

What brings joy to your professional life? The thing that I love most about my job is the interactions that I have with students on a daily basis. I have formed a number of great relationships with students who I advise and supervise in which the students know that I am there for them and will do my best to help them through anything that I can. Knowing that I have helped some of my students through very challenging situations and that they have grown because of it energizes me on a daily basis to continue doing all the things that I do.

If you could be a candy bar, which would you be and why? I would be a Twix because they are just that good!

What did you want to grow up to be when you were 10 years old? Teacher

Name somebody who has /have made a difference to you in your professional life? How so? Dr. Tony Cawthon is one of the faculty members at Clemson University, which is where I graduated from with my Master’s degree. Tony has always been a great role model and supported me a great deal both professionally and personally.

If you had to work on only one project for the next year, what would it be? I am going to be working on piloting a residential college for students in science, technology, engineering, and math. It is going to be the first one that Syracuse University has and I’m very excited about the new challenge that it is going to bring and developing this program throughout the year.

What is your favorite food? I love Italian food!

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? I think it would be fun to learn how to fly a plane.

How are you involved in ACPA or the SCGSNP? I am the Co-Coordinator of the Case Study competition.

What is your favorite color? Blue

What is a personal motto that you live by? "It's never too late to be what you might have been." --George Eliot