Small Colleges and Universities Division Newsletter
Message from our Director
May has come and gone!
Thank you for helping your students and colleagues reach the conclusion of the academic year. From banquets to commencement, this can be the time of the year where that can be exciting and exhausting. I hope that you are planning to take time to celebrate your successes, learn from challenges, but most importantly taking time this summer to care for yourselves and those important to you.
Thank you, Aarika
Dr. Aarika C. Camp, she/her Vice President for Student Affairs, Goucher College aarika.camp@goucher.edu
Small and Mighty: Student Affairs at Small Colleges and Universities
by Carolyn H. Livingston, Christa J. Porter, Thomas C. Shandley
Small and Mighty: Student Affairs at Small Colleges and Universities explores critical opportunities and challenges at higher education institutions with fewer than 5,000 students. Written by a diverse group of seasoned campus leaders, this comprehensive text covers a range of topics relevant to higher education and student affairs while providing detailed insights and actions to take for, in support of, and alongside students at small colleges and universities. Thriving in the small college culture requires flexibility, collaboration, and the ability to shift rapidly within the changing environment of higher education. Small and Mighty offers thoughtful strategies and insights to help student affairs professionals identify innovative solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing small colleges and universities.
From Haydee Reyes (SCU Advisory Board Communications Coordinator)
In an effort to remain engaged and connect with our colleagues, even from a distance, celebrate our achievements, and tell our story, I am excited to embark on this journey with you all to provide a space in which we can recognize the folks who work day-in and day-out to support our students during their collegiate careers. Starting today we will be showcasing selected members of our Division in our Quarterly Newsletters, as well as on our social media platforms! Our hope is that you will help us identify the folks on your team and your professional circles who make our Small Colleges & Universities great. Please feel free to provide information regarding a colleague or yourself using the following link. We hope you will let us recognize you and your hard work! There is nothing better than hearing directly from the person doing the work and working diligently toward ensuring our students’ success.
Do you have suggestions for our next newsletter or information you would like to share with our Division? If so, please contact haydee.reyes@washburn.edu with the subject line “SCU Newsletter.” I look forward to hearing from you!
SCU Member Spotlight:
Molly C.S. Pierson (she/her) Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Residential Living - Washburn University, Topeka, KS
Molly currently serves as a mentor in the SCU Mentor/Mentee Program and has served on the NASPA Region IV-West Regional Board in several capacities including: State Membership Coordinator, Member-at-large, and most recently as the Professional Standards Chair.
At Washburn University, Molly oversees the residential living unit that houses around 800 students and manages conduct in the on-campus residential communities. She provides active supervision and provides her staff with the tools necessary to do their best. Molly does this through being fiscally responsible with their budget, providing unit goals, helping the team work more strategically, collaborating with other units across campus, and advocating to leadership for any student-centered changes. Most importantly,Molly strives to support her team holistically and create an environment of trust and respect. “I always tell team members that, as their supervisor, I will trust them first, and will work to earn their trust. Earning their trust happens through showing up authentically, supporting all aspects of who they are, good communication, being willing to engage in challenging or difficult conversations, and holding everyone accountable to shared expectations.”
Why work at a Small College/University? “The benefits of working at a small college, although one often has multiple responsibilities, is the ability to humanize and individualize the work. There is an opportunity to know people from across campus and interact with students in multiple ways. I truly feel that college is only transformational when a student is seen, heard, and supported in their individualized growth, and you can do that best at a small college.”
Molly believes that being a strong leader at a small college means being people centered, efficient and effective with your work, and being willing to be honest and challenge your community to always be better. “How you navigate all of these matters and finding good mentors to provide advice is key (especially mentors outside your institution). I am happy to be that for you or get you connected to someone who could best do that!”
If Molly’s story and words resonated with you, please feel free to contact her at: molly.pierson@washburn.edu.
Upcoming Opportunities
Student Affairs at Small Colleges and Universities: Live Briefing June 7, 2023 3:30-4:30 p.m. ET Free webinar for NASPA members Click here to register
Small College & University focused sessions at upcoming NASPA summer conferences:
