Small Colleges and Universities Division Newsletter
Greetings from our Director
And here we go…. By the time most of you are reading this, the semester has started and you may be asking where did the summer go?
While it can be exciting to welcome students back and somewhat nerve-wracking to ensure that everything is ready for the start of the fall, I hope that you all remember some of your personal and professional goals that you thought of over the course of the summer. It is easy to become so enthralled in our daily roles that those tasks, events, or goals we identified move further and further down our priority list. I am challenging you to prioritize at least one goal for yourself each week this semester. It may be small and simple but YOU are worth it. From reading an article, having lunch with a colleague/friend, taking a walk around campus, spending more time with those you cherish, or sticking to a more balanced schedule.
Wishing YOU and your students the best this semester, Aarika
Dr. Aarika C. Camp, she/her Vice President for Student Affairs, Goucher College aarika.camp@goucher.edu
NASPA Annual Awards — Small Colleges And Universities Professional Award
It’s nomination season which means it’s time to celebrate those around you who are doing outstanding work in their roles! Please consider nominating someone for the 2024 NASPA SCU Professional Award.
This award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated leadership and a commitment to NASPA and/or the profession specifically at small colleges and universities (enrollment less than 5,000 students). Student Affairs professionals in all positions are eligible for this award.
Demonstrates active involvement with the profession and the small colleges and universities division
Contributed to creating a campus environment that promotes student learning and personal development
Outstanding individual contribution in innovative and responsive services and programs that address varied and emerging needs of students at a small college or university
A minimum of five (5) years of experience in student affairs
All professional positions are eligible for this award
Active individual NASPA membership
Current employment at, or recently retired from, a small college or university in a NASPA Region
TO SUBMIT A NOMINATION PLEASE VISIT THE NASPA AWARDS PORTAL. Nominations are due October 6, 2023.
Early Career Development Institute
We look forward to providing an opportunity to professionals in the early stages of their career. The 2024 cohort of the NASPA Early Career Development Institute (ECDI), sponsored through the SCU Division, will take place from October 2023-June 2024.
ECDI provides new full-time professionals in their first three years in their career an opportunity to connect with colleagues and senior staff members as mentee-mentor pairs. Those selected to be part of the ECDI cohort must be NASPA members and will attend monthly webinars to learn more and discuss in depth the issues facing our field, prominent trends, and best practices.
Institute Fee
The participation fee for the institute is $50.00. Selected participants will be directed to the online fee collection process after being selected. There is no fee to apply. (Coaches do not pay any fees.)
If you have questions about this program or the process, please contact Kerry Greenstein, Dean of Student Life at Sweet Briar College at kgreenstein@sbc.edu or Darnell Parker, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Wheaton College at parker_darnell@wheatoncollege.edu.
SCU Member Spotlight:
Denzel Stewart (he/him)
Assistant Director of Student Engagement
Goucher College, Towson, MD
Denzel participated in the Early Career Development Institute (ECDI) last year. At Goucher College he is responsible for club and organization development, advising the Student Engagement
Denzel highlights how much he learned from ECDI in helping him transition from working at a community college to a small liberal arts college:
“Having the opportunity to be a part of the NASPA Small College and University Early Career Development Institute (ECDI) was one of the best experiences I have ever had. In 2021, I graduated with my Masters in College Student Affairs from Nova Southeastern University (NSU) and being an early career professional within higher education came with a lot of anxiety, however, when being prompted with the opportunity, I jumped at the chance to be a part of it. Being a part of this institute allowed me to network with other higher education professionals and increase my professional development skills by having in-depth conversations.”
Denzel also noted that learning about the various topics affecting institutions across the nation allowed him to build awareness of what is most important in our profession today.
Why should someone participate in ECDI?“I would encourage any early career professionals to take part in the NASPA Small College and University ECDI to help advance their professional goals.” Because of his time in the Early Career Development Institute Denzel was able to take back best-practices and use them in his current role as Assistant Director of Student Engagement at Goucher College.
Let’s Connect
From Haydee Reyes (SCU Advisory Board Communications Coordinator)
Is there a colleague that is truly making a difference and working diligently to ensure student success in their role? Let us know! We would love to hear from you and showcase them in our upcoming division Newsletter and on our social media platform(s). To nominate yourself or someone you know please use the link below!
