NASPA regional conference explores student engagement challenges and best practices

Over 90 student affairs professionals from the greater North Carolina region attended the one-day NASPA Region III (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education) conference held January 27 in Cone University Center at UNC Charlotte.
 
Guest presenters Cayce Putnam and Jessica Gil, both graduate assistants in leadership at Appalachian State University, delivered the keynote presentation entitled "Factors That Contribute to the Lack of Engagement On A College Campus" focusing specifically on how young men define student involvement and student life.  Their research is being published in the Winter 2012 edition of NASPA's Men and Masculinities Knowledge Community newsletter.  
 
Participants divided into three break-out groups to explore topics dedicated to student life led by UNC Charlotte student affairs professionals including"Student Assessment and Retention," facilitated by Dr. Cynthia Wolf Johnson, Associate Provost for Academic Services and Dr. Ted Elling, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Systems Development; "Residential Life/Housing Strategies," facilitated by Dr. Casey Tullos, Assistant Director for Staff and Student Programs in Housing; and "Student Engagement Programs" facilitated by Jim Hoppa, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Union, Activities and Recreation and Karen Shaffer, Assistant Vice Chancellor and Director of Student Activities.

NASPA is the leading association for the advancement, health, and sustainability of the student affairs profession. Founded in 1919, NASPA comprises more than 12,000 members in all 50 states, 29 countries, and eight US Territories.  Through high-quality professional development, strong policy advocacy, and substantive research to inform practice, NASPA meets the diverse needs and invests in realizing the potential of all its members under the guiding principles of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and inquiry.

Conference Roundtable Sessions:

Roundtable Session Option 1 Student Assessment and Retention

Roundtable Session Option 2 Residential Life Housing Strategies

Roundtable Session Option 3 Student Engagement Programs

Student Affairs planning meeting for the spring 2012 semester

At its recent planning meeting for the spring 2012 semester, the Division for Student Affairs staked its claim to community engagement as more than 250 staff members brought new toys to donate to the Toys for Tots charity.

The Marine representative, Sergeant Steven Stephenson, delivered a short presentation on the history of Toys for Tots.  It has been around for over 64 years and more than 400 million toys have been donated to the program.

Also, invited were three UNC Charlotte students, Daniel Braese, Will Agudelo, and Kenneth Tucker.  All three are officer candidates in the United States Marine Corps and have completed the Officer Candidate School.  Once they complete their college degrees, they will be commissioned as Second Lieutenants and sent to Basic School.

(Photo-left to right): Daniel Braese, student; Sergeant Steven Stephenson, Marine representative; Dr. Arthur Jackson, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs; Will Agudelo, student; Logan Cason, Coordinator for Veteran Students Outreach; and Kenneth Tucker, student.