ACPA President's Blog 2011-2012

Statement on the ACPA Student Affairs Credential Program

2012-01-17T15:54:00.000-06:00

ACPA’s announcement last week that it created an implementation team to outline policies and practice for credentialing individuals in student affairs has launched a lively and thoughtful exchange of responses and suggestions. Consistent with our value and history of member engagement and voice in association activities, we are excited to share next steps with you and invite conversation about the voluntary ACPA Student Affairs Credential Program.

Many professions such as law, medicine, and teaching, have processes by which members of that profession demonstrate they have the skills and knowledge required to perform their responsibilities. Given the diversity of paths of entry into student affairs and related work, ACPA is using the ACPA/NASPA Professional Competencies to create a voluntary program that accomplishes the same goal – demonstration of a common set of skills and knowledge for those working in the field. We value the myriad ways individuals can enter our international profession. This diversity of experience adds a richness of professional practice that contributes to the field and enhances our students’ time at our institutions. The goal is not to regulate programs that prepare professionals for our field or the paths individuals take into the profession, but rather to build on the solid foundation they offer by providing an opportunity for a professional’s skill and knowledge to be validated and to bolster our value of continuous professional development.

There are two components to the credentialing process that the implementation team will explore. The first is what is currently being called the Student Affairs Register. To be a member of the Register, an individual must demonstrate that she meets the “basic” level of the professional competencies. To maintain membership in in the Register, the individual must then complete a yet to-be-determined number of approved Continuing Education Units each year. The second component of the ACPA Student Affairs Credential Program is Specialized Skills Certification. In this component, individuals would demonstrate knowledge and skills at the “advanced” level of a specified competency or sub-category of a competency.

Clearly, at this stage there are more questions than answers about both components of the Credential Program. The ACPA Credential Implementation Team was formed to explore these questions and to suggest resolution through a structure, and set of processes and procedures. Your input is essential in bringing questions, suggestions, and possibilities to the forefront of the team as it proceeds in the development of this program. The ACPA Credential Implementation Team will be setting up multiple opportunities for feedback and input, one of which will be a blog to share your thoughts. Please watch for an announcement later this week with the URL for that blog.

As the program continues to develop we will provide updates to keep you informed.

Steve Tyrell, Chair ACPA Credential Implementation Team

Heidi Levine, ACPA President

Professional Development

2011-11-01T11:41:00.001-05:00

The excitement is palpable! This past month has been a time of incredible member engagement and energy. I’ve come to think of October and November as “State Division Conference Season,” and one of the perks of being ACPA President is having the opportunity to visit with our State Division members at those gatherings. I, along with ACPA Executive Director Greg Roberts, Vice President Keith Humphrey, Past President Susan Salvador, and other members of the Governing Board, have attended almost a dozen state conferences over the past 6 weeks. At those conferences we’ve had the chance to attend outstanding workshops, hear inspiring speakers, share news about what is happening on the national agenda, and – best of all – talk with members about the issues that are most important to them.

During this same time several hundred ACPA members and friends participated in one of more than 50 visioning “MeetUps” that took place around and beyond the United States. During these sessions participants shared their visions of the future of higher education, their beliefs about what values and activities will be needed to meet those future challenges, and their suggestions about how ACPA can lead the way in addressing those issues. At a Governing Board meeting later this month we’ll be reviewing the summary report of those MeetUps and using what we’ve learned from our members to help us start crafting our next strategic plan.

In the meantime, this week's edition of ACPA's ecommunity is full of information about upcoming professional development opportunities that are helping our members address the challenges they face on their campuses today, updates about emerging legislative and (inter)national issues, and news about the important work our ACPA entity groups are doing. With all this energy, it’s a great time to serving ACPA as your President!

Heidi

Let's Envision the Future!

2011-09-27T08:03:00.000-05:00

The field of student affairs, and higher education in general, stands where it does today because of the dreams, the vision, the dedication and the will to act of those who came before us. Early in the 20th century The Student Personnel Point of View (which is “celebrating” its 75th anniversary in 2012) challenged those working in student services to consider the development of the whole student. Students’ growth and development was not just the domain of faculty, and “student personnel” staff were challenged to think about the ways in which they and the services they provided contributed to that development.

A little more than half a century later ACPA President Charles Schroeder led the conceptualization and publication of the Student Learning Imperative. That document challenged us again, this time to think about ourselves and our work as contributing not only to students’ development but as central to student learning.
Now, just under 20 years after the publication of the SLI, we’re looking to the future again. ACPA is looking to our members to join in identifying those dreams and visions that will propel us into the next decade. What does higher education require of us? What values should we be carrying forward? How do we frame this and tap into the will to act that will allow us to translate those dreams into our new reality?

Throughout the month of October ACPA is holding a series of visioning session “MeetUps” in order to tap into the creativity, knowledge and dedication of our members and friends. Some of these MeetUps are taking place face-to-face at a range of locations around the U.S. and North America. Some are taking place virtually, and some of those virtual MeetUps are timed to allow our colleagues outside the U.S. to participate. There’s still time to sign up by going to http://meetups.myacpa.org/howcanijoinanacpameetup.

Please join us in this opportunity to chart the course for student affairs. I look forward to hearing your dreams, visions and plans for the future!

Heidi

New Year

2011-09-01T07:48:00.002-05:00

Happy new year! I hope the first days and weeks of the new academic year are going (or, for those yet to start, go) smoothly. I particularly hope that all of our colleagues on campuses in the eastern part of the U.S. sustained minimal damage and disruption.

I’m excited about all of the programs and initiatives we have for our members as we embark on a new year. Our Transfer Task Force is at work helping us to identify the most effective practices for engaging transfer students. The convention planning team is about to review the hundreds of convention program proposals that you are submitting. I can’t wait to hear the aspirations our members share through our “visioning session” MeetUps in October, as we move to lead and shape the profession in the coming decade.

I am also delighted to be introducing ACPA’s new, weekly e-community. I think this is going to be a great tool to keep ACPA members in the loop about association activities, professional development opportunities, and issues within the broader higher education world.

Let us know what you’d like to hear more about, so that we can make ACPA e-community the most vibrant and useful membership connection possible.

Heidi

Toronto to Tobago to Louisville to Mount Vernon

2011-07-28T11:07:00.002-05:00

It’s been a whirlwind month full of ACPA travels and meetings. I had two opportunities to meet with colleagues outside the U.S. – first, with Greg Roberts, representing ACPA at the annual conference of the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services in Toronto, and then attending our CTLPA (Caribbean Tertiary Level CPA) conference with fellow Governing Board member Kathleen Kerr in St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago. I was struck by both how similar and different student issues and student affairs are in these places that are relatively close to “the States.” In both Canada and the Caribbean region folks talked about how professionalization and helping others see our work as more than simply providing necessary services. Hearing the Honorable Fazal Karim, Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago give the opening keynote at the CTLPA was absolutely inspirational. The Minister spoke about the critical role that student affairs plays in promoting student learning and, ultimately, advancing society. I couldn’t help but think how incredible it would be for a U.S. secretary-level official to speak about the importance of student affairs at one of our conventions – can you imagine it?!

And then there were the conversations about student issues – engaging students in international study experiences, addressing mental health-related concerns, working with “the good, the bad and the ugly” of technology, fostering inclusion and responding to acts of intolerance, best practices in assessing student learning. Sound familiar? The issues and needs of students, and the great research that’s being conducted about students’ experiences and development, cross boundaries and miles.

After returning to the U.S., I got to visit Louisville, Kentucky, site of our 2012 convention, to meet with the convention planning team and for our annual Summer Leadership Meeting. What a great week that was! We had healthy, open, challenging and inspiring conversations about ACPA’s strategic goals, collaboration within and beyond the association, ACPA’s role in outreach and advocacy, and future meeting plans. We also used the time with this outstanding group of leaders to “beta test” the visioning sessions that I talked about in a recent e-card video to our members. I can’t wait to roll the process out for our full membership next month!

Finally, during my first full week back on campus Cornell College hosted the Student Social Justice Training Institute (SJTI). We had 47 students from 26 institutions around the U.S. visiting our campus in Eastern Iowa and learning about themselves, the dynamics of oppression and inclusion, and about how to make their campuses and communities (and maybe even our world) more inclusive and socially just. Somehow that seems like the perfect end to this month, because isn’t that why we’re doing this work in the first place – to help our students learn about themselves and the world, and grow in ways that will help them take that learning back into the world? As I said in my e-card, we really do great, and important, work!

Heidi

We Do Important Work

2011-07-01T14:24:00.000-05:00

From fostering student success to developing future leaders, we do important work as student affairs professionals. As a member of ACPA, your help is needed to continue this important work.

I am very pleased to invite you to engage with ACPA leaders and members around the world in a series of Visioning Sessions. These sessions will give voice to our members regarding the future of student affairs and ACPA. View a brief clip about this project and its goals.

More detailed information about the process for becoming involved will be sent in the near future.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts, goals, challenges and dreams as we vision the future of our work and our profession together!

Heidi

Reflection on ACPA Presidential Symposium

2011-06-14T17:55:00.002-05:00

What a great day! Just under 100 colleagues from around Iowa (and a few from neighboring states) came together last Wednesday for the first-ever ACPA Presidential Symposium. We co-sponsored this one-day conference with the Iowa Student Personnel Association, and together helped frame and facilitate conversations about ways in which we can be more intentional fostering student success.

In the morning I encouraged participants to embrace the challenge presented in the Future of Student Affairs report to shift from just focusing on increasing access to higher education in order to be more focused on helping students, once enrolled, to succeed. I shared four particular areas I had spoken about in my presidential address in Baltimore this past March: creating more inclusive campus communities, being more intentional in our work with transfer students, addressing student mental health issues and needs, and harnessing both the potential and challenges related to social media.

Our outstanding break-out session facilitators brought tremendous expertise in these areas and helped participants think about what practices they could bring back to their campuses in order to meet this imperative. Here are just a few of the “take-aways” participants shared at the end of the day:

Plans to review campus policies and protocols to ensure that they provide an equitable framework for our work with all students;
Learning about a web resource for transfer students in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics);
Introduction to a range of social media resources that can help us connect students in their sharing and reflecting; and
Increasing our knowledge about some of the factors and challenges related to student mental health crises.

I’d love to hear about what you’re doing on your campuses to create innovative and high-impact practices to help our students succeed!

Heidi

ACPA Moving Forward

2011-05-18T19:05:00.000-05:00

It’s been an extraordinary few weeks in the life of ACPA and our members. So much has been happening that it’s hard to believe it has been three full weeks since we learned the outcome of the consolidation vote.

ACPA Executive Director, Greg Roberts, and I held a series of “Savor Chats” following the vote, during which we had the chance to talk with members about their feelings, questions and hopes for the future. Some of the participants were past and current association leaders, but there were also folks at every career level who have not been deeply involved with ACPA in the past. One of the most exciting things to me about these sessions was hearing how many people want to engage to help us move forward. Suggestions included new member outreach, broadly engaging our membership in visioning and goal-setting, re-tooling our member career and placement services, and continuing to extend our connections beyond convention. What else should be on our radar?

This summer we’ll be rolling out new initiatives and renewed programs to address these, and other topics. We are in the midst of linking up members who expressed interest in becoming more involved during the Savor Chats with ACPA leaders and groups that match their interests. One of ACPA’s strengths has always been the fact that members at all levels have the opportunity to be involved and to become association leaders. Let us know the role you’d like to play.

I also have been very aware of all the great work that we’ve been continuing to do to promote professional development and student learning. It seems that hardly a day goes by without hearing about a webinar, symposium or resource that ACPA is offering the profession. As just one example, our Commissions for Alcohol & Other Drug Issues and Wellness just published a resource guide on the risks involved with mixing alcohol and high-caffeine beverages, a dangerous practice with which many of us have been wrestling. We’re all doing great work every day, on our campuses and in our association – let’s be sure we’re sharing those stories!

Heidi

Get To Know Us!

2011-05-02T09:36:00.003-05:00

ACPA and NASPA just concluded a historic vote on consolidation. While the majority from both associations voted to consolidate, the outcome of a single student affairs association has not been realized.

Throughout the two-year consolidation exploration process, and especially in the past few days, we continue to hear from our members their appreciation of all the benefits and outstanding professional development experiences that have resulted from their involvement with ACPA. We believe this is a great time to invite our NASPA colleagues who may not be familiar with ACPA to learn more about our association.

From May 1 to December 31, 2011, we would like to extend a complimentary “Get To Know Us” membership to each current NASPA member. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to send this invite to a colleague across the hallway, campus or country to know first-hand your experiences at ACPA. Ask that they give “Get To Know Us” a try – it’s time they experience for themselves some of the core ACPA values in action – leadership opportunities at all career levels, voting rights for all members, and participation in the generation and dissemination of knowledge that supports our students.

Details of the program and application form (pdf) are available here.

Together with your active involvement, ACPA will:

Lead the profession in generating knowledge;
Advance social justice on our campuses;
Identify and disseminate best practices to promote student learning and development; and
Build upon and extend scholarly and practitioner expertise.

Please feel free to contact the International Office at info@acpa.nche.edu if you need any additional information.


Heidi Levine, ACPA President 2011-2012	Gregory Roberts, ACPA Executive Director

ACPA Votes Yes, NASPA Votes No

2011-04-27T17:02:00.004-05:00

ACPA Proudly chose to unite our profession, and NASPA did not.

Over two years ago, the ACPA Governing Board and the NASPA Board of Directors committed to explore the possibility of a new comprehensive international student affairs association that combined the strengths and resources of both associations. We have just concluded an historic vote by members of ACPA and NASPA on whether to move forward with the proposed consolidation plan. We learned today that ACPA members voted in favor of uniting the profession and our NASPA colleagues chose not to consolidate.

While this news comes as a disappointment to the majority of ACPA members, ACPA has always been and will continue to be the association for our profession’s leading scholars, administrators, student development educators, graduate students and corporate partners. You have our continued commitment to unparalleled leadership in the areas that matter most to our members. With your involvement, ACPA will:

Lead the profession in generating knowledge;
Advance social justice on our campuses;
Identify and disseminate best practices to promote student learning and development;
Build upon and extend scholarly and practitioner expertise;
Partner with the ACPA Foundation to support research and professional development;
Maximize our relationships with higher education associations to influence and shape the higher education agenda;
Engage our members in the work and leadership of our association; and
Collaborate with NASPA when appropriate, and compete with NASPA when appropriate.

Thank you for participating with us in this important dialogue and for continuing to make ACPA your professional home. We look forward to working with all of our members and partners as we continue to offer outstanding leadership, scholarship and commitment to our students, profession and the greater higher education community.

Heidi

The Journey Continues

2011-04-18T08:45:00.001-05:00

The voting is over. Thank you to all the members who participated in this historic process. Soon we’ll know the answer to whether ACPA and NASPA are going to consolidate into a single, comprehensive association.

Both associations have members who opted to vote by paper ballot, and our polling firms need time to receive, certify and add the votes to those cast on-line. It will take around 7 business days to complete the tabulation and determine the results. Each of us who has been involved in shepherding this process agrees it is essential that all of our members learn these results at the same time.

So on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 6:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time members of ACPA and NASPA will receive an email letter from me and NASPA president Patricia Telles-Irvin sharing the outcome of the vote. One announcement, the same initial message, to all. And then, whatever the outcome, we start the work of moving into our future.

What an exciting time this is! Thank you for being on the journey with me!

Heidi

Vote!

2011-04-11T10:26:00.008-05:00

Folks who attended one of the consolidation discussions at the ACPA convention got to hear my “soapbox speech” about the importance of voting on the question of whether ACPA and NASPA should consolidate into a single, unified professional association. With apologies to those readers who were at one of those sessions, I am climbing back up on that same soapbox again now!

Conversations about consolidation (or unification, merger… the term has varied) with NASPA have taken place over the past 30 years, but this is the first time we have ever formulated an actual plan or been at the point of a member vote. While there are certainly more important issues facing higher education than whether ACPA and NASPA should consolidate, I can’t think of a more important question for the two associations. The plan is not perfect (what plan ever is?), and there are many details still to be fleshed out, but it gives us a basic framework of what a new association would look like. The question that each of us must answer is whether we think this framework looks like one that will best serve our profession as we move into the future – if so, vote “yes;” if not, vote “no.” The most important thing to do is to vote. We’ve waited a long time to get to the place where we can finally voice our perspectives on this issue – it’s too important for anyone to sit this out.

If you’ve already voted – great! If you have not yet voted you should have received a follow-up email with voting information from our polling firm last week. Please make yourself familiar with all of the information about the proposal and plan and cast your vote by 11:59 p.m. (EDT), Friday April 15. Remember – Voice = Vote!

Opinion Piece from George Kuh

2011-02-07T14:29:00.003-06:00

Greetings,

I received this opinion piece from Dr. George Kuh which he requested be posted to ACPA members. It has already been shared with NASPA’s membership.

Sincerely,
Susan Salvador

It’s Time

I’ve read with interest over past months the pros and cons posted by colleagues about the proposed consolidation of ACPA and NASPA. I have friends in both camps, and have learned a good deal from their reasoned arguments. But nothing has changed the view I’ve held on this issue for at least 20 years or so. For the student affairs profession to use its educational philosophy and empirical and theoretical knowledge about students and campus environments to demonstrably influence higher education policy as well as institutional practice in a real-time, coherent fashion, the field needs to speak in one informed, respected voice. So, color me unequivocally in favor of bringing ACPA and NASPA together to form one overarching association to unify the profession. And the sooner the better. Consolidation is long overdue.

There was a time when ACPA and NASPA differed in substantive and occasionally in procedural ways about their priorities and policy positions, and how they addressed the professional development needs of student affairs staff at different points in their careers. I suspect an analysis of the topics featured several decades ago at their national and regional meetings and their governing board actions would illustrate some of these differences. I’ve been a member of and attended most national meetings of the two groups for about 35 years and no longer discern meaningful differences. This realization became all-too-clear to me years ago when trying to explain in response to the annual queries of graduate students what distinguished the two groups. I had to rely on historical artifacts to come up with examples. Of course, these mattered little to them and were not helpful as they pondered which group to join or meeting to attend.

I intend no disrespect to the histories, traditions and other cultural properties of ACPA and NASPA. They have and will continue to be important – especially to long-time members of the groups. But I fail to see today how they matter in material ways to the professional practice of student affairs or the future development of the field and its practitioners, or to institutional leaders and faculty members who look to student affairs for guidance on how to respond to issues of the day. And if some differences between the cultures of the two groups do exist as some have suggested, they do not begin to offset the influence that one recognized, well-resourced association can have in today’s crowded, noisy, policy environment where economic constraints are forcing hard choices about what to continue to support at both institutional and personal levels.

It’s comforting to hold on to the past, especially when facing uncertainty. In the present instance, consolidation puzzles some because nothing seems to be obviously broken. Another non-trivial challenge is that few analogues provide guidance for how the proposed consolidation can be achieved efficiently and effectively. I cannot begin to imagine the many details to be addressed. I admire and salute those who’ve already begun to flesh them out. Surely there will be a period during which the products and services presently offered by each organization are interrupted or are not integrated as seamlessly as we want. It will be messy with unpredictable bumps along the way, even with all the deliberations and planning that have and will continue. If you fly frequently, you’ve also experienced firsthand some such irritants, such as the computer systems of merged airlines such as Delta and Northwest failing to function as they should. I’m getting another taste of this as Continental and United work toward similar ends. But as with any other decision to bring large organizations together, people of good will can make it happen if given enough time, support and understanding.

The accomplishments of ACPA and NASPA are many and both groups have served the field and their members well. But the world order has changed. Neither staying separate nor consolidation guarantees a bright future for the profession or the millions of students and faculty at colleges and universities across the country who benefit in known and unknown ways from the contributions of student affairs staff. My bet is that coming decades will demand responses from student affairs best orchestrated by a single organization with clout and a vision for higher education and the student experience informed by clear thinking and relevant research. Speaking with one voice and acting as one unified professional body is more likely to achieve those ends in a future marked by increasing complexity, escalating demands, and stretched resources. I’m bullish on consolidation, even with all the unknowns that are part and parcel of the process and resulting structure. It’s time.

George D. Kuh is Director of the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment, Adjunct Professor at the University of Illinois, and Chancellor’s Professor Emeritus at Indiana University.

Message from the Vice President

2011-01-05T06:57:00.000-06:00

What a year it’s been! And what a great time to be serving you as ACPA Vice President.

One of the joys of being Vice President is having the opportunity to work closely with the Assembly Coordinators and leaders of our constituent groups. A lot has been accomplished by our members and leaders since our Boston convention last March. Here are just a few highlights:

• Our 20th Commission was established – the Commission for Recreation and Athletics. The Commission has published a position paper offering college/university presidents and ACPA members information about a recent NCAA decision regarding camps and conferences.

• The Standing Committee for Women, in collaboration with the 2011 convention planning team and other Standing Committees have created a section on the convention website providing family-friendly information and resource for members who will be bringing children to Baltimore this March.

Along with these examples, each Commission, Standing Committee, State or International Division has been working to provide members with access to important resources and outstanding professional development.

I look forward to seeing you in Baltimore in just a couple of months. While we’re there be sure to participate in some of the activities celebrating the establishment of ACPA Commissions 50 years ago, and to congratulate the 11 Commissions who are celebrating their 50th anniversaries as part of that initial group. And please let me know what’s on your mind as we plan for the coming year. While we’ll still be in the midst of our every-member vote on the question of consolidation with NASPA during the 2011 convention, regardless of the outcome of that vote I’ll want to know what issues you think we, as an association, need to focus on in order to continue meeting the needs of our members, campus, and students.

Wishing you a wonderful spring semester,

Heidi Levine
ACPA Vice President

Final Consolidation Report

2010-09-24T11:06:00.001-05:00

On behalf of the Consolidation Steering Team and close to 100 engaged student affairs leaders from both ACPA and NASPA, I am pleased to share that the final consolidation report will be available to members the first part of October. I am grateful for the assistance provided by our colleagues to produce this document. The best resource for updated information may be found on the Consolidation page of the ACPA website.

Susan M. Salvador
President, ACPA
Vice President, Student Services
Monroe Community College, Rochester, NY

ACPA and NASPA in a Globalized Environment

2010-07-26T08:17:00.000-05:00

I have always believed that the field of student affairs would be better served by one comprehensive association composed by merging ACPA and NASPA. Now that I work abroad in higher education, the critical importance of unification is even more obvious. I was unable to attend the 2010 ACPA conference but I did attend NASPA. Attending NASPA offered the opportunity for me to participate in one of the open forums on “Envisioning the Future of Student Affairs.” I commented at this form that those of us attempting to adapt student affairs in other cultural settings need a central, authoritative organization. It’s hard enough to explain student affairs work to colleagues in international settings without having to explain the historic evolution of the field and how two competing organizations ended up representing the field in the U.S.A. ACPA and NASPA histories are important and make sense to Americans who experienced the emergence of student affairs practice in the 20th century. However, there is little place for competition (and divisiveness) in the globalized environment of the 21st century, a time when coherent and purposeful focus is so key.

I was surprised by the lack of response to my comment at the NASPA forum, which led me to believe that the attendees may not have understood that the global community no longer revolves around the U.S.A. There are many more players in the global community and higher education is expanding more rapidly outside of the U.S.A. than it is inside it. Those of us advocating for the importance of student affairs in international settings are making a difference but we need the help of ACPA and NASPA and we need most of all for them to understand their global responsibility to provide a unifying worldwide voice. Neither ACPA nor NASPA are international organizations. As an international participant in Chicago with other Arabian Gulf colleagues at my side, I was embarrassed and had to apologize on numerous occasions for the lack of useful content or sensitivity in keynotes, introductions, and programs. I want to make it clear that this is not a criticism of NASPA; I am fairly confident that I would have felt the same way at ACPA. Both are equally negligent in understanding the importance of their role in the global higher education community.

Envisioning the Future of Student Affairs (February, 2010) recognizes the importance of globalization and the demand for higher education throughout the world as its first two points under “Today’s context on the future.” I doubt that the placement at the head of the list was an accident and I hope that this is reinforced as the unification considerations continue. Reference is also made in the report to student engagement and how it is impacted by student demographic diversity, a dynamic that is heavily influenced by the trend of students moving throughout the world among the U.S.A., Europe, Asia, the Middle East and elsewhere to study. ACPA and NASPA have an opportunity at this critical juncture to bring great value to the international higher education community. However, if ACPA and NASPA members are unable to transcend their own vested interests, the rest of the world will likely define higher education without the important voice of U.S.A. student affairs professional associations.

Dennis C. Roberts, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice President for Education
Faculty and Student Services
Education Division, Qatar Foundation
past-President and former Senior Scholar

Message from a Veteran

2010-06-02T11:00:00.001-05:00

As a military veteran, reading Dr. Susan Salvador’s blog “Serving Our Military Heroes” I was pleased to learn that an organization such as ACPA is making our military veterans a priority. It also caused me to think about my experiences returning to the classroom and the challenges that are faced by other veterans that make the decision to pursue a college education.

I am a veteran of the first Gulf-War in the early 1990’s. I returned to earn both my undergraduate and graduate degrees upon completing my four-year enlistment. I have been in higher education for close to ten years now and every day work with college students including military veterans. I feel the combination of these experiences allows me to better recognize and understand the barriers many of our veterans, both young and old alike, face as they make this transition to the classroom. I also identify with the challenges we face as professionals in the field of higher education as each of us aim to best serve these students.

Recently, I met with a veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. I did not know he was a veteran until later in our meeting. His transcripts showed an academic performance that was less than stellar in his first attempt at college but after a several year break and subsequent return his grades showed dramatic improvement.

This student showed very little emotion and it was difficult to get a read on him. As I was attempting to learn more about him he shared little. As we discussed a gap in his education he revealed he was in the military and served in the war. He was very hesitant to do so. But his willingness to open up and share with me changed when I explained my background including my status as a veteran of the first Gulf War and my pursuit of education after serving in the military.

While I know my experiences in the military did not impact me to the degree as it has him, his willingness to discuss his situation instantly changed. He openly discussed the scars he bears from the war, the services he is receiving to overcome some of his barriers, and how his life has been impacted by what he witnessed and experienced during war. He became an entirely different person. He was open, engaging, and his level of confidence appeared to change instantly.

I share this story because I often wonder how I would have handled this situation if I was not a veteran? Would this student have opened up to me or given me the real opportunity to help him if I could not identify myself as a veteran? Would he have opened up to me if I was a veteran but did not serve during a time of war?

My experiences in the military are not as traumatic as this student’s were but I am guarded and often unwilling to divulge my status as a veteran of the first Gulf War. So I understand his reluctance to share his background. I can’t say for sure why but I never quite feel comfortable sharing this information.

How many other veterans are unwilling to share their background? How often do we encounter a student without ever realizing what burden they bear regardless of veteran status? What about their families… the father, the mother, the husband, the wife, the child, the brother, or the sister of those veterans who did not return or returned a different person? These are just some of the challenges those of us in higher education face every day.

I do not believe you have to be a veteran to assist a veteran. But I do believe we need to be sensitive, compassionate, and allow the student to move at his or her own pace through the process. I would like to say we must be empathetic but I am cautious to say this because sometimes it is too easily confused with pity. I can guarantee these heroes are not seeking pity. But we do need to recognize the sacrifices our veterans and their families make especially during a period of war or conflict.

Thank you for your commitment to our military veterans. It is organizations like ACPA, operating on a national and international level, which can make a difference. It is people like those who are members of ACPA and have a true desire to make a difference who will impact the successful transition of our military veterans.

Sincerely,

US Gulf War Veteran

Become Part of the Conversation

2010-06-01T08:37:00.000-05:00

Greetings… Since assuming the role of President I have outlined the initiatives that I plan to focus on throughout the coming year. To view more detailed information on these initiatives you may link to an earlier blog post. They include:

1) Meeting the needs of student veterans of the armed forces and their families;
2) Learning and understanding more about community colleges, community college students as well as the faculty and student services staff working with these students;
3) Continuing the globalization of ACPA; and,
4) Strengthening our ability to serve students as their stresses and pressures challenge their success.

I am inviting you to become a part of this conversation. If your campus has been active in offering services or you have been involved in ways that address any of these areas please share at ACPAPrez@gmail.com. I would like to learn of these efforts and the related outcomes. Feel free to also include suggestions and/or ideas that have not yet been implemented—serving as good ‘food for thought’.

As our convention 2011 theme encourages: Be more scholarly… be more purposeful… be more insightful… be more thoughtful…yes-- be more of what makes you who you are!

Susan M. Salvador
President, ACPA
Vice President, Student Services
Monroe Community College, Rochester, NY

Serving Our Military Heroes

2010-05-11T08:09:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, March 4, 1865, at his second inaugural address, President Abraham Lincoln spoke of providing support and services for the veterans of the Civil War. Lincoln concluded his address in 1865 summarizing his belief that the United States should provide for those who served in the Civil War. He stated as a country the United States should “… care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan…”

Nearly 150 years later higher education is faced with this charge for our post 9/11 military veterans. The challenge begins with the vast and varied needs of our military veterans. ACPA has identified meeting the needs of our veterans and their families as a priority. Past ACPA President Tom Jackson and I, along with the leadership within ACPA have listened to our membership in seeking to address these challenges. The need grows each day as more and more veterans are making the decision to change their lives through education.

With the approval from Congress, on August 1, 2009 the new GI Bill era began. The new GI Bill covers up to full tuition and fees for in-state public universities in addition to financial support for housing and books for post 9/11 veterans who decide to pursue a college or university education. The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) expected a significant increase in the number of veterans returning to school due to these increased benefits. We have certainly witnessed such an increase here in Rochester, NY, not only at Monroe Community College (MCC) but also at our neighboring institutions, in addition to the entire State University of New York (SUNY) system.

The military and the US Government made a monumental step in attempting to meet the financial needs of these veterans transitioning to the role of students. But this is just a hint of the challenges and obstacles these students and their families may face.

Researching the policies and regulations in addition to the best practices and narratives on this subject matter brought me to the VA website. The quote I referenced above from Abraham Lincoln was brought to my attention while researching the VA website. I found the Mission Statement, Vision, and Core Values all to be reflective of our goal to assist veterans through a successful transition and experience on our college and university campuses. I ask that we reflect on these as we consider how our campuses can better meet these needs. The VA lists the following about their department (found online at http://www4.va.gov/about_va/):

VA Mission Statement
To fulfill President Lincoln's promise “To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan” by serving and honoring the men and women who are America’s veterans.

Vision
To provide veterans the world-class benefits and services they have earned - and to do so by adhering to the highest standards of compassion, commitment, excellence, professionalism, integrity, accountability, and stewardship.

Core Values
Compassion: We will treat all veterans and their families with the utmost dignity and compassion. We will provide services in a caring manner, with a sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it.

Commitment: Veterans have earned our gratitude and respect. Their health care, benefits, and memorial service needs to drive our actions

Excellence: We strive to exceed the expectations of veterans and their families. We strive to perform at the highest level of competence and take pride in our accomplishments.

Professionalism: Our success depends on maintaining a highly-skilled, diverse, and compassionate workforce. We foster a culture that values equal opportunity, innovation, and accountability.

Integrity: We recognize the importance of accurate information. We practice open, truthful, and timely communication with veterans, employees, and external stakeholders. By carefully listening and responding to their concerns, we seek continuous improvement in our programs and services.

Accountability: We will perform in a manner at all times that makes us accountable, responsible, and answerable to veterans and their families, our leaders and other employees as well as external stakeholders.

Stewardship: We will ensure responsible stewardship of the human, financial, and natural resources as well as data and information entrusted to us. We will improve performance through the use of innovative technologies, evidence-based medical practices, and sound business principles.

I trust that each of us can share our belief in these statements found on the VA website. But we also know that words or programs identified by the VA alone cannot meet all of the needs of our students. These are students who at times wear both the emotional and physical scars of war and conflict, scars that we cannot always visually identify.

There are a handful of resources available online that provide a deeper understanding and further insight into our goal to best serve our veterans and their families. I hope to share more in the future but I wanted to provide a brief list of articles I feel are worthy of our attention. They provide insight and perspective from various points of view:

1) POV: Veterans Returning To College Aren’t Victims, They’re Assets By Peter Katopes
2) Valuing Veterans By Rose Sachs and the CTC Team
3) Soldiers in the Classroom By Mike Rose
4) Course to help transition veterans into civilian life By Stacy Quillen-Armstrong

Among the online resources that I found the most touching was “Half of Us.” For those of you not familiar with this website it is an online resource focused on depression and similar mental health topics faced by college students every day. It also has an area dedicated to military veterans. The site includes first person accounts from veterans as they return to college. I encourage you to visit this website at http://www.halfofus.com.

This conversation will continue as we support our heroes as they take the next steps in their lives as college students.

Dr. Susan Salvador
ACPA President 2010-2011
acpaprez@gmail.com

From Dr. Susan Salvador, 2010-2011 ACPA President

2010-04-12T12:47:00.000-05:00

Boston 2010… what a great experience! I hope that each of you who had the opportunity to attend this year’s conference found it to be everything you expected and more. Past-President Tom Jackson Jr., Convention Chair Robin Diana and their teams did an outstanding job planning and orchestrating the ACPA International Convention in Boston. The challenge to build on this year’s success has been acknowledged and we look forward to going beyond these expectations at the ACPA Conference in Baltimore 2011… Patty Perillo, 2011 Convention Chair and her convention planning team have already started the planning for BMORE in Baltimore!

As I embark on my journey as ACPA President for the 2010-2011 year I look forward to the opportunity to build on ACPA’s past success as a leader in higher education. I see the next year as a year in which ACPA will continue to take the lead in advancing the profession of student affairs. We will remain strong, focused, and committed to the efforts we have undertaken in the past while moving forward and continuing to address our strategic priorities.

As the president of ACPA, I will continue to be guided by ACPA’s strategic priorities which include: Knowledge & Competencies; Professional & Career Development; and Membership & Recruitment. As members of ACPA, it is important for each of us to keep these priorities before us.

While I use these strategic priorities as guidelines, my presidency will focus on four primary areas as well as support. These areas include:

1) Our students who are veterans of the armed forces and their families. We need to strengthen and ensure our services meet the needs of these veterans. We need to partner with faculty and staff to ensure our veterans are not overlooked in the educational process. We cannot forget their families. We need to ensure services are available, whether through our campuses or community partners, that expand beyond the traditional campus services. Our veterans cannot and should not be separated from the issues of their families who may also have adjustment concerns.

2) Learning and understanding more about community college students as well as the student services staff who serve them. What strategies, philosophies, and approaches are used by community college student services colleagues? How can a better understanding of community colleges help us in our efforts? What should staff and faculty at two and four colleges learn from and partner with to best serve students?

3) The continual globalization of ACPA which includes an increased international presence, including membership, growth of study abroad, research and the sharing of knowledge.

4) Growing in our ability to serve our students as the stresses and pressures they face continue to mount. Our need to enhance the ways we assist our students with the “invisible book bags” they carry … which are filled with issues related to work, mental health, finances, and family, just to name a few. How can we approach and assist students differently? How can we recognize that to do the same thing harder is not the answer.

For those of you who were at the ACPA 2010 Conference at Boston you may have had the opportunity to attend the business meeting to hear my mentor, Monroe Community College President Emeritus R. Thomas Flynn, speak. He shared that one simple question has always been at the heart of his success. Reflecting on his earliest days in college student personal administration at Rutgers University to his most recent position as President of Monroe Community College, for President Flynn the question has always been “Is it good for the students?”

We need to ensure that we maintain a similar focus and remember why we chose the career path we have… for most of us that is to have a positive impact on our students and our campus communities.

I ask that you join me in this next year as we look forward to making a difference on our campuses and preparing for ACPA Baltimore 2011 in being more… be more intentional, be more principled, be more connected, be more engaged, be more happy, be more inclusive. Be more of what makes you who you are!

From the New VP-Electby Dr. Heidi Levine

2010-02-15T16:58:00.000-06:00

I am thrilled to have been elected to serve as the next Vice President of ACPA. It is an incredible honor to have been selected to work with and represent you, and I am so very appreciative of the faith you have expressed in me.

I am looking forward to meeting with the Assembly, leaders and members in Boston. This is such an exciting, challenging and vital time for our profession and association. We have important work to do together, and I’m ready to listen, facilitate, and join with all of you in that work.

See you in Boston!
Heidi

Guest Blog - Random Thoughts by Robin, Diana, Boston 2010 Convention Chair

2010-02-10T20:09:00.000-06:00

It is February with a little over a month to go before our ACPA Convention is upon us. Have you ever had those quiet moments when you dream about what would it be like if…? You begin to visualize it and think through what it might be like. You smile; you laugh; and you may even shed a tear or a release a big sigh. You might even sketch out your thoughts in detail, see your ideas implemented and identify who you would surround yourself with “if” you were to be Chair of the ACPA Convention.

I must admit, I have had those questioning moments over the course of the last five years prior to becoming Chair. I have imagined…What would it be like? What would I do? Who would be on the team? What would I learn? What would I love about it? What would I change? What would I dislike about it? The list went on. But, one thing was clear to me, I would want it more than anything. I already had thoughts of what I would do. Did I really know what was ahead? Did I know for sure what to expect, what would come my way?

Eighteen months ago, when I was offered the position by Tom Jackson, vice president elect, for a moment, I was, speechless (yes, hard to imagine me, speechless). I was thrilled, shocked, scared, and really not sure I could do it. I had a million thoughts running through my head, including those I had thought about over and over again for so many years. Would I be able to live up to the president's expectations, challenges, and crazy ideas? He and I have known each other since the late 80’s, and served on many ACPA things before—so of course I could work with him. Let me correct that, he would be working for me. So as reality set in, I paused, sighed, laughed, and smiled, and the word “Yes” came out of my mouth. Followed by the words, “Yes, yes and yes!”

As I reflect on my journey as the Boston 2010 Convention Chair, I must tell you that this experience has been more than what I could ever have visualized, anticipated, predicted or expected—in such an amazing way!

Some thoughts from my experience I want to share as new members come on board and contribute to ACPA:

Be a coach. While I never have formally coached a sports team, in the spirit of teaching skills, strategies, and techniques associated with a sports team, one thing I did know is that I needed to guide, challenge, support and motivate the team and then needed to get off the field and let the players “play” the game. Coaches keep playing until they get it right.
Learn to be comfortable being in the middle. I had no idea that I would learn as much as I have or work with as many colleagues as I have. As Chair you work very closely with all leadership. From wanting to grant wishes and listening to ideas, to receiving feedback, and to attending to agendas and needs. I learned to manage the details and the big picture. I needed to listen, reflect, evaluate, respond and sometimes put on my tap dancing shoes and “dance.” I did my best to be a strategic thinker (my #1 in StrengthQuest) and weigh all sides before deciding. Trying to create win-wins was always my first choice, even though at times, it was not possible.
Be on the lookout for possibilities and opportunities. I am not one to accept the word, “can’t.” If I was told “We can’t,” I would ask “Why not? Can’t we knock the ‘t’ off can’t?" Change, or as I like to call it possibilities and opportunities, is what makes life fun and exciting. Problems or concerns are opportunities waiting to happen. A setback is an opportunity to begin anew more intelligently. Never pull down the shade. As long as you’re going to think about anything, think big. As my mother would say to me, “Robin, you may fall seven times, so stand up eight. Your perseverance and tenacity will serve you right; open the shade and let the sun shine in. Never pull down the shade.”
Make it a habit to tell people thank you. As I think about the convention team, leadership and our members who continuously give of their time, talent and expertise, I am amazed. It is important to find moments to express appreciation and gratitude to volunteers who sincerely do this and without the expectation of anything in return. They are the foundation of our success. I can only hope that I have expressed enough my deepest gratitude. As one great author said, “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it, is like wrapping a present and never giving it.” Give it!
Learn how to say no. I can say no without actually saying the word “no.” Need I say more? (No!).
Gain strength, courage and confidence with each experience. I have grown in so many ways. My heart and soul have been strengthened and my ambition inspired. I have taken more risks than I might have in the past. I have learned the difference between good and great is just a little, ok, sometimes a lot of extra effort.
Be spontaneous and flexible. You have heard the saying, “Just another ordinary day.” Wrong. The past five months, 85% of my day, not including nights and weekends has been devoted to ACPA. I have learned to be flexible, to prioritize the important things, to stay fit, and see the humor in things. For anyone thinking about being Chair, there really are no ordinary days! Choose what “gets” to you. Switch your mind to a new station. Laugh. Be real and honest with yourself. Take a break and tune out…just for a moment or two.

I am grateful for this journey and the opportunity to work with exceptionally talented and committed colleagues. I have been challenged, empowered and inspired beyond any professional position I have held in student affairs. As Teddy Roosevelt said, “Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” Thank you Tom Jackson and to the many colleagues who supported and believed in me to do the work I love to do.

See you in Boston!

My heartfelt thanks,

Robin Diana
Chair, Boston 2010 Convention

ACPA and NASPA Approve Similar Resolutions - Subcommittees Next by Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., ACPA President 2009-10

2010-01-10T18:42:00.000-06:00

It was Desi Arnaz saying to Lucille Ball, “Now you went and did it!” As for consolidation, yep, both ACPA and NASPA took one more small step as we continue on the path toward consolidation.

When I was a graduate student I heard the question: what is the difference between ACPA and NASPA? I won’t tell you what I was told at that time but I will tell you that the following year I joined both associations and have remained a member of both associations ever since. Where those differences I was told true at the time? In hindsight I honestly think they were exaggerated. Some were true but all in all, at least for my career, ACPA and NASPA have been much more alike than they have been different. I acknowledge these sentiments may not be true for everyone, and certainly the many before me. However, a big part of the message we have heard this past semester within the states has been that ACPA and NASPA are much more alike than they are not. In part for this reason, both of our memberships favor ACPA and NASPA having these discussions. They have for many years. And, to your Governing Boards credit, they are listening to you.

During the December board meetings for both ACPA and NASPA, both boards acted on a resolution to continue the process toward consolidation. There still is a great amount of work to do, but the boards committed themselves to a process that now involves each board directly, as well as many leaders and members within the associations. This is an amazing and very positive step. For many, many years this conversation did not make it to the respective boards, and therefore never made it officially to the members. This past year not only has your ACPA Governing Board acted on this topic twice, but the NASPA Board of Directors has done so as well. This is historic.

The resolutions that were passed contain mostly the same language. However, the versions voted on and passed also have subtle differences. Most importantly, however, is that both versions commit to a process of involving association leaders in co-chairing joint subcommittees that will define many elements of a new organization. What occurs after this work is completed remains the only significant difference between the two resolutions. There have been some members who wanted a more detailed picture of what a combined association might look like in the future. This is an opportunity for some of this work to be developed. It really is exciting.

In late January the “consolidation steering team” consisting of the ACPA and NASPA president, ACPA and NASPA past president, ACPA and NASPA Vice President/President-Elect, and the two Executive Directors will meet in Washington, D.C. This will be the historic 3rd meeting of this group. During the meeting the group will work with our consultant in reconciling the resolutions, determining our next steps, revising our timeline, transitioning our leadership, and slotting co-chairs for the different subcommittees.

The collegiality within your ACPA Governing Board, and the shared collegiality between our two associations, has been very present these past several months. As we contemplate the larger question of what is best for our profession, there has been no doubt that we all share a commitment to our profession and respective associations. It is my belief you, as a member, would be proud of this Governing Board.

No matter where this consolidation path takes us collectively, it is gratifying that you have allowed the members of this ACPA Governing Board to be the leaders of our profession at this moment in time. They are a talented group of colleagues who have already proven themselves worthy of your confidence and support. Weeeee.

VP Thoughts from Dr. Susan Salvador, ACPA VP 2009-10

2009-11-03T21:15:00.000-06:00

Last March I began my journey as ACPA Vice President. What I didn't know at the convention was that -- as I transitioned to VP -- I had just jumped on a fast moving, powerful, focused, multitasking train. As our president Tom Jackson says: "Weeeeee." I had to hold on so I didn't fall off.

We are involved in ACPA in a multitude of purposeful ways. I have learned of the many amazing initiatives you are committed to; as well as the events, projects, and new initiatives that need my attention.

I have met new colleagues and rekindled relationships with colleagues who I have known for years -- all focused on our students and the profession.

I am professionally and personally enjoying 'the ride' and greatly look forward to being President.

Susan Salvador
ACPA Vice President (President 2010-11)

Unification Documents: Answers to many of your questionsby Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., ACPA President 2009-10

2009-10-19T12:12:00.000-05:00

I sincerely hope you are having a wonderful fall semester and your respective students are engaged and thriving throughout campus.

This email is a special update on the continuing discussions related to unification with NASPA. Over the past several months the presidents and executive directors of both associations (past, current, and future presidents) have been working, emailing, planning, and talking about the many dynamics involved in unification. These discussions, including two face-to-face meetings, have been incredibly collegial, strategic, and positive. We share so much in common and it truly is rewarding to be working with such a fine group of people.

Today, both ACPA and NASPA shares with you some of the work of the presidents. These “unification” documents are in response to member feedback for additional information. More specifically, the following links take you to new documents (webpages): one that speaks to the considerations we have identified (including background, rationale, and pre-unification issues); a second that articulates the values guiding this process; and a third that contains frequently asked questions and the present responses to them.

http://www.myacpa.org/unification

With these pieces in hand, you now have more context and content related to our ongoing conversations concerning the unification issue. We are also still in the process of finalizing a communications plan/timeline document. We should be able to share that with you within a week or two.

Both ACPA and NASPA share a deep commitment to our profession. In fact, ACPA leaders have attended the many different state conferences and ACPA supported professional development programs to respond to member questions. If you have comments or questions you are strongly encouraged to share them using one of the emails below. As always, you can also review and respond to any of the ACPA President blogs located at http://acpa-president.blogspot.com.

ourcommonvoice@gmail.com - (read by both Tom and Mike)
msegawa@naspa.org - (read by Mike Segawa)
acpaprez@gmail.com - (read by Tom Jackson, Jr.)

As we continue to hear your voices and utilize our legal and unification consultants, this process will certainly evolve and we will do our best to keep you apprised of our progress. What an exciting time to be a Student Affairs professional. Thank you for your commitment to ACPA.

Tom Jackson, Jr.
ACPA President

Future & Unification Responses (as of August 19, 2009)

2009-08-20T08:05:00.000-05:00

When the leaderships of both ACPA and NASPA started seriously talking about the future of the profession and the many positive reasons to consider unification, we wanted to make sure that our members had the opportunity to express themselves. As the ACPA President, I have heard most of my career many reasons why both ACPA and NASPA should unify. As both a long time active member of both organizations it is rewarding to see the many comments that have come from the membership. Please do not stop. We want to hear what you are thinking.

Below is a summary of the many emails both Mike and I have received on the "ourcommonvoice@gmail.com" account. Since ACPA does not have a discussion board (as NASPA does on the member pages), this seemed to be a fitting way to share the comments that have been shared. There really are not too many secrets here, and this really isn't a new topic for many of us. We have taken out identifying or non-unification related information only because those comments had been written to Mike and I, and we suspect the authors did not intend the comments to be publicly identifiable.

If you have comments about any of the messages simply use the "comments" feature at the bottom of this blog post. As always, please share your thoughts. Our emails remain:

ourcommonvoice@gmail.com (read by Tom and Mike)
acpaprez@gmail.com (read by Tom)
msegawa@naspa.org (read by Mike)

COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS (prior to August 19, 2009)

I believe that the time for one student affairs organization is here. I am a younger student affairs professional; I have been in the field since 2001 and I am now doing my PhD in Higher Education. I am sure that you have heard all of the arguments articulated a number of ways, so I will just voice my personal experience.

I am currently a NASPA member, though in the past I have also been an ACPA member. To be honest, I don’t ever see a point where I will be able to justify paying for membership in both organizations. I wind up paying my yearly dues based on which conference I am better able to attend. I do some work in both organizations and sometimes find myself in the awkward position of technically not even being a member of the organization I am working for.

I will not represent myself as doing a lot of work for either organization, but I have done enough and seen enough and been privy to enough meetings and decisions to absolutely resent the competition (rarely healthy, sometimes petty, often unnecessary) between the 2 groups. Unfortunately I have plenty of examples that cast people and groups in both organizations in a poor light. I have wasted time at conferences and on conference calls having conversations about how we can guard turf against the “other” group .

Please create one voice for our profession as soon as possible.
You both are very courageous as are the members of the task force that has done remarkable work. Jan and Vasti have provided vision and leadership that is needed and they bring a wealth of knowledge and wisdom to the task. Having spoken at length with Tom about just this topic over numerous years, I think that you, Tom know my feelings on this matter. Mike, I’ll say that this bold step is necessary for our profession to be a vibrant voice and force in higher education in this century. Without it, I fear we will drift and perhaps lose relevance and certainly influence in higher education and most definitely on our individual campuses – not all at once and maybe not on all campuses … but on many and perhaps the majority of campuses, we will become just another service center that is viewed as ancillary to the mission of the institution. We need a solid and unified national and international voice to have impact on the higher education stage now and in the foreseeable future.

I therefore wish to state that I wholeheartedly support our profession’s efforts to join our two national voices into one and merge our efforts toward the betterment of our profession and our students. Thank you both for your vision and willingness to put aside the rivalry (maybe overstated, but most likely not …) between my two associations and to work to have one vital and strong visionary organization.
First of all, I would like to thank the two of you for taking up this thorny issue which has long been a concern to me and our fellow NASPA and ACPA members. I know that the issues are many and the topic is fraught with potential pitfalls and that you will hear opinions across the spectrum from keep the organizations separate at all costs to lets merge tomorrow. Many of these voices come from powerful constituencies from within one or both of our organizations, and have managed to destroy past efforts in this direction. My first recommendation to both of you is please do not let these voices of negativism who scream to keep the organizations apart win the day this time. Out future and that of the student affairs profession is too important to let this happen.

While I have met both of you, I know neither of you well. However, your backgrounds and your perspectives are positive and demonstrate large amounts of experience and good judgment. Everything I hear and know about both of you is positive and I trust your judgment. While this cannot be said for some of the other leaders of aspects of one or more of the groups within our organizations, I think that generally people are approaching this with an open mind and with good intentions. I have worked with the executive directors of both organizations and have respect for both as well as staff within the central offices of both organizations.

I think that the key point of the midterm report is that we cannot be taken seriously as a profession as long as we have two competing broad based professional organizations. Having taught the history of higher education I understand from whence the two organizations have come and the different management structures and focuses of each. I teach an Introduction to Student Affairs course and have my students examine the structure, ethical statements and other aspects of each organization and we have great discussions about which organization best meets their needs. The bottom line is that most young professionals cannot afford to join both and thus must choose. This, among many other things fractures our profession. Congress and the Department of Education, ACE and other general higher education organizations as well as college and university presidents see us as fractured. We MUST come together.

I cannot tell you how many presidents I have spoken with who think student affairs is a joke. They see weak campus leaders and laugh at how fractured we are. Unlike faculty we have no standards, or common directions, except voluntary ones by which our performances can be judged. We have no common structures and very little literature or research about how our divisions should be organized, how to properly supervise our staffs and this must occur and our professional association (you will notice I used the singular) must lead us in this direction.

I could go on for a long time but will not do so. I hope you get feedback from many voices and that you and the other leaders of both organizations wisely approach this huge issue. The midterm report is a good start. Don’t blow it!
I have been a member of NASPA for several years, and I am thrilled to see that NASPA and ACPA are exploring the possibility of becoming a single association representing student affairs professionals.

I fully support the uniting of these two great organizations and I think it is absolutely the right move to make.
I would like to express my support of the unification of ACPA and NASPA into a single, stronger voice on behalf of the student affairs profession.

I have worked in the field for about a decade, recently transitioning into full-time graduate study to pursue my doctorate in Higher Education Leadership.

My membership in both ACPA and NASPA has been on again off again because at different times during my career, one or the other organization met my professional needs. Merging the two resources would enable a continuity of support, services, research, and even national public policy involvement which is sorely needed in our nation's higher education system given its historical evolution in a capitalist society where regulation with inadequate funding compared the the K-12 system hampers our ability to serve all of our students, as diverse as they are, to the best of our abilities.

Thank you for requesting member feedback.
I think it makes a great deal of sense for the two organizations to merge to form a new association. It has always been somewhat concerning and confusing, especially in recent years, as to why there are two separate organizations with such similar missions and philosophies. In light of the demands on our time and budgets, it was always impossible, at least in my situation to belong to both organizations, especially after joining the professional ranks and being required to pay my own membership. I am in full support of unification and I think by doing so the organizations are providing an exemplary model of cooperation, collaboration, sustainability, and wise business sense.
My opinion is that NASPA and ACPA should form as one association. This will increase our professional association's resources (financial and human) and expertise. It will unify our efforts while discouraging duplication. It will give us a stronger voice if we have one association that represents us.
I am looking forward to entering my 5th year of Residence Life experience. Having worked at only two institutions of higher education to date, I have been alarmed at how quickly the professional development funds have been depleted (or some of the first funding targeted to be reabsorbed to cut costs).

I have been told that, unofficially, ACPA and NASPA have two different primary consumers. ACPA being considered more new/entry level professional and NASPA being for mid-senior student affairs staff. This has also been my personal experience being a member of ACPA in 2004-2005 and a member of NASPA in 2008.

That being said, in the past 5 years of my professional experience, it has been rare that I have been able to afford membership to either ACPA or NASPA as professional development funds have not been available and I have always had to choose which organization I would send membership dues from my own account to. (Don't worry--this is not a "I'm poor and disgruntled letter!")

Where I have not been able to afford national membership dues, I have been able to afford regional associations membership fees, so I am involved indirectly and have greatly appreciated whatever professional development comes my way.

I applaud and encourage the idea of combining ACPA and NASPA for the reasons you have given. My only reservation being that if these two associations are combined, what kind of programming and information will be available to the entry level professional who has eyes set on advancing in the field of student affairs? Specifically, how will the unification impact me as an entry level professional in the event that I find the funding to join? I understand this is a broad question and one that might not have an easily given response, so I am not asking for a response. I prefer that this question be kept on the table as you consider realigning organizational structures.

From dialogues I have engaged in with colleagues, I think our primary concern stems from the feeling that we give much of ourselves to work in student affairs, and as you have pointed out, we are expected to do more with less, so how will this unification directly benefit its members--at any level? Will we be afforded the same opportunities to network and attend conferences/workshops that directly impact us?

Will the research opportunities be the same, or will research/journal space be limited into one publication? I have more questions along these lines but don't want to get ahead of the process.

I am not certain that any of this feedback will be helpful... However, as a practitioner in the field of student affairs and because I am intrigued by the concept of unification, I am interested in helping out in any way that I can in this exploration.

With appreciation.
I have read the documents forwarded and I would like to commend your leadership in making this happen.

I fully support the joining of the two organizations and urge you to not let this come to impasse again.

I appreciate the difficulty of the task but urge you to press on to successful conclusion.
I write to commend and support each of you in your leadership efforts in this delicate but important area of merging two excellent professional associations. I am a member of both ACPA (for many, many years) and NASPA (fewer years but in perhaps more active roles).

One of the sensitive issues of which you are certainly well aware is the regional vs. state organizations. All of the reasons you mention in your statement affect these affiliated organizations as well. While I strongly encourage my colleagues and students to attend the national conferences and read the national publications, the regional and state options are financially very attractive to many. My state's higher ed budgets have never been generous, and in today's financial realities, the "local" options are increasingly attractive. They have always been a great starting place for graduate students and new professionals as well.

As a professional preparation faculty member, I am often asked by students why there are two national associations in student affairs. I strongly support both NASPA and ACPA, but this is a tough question to answer adequately without resorting to organizational stereotypes (that I choose not to pass along). In the merger process, I encourage you to continue/expand NASPA's complimentary national conference registration that NASPA offers faculty program coordinators.

Again, thank you both for your leadership at this challenging (yet very exciting) time for both superb organizations. I look forward to supporting your efforts in any way that I can. Your work is vitally important to the future of the profession.
As a long-time member of both associations, I am so pleased (and relieved) about the progress that has been made under your leadership (and Vasti and Jan’s) towards uniting our membership. I am absolutely convinced that it is the right thing to do, but, as we know, the devil is in the details. Thank you both for being willing to do the hard work to manage the discussion, the strong opinions and, I hope, eventually, the details to make it happen. I sincerely appreciate your hard work.
Given the economic climate and the need to stop duplicating efforts, I think it is time for it to happen. I have two concerns:

1. There needs to be a knowledge community for mental health/counseling

2. There needs to be a “home” for identity based groups such as professionals with disabilities, multicultural, etc.
I am writing as an individual member with some insights as a past leader of a constituent group.

First, I’d like to state that I am pleased to hear that unification is being actively explored and hope that, despite the structural challenges and emotional attachments members may have within each organization, we can find an effective way to move forward with a common voice. Transparency and timely communication is going to be essential through this process, as I know you are aware. It is going to be important for members and leadership to understand the “why” as well as the “how” throughout the process.

I think foremost on everyone’s mind is how will the unification process affect constituent groups and structure, which I see as directly related to how long the unification process may take. Without some sense of how long the process might take, we don’t know how to strategically plan. How should we work with our counterpart in our sister organization and what should we be discussing at this stage in the process? How do constituent groups without counterparts in the sister organization proceed? How can constituent groups make recommendations to the governing boards that is constituent group specific? How will voices of constituent groups as well as individual members be heard? How will the new structure for the new organization be decided?

Equally important is to answer “why” to help ease anxieties. Why will the unification take the amount of time projected? Why have some of the concrete decisions not been made about structural changes? Why are decisions being made the way they are?

Please remember to include – as frequently as possible - the voices of your current leadership beyond the governing boards. Regional, state, international, commission, standing committee and knowledge community leaders understand their unique functional challenges and constituent needs; and can provide a lot of insightful guidance throughout the process. Communication must be a two way street, so even as you, the governing boards and task force are sharing information with us about discussions you are having at your level, also continue to actively seek the advice and guidance of the leadership at all levels of each association for they can help us all to understand what might work and what might not in practice – and each constituent group has something unique and different from other constituent groups that cannot necessarily be lumped together. Even if you have to have someone meet individually with each group, the inclusion of those voices is going to be essential to this process. Bring them to the table before decisions are made whenever possible and help them to understand what the unification process would entail in as many concrete details as you can provide with a rationale for what is happening.

Perhaps each constituent group can be charged with providing a written “report” or “recommendation” – together with their sister organization counterpart if one exists – regarding :

1. what they see as the current trends, issues and needs within their functional area/identity group
2. what types of activities are necessary for the professional development, education, competency, and participation of members of that constituent group
3. with whom they need to foster relationships outside of the new organization (other national organizations who specialize or corporate partnerships) and
4. what type of structure may be necessary to address their constituent group activities/needs
5. how they might move beyond current structures and perhaps unify beyond their counterpart in the sister organization, if one exists (For example, I could see ACPA’s wellness commission, substance abuse prevention commission, athletics and rec commission, counseling & psych services commission, and spirituality task force discussing with NASPAs counterparts the most effective way to address comprehensive wellness issues in a new organizational structure).

I’m sure you will receive a range of responses to the move toward unification, and I hope the majority of it will be positive. I think you’ll find that most people are supportive of it in theory. The devil is in the details. People are going to want some idea of how long the unification might take (even if it is a loose projection) and why, as many concrete answers as possible to ease their anxieties about what it means on a functional level, and also to be included in the decision making process as often as possible.

Thank you for your consideration and best wishes.
I am writing to ask how unification would impact knowledge communities, standing committees, and commissions? I know this question has several layers, but how might leadership of these different groups meld if at all, and how might we handle divergences in missions/visions across the different groups? Though unification may happen after my tenure [in my leadership role], I would like to be able to provide those who follow with some indication of what could be expected of them during such a transition. Thank each of you very much for this opportunity to ask questions.
Thank you both for the communication out to the membership regarding the question of unification between ACPA and NASPA. I fully recognize that we need to be very deliberate in how the two organizations look at this important question. As you know, however, this question has come up before and there is a common belief in the membership that we could not move forward on this question a few years back because
although the membership may have felt strongly to unify, one or both executive boards did not support the move. There was also a lot of speculation why either of the boards did or did not support unification, all which are moot given this current activity. Though, with that belied widely held, some of us are concerned about the process outlined.

Although it is well intentioned, we believe it may in fact be flawed. Here is the basis for this assertion, though our assertion has absolutely no bearing on any member of the review group. The process outlined states that the two organizations will look closely at this matter and based upon their findings make a decision on whether to put to the members a vote on unification. Currently, there is a strong belief in members from both groups that a vote on unification will never be put to the membership. The basis of this sentiment seems to be a belief that both organizations have leaders with such strong feelings towards their own culture and such expressed disdain for the other organization, that they will insure the body studying this question will never recommend a vote to occur. People who have strong affiliation to a group often cannot fully engage in the activity proposed here. Some of us would recommend that the body studying this question on unification (a) fully disclose its findings to the membership of both bodies (many of us are members of both organizations), including a full SWOT analysis of the findings and then (b) let the membership of both organizations decide.

Thank you for considering this request. I look forward to the work that will occur on this important question.
I applaud the work of the Task Force and fully support unification efforts and agree that there should be one voice for the profession. I believe one organization can keep the best of both ACPA and NASPA and be all the stronger for it by not competing and through realizing operating efficiencies.

I have been a member of both NASPA and ACPA for close to 25 years (with a couple of years missing in the middle during a break in my career). Although my current role is broader than student affairs work, my roots are in the profession and it is the professional development I gained from both organizations that allowed me to grow in my career. Earlier in my career I had the opportunity to be active at the state (ACPA) and regional (NASPA) levels, volunteering and presenting at conferences, and serving on the directorate of a commission (ACPA). These experiences have been invaluable and I encourage staff to be involved as part of their professional development as well.

I share this because I believe there are many professionals in the field who have long been members of both organizations, or who have had to chose one or the other (due to costs) even if they found value in both. It has long been a frustration to pay dues and maintain a membership in two separate professional organizations for student affairs. Because I valued both, I have done so anyway. Even when actively engaged in both organizations, I had to chose which annual convention to attend each year. It wasn't feasible to attend both (costs and time away from campus). I tried to attend each every other year, but often the decision was based on closest location and lowest total costs of travel. The resulting competition is compounded for those who are also active members of more specialized organizations such as ACUHO, AACRAO, etc...

As the Task Force and governing bodies of both organizations move forward, I urge you to keep the following in mind:

- Maintain multiple opportunities for active involvement of members at all levels, but especially for new professionals and graduate students to become involved - it is critical to their professional and career development.

- Maintain publications that are high in quality of articles for both research and practice (not necessarily hard copy - online is easier to search and access, more cost effective, and green).

- Ensure a strong state or regional structure to provide leadership opportunities and more local professional development opportunities.

I look forward to future updates on the unification process and I look forward to an opportunity to vote in favor of it as a member of both organizations.
I hope that you are both doing well. I read the midpoint report and all of the great information that has been put together on this important discussion. I chose to wrote back to this email since I am a member of both organizations and in many ways, take part in both organization differently. I very much value my membership in each organization and the opportunities it has afforded me, and many others.

First and foremost, I think unification is something that needs to happen for our profession. Student Affairs is too vital of a piece of the college experience to not be represented by one umbrella organization. I understand there will be lots to consider, and opposition along the way, but I commend you both for taking this important step.

I wanted to share a couple of thoughts for how I am active in each organization differently. I thought that it may be helpful as you and your committees consider the best way to consolidate efforts.

1. Conferences. While I have actively attended both, over the past several years I have only attended the NASPA annual convention, including the joint conference in Orlando. While both are great opportunities, I have chosen NASPA primarily due in large part to the time of year (earlier March is easier to travel than April) and the placement exchange. The alignment of ACUHO-I and NASPA has created a unique placement exchange which I feel offers more candidates to view, yearly.
2. Publications. While I have searched both sites and journals, the Journal of College Student Development by ACPA is easier to navigate and tends to offer more archival articles.
3. Costs. Having one organization would hopefully afford all of our institutions and some of our younger professionals the opportunity to know which organization to belong to and more importantly, to do so for a little less money. Belonging to two organizations is expensive but I have always felt that I did not want to choose- both ACPA and NASPA have been voices for our profession.

I also wanted to say that I would be very interested in being involved in any way that you feel would be helpful. I have just about completed my PhD and am ready to be more active in our organizations, besides the obvious of of presenting at conferences.

Again, I hope these thoughts are somewhat helpful. Best wishes and thank you for the communication and progress.
As a recent grad student who enters his first job in student affairs in a week, receiving the letter tonight was quite interesting. I wanted to take a few moments and respond with my initial thoughts, looking at this again from the point of view as a new person in this field.

I'm taking a position at a community college. One thing that has struck me as a concern, is the separation in some respects of two year from four year colleges and universities. Due to the growing need for affordable and what some would call transparent education, it is my hope that the unification effort, would help to not only focus on the great things that make ACPA and NASPA what they are organizationally, but allow for some of the talent within the two organizations to reach out to other groups within higher ed that have had a smaller voice. These would naturally include community colleges around the United States and similar colleges globally who have membership within the organizations.

While I personally was not involved greatly as a graduate student in either organization, I did attend the Job Placement Exchange at NASPA in Seattle, there are many great opportunities that I feel would be to our benefit as a profession from a united front. First, we are able to use a united voice to tell the story of what we do in higher education and provide meaningful reason to political leaders and other public interest groups, as to the need and critically important role education has played in our past, present, and future.

Second, it allows for opportunities to be identified in terms of areas of campus life that might not have been as discussed within individual organizations and the direct impact those areas have on student affairs. When I speak of this, I'm thinking of the divide that I see on some campuses between major areas such as student affairs, financial aid, and academic departments. I can personally testify for instance, to the need to withdraw for major medical care last year from graduate school, yet there was only one day to withdraw, July 14, 2008, which was my surgery day. Any earlier and I would have had major issues with financial aid, any later and the issues were with the academic side of the university, problems that are better addressed if all units such as these are working in concert with set guidelines and practices that can be enhanced by an united student affairs profession that is not in competition with itself, much less other stakeholders. This united effort can then establish best practices with other organizations that set policies and recommendations for areas of campus that are some times outside student affairs and work with national membership from organizations that deal with financial aid, academic advising, international students, among others.

Third, this united front allows for easier access to members around the community of higher education to bring awareness about certain critical issues that will impact everyone at some time down the road. As a person with a disability, I've noticed just on the few campuses I've visited, large differences in physical accessibility issues and being someone who is blind, technology and access to such resources is very different from one campus to another. A joint working group of professionals in the student affairs arena, will allow for a more congruent set of processes to be in place to deal with such issues.

Ultimately in my view, a united organization has many positives and while I know there are those who are worried about their jobs due to duplication of responsibilities, I believe with the proper strategy, we can come together with a solution that prevents the loss of any job and better utilizes the existing and future talent with each organization, to better allow us to tackle even larger and unforeseen problems that we will encounter in the months and years ahead professionally.

If I may borrow a sports analogy, the old AFL and NFL were in serious competition with one another and it was when the two leagues joined as one in 1970, that professional football and ultimately the Super Bowl became the huge cultural land mark that it is in our society today. While the ACPA and NASPA competition is not like that of the AFL and NFL, we clearly in my view have a lot more to gain working together than we lose, while doing all that can be done to maintain the unique cultures and traditions of both organizations.

As I close, one thing that I would recommend, purely as a recent graduate who is just joining the field, is to look at a committee of current grad students and new professionals who are just entering the field or who have held a job in a related capacity for less than three years. We can bring another perspective through these critical discussions, as to what we have enjoyed and wished was different about our professional and educational experiences, providing important information that these two incredible organizations can use to better support the future members of our profession. A critical area that has been and must get continued attention is what we are doing and what can be done better in the preparation programs for professionals in our field and that is one area I believe strongly a united front could perhaps help more than ever. As a new grad two years ago, I thought there is a student affairs way, not just a ACPA way and a NASPA way and this united front is something I would gladly welcome.
The name selected for your email address really says it all. It is time that student affairs professionals and their two primary professional associations present themselves with a common voice in as many areas as possible. I am an advocate for a single organization, but recognize that this may be either impossible or not immediately practical. Therefore, I support any and all steps taken to unify our efforts, reduce duplication, and draw more successfully from the power of our collective membership.
I’ve thought for years that the redundancy in the two organizations has been problematic both from an access perspective as well as cost. Please unify. There are plenty of other organizations in the country that are as big as a combined organization would be. A common resource and a common voice!
Having served on two committees (ACPA) over my 65 years of membership in both associations, whose purpose was to explore a possible among ACPA and NASPA, it heartens me to read of your work thus far on this same matter, and especially the systematic approach to the resolutions of problems associated with such action.

You are to be commended for your dedication and labors in this regard and with my fervent hopes that sometime before my departure from this earth you will succeed, and in the new form of a singular association be in a better position to provide leadership to our professional field and to better serve the educational needs of American college students and their institutions.

If you are like me, the last thing you need is more e-mail, so I will keep this brief.

I have read with great interest the movement for possible unification of our associations, and I know such a move is fraught w/administrative land mines and pot holes – not to mention the emotional aspects of such a move – but my view is “forge ahead”. As a longtime member of both associations, I have felt this way for many years, and, should the associations want members to do work – on subcommittees, etc. – I’m willing to lend a hand. Know that I would be coming into any discussion as a proponent of unification.

Thanks for providing the e-mail opportunity to offer thoughts. And for your leadership of our associations. I don’t know how you do it, given your jobs, families, etc. A tip o’ the chapeau to each of you…

Good luck as we start another academic year.
I am sure you are receiving many emails so I will keep it brief. I believe it is time to create a new comprehensive association that brings together the membership and programs of ACPA and NASPA. I realize that merging the two associations into a new association is a very complex process but it is one that will strengthen our voice within and beyond our student affairs community. I believe that it is unproductive to continue to operate with what often feels like a competitive relationship between the two associations. As a profession, we are frequently talking about the need for greater unification and blurring of lines between divisions on campus; maintaining the separation between our two associations does not seem to role model the type of approach we are espousing for our own campuses. In addition, it is difficult for us, from a practical and financial point of view, to pay for the membership the two associations, attend placement at both conferences, and attend/present at both conferences. We often feel the pressure to contribute to and participate as active members in both associations because we want to reach as many colleagues in student affairs as possible. One of my favorite experiences relating to professional development through ACPA/NASPA in my career thus far was the joint conference in Orlando. That conference provided the best opportunities for networking, education, and for finding top notch candidates through placement. This is what our future should be like.

I am very much in favor of unification and sincerely hope that the leadership of both associations can reconcile differences and find a way to come together with one voice.

Thank you and I wish you the best of luck!
Having been a member of both organizations for over 25 years, I would agree that they appear more similar than not. What I have found is choice - which city do I prefer to visit for the annual conference - who has the better keynote speakers - which is cheaper - where is there an opportunity for me to easily volunteer and get involved. Although ACPA tends to be more heavily focused on diversity topics and current research, NASPA offers higher level (SSAO) topical discussion. Both are good at serving the practitioner.

In today's economy and as higher education begins to become leaner, I don't feel having the luxury of choice will be available. With my budget trimmed significantly, I will now have to select an organization to be loyal to and make a sole commitment. For that reason, I am supportive of combining ACPA and NASPA - take the best of both organization and create the premier professional organization in higher education - the organization that is exclusively committed to student success.

Thank you for asking for feedback from our membership.
I appreciate the leadership that both of you are providing to the question of the future of student affairs associations. The present draft report is not earth-shaking; however, it does state in clear and concise ways the dilemma that we face – how to overcome a substantial history of separation and competition between ACPA and NASPA?

I understand why it was important for the Task Force to back up to establish a vision for Student Affairs before it jumped into the issue of associations. I am pleased that the vision recognized the 1937 SPPV and its contemporary relevance. The bullet points under “Today’s Vision” seem to me to be a combination of the learning-centered focus of ACPA and the administrative focus of NASPA. Combining these perspectives into the points is a good way to demonstrate that both ACPA and NASPA perspectives are valued and necessary. However, the vision statement and the bullet points don’t really establish a new “Future of Student Affairs.” I hope that, as you move forward, that the vision is not portrayed as new but simply a combination of views that have been important to us from the start; let’s build on our solid foundation rather than spinning the vision as if it is a new and improved perspective.

In my estimation, the only thing holding ACPA and NASPA back from joining forces is the inertia of past perspective and stake-holder pride in both associations. I am a “senior” in the field and hope that all of us, regardless of number of years of experience, can move on to form one voice for the field. A completely new name should be chosen for this new association and both ACPA’s and NASPA’s historical contributions to Student Affairs should be affirmed as we make our way to the new organization. I hope that decisions can be made and transition plans established to create the new comprehensive student affairs association for 2012. Three years is plenty of time to figure this out and there’s a nice symmetry to the 75th anniversary of the SPPV being marked by one unified professional association that will secure the role of student affairs in higher education’s future.

I look forward to watching as your work continues. Let me know if I can help in any way.
It makes sense for the two organizations to merge. Additionally, with a merger taking place and having a unified and larger membership base it would be nice if this one unified organization could sponsor two separate conventions. An east coast and a west coast. I feel that each might get a larger attendance than having them both in the same geographic region of the country. This is especially true due to the current state of the economy and the costs of travel. It's easier to travel a short distance than to have to buy a flight across the country, and makes our a major part of our organization's professional development component more accessible to a broader audience.
Good to get your letter and to read the mid-point report. A quick email as I get ready to greet arriving student staff this evening:

I am so pleased to know that we are – as a profession – setting aside some of the competition and pettiness that has long been harbored and moving forward to what we collectively believe will be best for our future and our students.

Know that there are several voices from here in [the midwest] who are thrilled that headway is being made by Vasti and Jan and the TF – and that the staffs of both highly valued organizations are cooperating. I hope that the collective spirit and goodwill doesn’t get drown in the details that are bound to emerge.

As a loyal dual-member and on behalf of my staff, I send my thanks, encouragement, and support for these efforts.

Best to you both.
My good friends, simply, thank you.
Greetings from from a current member of both ACPA and NASPA.

I am a student affairs faculty member, and I enjoy membership benefits in both. I think unifying your organizations would be A WONDERFUL THING. It makes perfect sense. Both of your annual conferences are typically held in March, and I can only attend one conference. I know that many of my colleagues are opting to only join one of your organizations, especially in these tight budgetary times. The mission and good works that you do are very similar and it is time to present one strong voice for student affairs.

It would be great to combine your resources and make an organization that is bigger, better and stronger as you move forward into the 21st century. Please unite!
I love the idea of the unification of ACPA and NASPA into one organization! Since I started graduate school (1996) I have been a member of ACPA because I felt more of an identification with that organization, however, each of the three universities I have worked at since then have been NASPA members (or at least placed an emphasis on NASPA). The purpose and mission of the two groups are so similar that it only makes sense to go forward with this plan. It would eliminate the confusion new professionals have as two which of the two groups to join, what are the advantages of one over the other, how to afford to attend placement at both conferences, etc. I like the idea of all of us nationwide being united under the umbrella of one major organization. The only concern I have is the size of the joint meeting each ten years is so large we only seem to be able to consider venues that are extremely expensive for members to attend and stay at (Gaylord in Orlando). With the way our budgets in California have been significantly cut the last two fiscal years in a row now, the more limited our professional development funds will be to attend these important gatherings.
Best news I’ve heard since entering the profession.
It's really quite simple to explain why I do not support unification. I have attended both conferences, and I fear that the openness and celebratory feeling that comes with ACPA as well as the openness to graduate and undergraduate students that is part of ACPA will both disappear if unification occurs. I do not find these to be important climate elements in NASPA.
I strongly support the notion that Student Affairs should be represented by one organization. It is definitely time to unite NASPA and ACPA. Unfortunately, this should have occurred 10 years ago!
This sounds like a wonderful idea. I am a new professional (in my second year in a professional position) but I enjoy seeing colleagues and mentors that are part of both ACPA and NASPA. In grad school we talked multiple times about the separate organizations and their relative merits, but it did really seem like we were giving up something to be part of only one. Similarly, I have gravitated towards ACPA, but my supervisor is heavily involved in NASPA, so I don't get to see her presentations.

I certainly understand there will be some turmoil for folks that are heavily invested in and attached to one organization or the other, but from my corner of the world, I think a joint organization is wonderful idea I fully support.

That is my two cents, from the bottom of the totem pole! However, if there is any meeting or board in my region (the Northeast!) that I can be a part of to assist in this decision, just let me know.
Although there could be many challenges with unification---I'm thrilled that there is such support for this brave, bold step. Shoot we've been discussing substantive associational collaboration since I've been in the profession---which is more than a few decades!!

From a process perspective, I'm a little concerned that if some assurances about containing costs, retaining services, and respecting the current associational cultures are absent, some of our colleagues will begin to envision the worst. I'm wondering if the associations could borrow from a business model and hire a consulting firm from outside student affairs to do a thorough assessment of what services and programs are essential. Further, there are many in our profession who are not members of either ACPA or NASPA. If these perspectives are also addressed, we may find important emphases for future marketing of a unified association.

You may ask why I think it's important to have assessment done by outsiders---I think those of us who've been around for decades often make assumptions that lack validity. I know that universities and colleges who want to "rebrand" themselves often look to outside marketing firms for data-driven suggestions. I think it would be helpful for us to think about this type of best practice.

THANKS for all of your diligent and courageous work.
I cannot think of two better people to be serving as presidents of ACPA and NASPA and to be providing leadership in this venture. I appreciated [others] comments and have the same difficulty responding to the same questions from our graduate students and young professionals. It is time that the two organizations come together as one. We need a single voice for student affairs in higher education in Washington and the world. Keep up the outstanding work and know that I support all your efforts.
Very nice message…it is good to be connected with you!!!!
Thanks to both of you for your leadership and courage on this issue. I understand this is a complex issue and difficult discussion, but a necessary one. I truly hope we can work out the issues and details to facilitate a smooth merger of the two organizations.
After more than 20 years being torn between both professional organizations, this Task Force and its discussion of unification of the two organizations is more than a breath of fresh air - it's a full blown wind!

Thank you for being the two leaders who resist the temptation to see the task as too monumental and the two organizations as too different historically and culturally to be able to find common ground. You must be the right people in the right place at the right time. As someone who cannot personally or as a leader of my department afford to send staff to both organizational conferences and for our department in particular - to both ACPA and NASPA's assessment institutes - we see discussions about unification as imperative for the profession and practical for professionals.

Thank you again for endorsing and leading the effort.
Please do it! I look forward to the unification of the associations!
I feel you are just the right 2 guys at the right juncture in these 2 orgs development to lead this discussion. I really appreciate your leadership in bringing forward this issue and giving it the proper vetting at the leadership level as well as certainly the member level.
Already member of NASPA and AHEAD. Just thought you would like to know I just joined ACPA too, per my suggestion at the AHEAD meeting we had with ACPA and AHEAD execs. Now will look for professional opportunities to continue to link our groups together. Would love to be involved in scholarly pursuits like the AHEAD JPED.
AMEN! This is long overdue. As a graduate student in College Student Personnel 30+ years ago, there was actually a discernible difference between the two organizations. NASPA was perceived as being a little more stuff shirt and less progressive while ACPA seemed to have a larger umbrella that readily embraced a more diverse constituency that included the rank and file. Over the decades, those distinctions gradually faded and it truly is difficult to justify maintaining two separate organizational structures.

As a University Ombuds, I am a member of the International Ombudsman Association (http://www.ombudsassociation.org/) which was formed by a merger of the The Ombudsman Association (TOA) with the University and College Ombuds Association (UCOA). Suffice to say, the challenges presented by that merger were definitely more formidable than those presented by a marriage of ACPA and NASPA. (TOA had more of an international flavor from business and government while UCOA was academic primarily from North America.) If they could do it in relatively short order, we can too! Here’s one emphatic vote to keep this initiative and unification proposal on track!
Thank you for your openness to considering a unification of ACPA and NASPA. After being a member of both organizations, I see a number of benefits to having one comprehensive student affairs association. These have been articulated well in the Task Force report from July 2009 so I will not duplicate them here.

I am simply writing to affirm that I believe one association is in the best interest of student affairs, the best interest of student affairs educators, and most importantly, in the best interest of our students.

Thank you for making this issue a priority and establishing methods for members to provide their input and thoughts.

ACPA and NASPA: Exploring a Common Voice by NASPA and ACPA presidents (joint letter)

2009-08-06T07:59:00.000-05:00

For decades, ACPA and NASPA have both existed to serve the student affairs profession with research, professional development opportunities, public policy information, and services for campuses and members. Both associations are proud of this legacy of meeting the needs of our shared profession.

In 2008, the leadership of both associations charged the Task Force on the Future of Student Affairs to envision the future of the profession and recommend how to strategically achieve that future. In the first year, the Task Force members focused on creating a Vision and Principles statement that could help unite the profession. Once that task was completed, the Task Force then focused on how the profession could effectively achieve that shared vision.

As the Task Force engaged in this process, it became clear to them that it was difficult to complete their charge without researching the infrastructure issues that come with two comprehensive student affairs associations. Thus, the Task Force recommended that the governing bodies of both associations charge the executive directors to explore the opportunities for structural alignment. In their respective spring meetings, the governing boards so charged the executive directors. The executive directors reported at the recent summer leadership meetings that they were able to identify many areas of potential structural alignment and financial efficiencies.

The executive directors and Task Force Chairs also had informal conversations with sister student affairs associations and received favorable responses from these colleagues regarding the work of the Task Force. The observation was made often regarding the potential strength of "one common voice" for the profession. It is in this context that the Task Force provided a mid-point report this summer to the leadership bodies that provided a preview of their work and recommendations. At the heart of their report is a draft of a statement of Vision and Principles for Student Affairs and a set of recommendations that endorse the concept of one organization that coordinates and represents the student affairs profession; and articulates the governing bodies' responsibility to drive this process to explore unification.

In response to this mid-point report, both governing bodies acted upon the following motion:

"The Board received, and considered favorably, the initial recommendations of the Mid-Point Report of the Task Force for the Future of Student Affairs and commends it to the membership for further discussion."

Both associations are now at the point where we will engage in open dialogue with our respective memberships to consider the Task Force's report and especially the question of whether or not to bring unification to a vote. This fall will be used to seek member feedback on this topic. As both associations discuss the future of the profession and the question of the unification of ACPA and NASPA, we want to hear your voices. We invite each of you to review the Mid-point Report from the Task Force for the Future of Student Affairs. The report is located online at:

www.myacpa.org/unification and www.naspa.org/unification

After reviewing this document, we want to hear what you have to say. Please direct your comments to one of the three emails listed below:

ourcommonvoice@gmail.com - (read by both Tom and Mike)
msegawa@naspa.org - (read by Mike)
acpaprez@gmail.com - (read by Tom)

NASPA members also have the option of participating in an online dialogue with colleagues within the members-only section of the NASPA website. Simply log in, click on "Discussions," and view the "Current Issues" discussion area.

The governing bodies of ACPA and NASPA have taken unprecedented steps to openly discuss the future of the profession and a possible unification of the two comprehensive student affairs associations. However, this is just one step in a complex and consultative process. The respective governing bodies also endorsed the establishment of a unification exploration team (consisting of the current, past, and incoming presidents, and executive directors of both associations), as well as the selection of a consultant to work with the team and legal counsel through this current process to explore unification. In the coming weeks we will work diligently to keep you informed as this process unfolds. There is much to do as we deliberately design a process to hear your voices and explore the future of our profession and associations. We look forward to hearing your perspectives on this important topic.

Written by Mike Segawa (NASPA President 2009-10 and Tom Jackson, ACPA President 2009-10

Life as an SSAO and ACPA President by Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., ACPA President 2009-10

2009-07-08T08:06:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a wonderful day. It was a day filled with the usual items that I must deal with as a Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA) and a day filled with the usual items I must deal with as President for ACPA. It was a fun "crashing together" of lots of "stuff." As I reflected on my day yesterday it inspired me to write about it in this blog.

Being a VPSA is mostly joyful. It is joyful when one is surrounded by wonderful colleagues and a supportive team. I have that at the University of Louisville, so most of my days are truly joyful. Being ACPA President is mostly joyful also. It is humbling to know that my words, as your President, resonate beyond our U.S. borders. It amazes me that our collective efforts can inspire better learning environments for our students, improved opportunities for our colleagues, and better policies globally. As President, I am surrounded by some wonderful colleagues, so most of my days are truly joyful.

Yesterday, as VPSA, I had the pleasure of meeting with one of my new doctoral interns, working with another VP as our teams collaboratively work on several projects together, I listened (in my office) to a passionate student who is attempting to change the concealed carry laws on campus and in the state, was part of a strategic media meeting discussing how we will address a matter in Student Affairs (one that I must be the public point person on), and I received roughly 70 emails (but I sent roughly 35). Poor Greg Roberts, I probably sent 20 to him! He and I also spoke on the phone twice and I also was part of a Corporate Strategy Conference call with several others (talking about how we utilize our ACPA corporate friends). Today, so far, has been very similar. I met with my faculty friends and a representative from Liberia as we consider expanding our award-winning and internationally known service-learning program. I also had lunch with another faculty and dear colleague (Dr. Michael Cuyjet) and a new friend (the college roommate of another ACPA colleague who put us all together since we didn't know we lived in the same city). This afternoon I will return phone calls and work on ACPA stuff.

Meeting with that doctoral intern was clearly my highlight. It is so easy to reflect back to when the roles were reversed and it was me, sitting there talking to the VPSA, eager for experience and opportunity. To me, that is the true essence of the work I do, helping our students.

That was my day as VPSA. Honestly, my day as ACPA President blended right into my role as VPSA. Really, an email is an email some days since, like all of you, I have a fixed amount of time in my day and my ability to respond to work and ACPA are limited by so many other factors. Still, yesterday I probably spent three hours on ACPA related items between phone calls, emails, and projects. Today will likely be another three hours. That is the norm these days.

A couple days ago I looked at my list of items we are working on in ACPA. I had 34 items on that list before a few more items entered my head. Now certainly I am not working on these items alone. In fact, most of these items I just have to be aware of since we have an incredible volunteer network that continues to try and improve our association hourly. Still, some of these items are more cumbersome to manage or understand than others. Here is some of that list:

Convention placement budget
Collaboration with other associations
Task Force on the Future of Student Affairs
Future convention locations
Strategic goals
International summit
Follow-up with CACUSS (Canada) and CTLPA (Caribbean) associations
Veterans agenda items
Corporate relations
Exhibits at convention
Boston 2010 updates
New association marketing strategies
ACPA/NASPA competencies
Professional research agenda
Enough is Enough - Campus violence
Boston collaborative programs (Cultural Fest and SCM)
Web page improvements
Publications
ACPA President Developments article (I have to write it for the next issue)
Diamond honoree promotions assistance
Future face to face Governing Board meetings
International Office staffing
Working with ROTCs as an association
ACPA study tours
Deciding which activities of the association I can attend next fall
Updating LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook pages
Preparing for this Fridays monthly "public chat on AIM"
Working with specialty colleges
Determining what we need to do to establish our International Hispanic Leadership Institute
Setting the Summer Leadership Meeting (SLM) schedule
Setting the SLM Governing Board agendas (we have FIVE Governing Board meetings)
Keeping up with developments in membership and placement implementation committees
Addressing member concerns
Staying up on Job Target implementation (new placement software)
Discussing/Approving the ACPA Equity Statement
Convention shell discussions
Sustainability efforts
Honoring retired faculty or recently deceased members

That seems to be the list as I recall it today. I am sure there are another ten items I have left off, and there are some emerging that might make that list the next time I blog about this subject.

I share these thoughts and this list to provide each of you some insight into my days not only as a VPSA but more importantly, as your ACPA President. Serving in both positions is rewarding and very meaningful. Knowing the impact I can have on student success everyday is most rewarding and meaningful. Weeee!

Follow the ACPA President on Twitter (ACPAPREZ) for the most up to date information.

Our Best Friends - Lets call them our "Corporate Buddies" by Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., ACPA President 2009-10

2009-06-12T15:36:00.000-05:00

ACPA is becoming one of the most "corporate friendly" associations out there. We really have good corporate friends that truly care about the work we are doing on our respective campuses. Let me first start by saying I cannot name them all. It isn't that I really can't name them all, it is that the moment I name one (or five) than I will have left off a few others. So rather than name companies, I will just talk about six people that I think are just awesome and the reason ACPA has become so corporate friendly. Lets call my buddies Howie, Teri, Andy, David, Bill, and Doug.

Now please, do not confuse these names with people you might think they are since that would be unfair to the real people they are. These are just names of people that I made up (for purposes of this blog). They also happen to care about the work we do. Let me share a few stories.

Last year at the Metro DC convention we had record participation in the Exhibits area. Not only were they great corporate partners, these were committed colleagues supporting the work we do. The fact that they were there, paying to be there, to support our work should tell us something. It is impressive when members of the association "make" time to visit with our corporate partners. We really should do that more. Think of all the things one can learn from walking the exhibit area, such as what new products or books are available or the latest trends in technology that supports our departments on campus. For the serious professional who wants to stay ahead of the game it helps to see the playbook. That playbook is the exhibit area. Our corporate buddies made that event happen.

Last year at Metro DC we had socials and activities that supported the work of our membership and corporate friends. Many of these activities were funded by our corporate partners and these were activities our membership participated in and enjoyed. I cannot imagine a convention without the presence of some of the companies we could easily take for granted if we were not more careful. Remember, I won't say the corporate names, but a convention without Howie, Teri, Andy, David, Bill, and Doug wouldn't be much fun.

Just recently one of my best friends, lets call him Andy, set up meetings for us so we could try and become new best friends with another corporate buddy. My bud Andy didn't have to do that, but he did it because he is committed to our student development work. ** I sound like my daughter telling me stories about her girlfriends at school! **

I always knew some of our research and programs were funded through the generous gifts of many people, including our corporate friends. It is amazing what generosity we have in our corporate buddies. Just a couple of years ago one of my other best friends stepped up and supported one of our signature institutes. This type of help really makes a difference. Not only does it help lower the costs to each of us (as practitioners and universities) but it also enables the association to advance our work in other ways and in other places.

Now my absolute "bestest" friend (as my daughter might say) is Teri. If Santa were a corporate friend they would rename him to Teri. Not only is this buddy full of ideas, she acts on those ideas. ACPA is so much better as an association because of her passionate work behind the scenes. She really makes a difference and is always finding ways to keep us progressive and foresightful.

ACPA is really fortunate to have such wonderful best friends. Next time you are at a convention and you happen to see a name tag on someone "looking" the corporate buddy type, slap your arm around them, thank them, and say, "Hi, I am ACPA and I am your other best friend." Weeeee.

Follow the ACPA President on Twitter (ACPAPREZ) for the most up to date information.

We have so much to discuss, lets chat?!

2009-06-09T20:01:00.000-05:00

On Friday, June 12 from 11:00-11:30 a.m., we are hosting our 2nd public chat on AIM. There is no need to download any software. All one has to do is join me online. The URL will be:

http://tinyurl.com/acpaprez-chat

During the chat please feel free to ask me anything. ACPA has so much happening. You have heard me say it before, ACPA is is an amazing association. "We have so much to discuss, lets chat?!" Weeeee!

The Governing Board & the Association's Work by Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., ACPA President 2009-10

2009-05-29T21:29:00.000-05:00

Twenty five years ago I really wasn't all that interested in what the ACPA Executive Council discussed during their meetings. Quite frankly, I was just happy to be employed as a newer professional, meeting new life-long friends, and getting a few presentations to build a resume.

Today I devote an enormous amount of time to what the ACPA Governing Board discusses. You should know that ACPA has come a very long way over the years and the Governing Board very rarely "dabbles" or "micro-manages." The ACPA Governing Board of today is more like the Board of Trustees on many of our campuses. We are very deliberate, strategic, focused, and disciplined. We carefully look at issues, try our best to stay true to process and the ACPA values, and value the membership's opinion. Personally I really enjoy being around such a diverse and dynamic group.

The people on the Governing Board have devoted a lot of personal time to ACPA. In the last two days I probably spent 10 hours working on ACPA items. I talked to the ACPA Executive Director twice and the Convention Chair three times. I swapped emails with dozens of members and even swapped emails with my good colleagues in NASPA. We share and collaborate a lot more than people think and have so much planned together. The Convention Chair (Robin Diana) easily put in a good 10 plus hours responding to ACPA issues as well. These are progressive issues, such as how to improve the convention, lower costs, improve technology, better promote the event, and so much more. It amazes me the devotion our membership has for ACPA and the willingness of individuals to share their time to make this an incredible association.

As the ACPA President I try to respect the time commitments of the Governing Board and other volunteers. I recognize that this Governing Board does not need to be deciding on issues that commission chairs, standing committee chairs, or state/international presidents should be handling. This perspective should be common on your campus. Does your President make departmental decisions? I would hope that directors get to handle departmental issues and most senior administrators allow for decision-making authority to exist at the lowest levels in the organization. While I know this isn't always true, I am trying to make sure our Governing Board stays focused on macro and strategic issues and the many other leaders within this association are afforded the opportunity to lead. As a former supervisor once said to me and her other supervisees, "See the potential and ask." She also said, "Lead. Don't wait to be told." I learned a lot from Kim D. West during my short time at the University of Southern California (1989-90).

As President my time during May and June is preparing for the Summer Leadership Meeting (SLM). This is where the chairs and state/international presidents come together to plan and train. The Governing Board meets FOUR times during this four day period. Naturally we cover a great deal of topics. I am trying to push through some issues in June so we can focus on the more challenging topics in July during SLM. We have only a few face-to-face meetings during the year and that time together is precious.

So what will the Governing Board talk about in June? Here is the running list:

ACPA/NASPA Joint Futures Task Force
ACPA Associate Executive Director Vacancy
ACPA Budget
ACPA Placement & Technology
ACPA/NASPA Collaboration with Professional Competencies
ACPA Anniversary Celebrations
Developments (newsletter) and Editorial Board
ACPA Convention Shell (what fixed events happen at convention)
Corporate Sponsor Benchmarking
Major Awards

What has been happening behind the scenes has been supporting the development and establishment of the International Association of Student Affairs Services (IASAS), taking a critical look at the role of specialty colleges, establishing our veteran services agenda, improving corporate relations, and supporting our many sister associations.

The pace required for the ACPA President TODAY is FAST. Things are real-time. Like our campuses, information and communication is often instant and frequent; and our membership, you, are curious. ACPA has a great group of people serving it in volunteer roles. I believe in each one of them and value their commitment to this association, your association, my acpa. Weeeee!

Follow the ACPA President on Twitter (ACPAPREZ) for the most up to date information.

Veterans Are More Than A Campus Number by Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., ACPA President 2009-10

2009-05-25T13:37:00.000-05:00

This year (and this Memorial Day) was a little more unusual for me. Strangely this year a few more people "thanked" me for my service to the country. It felt odd for many reasons. Part of the reason it felt odd was simply I am not accustomed to being thanked for things too often lately. Vice Presidents (for Student Affairs) are not often thanked since we are often the ones thanking others. Many times the ACPA President only gets thanked when they are actually leaving office. As an adult child I don't recall thanking my Dad for too many things other than the car keys and money, but that was after a lot of effort and promises on my part. Today, as a parent the "thank yous" are not that frequent either. Let’s not even talk about being a spouse (G).

I guess being thanked for my military service, or being thanked for anything just seems odd. It is also strange since my service was not particularly memorable or earth shattering. Like many that have served their country in the military, we put in our time and feel honored to have done so. The truth is, however, I carry no amazing medals and you will not read about me in any history book.

We all love our country. We certainly love the perceived benefits of being an American Citizen and for some of us, seeing the U.S. flag still brings tears to our eyes. Having said this, what are many of us willing to do to preserve our way of life, to protect our freedoms, to defend the flag? I stated in my first presidential remarks that "veterans" are the most patriotic people one will ever meet. Think about it for just a moment. Veterans are those that put actions above words. They are those that stepped forward and said, "I will do it."

It was 1978 when I "signed" on the bottom line. It took months for the Coast Guard recruiter to sell me, and to his credit, he stayed with me. I had enormous pride when I signed. Several months later I took even greater pride when I finished nine weeks of "boot camp." I was a better person leaving "boot." I was certainly more fit, but I also was much smarter. I spent a lot of time in the classroom in all kinds of training. I left basic training for more school. Seven months later I graduated prepared to do all kinds of things, primarily search and rescue. Seven months! That was classroom training eight hours every day. Imagine if college were like that?!

As a small boat engineer I was the guy that made sure the boat was running properly. I also was the guy that put out fires and did whatever was needed on a small three-person search and rescue crew. That is right, if you were the unlucky one to have a boat stall, or a dock fire it might have been someone like me showing up in a small 41' utility boat. Today, these same "Coasties" must also deal with pirates and drugs. I feel fortunate I served when I did.

I don't think I was ever a great Coastie. I mean I had many successes, but I was a civilian at heart. I was a reservist so 28 days out of the month I was all things "non-military." For two days each month I suited up and did my service, knowing that at anytime I could be called up, required, told that I must drop everything else I was doing to serve my country full-time. I willingly did that since that was the deal and that was my perceived duty as a U.S. citizen. I felt honored and privileged to do it.

I still maintain contact with a very dear friend of mine from those days. We both went through basic training together and were roommates in Virginia during those seven months of schooling. He graduated first. I was seventh. He really knew his stuff and I benefited from it I am sure. I also have pictures from that time. I didn't say this earlier but I was also part of a slightly more elite parade and drill company for awhile. This meant that we traveled a little, spun rifles, marched in fancy formations, worked parades, carried the flag, and assisted at funerals. Those funerals were very humbling because we were honoring the fallen that had served longed before us. It also meant lots more work and training.

I can't imagine being in war like our some of our veterans today. Seriously. I mean I recall stopping boats late at night, not knowing what crazy things could happen out on the water. However, this was done in the U.S. and with some backup.

Our veterans today are very diverse. While we often see those serving in Iraq or Afghanistan on TV during a patrol or conflict, we often do not see the many in support of all these efforts. The technicians, the physicians, the educators, the repair personnel, and so many other trades all support our way of life. When we fly commercially it might be the air traffic controller that once served. The training they received in the military has been turned into a lucrative career. My point, it is not just what is seen on TV, although the pride may still be the same.

Whether one was in battle or "behind the lines" providing for those in battle, there is pride and honor in serving one's country. The flag means everything to a veteran. It often is second only to those brothers and sisters that one has served beside.

Our veterans returning to campus are more than a number. They are an extremely distinguished group of people. They are full of pride. They are extremely well trained. They are focused. They value service, loyalty, honor, patriotism, integrity, and intelligence. They have aspirations and represent the absolute best in humankind. They have willingly given of themselves for a much greater purpose at the potential loss of their own life. They are not a means for increased enrollment. In fact, one could make a case for the opposite. They have earned enrollment and represent the best in students, leadership, and civic duty. They are the people we want to have college degrees and the ones we want balancing the public good against individual self-interest.

ACPA, like other associations, will find a place for practitioners serving veterans on our campuses. We will find a place because we have found places for many other practitioners serving students in other capacities. It is the right thing to do. The challenge for ACPA, and the Student Affairs membership across the globe, is to build upon the best practices occurring on campuses today. These students (veterans) simply seek a chance. This chance they have earned, and because of how they earned it, we should give them every opportunity to succeed in this different and cumbersome educational process we call higher education. Give the veteran one solid year, one where they can trust and work with others like themselves, and society will get a college graduate a few years later. Just one solid and supportive year. Simplifying the admission process, totally revamping the transfer of credit process (don't get me started on this one), improving advising, and developing a "veteran friendly" campus is just some of what it will take to create the type of campus deserving of a veteran. Interestingly, these efforts will also improve campus life for all students.

I am a very proud veteran of the United States Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, Texas State Guard, and Indiana Guard Reserve. On a day (Memorial Day) where we honor those many that have paid the ultimate price, I take great pride not in the thanks I may receive from others but my continued service to my country and the service men and women seeking college degrees. This is also one additional way you may serve your country today. Weeeee!

Follow the ACPA President on Twitter (ACPAPREZ) for the most up to date information.

Opportunity vs. Perception: Give me your thoughts by Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., ACPA President 2009-10

2009-05-11T09:20:00.000-05:00

In the 25 years I have been a part of higher education I have observed many times a campus that acted cautiously instead of boldly in addressing an issue. Certainly there has been an occasion where I have observed a campus proudly stating a position even when it wasn't popular to do so. That has happened much less, but I have seen it.

ACPA struggles with this same dilemma at times. There are many, many opportunities that rightfully get balanced against perception (or sometimes self-interest). Some of these wonderful opportunities get squelched because of funding, but I am learning as your President, that we can often find the resources for things when opportunity and "positive" perception come together.

There is a perception that we are in an economic downturn. This is inevitable in the free market place and one of those necessary corrections. The downturn doesn't mean "nobody" has money, it just means we may not be "making" money in the speed or fashion we had been a year before. It doesn't mean our doors must close, or even that we must stop being innovative. It may simply mean that we have to more deliberately balance "perception" to opportunity.

Allow me to raise a couple of scenarios for you, as the blog reader, to consider. I invite you to email me at tom.jackson@louisville.edu (or acpaprez@gmail.com) with your reactions and insights.

International Agenda

It is well known that ACPA is an international association. Actually, more accurately, we are a strong national association with strong international interests. Student development research drives the global profession. Our many international practitioners are finding value in the professional development offered not only internationally, but locally within the United States. ACPA is represented in 27 other countries. The Caribbean has been actively involved in over a decade and has patiently waited for their association, ACPA, to show as much interest in the international agenda as they have in this association. So what am I saying?

Imagine. What message would it send if me, as your President, brought the Governing Board to the Mona campus (University of the West Indies) in Jamaica for our February Governing Board meeting? Allow me to give you just a little more context as you think about this complex question. The ACPA President does budget Governing Board meetings and I have already modified the budget to easily accommodate a Governing Board meeting at the Mona campus. This isn't about money. The cost is just slightly more than meeting in Washington D.C. and we have reduced costs in other areas. This is about opportunity vs. perception.

The perception might be that the Governing Board is off to some exotic place, playing, sitting on a beach, and having fun instead of doing the work of the association. The perception might be that we are cutting the budget, tightening the belt, and shifting resources -- how is it possible that we can even afford to bring the Governing Board abroad?

The perception could be, "Wow. ACPA is showing commitment to it's international members so much that it was willing to bring its leadership team to an international location, and meet at the campus of its first and longest standing international member." The international members would be ecstatic! We have an opportunity to do just this right now. I have already said I am willing to do this for all the right reasons, but I am also aware that with great opportunities sometimes come less than positive perceptions of the effort.

What are YOUR reactions and YOUR thoughts?

AIDS Memorial

ACPA has long held a very meaningful activity during the international convention. The AIDS Memorial was first introduced to bring recognition to our brothers and sisters that have died from AIDS. It also brought to the attention of the membership the importance of education, tolerance, collegiality, insight, awareness, and sensitivity to a difficult topic, AIDS. More than the symbolism of the event, the AIDS Memorial has spoken to the humanity in each of us. Was this an easy decision for ACPA to make at the time? Probably not. However, it was an example of opportunity and positive perception coming together.

For a few years now there has been some discussion about whether to modify this activity. The viewpoints cover a wide range. There are not many that would say they come to the convention solely for the AIDS Memorial, and there are likely no employers that would say they send staff to ACPA to attend the AIDS Memorial. But, we still do it and are proud of it. There have been emerging suggestions that the activity should be broadened to become a memorial ceremony for all practitioners that have passed. Where does opportunity and perception come together on a topic such as the AIDS Memorial?

What are YOUR reactions and YOUR thoughts?

There are many other examples of "opportunity vs. perception." Nearly anything new that is done, or anything that is changed goes through this same test. Give me your thoughts.

It amazes me the amount of work that goes into making ACPA an incredible volunteer association. Every person gives something of themselves to this association. Please know that your time, your interest, and your passion are not taken for granted. They are valued. Thanks for all you do. Take care. Weeeee!

If You Have Questions, We Have Answers

2009-05-06T22:38:00.000-05:00

On Friday, May 8 from 11:00-11:30 a.m., we are hosting a public chat on AIM. This originally was going to be on Skype, but with the new Skype 4.0, that feature was removed. Instead we will use AIM. There is no need to download any software. All one has to do is join me online. The likely URL will be:

http://chat-beta.aim.com/chats/special-interests/acpa-
(***Note the dash at the end***)

Do not hold me to that URL TODAY. Be sure to check this BLOG and/or TWITTER on Friday morning for the actual URL. Since this is the first one, I expect a few glitches that we will just have to work through as they arrive.

During the chat please feel free to ask me anything. ACPA has so much happening. You have heard me say it before, ACPA is is an amazing association. "If you have questions, we have answers." Ask away and I will chat with you Friday. Weeeee!

From Your ACPA President: ACPA as a Leader of our Global Profession by Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., ACPA President 2009-10

2009-04-27T13:51:00.000-05:00

by Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., ACPA President 2009-10

The past month has been a very rewarding and active 30 days. ACPA is involved and active in so many things – all of them clearly impact our large membership in many unique ways. In this “mail call” I hope to talk about some of ACPA’s international interests and our efforts to advance our global profession while partnering with other countries and associations to improve campus environments for our students.

ACPA has a responsibility to our students across the globe. As the profession’s leader, it isn’t just about the members or those working and residing in the United States. ACPA’s work is also critical to the success of our students outside of our borders. ACPA has institutional members from 27 different counties. These range from China to the Middle East, from South Africa to the Caribbean. Each of these countries brings a unique perspective to the association, yet so subtly, similar challenges on one’s campus. In many respects this speaks to the similarity of our students across the globe.

As a global leader it is ACPA’s expectation that we simply not reach out to countries to build membership. This is a very shallow and disingenuous approach that does little to serve the global profession. It is more the expectation of ACPA that we reach out to partner, to collaborate, to inspire and to learn from other countries. In our global efforts ACPA (like other associations) has learned that we do not always have the answer. In fact, many times the answers rest in the challenges (and solutions) that other countries have used. Take for example Housing and Residence Life. Taiwan and Hong Kong have very elaborate structures that house college students. While they may not have the depth of theoretical foundation that often comes with decades worth of scholarly research in student development, they do have simplicity – they are safe, feel like home, and are conducive to learning. They are every bit as well built, if not better built than many residence facilities on our colleges’ campuses today. Some also have incorporated “green” technologies or enable students to monitor or pay for utility usage in a manner some of our students in the United States could only wish to do. Some of these residence structures have used technology and engineering many in the U.S. would not have the resources to even try. Imagine building a residence hall on the side of a hill/mountain. Imagine, because space is such a premium, putting a full recreational soccer field with bleachers on top of the structure. Just imagine the engineering and creativity that went into a project of that magnitude.

ACPA will continue to work with our many friends across the globe to assist in developing country specific research and implementation strategies to best serve students. ACPA also will work to better improve the international environment on our respective campuses to become a place that feels safe and open to the influx of international students now attending our campuses. This is your ACPA and this is part of our value system. It truly is very interconnected. Weeeeee!

(Above photo taken overlooking Taipei, Taiwan from the academic/student services building at Lung Hwa University. Pictured are Dr. Jackson, Dr. Juing-Huei Su (Dean of Students), and his student affairs staff.

So What Does Tom and the Executive Director Really Talk About? by Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., ACPA President 2009-10

2009-04-20T16:12:00.000-05:00

I have never been all that interested in the actual inner-workings of ACPA until I was actually "elected" as VP and knew I had to become a quick study. Do not get me wrong - I always knew things and took an interest in some items more than others, but the actual inner-workings; well, I just didn't need to know it all as a volunteer for what I was doing. Just like on our campuses, there is simply more happening than one truly needs to know. And, quite frankly, knowing more on campus hasn't particularly made me a better VPSA at times. As a VPSA I could never know everything, I just need to know you might know what I need to know at this particular moment. Is any of this making any sense?

As your President I get information from way too many places. Sometimes some of it makes sense. Many times I can be just as confused as other leaders. Most times I am interested and sometimes I simply know that this piece of information, while VERY important to someone, is not something I need to know at this particular moment. An example is often when something gets to me too soon, or it is something that really requires a decision by someone else in the leadership - a chair, state president, someone other than me. It may also be an item that needs Assembly discussion before Governing Board discussion -- stuff like that. It really isn't too different than what we deal with on campus.

Having said all of this, I acknowledge that my need to know may be lower than your need to tell me. So I am telling you things assuming your need to know may be greater than it needs to be. Smile. This is all good.

So when the ACPA President meets with the ACPA Executive Director, what do they talk about? We talk about many things - things often from our lists of action or discussion items we accumulate over the weeks. This isn't too different than your standard 1:1 you have with your staff or supervisor.

Some topics from my list are below. Please try not to "read into" the topics and please know I won't do this every week. Somethings are simply what they are - nothing more or nothing less. I share them with you and if you have any comment or are more curious about any of them - email me. Take care. Weeeeee!

1. Affiliations with other associations
2. International and Cultural Tour agendas
3. Placement
4. Corporate relations.
5. Upcoming Governing Board meetings.
6. Budget
7. Foundation
8. Association Committees

Mail Call – Message #1 from Your ACPA President by Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., ACPA President 2009-10

2009-04-09T09:23:00.000-05:00

ACPA is hot right now. What a fantastic convention we had in Washington, D.C.

Allow me to thank each of you for not only being a member of ACPA, but also taking an active role in our shared profession. A long time ago a mentor of mine encouraged me to be active in our professional associations. His point was that we, as professional’s, must give back to this profession. Whether it is doing presentations, writing, serving on committees or some other activity is very important. It is what professional’s do. You shouldn’t have to think about giving to your profession – you just do it.

I learned a lot from that mentor – who today remains my dearest friend. This, in part, is why I need your help. It is one of my goals, as your ACPA President, to communicate with you in a way that not only informs you of current issues within ACPA and the profession, but also uses the technology available to us today. Currently the means to communicate to the membership are the regular articles in our different publications. I hope to explore several methods, including Facebook, Twitter, and my blog. Using my blog I hope gives you further insight into why certain decisions get made or how I may be approaching an issue that the association must address. My hope is you will see the many perspectives and ramifications that are often involved in the many different things that the President and ACPA must address.

Think about it for just a moment. ACPA has 20 commissions/task forces, 6 standing committees, 33 state associations, and 24 different countries that are members of ACPA. ACPA has roughly 8,200 members, all with a voice and an expectation. It is impossible to touch each person, but each President tries in some way. I am no exception. Your help in guiding me and participating in the association makes things much easier. I encourage you to follow me on Twitter, join me on my public chats, and actively shape our global profession. Below is a summary of my efforts to reach out to you.

Blog: acpa-president.blogspot.com
Twitter: acpaprez (the goal is 500 followers – win a prize!)
Facebook: American College Personnel Association
Web: myacpa.org
Skype: Monthly public chat the 2nd Friday of EVERY month at 11:00 a.m. EST.

In the coming days I will share with you more insights on the items we are currently addressing as an association. If you seek greater involvement – we can find ways to get you even more involved. In fact, next time you speak to a colleague have them join ACPA, too. ACPA, in many respects, is not that different than your campus employer. We are facing budget challenges, seeking ways to collaborate more easily with our sister associations, trying to improve and retain membership, and trying to advance our work across the globe. We have assumed the leadership role in trying to bring associations together to enhance our global profession. This includes identifying opportunities to enhance student development research abroad while assisting with professional development. We are also looking at ways to better utilize technology in our very popular and successful Placement Services. If you can imagine improvements you can bet we are thinking or talking about them now.

Your membership matters to me and ACPA. ACPA is an association that is progressive, responsive to trends, viable, and one that I hope provides you the type of information and opportunity to learn and improve your campus environment. After all, it is about students. Take care.

Guest Blog - Importance of States to Our Association

2009-04-03T11:30:00.000-05:00

Ever talk with an ACPA State Leader? After a few minutes in conversation with them, you soon realize that they can make any state event a reality regardless of the roadblocks in front of them. Take for instance the current economy. It hasn’t stopped New York CSPA from offering a $250 research grant to its membership, or prevented Wisconsin CPA from eliminating membership fees by working them into conference fees and tripling membership, or stopped Minnesota from funding 9 graduate student scholarships!

Despite the many challenges state divisions face; namely recruiting and retaining volunteer boards, operating on very low membership dues, retaining graduate student members whose job search takes them out of the state; ACPA state divisions provide the highest quality and most accessible professional development for our association members. They are small but mighty and nimble enough to respond quickly to changes in member needs and economic shifts.

Throughout our Convention 2009 experience, state and international division leaders invited Governing Board leadership, Convention Planning Teams, and task force representatives to its meetings. Every single one of those representatives served as state division presidents sometime during their ACPA journey. The divisions provide a foundational training-ground for ACPA leadership and offer every level of student affairs professional a unique and intimate leadership experience. The opportunity to present at state division conferences, to conduct research as part of a case study competition or grant-supported research, and to experience transformative leadership….state divisions of ACPA are phenomenal!

I remember my first foray into a state division of ACPA. I was working as a graduate assistant in the Office of Student Development at The University of Akron in 1987 and a colleague, Brian Brietholz invited me to go travel to Ohio University for a conference planning committee meeting. I had no idea what I might be in for, but I had about 5 hours of drive time to consider what I might contribute. We arrive and are greeted by the friendliest group of student affairs professionals anyone could meet. Regardless of the fact that I had very little experience with conference planning, a task was delegated to me. My job? Choose the conference gift (or as I like to call them, chotskies). Well I did (and boy did I think those printed four sided highlighters were da’bomb!). But, that was all it took for me to be hooked. A highlighter!

It doesn’t take a whole lot to introduce young professionals to ACPA. Connect them with your state association and watch their professional lives be transformed into rewarding lifelong careers.

One highlighter later, I find myself serving this valuable association as Coordinator of State Divisions. I am honored, not by the title, but by the opportunity to step in and out of the lives of the state division leaders as they create, innovate and communicate to provide their membership (ACPA’s membership) at every level of their professional journey with every type of learning opportunity a student affairs professional could ask for.

ACPA States Create, Innovate & Communicate!

Submitted by Dr. Sandra Emerick, Coordinator of State Divisions
Cleveland State University

2009-10 Presidential Initiatives Focuses on Internationalism, Veterans, Research, and Corporate Relations (3-2-09)

2009-03-03T11:17:00.000-06:00

Written by Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., Incoming ACPA President for 2009-10

Forward thinking, vibrant, and a world leader in student development -- ACPA is uniquely positioned to impact and engage the profession. As one of the world’s leaders in student development, ACPA will enthusiastically and actively inspire its membership, and the global profession, to advance knowledge and competencies, deliver professional and career development, and aggressively develop new and thoughtful strategies to serve the many different campuses and students.

ACPA has a long history of innovation, passion, tradition, and celebration and stands ready to deliver the critical services, education, and opportunities to lead the next generation of practitioners and scholars.

The priorities below unify the association’s strategic plan with the presidential vision and priorities. Collaboration, with a mindful eye on serving the greater good, is required to establish the global and systemic partnerships needed to advance both the association and the profession.

Themes

1. Becoming Truly International and Global
2. Serving Veterans
3. Focusing on Research
4. Developing a Sense of Giving

Becoming Truly International and Global

ACPA (and the profession) can broadly serve the international community and should discover ways now to not only have a presence internationally, but to more deliberately reach out to colleagues across the globe. Additionally, as campuses share resources and research, and students from abroad find their way to the United States, the Association must be open to the changing dynamic this may have on our campuses.

Serving Veterans

This honorable group brings full scholarships to our nations campuses. Best practices for recruiting veterans and active duty people to campus, as well as how campuses may have modified policy and services to best serve this at-risk group would be important. The influx of veterans may rival WWII. The impact that graduating veterans will have on the economy is very significant. Nationally we are at the infancy stage of this phenomenon, but it is moving fast and it will soon be beyond our grasp without deliberate action.

Focusing on Research

ACPA’s strength is inspiring new research, and one of the research needs is college mental health and veterans issues. Although not intended to be related, there is much discussion on college campuses about the mental health challenges of students. There is also growing research on the implications, yet the root causes of these challenges have not been revealed. Why is the profession facing increased mental health issues on campus? What has occurred in the past that is now contributing to these dynamics on our campus today? Discovering why these challenges exist (at the root) will enable the profession to demand change the formula so when students do arrive on campus they are in a healthier, more stable state of mine.

Developing a Sense of Giving

Many practitioners are accustomed to the giving of one’s time and intellect through scholarly work. That is a strength of this association and the profession. ACPA has the opportunity to envision how giving of other resources can contribute to the success of the association and its impact on student success. Cultivating relationships, an ACPA strength, is a requirement in the giving process. Identifying strategies to improve corporate relationships, establish innovative partnerships, or devise unique strategies to inspire giving in different ways is important if the association is to better serve the students at member campuses.

Themes Applied to the Strategic Plan

I. Expand Knowledge & Competencies

A. Advance Student Development Internationally and Develop
International Institutes that Serve the Global Profession

Establish a South Africa summit and an Asia annual summit.
Develop strategic international Partnerships with IACSAS and ACUI.
Work to support and enhance the Caribbean student development initiatives.
Host an international conference with strategic partners.
Explore feasibility of establishing an international new professional institute in collaboration with ACUI and ACUHO-I.
Explore the feasibility of establishing an international mid-management institute or college student development/higher education faculty scholars symposium in collaboration with appropriate partners.
Develop Hispanic leadership by engaging both domestic and international Hispanic leadership.
Establish an international Hispanic Leadership Institute and develop the Hispanic network to promote knowledge and competencies to better serve Hispanic students in predominantly Hispanic serving institutions.

B. Initiate New Research

Develop rapid and timely topical white papers that are freely and easily distributed.
Expand research that addresses college mental health and helps define the root causes for student mental health challenges.
Initiate international comparative studies in student development and higher education trends to best support the global profession.

II. Enhance Professional & Career Development

A. Establish Innovative Programs and Partnerships

Develop new partnerships with NACE, ACUI, NASPA, Corporate Relations, NACADA, ASJA, NIRSA, NAFSA, and HACU.
Support current and emerging Task Forces and groups, including Recreational Sports, Veterans Services, Spirituality, Sustainability, and the Joint Task Force.
Review the feasibility of expanding international services to include university exchange programs, study-abroad programs, and international service learning programs.

B. Improve the Annual Convention and Year-round Placement

Develop a collaborative Summer Placement program with strategic partners that address summer recruitment needs.
Renew convention expectations and reduce convention expenditures.
Enact convention and year-round services that utilize the latest technologies available to supply and share educational programs and services.
Promote new international tracks and themes.

III. Inspire Membership & New Recruitment

A. Rejuvenate and Engage the Profession and the Association

Redefine and communicate who ACPA serves and how they are served.
Promote innovation and best practice in serving students.
Establish a network and presence internationally.
Deliberately partner with sister organizations to reduce duplication, improve professional development, and enhance membership services.
Utilize social networking and technology to enhance communication, outreach, and services.
Intentionally reach out to college student educators at proprietary and specialty schools (such as culinary institutes, art institutes, and health/wellness colleges) to better support these professionals and learn from their work with students.

B. Create Efficiencies to Improve the Association

Review association expenditures and enhance the Association infrastructure.
Transform the services of the Association to action that serves the student.

C. Develop the Role of the Foundation

Center the ACPA Foundation goals into the ACPA goals and strategic plan.
Create Foundation/ACPA synergy.
Develop new giving/sponsorship opportunities and grow the ACPA culture of giving.

Getting to Know Tom - Q&A by ACPA by Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., ACPA Vice President 2008-09

2009-03-03T10:56:00.000-06:00

Last week I had the opportunity to work with Stanton Cheah in the ACPA International Office. Our task this time was to begin my transition from ACPA Vice President to ACPA President. Part of that process includes doing our annual Question & Answer discussion, which gets published on the ACPA web page. Well, it is done.

Stanton asked me several questions and my short version responses are published online at www.myacpa.org/au/governance/jackson.cfm . As your time permits, please take a moment and read my responses. I would welcome your feedback -- email me what you think at tom.jackson@louisville.edu.

Now, in case you are wondering what was edited out simply read my next post. In the next post I will reveal several "Presidential Initiatives" that we will embark upon over the next few years as we progress toward becoming a global association. I will speak on some of these during my brief remarks following the the gavel passing at the Tuesday ACPA business meeting.

Technology and Twitter by Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., ACPA Vice President 2008-09

2009-02-28T11:34:00.000-06:00

I was talking to a dear colleague yesterday who suggested that I be very deliberate about technology as the incoming ACPA President. Shortly after that phone conversation I approached the best techno guy I know - Tim Moore. Tim is always reading something about the latest "something." About 18 months ago he wanted me to look into Twitter, and like all busy people, I didn't think much more about it until yesterday when Tim and I were talking.

Tim suggested I should consider using Twitter to regularly connect to people/members that might be interested in following what I may be thinking, doing, dealing with, or updating. I agreed. So I have activated my account (acpaprez). I have also linked it to this blog. One of these days we will set it up so when I update THIS blog it will also notify those following me on Twitter.

It is weird. Doing stuff like this one has to ask themselves, why? Why would anyone want to follow me and read my random thoughts? Heck, why would I even feel the need to post these thoughts. It is really a bit too "egotistical" for me. Still, I am doing it very reluctantly in large part to demonstrate and embrace these technologies. It also may connect me to the very diverse ACPA membership in a very new way. I am hopeful that members will follow this blog and follow my tweets and feel comfortable sharing with me their thoughts on our profession and association.

Tim tells me that Twitter is addicting. I am not sure about that -- I am not the addiction type. Truth is I text message my closest buddies often. I cannot imagine Twitter becoming our way to stay in touch. That is a scary thought.

I am so excited. I have my first follower on Twitter. It is Tim Moore. Look for more of our efforts to utilize technology. Take care.

It must be lived forward... by Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., ACPA Vice President 2008-09

2009-01-05T12:16:00.000-06:00

As we recover from the holiday and move into this New Year it is natural to look back at the past year. Working with ACPA in 2008 was a favorable and constructive experience. Attending the 2008 Summer Leadership Meeting in July was the first of many meaningful and engaging experiences with ACPA this year. ACPA is undoubtedly moving forward and leading student affairs in an exciting direction. The updated (July 2007) ACPA Document on Professional Competencies is an ideal example of this work and organizational direction. This is truly where our field is heading. Through continued meetings, conversation, and decisions ACPA continues to strive to be this leader in Student Affairs and is achieving. It is my honor to be working with the organization.

We look forward to the upcoming 85th annual ACPA Convention in Meto DC this coming March 28- April 1. It will be an amazing experience a time for our profession to show all that it has to offer. Before the convention ACPA’s 11th Mid Managers Institute will be taking place in Louisville this January 11-14. This signature program continues to grow and offer professional development to those interested in staying up-to-date on campus issues and trends.

Working with Dr. Jackson in the coming year, I expect to see continued success of the organization. With the sustainability of the organization always in mind, it is exciting to look back at a successful year and to the prospects of the future. Returning to Paty’s presentation from the Summer Leadership Meeting, the beliefs and drive of the organization make ACPA what it is. I believe in the development our students and of our profession. Because of this I look forward to 2009 and all it has to bring the organization.

I saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button during the holiday break and was taken by the message of the movie. There were many great quotes and interesting situations presented. I am reminded of a quote from the Benjamin (Brad Pitt's character), “Life can only be understood looking backward. It must be lived forward.” As we look back on the past year and see our progress let us continue to move forward both personally and as an organization.

Gerome Stephens,
ACPA Doctoral Intern to Dr. Tom Jackson

Minnesota - Returning Home by Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., ACPA Vice President 2008-09

2008-11-16T19:36:00.000-06:00

It has been amazing. I graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University in 1985 and returned for the first time in 2007. Then less than a year later I returned to speak. Then one more great chance to return to Minnesota - the Minnesota College Personnel Association conference. Three times in one year after nearly 23 years absent. What a fantastic state and even more wonderful people.

While in Minnesota I was reminded of how caring and open the people were in that state. I also observed how progressive Minneapolis was as a major city and how strong the MCPA, as an organization, really is today.

The MCPA conference had representatives from all levels within the profession - faculty, newer professionals, middles, and seniors. The conference had nearly 60% of its attendees also ACPA members! The members were also engaging, interested in ACPA, and fun.

Watch and Learn by Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., ACPA Vice President 2008-09

2008-07-23T22:58:00.000-05:00

Greetings! I was happy to read the comments from my colleague and friend Gerome Stephens and would echo the amazing experience I had at the recent ACPA Summer Leadership Meeting (SLM). While he commented on the affective components of the trip I will comment on some of my logistical observations and reflections. First an introduction – I am Michael D. Anthony, and currently serve as Interim Director of the University of Louisville's new Cultural Center. I too am assisting Dr. Jackson in his "tri-presidency" with ACPA (VP, President, Past-President), and am honored to do so. I am happy to share my thoughts, insights, ah-ha's and learnings through this experience in hopes that the most we can all learn from this journey. I am also a PhD student here at U of L, part-time of course, and unlike Gerome have been quite involved with ACPA throughout my four years in the field. I currently serve as Past-President of the Kentucky state division of ACPA, known as CPAK.

SLM brought together nearly 100 passionate student affairs faculty and practitioners, most of whom are volunteers, to discuss the work of ACPA. This is no simple task, and Dr. Patty Perillo and her team at Davidson College in Davidson, NC should be proud to have pulled off a very successful event. The Association's Governing Board and International Office staff put in a full day on Wednesday July 9th, modeling the hard work they expect of the rest of the assembly leadership. On Thursday the rest of the team arrived and immediately got to work. There was a good balance of work and play throughout the weekend, which I appreciated very much. The work of the leadership continued through Saturday and closed with another half day of work for the Governing Board and International Staff on Sunday July 13th. The most powerful take-away from this meeting of the leadership of our Association was that collaboration and talking across "silos" is critical. Of course most of us already know that, but to see it in action is a beautiful thing. As I sit here at yet another conference/meeting - this time on the West Coast, reflecting on my experiences a few weeks ago, I'm re-energized by the example I saw at Davidson. I am also hopeful of the future of our profession with organizations like ACPA working hard to support and educate our faculty and practitioners.

I titled this post watch and learn because I did a lot of that at the SLM. As a rising professional anxious to contribute to the work we're doing at every opportunity; it was an exercise in patience and humility to sit back and just listen, watch and learn. I was intentional about challenging my need to be heard and my need to contribute verbally. By doing something different, and stepping out of my place of comfort, I positioned myself to learn in a very unique way; to observe and take in all of the information, concepts and ideas; and then to process this experience in ways I could not have imagined. I am happy to be a part of Dr. Jackson's team, and know that he invites all who read this to be a part of the business of improving our profession. The door is open, and the invitation is made. Until next time...

The first post of many from Gerome... This I Believe

2008-07-23T17:49:00.000-05:00

I should introduce myself because I am not Dr. Tom Jackson. Don’t be alarmed; I have been asked to blog along side him through his experience as ACPA vice president and, in the near future, president. I am currently a PhD student at the University of Louisville working in the Office of Student Leadership. I will be Dr. Jackson’s ACPA intern and look forward to the experience.

I am new to ACPA, but being in higher education as a profession for the past 5 years have some basic knowledge of the organization. I recently expanded that knowledge as I attended the 2008 Summer Leadership Meeting held on the beautiful campus of Davidson College in North Carolina. It was an amazing and intense four days. I met many very motivated and distinguished professionals. I consider myself very lucky to have been in the presence of these individuals, each working to expand and continue the mission of ACPA.

Now, more than a week after my experience I recognize that I left with a great deal of knowledge of the organization and new professional contacts. We all have those moments during a meeting, conference, or workshop that we know is going to stick with us more deeply than others. These moments are unfortunately all too rare. I had one of these experiences at the end of the first full day of the workshop. Patty Perillo, the current ACPA president, presented her take on the NPR initiative “This I Believe.” I will not soon forget it. She titled her session ACPA Believes. Her remarks reminded us that any organization is only as strong as its volunteers and members. She took it one step further and challenged each of us to know what we believe. Being sure (or at least well aware) of yourself translates into your work. We all know this idea. Being moved by her presentation and interactions with the group I ordered the book, This I Believe, on Amazon.com when I made it back to my room that night.

This past Saturday I read almost half of the personal philosophies in the book. Each of which was not over 500 words and met the heart of the writer. I am now challenged to continue reading and develop my personal philosophy. I would encourage you to find a copy of this text. I have not recently been so moved by words. This is probably because I am a doctoral student and read statistics textbooks and research. You know where I am coming from. This is the one you need to pick-up. It applies to all of us and will hopefully connect with your mind and heart as it has with mine. Check back in soon for progress on my personal philosophy and more about my experience with ACPA.

Thoughtfully,
E. Gerome Stephens
University of Louisville

Attending CHEMA & Getting Great Quality Time with Other Officersby Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., ACPA Vice President 2008-09

2008-05-25T17:15:00.000-05:00

Last week, May 23-25, 2008 I attended the Council for Higher Education Management Associations (CHEMA). This is an organization that consists of several groups that are similar to ACPA. You may be familiar with a few of them: NASPA, NIRSA, ACUHO-I, NACE, ASJA, and many others.

What was so wonderful was the opportunity to have valuable quality time to converse and share ideas with other officers within other organizations. Many of the Executive Directors of these associations were also at CHEMA. I learn a great deal about many organizations and gained many ideas on how to help advance ACPA.

What was also impressive was the overall effort by the Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau. Through their efforts they encouraged several major hotels to complimentary provide the hotel rooms for the events. Each meal was incredible, the hospitality was amazing, and we simply had a lot of fun. While I live in Louisville, and have been here only 1.5 years, I learned so much about the city. This really is a cool city with a lot to offer. Obviously one of the goals for hosting an event like this was to encourage organizations to consider Louisville. It is hard to imagine too many other cities being so supportive of our type of higher education associations. There really is a lot to offer, a lot to do, and many attributes to see. Even the Mayor came out to speak to us. This in a town of 1,000,000. You gotta love it.

Emails and Organization by Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., ACPA Vice President 2008-09

2008-05-08T17:14:00.001-05:00

A few weeks ago I was meeting with a member of my staff who I asked to assist me while I serve as VP, President, and Past President. Michael Anthony coordinates our leadership programs at the University of Louisville and one day I might be working for him. But this time I asked him to serve as my "assistant to" person. You know, the person that makes the calls, sets up the meetings, and follows through with items. Put another way, he is the opposite of all my limitations.

I have learned as Vice President of a division at a large research university, and a place where I have a Chief of Staff and Assistant to the VPSA, that having a person like this is invaluable. I am spoiled. As I thought about my limitations, and the expectations many ACPA members would have of me as their VP or President, I just knew I needed more help. Michael and talked about our roles and some of the additional support people we may bring onboard. These would be folks like graduate and undergraduate students that we truly want to have a meaningful experience.

I have also learned about the email. Now I already get more than a hundred emails in a day (and probably write that many, too). But since I have been the ACPA VP that number seems to have grown a bit. Gone are the days of waiting a week to get to some of these items. ACPA moves faster behind the scenes then we know and there always is a flurry of activity going on. Keeping up with it, while trying to move your own division along can be challenging -- and I say this as someone that has always prided themselves on being in balance.

I know we have many good initiatives going on right now. Some of these might not even make a headline right now but they are laying a foundation for many big things to come. As practitioners in Student Affairs we know the importance of process and solid foundations. I feel good about our leadership and what we are trying to do. More later.

CSPA-New York -- What an amazing group! by Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., ACPA Vice President 2008-09

2008-04-04T20:24:00.000-05:00

There I was, simply enjoying the half dozen receptions I was attending or crashing at ACPA Atlanta when a friend realized I was an officer. I reminded them I was "only" the VP-Elect and didn't assume office until the following day. To them it didn't matter because in that room, at that moment, I was it. A representative of ACPA.

This is not an uncommon experience for me. Everyday I am asked to bring greetings either as the Vice President for Student Affairs or on behalf of the University President at the University of Louisville. It happens so often I keep a few canned thoughts and stories in my pocket just in case. However, this was slightly different. CSPA-NY is one of the strongest and largest state associations in ACPA. The room was packed with colleagues and friends. There was a buzz of camaraderie that I really did not want to interrupt with "welcoming words." Still, Peter Fagen, the state association President, invited me to say a few words. How could I not "step up?"

As I took the podium I went into speech mode. While it could seem it was just me saying kind words about CSPA-NY, honestly, it was much, much more than that. This truly is an amazing group of practitioners. Their attentiveness to each of my words was incredible. It was instantly clear to me the enormous pride CSPA-NY has in its members, leaders, and association. I hope other state associations get the chance to see this organization's strength. They really do make a difference.

So what did I say? Naturally I thanked them for all that they do, acknowledged that I knew of many of their contributions to the profession, and spoke about what we all should remember when we return to campus - that we work with and serve students. More on this in a future blog.

Up until that point I was just an "elect." That night, in public, at this event, I assumed my place as the VP. CSPA-NY helped me do this and I sincerely look forward to working with this state association in the future.

Welcome from the ACPA-VP -- Tom Jackson, Jr.

2008-04-04T12:48:00.000-05:00

Humbled. Honored. Privileged. These are words that describe my thoughts as I reflect upon the enormous opportunity to serve as ACPA's Vice President. Wow. I truly am honored to have been elected and to serve this profession in such a meaningful and very important way. Just yesterday I was visiting several web pages on the ACPA website and stumbled upon the long list of former presidents. To think my name will be among them later is not only a scary thought but a humbling thought.

Welcome to my blog. Why a blog? As I sat and listened to the many ACPA leaders discuss topics of interest to them during a recent Assembly meeting, the thought hit me - I should have a blog so all members of ACPA could share in this experience. Understanding that process, transparency, integrity, and opportunity are all values or attributes of our association, it just seemed fitting that a blog by the VP, and later President, could possibly bridge my role as your VP to the work you are doing every day on your campus. In one session I joked about using the web and having a webcast. The group became excited about the thought. That was not my intention at the time but it spoke to how important technology is to the membership. This is one way, one small way, that I can try and stay very connected to the entire membership using a "technology" that is very common to our practitioners.

In this blog it is my hope that I will share my thoughts about events, initiatives or programs I may be attending or considering; and even share my calendar so members can identify opportunities to meet with me when I may be in their area. This is something I am very open to and have the full support to do from my university and employer - University of Louisville.

Please feel free to share with me your thoughts directly, or to comment on any of my posts. I look forward to serving the Association and our Profession.