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
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!
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