The Student Affairs Focus
Introduction by Dr. Earle Doman
Welcome to the Inaugural edition of The Student Affairs Focus. The Focus will highlight different departments and the activities from the Division of Student Affairs. In this edition we share information about our involvement with the Disability Awareness Program in coordination with students in the Student Affairs graduate program; the innovative, cooperative programming between Judicial Affairs and Career Services; insight into our continuing staff development activities for the Plaster Student Union, Residence Life and Dean of Students staff; a look back on the Fall Welcome Week activities; a brief update on the future Recreation Center; the introduction of our new regional admissions representatives; an example of the positive efforts from Greek Life, and a report on some facility upgrades in Residence Life.
Future issues of The Student Affairs Focus will include other insights and information on how the dedicated individuals of the Division of Student Affairs serve the students, faculty and staff of Missouri State University. There is much to share!
Earle Doman
Acting Vice President for Student Affairs
Graduate Students Coordinate Successful Disability Awareness Program
Two Masters of Student Affairs students, Justin Lozano and Nicole Chapman, lead a partnership between two departments to host an outstanding disability awareness program. Through the leadership of Lozano and Chapman, the Student Activities Council (SAC) and Disability Services hosted Matt Glowacki’s, “Disabilities in the Media: Diversity according to Family Guy and South Park”.
Matt Glowacki runs his own business, works as a professional speaker, and was a team member for the 2000 and 2004 Paralympic Sit-Volleyball Team. [full story]
Submitted by Katheryne Staeger-Wilson
Judicial Affairs, Career Center Partner to Create New Alcohol Initiative
CREAD: Creating Responsible, Engaged, Academic Decision-Makers
By practice, the CREAD program is the integration of services and expertise of two offices engaged with our students one-on-one in an educational process. The program asks students to dig deep into their core values structure, balance those values against their behavior and then blend that with their connection to their future goals.
It can be a challenge finding ways to engage students in the conduct process where they learn that today’s behavior has long term consequences. Our program goal was to design a situation where students could see past a drunken night with peers to a Graduate school application, job interview or a professional review board that asks those hard questions about past behavior. We think we have accomplished that goal with CREAD. [full story]
Submitted by Stephanie Grevillius
Staff Development and Recognition
This semester, several staff members within the division received recognition for their professional accomplishments. A few staff members have also taken additional responsibilities within their relevant professional organizations.
The following departments have submitted information on their outstanding staff members:
Office of Student Activities Plans Host of Welcome Weekend Activities
This fall, the Office of Student Activities arranged a wide variety of welcome weekend activities, which were tied together with the theme "You Belong at Missouri State." These events, which were designed to introduce students to campus and encourage their involvement, were quite successful. [full story]
Submitted by Jeremy Schenk
Recreation Center Project Moves Forward
Cynthia Barnett, Director of Campus Recreation, reports that the University Recreation Project has moved forward through the work of two committees: the Building Committee and the General Committee. [full story]
Office of Admissions Welcomes Two New Regional Representatives
Missouri State University's Office of Admissions now has two regional admission counselors; one in St. Louis and the other in Kansas City. Due to the expense of traveling, this additional resource allows the University to enhance recruitment efforts in ways that were not possible with Springfield-based representatives. We now have more freedom to participate in events such as career days, college planning programs, award nights, and more.
Regional counselors not only benefit prospective students and families in the respective areas, but allow the University to have more direct contact with high school guidance counselors, who now have a person in the immediate area that can drop by materials or respond to special requests. In general, the regional admissions counselors' proximity to their schools encourages more personal communication.
We have had a regional admissions counselor in St. Louis for about a year and a half, and a Kansas City representative since September 2008. Ms. Jackie Crenshaw is our representative in St. Louis, and Ms. Nina Walzer is located in Kansas City.
Submitted by Bart Tibbs
Greek Community Plans Week of Events Centered Around Respect, Service
From November 9-14, Greek students decided to do away with competition and create a Greek Respect Week. Events included a nationally known speaker and several days where Greek women switched houses to experience other chapters.
In addition, Greek organizations partnered with Habitat for Humanity to organize a Blitz Build during Respect Week. Over the course of seven days, members worked in freezing weather to build a new home for a family just in time for the holiday season.
Submitted by Andrea Weber
Residence Life Obtains Grants to Fund Facility Upgrades
This semester, the department of Residence Life Facilities and Operations was successful in obtaining several grants to fund upgrades to student housing. [full story]
Future Issues of The Focus
The Student Affairs Focus will be published at the end of every semester. If you would like to submit information for a future issue, please send your inquiries to Andrew Crain, Graduate Assistant, Office of Student Affairs.