Professional development within student affairs can take many forms, from attending seminars and conferences, writing articles for publication, or volunteering for leadership roles in one’s professional association of choice (to name just a few). In “Supervising New Professionals in Student Affairs” (Janosik, Creamer, Hirt, Winston, Saunders, & Cooper, 2003), the authors state professional development activities can result in “increased effectiveness at the individual, institutional, professional, and personal level” (p.120).

Several Plaster Student Union Staff members are actively engaged in leadership roles within their professional associations. Below is a listing of student union staff members currently involved in student affairs association leadership positions:

Jeremy Schenk (Director of Student Activities), Association of College Unions (ACUI) 2010 Conference Program Team Member and ACUI Region 11 Educational Council Chair, Auxiliary Services

Andrea Weber (Assistant Director for Greek Life), Chair for the 2010 Association of Fraternal Advisors annual meeting and current AFA educational programs chair for the 2008 conference

Bob Rathbun (Assistant Director for Facilities and Operations), 2008 ACUI Region 11 Conference Program Chair

Tara Benson (Assistant Director for Programs), Leisure Activities Coordinator for ACUI Region 11

Thomas Lane, elected member of the ACUI Board of Trustees

Cindi Barnett (Director of Campus Recreation), Treasurer, Missouri Intramural Recreation Sports Association, and Career Opportunity Center Committee Member, National Intramural Recreation Sports Association 

In addition to the above listing of leadership positions, the Plaster Student Union was honored to host the Association of College Unions Region 11 Fall Conference, November 7-9. The PSU welcomed over 80 staff and students involved in student union/activities for a weekend of relevant educational sessions and keynote presentation while also showcasing Missouri State in a positive light.

Student Affairs association involvement not only helps provide professional development, but also helps strengthen Missouri State University’s regional and national reputation among student affairs colleagues. As the university recruits students to its Masters in Student Affairs program, such professional involvement and the institutional recognition it brings will grow in importance.

 

 

Submitted by Thomas Lane