#naspa18

Teachers College’s History with NASPA

I had the privilege of attending the 2018 NASPA Annual Conference in Philadelphia in early March to network with the leading student affairs professionals and develop a deeper understanding of the most pressing, contemporary issues and research in the field of higher education. This amazing experience would not have been possible if it wasn’t for the faculty and staff members at Teachers College and their extensive connection with NASPA. In fact, Teachers College was the first school in the United States to offer a degree in Student Personnel Administration, which helped lead to the creation of NASPA.

NASPA takes over Philly

The near 8,000 NASPA attendees took over the streets of downtown Philadelphia and the rooms of the Philadelphia Convention Center for four days. The conference kicked off on Sunday night with keynote speaker, Jason Dorsey, who gave an energetic and interesting speech on the assumptions we hold towards different generations and what organizations can do to solve these generational challenges. Dorsey indicated that generational tendencies are a result of parenting styles. For example, Generation Z (born between ‘96-present) are more economically conservative than Millennials (born between ‘77-’95) because parents of Generation Z children battled through the difficulties of the Great Recession. Dorsey’s speech served as a microcosm for the work of all student affairs practitioners in deconstructing preconceived stereotypes of groups of people through research.

My best impersonation of Lauren’s (last year’s Administrative Fellow) NASPA photo - Link: http://teacherscollegeadmissions.tumblr.com/post/158283935892/hey-yall-this-week-i-am-in-san-antonio-for-the

Session, Network, Session, Network

On Monday and Tuesday, I attended numerous 50-minute professional sessions and chatted with TC alumni and other NASPA colleagues in-between. I learned about the strategic planning that goes into implementing a school-wide peer-mentoring program from professionals at Texas State University. I explored innovative fundraising ideas for small colleges with expert development officers from Azdell-Morgan Consulting. Grant Azdell’s #1 creative idea was to lease college land and facilities at any opportunity while creating corporate partnerships with surrounding businesses. I also discovered the roles that student affairs staff play in creating student-athlete success and the how the lives of Division 1 student-athletes is dramatically different than other students.

Monday afternoon, I represented Teachers College at the Graduate Prep Fair. My classmates, Alicia and Kerry, helped me connect with undergraduate students and practitioners that were interested in attending our programs in Organization and Leadership. Fielding their questions was great real-work experience.

Graduate Prep Fair with Alicia and Kerry

Monday night, Dr. Jeffrey Putman (Ed.D. ‘11) hosted a wonderful Teachers College alumni-networking event at a downtown Italian restaurant. I was able to connect with many Higher Education students that came before me, as well as my mentor from my undergraduate school who is a TC alum and a Vice President of Student Affairs. The combination of formal learning in the professional sessions and the informal conversations with fellow practitioners allowed me to have a holistic learning experience.

TC Alumni Event

A little historical fun too

Obviously, I took advantage of being in the first capital of the United States, Philadelphia. I took a trip back in history and toured Independence Hall with a national park ranger. On the tour we explored the rooms where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were written. I learned that one of the only authentic pieces left in the building was President Washington’s chair. The chair had an engraved half-sun on it and became part of Benjamin Franklin’s famous metaphor that the sun was indeed rising over the newly founded America. I also had a chance to see the Liberty Bell, walk down Elfreth’s Alley, and eat authentic colonial food from City Tavern. Being a history major in undergrad this was a dream come true. In all, I valued my experience at NASPA and am very grateful to Teachers College for that.