Monthly update on behalf of the Division of Student Affairs. Submit news, announcements, and feedback by the last Monday of the month to kcran@iastate.edu. |
|
LEARNING COMMUNITIES HONOR STAFF
Learning Communities is thrilled to announce 2020 staff award winners and honor staff for milestone years. Enjoy this brief video from Learning Communities as they celebrate outstanding partners across the institution. All winners are listed here.
Four current and former staff members within the division received recognition:
Dr. Martino Harmon, Former Senior Vice President of Student Affairs, Corly Brooke Learning Community Advocate Award
Dr. Matt Pistilli, Director of Assessment and Research, Collaborator Award
Mary Jo Krakau, Finance Specialist, Team Hickory, Partner Award
Kenyatta Shamburger, Assistant Dean of Students for Intercultural Initiatives and Resource Centers, five years of LC coordination.
Did you know? Iowa State University Learning Communities celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2020! Since 1995, Learning Communities offer enhanced learning experiences by providing focused, dynamic communities where students can learn and grow together. Quick highlights:
- 92,843 students have participated in LCs since 1995
- 93 learning community options in fall 2020
- 91.6% of first-year students are in a learning community
|
|
UNIVERSITY INNOVATION ALLIANCE HIRES NEW FELLOW |
|
Sebastian Speer has been named the new University Innovation Alliance (UIA) Fellow at Iowa State University starting January 4, 2021. Sebastian is currently a Student Services Specialist in the Graduate College.
The UIA is a national consortium of large public research universities working together to improve outcomes for all students across the socioeconomic spectrum, specifically low-income students, first generation students, and students of color. Since its launch in 2014, initiatives from the UIA have supported 100,000 students to graduation, and raised graduation rates for students from low-incoming backgrounds by nearly 29 percent. UIA Fellows provide UIA member institutions human capacity to implement student success innovations. Speer will support initiatives specifically at Iowa State.
"I am excited to work on innovative and unique projects that help more students attain their goals of completing a college degree," Speer said. "I look forward toward working in this important space particularly with those students who do not come to college with the same advantage as other students, and I am enthusiastic to do this while supporting and learning from the other UIA Fellows. I know we can make a difference in the lives of all of the students we work for."
Speer came to Iowa State in 2015, previously serving as an Academic Adviser in Construction Engineering. Speer received his M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from Florida State University and B.A. in Music from Truman State University.
"I am thrilled to welcome Sebastian Speer to the UIA Fellow role," said Matt Pistilli, Director of Assessment and Research for the Division of Student Affairs. "His fifteen years of experience working in higher education makes him ideal for this position. His experience and understanding of education from the K-12, undergraduate, and graduate student perspective gives him a unique and clear awareness of how colleges can change and collaborate to better meet the needs – and increase the success of – its students. I have no doubt that Sebastian will provide excellent leadership for our current and future UIA initiatives."
Speer will continue to advance projects initiated and supported by the UIA in collaboration with departments across Iowa State.
"I want to thank Dr. Matt Pistilli for selecting me for this opportunity and I want to thank Dean Bill Graves and all of the Graduate College staff for letting me learn and grow in my position as Student Services Specialist for the last four years," Speer said.
|
|
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOCUS GROUP OPPORTUNITY |
|
The Diversity & Inclusion, Staff Development & Wellbeing, and Student Affairs Assessment committees have been working collaboratively over the last few months to review current practices and assess how to continue to support professional development in the division. We are excited to provide the opportunity to division P&S and Merit staff to engage in facilitated focus groups to continue to assess the needs of the division. Be on the lookout for an email where you will be able to sign up for a time that best meets your availability for either the week of December 7 or January 11.
|
|
SVPSA DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION PRESENTATIONS |
|
The SVPSA Diversity & Inclusion Committee is looking for staff who would like to present as part of an educational series on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Sessions are intended to provide SVPSA employees with the opportunity to engage in educational discussions and presentations centered on DEI topics. Sessions can be 50 or 75 minutes in length.
In addition to developing new presentations, you are also invited to submit a presentation/program you may have previously given, or preparing to give, at a conference.
We look forward to your submissions!
|
|
The 2021 Thomas L. Hill Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity will be March 3 (preconference) and March 4-5 (conference). Proposals for both are due by December 1 here.
|
|
CARE Recognition is an ongoing recognition for Committed • Accomplished • Responsive • Engaged Division of Student Affairs staff. It is a great way to send kudos to a colleague for a job well done! Staff submitted for recognition will receive their nomination via email (supervisor copied) and may be included in the Division newsletter, social media, and at events. Please submit your recognition below. Questions can be sent to Katy Cran at kcran@iastate.edu.
|
|
Fallyn Lee, Shelly McQueeny, and the entire Student Counseling Services Team |
Their nominator said:
I would like to recognize and send a big THANK YOU to Fallyn Lee and several staff members of Student Counseling Services. I called the emergency Student Counseling Services number and I was fortunate to connect with Fallyn. I shared the context of the situation, students were in need of support after the recent loss of a friend. She took immediate action to join me in the aid of these students. Fallyn brought with her another member of the Counseling team, Shelly McQueeney. Fallyn and Shelly provided immediate, in person (COVID protocols in place) support for students. Fallyn and Shelly were warm, offered guidance, and provided several Student Counseling resources for the students. Fallyn and Shelly spent several hours of their evening being a support for those in need. I am so grateful for their presence that night.
Fallyn was a tremendous support for this circumstance and in the days to come for there were several other times that I reached out to Fallyn for this circumstance. In addition to resources left that evening, Fallyn followed up with additional coping resources to share with students. She assisted with coordinating an additional evening of virtual counseling support. Sydney Dunn provided virtual counseling support that evening for students.
I am so grateful for the staff in Student Counseling Services for their ongoing and continued support during that difficult time.
|
|
Campus Information and Resources for COVID-19
|
|
Division of Student Affairs Meeting Dates
February 23, at 3:00 p.m. – Division Information & Updates Meeting*
April 15, at 9:00 a.m. – Division of Student Affairs Spring Awards Meeting*
*Tentative dates and times with a possible online delivery
|
|
Free Online Tool for Staff Wellbeing
Student Counseling Services is excited to offer a new service available to all ISU students, staff and faculty. TAO (Therapy Assisted Online) is an online library of evidence-based, engaging, interactive programs that address mental health challenges and life stressors. TAO (pronounced taʊ, like "now") consists of educational modules, quick assessments, practice tools and logs, and a library of mindfulness resources that you can do at your own pace.
For more information, click here.
|
|
Wellbeing Activities for Division of Student Affairs Staff
As shared at the Division of Student Affairs Fall Information Meeting, the Staff Development and Wellbeing Committee curated a list of wellness activities for staff available via CyBox throughout the rest of the semester. Enjoy a break while you immerse yourself in fun, reflective, and refreshing activities!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
