Dear team,
It’s been a sobering week. All of the things that had filled my mind heading into last weekend (laundry that needed doing, an oil change for my car, whether to replace my oven this year or just put up with its idiosyncratic way of making my roast just a little extra brown on one side) all just kind of faded into the background as I sat, glued to the television, watching real drama unfold in Ukraine.
Among all of the poignant images of the weekend, the one that stays in my mind is of a little girl, perhaps four years old, buttoned up in her winter coat, a pink pom pom perched at the top of her knit hat. The camera illuminated her briefly as she walked through the cold night, her mittened hand tucked into the hand of her mother, toward the border and uncertainty.
Do you know what I've been thinking since I saw that footage? I've been thinking about why I got into education in the first place and why it matters that we do what we do.
The goal of education is, at its essence, transformation. A genuine search for knowledge leads to discoveries that foster greater understanding, which can, in turn, transform our experience individually and collectively. The problem is that our knowledge is a double-edged sword. It can result in great good…such as vaccines for a global pandemic…but it can also result in the ability to destroy. Education is one of the most potent tools for shaping the future path of humankind. We can lose sight of that in the mundane tasks of the day-to-day, but, when we stop and think about the fundamental thing that we do, our goal is to enable people to be free, to thrive, to transform their lives in positive ways.
One of my “teachers” is the Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, author of the just-published Fierce Love. She is a dynamic speaker and leader who believes in transformation. Lewis asks three questions that I have not been contemplating on a personal level this week, but as a member of a global community:
What is the title of your life’s current chapter?
What will the title be five years from now?
What are the titles of three episodes that must happen in order to change the story?
I do not pretend to know how to tackle the enormous challenges playing out across the world right now. What I do know is that transformation begins with intent and in individuals who seek the wellbeing of our human community.
Warmly,
Lyn Redington
Vice President for Student Affairs
and Enrollment Management
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Stocking Up for the Most Important Meal of the Day |
One of the most practical ways we can help students tackle their academic day with sufficient energy and focus is by ensuring that they have access to a good breakfast. Want to help? The Benny’s Pantry wish list for March donations is all about that critical meal: breakfast. If you find yourself in the breakfast aisle at a grocery store, consider picking up a few of the following items for the pantry. In a hurry? You are welcome to drop off your donations in the Student Affairs Vice President’s suite (PSUB, Hypostyle #204), and we’ll deliver them to the pantry for you. Thank you for everything you do to support student success!
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Nominations Sought for Benny Awards 2022 |
The Division of Student Affairs is pleased to announce the annual Benny Awards.
From the unsung champions and emerging leaders to the outstanding club, advisor, or program of the year, the Benny Awards recognize the accomplishments of our students, colleagues, and alumni who have positively impacted our campus community. Please join us in nominating and recognizing those who have made a difference within our campus community.
Submit nominations for any of the following categories by visiting ISU Benny Awards.
- Undergraduate Student Leader of the Year
- Graduate Student Leader of the Year
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Roar, Bengal, Roar (Spirit Award)
- Faculty Member of the Year
- Staff Member of the Year
- Exemplary Service Award
- Inspirational Bengal of the Year
- Outstanding Event of the Year
- Student Organization Advisor of the Year
- Student Organization of the Year
- Alumnus of the Year
- Student Affairs Award of Distinction (Classified)
- Student Affairs Award of Distinction (Non-Classified)
Nominations are due by March 18th.
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So That Every Bengal Knows |
The February 10 Idaho State Today ran an article about the work our Disability Services team is doing to ensure access to a full and engaging classroom experience for our deaf and hard of hearing students. In that article, Casey Quiroz, who is the coordinator of these particular services, offered some tips for instructors who want to make their classes more welcoming and accessible to these students, but they are also practices that we, as student services providers, can easily implement to ensure that every Bengal and Bengal-to-be knows that we care about their experience. To read the full article, click on “Disability Services Spotlight: Teams are Devoted to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students.” And if you see one of our Disability Services team members, let them know we love what they do!
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Resilience Training Offered through April |
Everyone needs resilience. Resiliency Skills Training, sponsored by Counseling and Testing, is a four-week curriculum that offers a selection of evidence-based exercises to build resilience skills and promote thriving. This training group will meet on Tuesdays, from 1:00-2:00 p.m., and will be offered in three 4-week sessions from February to April. For more information, scan the QR code in the flyer or contact Counseling and Testing at (208) 282-2130. |
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March and Early April Outdoor Adventures via the OAC |
If you’re feeling a little closed in and ready to cut loose, check out the March and early April fun offered via the Outdoor Adventure Center, including a Harriman State Park cross-country Ski and Snowshoe trip RSVP deadline today), a Moab Spring Break trip (register by March 16), and a Buffalo Field Campaign (register by March 30). For event and registration details, just click on the link.
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Positive Body Image Symposium 2022 |
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
2:00-6:00 p.m., online via Zoom
The symposium will feature renowned researchers and lecturers with expertise in body image. The sessions will offer Continuing Education Credits (CE’s) with certificates, $25.00 for 3 CE's or $10.00 per session for 1 CE per attended session. The Positive Body Image Symposium is free to the ISU community—faculty, staff, and students—and to the general public. Read More
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March RESPOND Training Offered Online to Include Outreach Campuses |
Wednesday & Friday, March 9 & 11
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
ONLINE VIA ZOOM
RSVP required by Monday, Mar 7, 2022
Mental health problems affect each of us, but you can take action to RESPOND effectively. Want to know how? Join us online for our March RESPOND training which we will be hosting online in order to make this important training available to our outreach campuses as well.
About 1 in 5 of us will experience a diagnosable mental illness this year. All of us experience emotional pain or distress at times in our lives. Most of us want to help yet often feel uncertain about what to do or say. RESPOND will empower you to offer effective support and useful referrals to a student or colleague. The course provides a basic overview of symptoms often associated with mental health problems and offers an action plan to help you RESPOND effectively. The course will address campus policies such as FERPA, as well as mental health resources.
Who should attend RESPOND training? Any Idaho State University faculty, staff, or administrators who wish to learn more about how to RESPOND to students or colleagues who are in distress. Graduate and undergraduate students who work in student-assistance roles are also welcome to attend this training. For more information or questions, please contact Counseling and Testing at 203-282-2130 or visit our website.
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JCPenney Suit-Up Event Coming Up - April 7, 2022 |
Students can get up to 60% off on career apparel at JCPenney during the JCPenney Suit-Up Event. Text 1901 to 67292 to get your coupon, and meet the Idaho State Career Center folks at JCPenney in the Pine Ridge Mall on April 7, 2022! |
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“It’s On Us” Training Coming to ISU |
Date: Monday, April 11, 2022, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Wood and Little Wood River Rooms, Pond Student Union, Pocatello Campus*
*The venue may be changed to Zoom if travel restrictions should be imposed It’s On Us.org was founded in 2014 “following recommendations from the White House Task Force to Prevent Sexual Assault that noted the importance of calling everyone into the conversation on sexual assault prevention.” In 2020, the It’s On Us and Yves Saint Laurent partnered to develop the “Abuse is Not Love” awareness campaign. Idaho State University has been selected from universities across the nation to be one of only four campuses to host an in-person* “It’s On Us” training. In fact, Idaho State will be the first in the entire western half of the U.S. to receive this training. The training is free and is open to all ISU students, faculty, and staff, as well as to the community. Attendees will be included in a raffle for giveaways! Read More
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Share the Good Stuff Goin’ On |
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Let the SA Communications & Marketing team help you share the good things you do every day. Send us your announcements of new hires, word about programs or events you’d like to share, requests for support...anything you’d like the rest of the division, our students and families, or our campus partners to know, and we’ll help you get out the word. |
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