March, 2021 | Georgia Southern University - Student Affairs E-Newsletter |
|
Student Affairs Connection |
|
Message from the VP- Dr. Shay Little |
Happy March! We are about halfway through this semester. Can you believe it? I applaud each one of you for powering through another time of uncertainty, and still finding a way to engage with, educate, and prepare our students for a better and brighter future. This month we lost a colleague, John Burling. My thoughts and prayers are with those who knew him well and particularly our colleagues in University Housing. John will most certainly be missed.
At this halfway point students find themselves cramming for midterms, and maybe even dreaming of that relaxing spring break that is now just a short time away. While of course Student Affairs is here to help them, however I ask you, what are you doing to give yourself a break? I encourage you to think about ways you can nourish your mind, body and soul and do the things that you love. Whether it’s hiking, being outdoors, visiting the coast, going for a walk, or whatever else that you enjoy, I urge you to give yourself a break and take care of your own health.
I would like to remind you to participate in the Employee Engagement Survey. Your voice is important, and I want to hear from as many of you as possible to improve and advance our division as a whole. Be on the lookout for sessions like “Little Convos” and conversations with departments in April so we can talk through the results of the survey together!
I'm so thankful to be a part of this wonderful division. We have shown collectively, time and time again, that all of us are willing to go the extra mile to create a safe, inspiring, and engaging campus environment for all of our students. It may not be how we imagined it, but we find a way to make the best of our programs, events, and initiatives in otherwise difficult circumstances.
Thank you for all that you do to make Georgia Southern a better place for everyone. Keep up the hard work, prioritize taking care of yourself, and let’s all keep doing right on campus and beyond. Hail Southern!
|
I am deeply saddened to let you know that John Burling passed away Tuesday February 16, 2021. Unfortunately, this is further saddened by the fact that John lost his wife Connie in December 2020, after a protracted fight with cancer.
John was only here working with us for a few years, but he left an impact on the staff with whom he worked. His two sons will be making arrangements at a later time for a memorial service for their parents.
John was our Assistant Director for Business Operations functioning as our budget manager and controller. He was not shy to share a remark, joke, or story. He had an uncanny memory for those he met along his personal and professional journey. Stories from working on multi million dollar Navy ships, to construction contracts, apartment leasing and purchasing, losing at fantasy football or just life lessons at times were delivered to anyone that would visit. All of this delivered at times directly but always for the betterment of the issue or person he addressed. Through his efforts Housing would look into the weeds at times in order to save thousands of dollars. At other times in his own words University Housing would function as a “rabbit in the tall grass, is this time to keep your ears up to see what is going on or keep your ears down so as not to be noticed." It is certain that he cared very much for all of us here in housing and what it is we try to do on a daily basis.
We are Housing, it is not easy, and each of us through our work, relationships, and manner leaves an impact. We work very closely and get to know each other very well. It is also the nature of our work with RAs, Grads, and professional staff who move on to new endeavors which often leaves us saying, "don't say goodbye, just say I will see you later."
Families don’t say goodbye, we say “See you later”. Student affairs functions largely the same way.
You all leave an impact on the work we do and on each other, our students and if I am lucky enough, me. I hope if you are reading this that you take a few minutes with a colleague to just chat today about anything. Share your joys, your passions, and your thoughts with each other. The work will be here after we leave Georgia Southern, it is our relationships with each other that truly motivate us to succeed in what we do.
See you later...
With Respect,
Peter Blutreich
|
|
|
 |
Aileen Dowell is the newest face of Student Affairs, serving as the Dean of Students at Georgia Southern. Aileen ‘s role supports students in navigating all aspects of their personal, social, and academic success.
Aileen is originally from Miami, Florida, but went to high school in Gwinnett County, Georgia. She completed her undergrad at Brenau University, and received both of her graduate degrees from Auburn University. Before coming to Georgia Southern, Aileen has held previous positions at Auburn and Georgia Gwinnett.
Aileen said her excitement to come to Georgia Southern was increased by the interview process she went through to land the job. “Throughout my interview experience, everyone shared how they love Georgia Southern and the community. I wanted to be able to utilize my knowledge and skills to serve our students and ensure their success at the University,” Aileen said. And even though she has not been here very long, she said that passion is still very evident among her colleagues, and that is her favorite part of the job so far.
Outside of work, Aileen actively cheers on the Auburn Tigers and Atlanta Falcons. She describes herself as being a homebody, who loves to just spend quality time with her family and friends. She is looking forward to meeting and getting to know everyone in the division, so if you see her around campus, be sure to welcome one of the newest members of the Division of Student Affairs!
|
Professional Development Workshop Series |
3/3, 2:00 - 3:30 pm via Zoom: QPR Training with Nikkita Robinson from the Counseling Center
|
3/18-3/19, 2:00 - 3:00 pm: Enneagram Workshop with John Egan from the Office of Leadership and Community Engagement **Must register by March 12 in order to be given time to take the Enneagram assessment
|
4/7, 2:00 - 3:30 pm via Zoom: QPR Training with Nikkita Robinson from the Counseling Center
|
Other sessions are being scheduled for March and April, be on the lookout for the following sessions (Sign up to get notified about these sessions when scheduled HERE)
- Retirement: How to Read it! by Core Credit Union
- Financial Literacy by Core Credit Union
- Handling Difficult Conversations with Maurice Nelson from the Office of Multicultural Affairs
- Fitness and Nutrition
|
Graduate Track
3/11, Time TBD via Zoom: Development Session (Watch the Newsletters for more information!) (Sign up to get notified about this session when scheduled HERE)
3/26, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Interview Day (Watch the Newsletters for more information!) (Sign up to get notified about this session when scheduled HERE)
|
Campus Recreation & Intramurals |
Grow yourself this spring at the SSEC. I don't know about you, but spring always makes us feel like getting out, being active and learning something new! The Shooting Sports Education Center (SSEC) can help you do just that. The SSEC offers a variety of fun and educational classes that can help you learn a new skill, or to knock the cobwebs off after a long and wet winter here in south Georgia. Check out what we have going on in March and join us for one (or all) of our events! We hope to see you soon! Feel free to give us a call at (912) 478-7732 if you have any questions.
$6 lane pass on the March 6 - Members only*
For those with children, check out some of our youth offerings:
*Become a member - It's only $20 per year! Click HERE for more information.
|
Small Group Training Session Four
REGISTRATION OPEN: March 1 - 19.
Small Group Training (SGT) is a group training program that offers unique training styles in a setting that allows adequate attention to each individual. SGT provides all the benefits of a personal trainer for a fraction of the price! Whether you’re trying to get stronger, lose weight, work on lifting technique, or meet new friends while exercising, Small Group Training allows you to obtain your fitness goals while participating in a community atmosphere. Small Group Training is for anyone! Many of our classes require no exercise experience to get started. It’s great for those looking to get into fitness or step up their current workout routine.
Registration is open until March 19 and classes start March 22. Register online at cri.gs/sgt.
|
Wellness Champions: Student organizations can earn WINGS points and up to $150 per semester to help the Department of Student Wellness & Health Promotion build a culture of wellbeing on campus! For any questions, contact: wellbeing@georgiasouthern.edu
|
Student Government Association |
SGA Elections
Application Opens March 1, 2021 & Closes March 12, 2021
Voting (via GS Email): April 5-7, 2021
|
Student Organization Body Meeting: March 4, 2021, 5:00 PM
|
Presidential and Executive Vice President Debate: April 1, 2021, 5:30-7:30 PM |
|
|
|
David Simpson serves as the Director of Student Media at Georgia Southern University. While it contains a little more than how he puts it, David self-describes his role on campus as “half coaching students, half budget and paperwork, half planning for the future in a rapidly changing media world, and right now half attending Zoom meetings.”
David grew up in Huntsville, Alabama, and during his time in high school he was a tour guide at the Alabama Space and Rocket Center (later the home of Space Camp). He would eventually attend and graduate from the University of Alabama.
David said that his personal favorite thing about Georgia Southern is winter weather, the beautiful campus, and the chance to see student lives changing. David said that he likes being able to still be a part of journalism, but not to the extent that he has previously. “My favorite thing is that I still get the excitement of working in journalism (as I did for most of my life) while not having to rush off and cover a story,” David said.
Away from work, David is an avid soccer fan, specifically Manchester United. However he does say that he will cheer for any team with American players on the roster. He also spends a lot of time with his three-legged cat, Ace, who, if you're lucky, you just might see attack him if you happen to be together in the same Zoom meeting.
|
This year's Sexual Assault Awareness Week looked a little different than years past, but the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) stepped up in a big way to make the week as engaging as possible. They were able to engage students, faculty, and staff in the #takeacationcampaign via social media! They were able to virtually offer the award-winning workshop Creating Champions, an interactive and informative program created for male-identified individuals to confront challenges due to harmful gender norms, as well as their Take Back the Night event. This year's Take Back the Night was well attended, but SART is looking forward to having a march and in-person rally next year!
SART's Chair, Dr. Lauren Patterson, said that the biggest challenge this year was coordinating having displays at the Armstrong and Statesboro campuses during the same week, but says that thanks to some amazing student volunteers, they were able to make it happen. Despite their success over the week, Patterson and the rest of SART just hope that the students are getting the intended message. "I hope students have a greater awareness of incidence rates of sexual violence and feel empowered to help prevent sexual assault not just in our communities but in our society at large," Patterson said. "I also hope survivors of sexual violence feel seen, heard, and supported."
|
Artemis "Arty" Ray Allen, M.S., LAPC, NCC was awarded Counselor of the Year by the American College Counseling Association at their annual conference this month. Congratulations Arty!
|
AB15 is a celebratory event that will be hosted by the Alternative Break Board and Office of Leadership & Community Engagement staff on the Statesboro campus on March 4th. Program alumni and everyone on campus are welcome to attend to help celebrate our program's anniversary. We will be set up for multiple no-touch activities throughout the event, such as:
- AB15 T-shirt Tie-dye station
- Postcard writing station
- Bracelet making table
- AB 'campfire stories' read throughout the event
- Photo booth
Small sweet treats will be available as take away snacks. All University COVID-19 health & safety guidelines will be enforced during the entirety of the event. We hope to see you out and celebrating with us on March 4th!
|
Sustainability Fee Grants are a great way for students, faculty, and staff to propose project ideas that promote Sustainability here at Georgia Southern, or around the Statesboro community. These project proposals can range anywhere from $1,000-100,000! Students, be sure to submit a draft of your idea via email by March 1st for feedback! All final project proposals will be due at 5pm on March 29th. |
Office of Career & Professional Development |
The Spring Semester is off to a great start! We have already hosted two virtual career fairs, STEM and Eagle Expo, and are excited to host a few more fairs this semester! For more information on our upcoming career fairs, please see the information below. |
Have colleague you think deserves recognition for what they are doing in and outside the workplace?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
