Division of Student Affairs September 2022 Newsletter

Monthly update on behalf of the Division of Student Affairs. Submit news and announcements to Katy Cran at kcran@iastate.edu.

DEAN OF STUDENTS OFFICE ANNOUNCES ACADEMIC SERVICES MERGER

Effective September 1, the Academic Success Center (ASC) acquired all services previously under the Writing and Media Center (WMC). ASC student services and resources will remain the same but will add consultations and support for oral, written, and visual communication. New student-facing information, including an updated website, is under development to help students navigate these changes.

Over the summer, the ASC and WMC director roles became vacant which allowed for strategic visioning of the future of these departments by Dean of Students Office leadership. During that same time, the Writing and Media Center staff moved out of Carver Hall and into the Hixson-Lied Student Success Center which streamlined partnerships with the Academic Success Center, housed in the same building.

Additionally, Student Accessibility Services (SAS)–formerly housed in in the Student Services Building–moved to the Hixson-Lied Student Success Center on the same floor as the Exam Accommodations Center (EAC) this summer, which allows for all SAS services to be in the same location.

"The Dean of Students Office leadership remain excited about the opportunities ahead that will advance student success through more comprehensive student support services," said Sharron Evans, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students. "This collaborative framework will increase and enhance learning spaces provided within the Hixson-Lied Student Success Center."

New leadership were appointed with the merger of the ASC and WMC. Adriana Gonzalez-Elliott has been named director of the Academic Success Center and Jamie Niman has been named director of Student Accessibility Services. All current staff were retained and will engage in continued strategic planning necessary to offer top-notch, innovative support services to students.

STUDENT AFFAIRS LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE APPLICATIONS OPEN

The Student Affairs Leadership Institute (SALI) was created to support Division of Student Affairs efforts centered on creating local professional and personal development opportunities for Professional and Scientific (P&S) Division of Student Affairs staff in their early to mid-career journey, or who are newer to the division. Annual participation is limited to 20 people and includes a monthly meeting with panel discussions and presentations from content experts, small-group dialogue sessions, readings, and case studies.

Institute members meet for approximately four hours once per month throughout the year. Due to the significant time commitment, employees should connect with their supervisor about this opportunity before submitting an application.

Applications are due Thursday, September 15.

Learn more and review the application process here

CYCLONE FAMILY WEEKEND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

As we prepare to welcome nearly 1,000 families to campus October 14-16, the Dean of Students Ambassadors and Parent and Family Programs need your help to make Cyclone Family Weekend 2022 a success!

Cyclone Family Weekend is an opportunity for families to spend time with their student, visit our beautiful campus, and become better acquainted with life in Ames. The Division of Student Affairs staff play a vital role in the lives of our students, and we encourage staff to engage with parents and families by volunteering during Cyclone Family Weekend. We are grateful for any help you can offer to make this weekend a great experience for our students and families.

Please review the opportunities and sign up using the button below.

Pre-Family Weekend

Packet Assembly (Oct. 5 & 6) – assist with assembling registration packets
Early Check-In (Oct. 12 & 13) – staff the early check-in table in Student Services Building and distribute registration packets and wristbands to students checking their families in prior to the weekend.

Friday October 14

Parent and Family Reception Setup – assist with setting up tables and decorations for the Parent and Family Reception in the Memorial Union
Memorial Union Floater – welcome families, assist with wayfinding, answer questions, checking on participating venues (CyBowl and Billiards, the Workspace, etc.)
Registration Check-In – assist guests with checking in, distribute registration packets and wristbands
Parent and Family Reception Help – welcome families to the reception, interact with them, answer questions, etc.
Hypnotist Performance Help – assist with line management, ticket taking, seating

Saturday, October 15

Late Check-In – assist guests arriving on Saturday with checking in, distribute registration packets and wristbands
Behind the Scenes Presentation Help – assist with line management, ticket taking, AV setup
Tailgate Parking Monitor – monitor parking lot entrance, allowing entry for guests with tickets; direct guests to accessible parking
Tailgate Floater – interact with families, answer questions, monitor for safety issues
Lunch Assistant – greet families; assist with line management, ticket taking, seating
Mentalist Performance Help – assist with line management, ticket taking, seating

Sunday, October 16

Brunch Assistant – greet families; assist with line management, ticket taking, seating

Volunteer for Cyclone Family Weekend

SPROUSE NAMED PRESIDENT-ELECT OF IOWA TRIO

Darcie Sprouse, director for TRIO Upward Bound and Talent Search, was recently named president-elect of Iowa TRIO, a professional development organization for all TRIO programs in the state. These programs include Talent Search, Upward Bound, Student Support Services, McNair, and Educational Opportunity Centers. 26 colleges and universities in the state of Iowa host at least one TRIO program on their campus.

Darcie will serve a three-year commitment on the Board of Directors, serving as president for 2023-2024. Darcie will serve as chairperson for the board and represent the organization at regional conferences. Darcie will also appoint committee members, oversee membership and finances, and communicate with Iowa legislators and representatives.

Congratulations, Darcie!

OCTOBER IS GREEN DOT ACTION MONTH

The mission of Green Dot Action Month is to energize and mobilize our campus community members to do as many individual and group proactive Green Dots as possible. A proactive Green Dot is anything you do to reinforce that power based personal violence is not tolerated at Iowa State University and that we are all working to end power based personal violence (stalking, dating violence, sexual assault).

Groups, organizations, departments, and teams can get involved with Green Dot Action Month here.

DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS CARDINAL WOMEN* INDUCTEES

Cardinal Women* welcomed its fifth cohort of 61 women* and 10 small group leaders this fall to engage in the personal and professional leadership program. The women* will participate in five two-hour sessions this fall and engage in online discussions via Canvas. Dr. Denise Williams-Klotz, interim director of Multicultural Student Affairs, is one of the Cardinal Women* co-founders. To learn more about Cardinal Women*, visit the website here.

The following women* in the Division of Student Affairs are the newest Cardinal Women*:

Monica Martinez, TRIO Student Support Services
Darcie Sprouse, TRIO Talent Search and Upward Bound
Amanda Coronado, Multicultural Student Affairs
Elizabet Helmick, Writing and Media Center
Elaine Tan, International Students and Scholars Office
Aja Porter, ISU Dining
Nichole Woods, Student Engagement

NOMINATE STUDENTS TO BE A CYCLONE AIDE

New Student Programs is in the process of building their newest class of Cyclone Aides. Cyclone Aides have an important position assisting new students in their academic transition to Iowa State University. If you know of students you would like to nominate for this leadership role, please use this link to complete a nomination form and New Student Programs will send them information about applying for the position.

Please encourage students who you think would make exceptional Cyclone Aides to apply! The deadline to apply is October 12. More information and the application can be found here.

Questions? Contact Cassidy Conway at conwayc@iastate.edu.

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. Questions can be sent to Katy Cran at kcran@iastate.edu.

Submit a CARE Recognition

Brad Hill, Associate Director, Memorial Union

Their nominator wrote:

"I am really appreciative of all of Brad's hard work to help renovate the Memorial Union into a comfortable and welcoming space. I know many people are familiar with Brad's work to help open the 4th, 5th, and 6th floor (and those spaces are awesome) but there has been quite a bit of other work including new carpet throughout many spaces in the building, new painting, the construction of 6 All Gender Restrooms in the basement by the bowling alley and Sorority and Fraternity Engagement. Brad has been a great communicator and is quick to answer questions along the project, even stopping in office from time to time to check in on the impact of the construction."

See a list of all staff who have received a CARE Recognition here.

Nurturing Our Wellbeing is a new approach to employee wellness within the Division of Student Affairs. This year, the Staff Development and Wellbeing Committee is focused on promoting culture change around three specific areas, that in turn, will become the "norm" within the division.

Meetings and appointments will be more efficient, effective, and flexible.
Time and space for professional development and wellbeing needs are encouraged.
Supervisors and employees will strengthen collaboration and communication around workload, responsibilities, and expectations.

Learn more

Wellness Breaks

Division of Student Affairs staff are encouraged to dedicate 30 minutes each month to focus on their wellbeing. Staff can build this dedicated time into their schedule proactively and is not intended to replace breaks staff already receive nor it is a time to catch up on work. The purpose is for staff to engage in something that will help with their current state of wellbeing. This individualized approach can help staff focus on what's most important to them. Resources and opportunities are available in this CyBox.