October 2011

Welcome CSAL Alumni!

     As planned, here is our newsletter for the fall semester, 2011. Please continue to stay in touch with us and send any updates or changes in your contact information, job changes, awards, accomplishments, and family changes by visiting the CSAL website at http://www.gvsu.edu/csal/keep-us-posted-3.htm.

Letter from Lorraine!

Dr. Lorraine Alston, CSAL Faculty:

     Last week in class a student said to me, “If you see me using my phone, I’m reading the articles for tonight. I couldn’t help but laugh to myself when I thought how outrageous such a statement would have sounded a few short years (or so it seems) ago. When I came to Grand Valley State University in 1998, housing graduate assistants sometimes told me that they were on duty and that their pagers might go off in class; however, it was unusual to even see someone with a cell phone in class.  Today most of the students bring an array of electronic gadgets to class from netbooks to smart phones that seem to be able to do everything except write their papers! Technological innovations have definitely found their way into the classroom, and even the most reluctant faculty members incorporate tools such as Blackboard, Podcasts, electronic journals, etc. into their instruction.

     Since that day last week, I have been thinking about the changes that have taken place since I first accepted a position as Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the newly-established College Student Affairs Leadership (CSAL) Program. During my interview with the Division of Student Affairs, I asked what would be my greatest challenge if I accepted the position. I clearly remember Dean Bart Merkle telling me that being a part of such a young program would be both my greatest challenge and a great opportunity. He was “spot on!” I was the only full-time faculty member assigned to the program, and there were about 18 students in the first-year cohort. When the first-year enrollment hit 21 a few years later, we marveled at how much the program had grown in such a short time.

     Today our enrollments are healthier than ever; we have two full-time faculty members, and a search is underway for a third. There are two sections of each of the first-semester courses, and both are usually at or above capacity. We are fortunate to still enjoy the support of our adjuncts in the Dean of Students Office and the University Counsel. Thanks to Dr. Jay Cooper’s leadership, CSAL and Adult and Higher Education (ADU) now exist as separate tracks in our Master’s in Higher Education degree program. Three new courses have been added to the ADU program, and they present our CSAL students with more viable options for electives.

     These changes have also brought both opportunities and challenges, just as Dean Merkle predicted a few years ago (it couldn’t really be 13 years, could it??!!). I believe that at the heart of our success lies the relationships that exist within the CSAL program—between students and faculty, between students and supervisors, between faculty and supervisors, and between/among the students themselves. Despite the growth, we are still a “family,” that strives to create diverse and nurturing learning environments that connect classroom instruction to hands-on experience. Our alumni hold positions of leadership and responsibility in a variety of institutional settings across the country. Some hold law degrees, Ph.D.s, or second master’s degrees. Some are nearing completion of post-master’s study, while others are about to embark on similar endeavors. They bring recognition and respect to the program and they serve as our best “recruiters.” We are proud of your accomplishments and honored to have been a part of the journey.

Alumni Profiles!

- Carrie Gilchrist

CSAL Alumni, 2004
Oakland University, Senior Financial Aid Outreach Advisor

What is your current position?
I recently received a promotion to a new position in the Student Financial Services office at Oakland University in Rochester, MI.  As Senior Financial Aid Outreach Advisor I am responsible for coordinating financial education opportunities for area high school students and their families.  I work in collaboration with our Office of Undergraduate Admissions as well as independently, to educate students and families on fiscal responsibility and financial planning for higher education.

What were some of your best memories during your time in the CSAL program?
On the first day of our orientation, Ginger Randall came into the room and asked us to take out a piece of paper and write our name at the top.  I was expecting a quiz of some sort, but she instructed us to write "Dr." in front of our names.  She said if we liked how that looked and sounded, we should expect to take on many more years of education.  Because of Dr. Randall, I'm now in a Ph.D. program! 

In 2004, Adrian Aldrich (2004), Mike Slocum (2005) and I participated in a national case study competition for StudentAffairs.com and won 3rd place!  I came to Grand Valley not knowing a soul and made some of the greatest friends! 

How did your assistantship/practicum help you as a professional in the field?
I purposely chose my assistantship and practicum in areas I had never worked before so I could gain a wide-range of professional experience.  I have continued that variety with my professional experience, and as a result I have experience in many Student Affairs areas.  I have also been intentional in maintaining a connection and thereby creating a network with the people I've worked with in those areas. 

What advice would you give to current students apart of the CSAL program?
Take advantage of every opportunity that is offered to you!  Participate in case study competitions, read journals, and go to conferences!  Taking risks by getting out of your comfort zone can benefit you personally and professionally!

- Edwin Darrell

CSAL Alumni, 1998
DePaul University, Assistant Director for Residential Education

What is your current position?
At DePaul University, I’m the Assistant Director for Outreach & Student Success. I manage the conduct process for the DePaul residential population; supervise & train the full time staff; manage assessment initiatives and strategic planning; conduct outreach initiatives for the Chicago community. In addition, I’m serving 2nd term as the President of the DePaul Staff Council.

What were some of your best memories during your time in the CSAL program?
Since I was in the 2nd cohort, one of my favorite memories were having discussions about the future of the program with the likes Ginger & Bart. My other favorite memories would be heading out to a local establishment after 6 hours of class on a Wednesday or Thursday with the cohort (Dani Hiar, Kristen Douglass, Bridget Stenger, Julie Galaty, Chuck Lepper, Heather Bloom, Nelson Aquino and others).

How did your assistantship/practicum help you as a professional in the field?
My assistantship was in housing but it definitely prepared me for my first entry level position by giving me many of the tools & experiences (i.e. supervision, budget, programming, etc.) to hit the ground running and be successful in my 1st professional role. My practicum in Bart’s office gave me greater insight into the inner workings of Student Services at Grand Valley and also exposed me to the numerous opportunities there are within student affairs.

What advice would you give to current students a part of the CSAL program?
My advice would be to seek out a mentor that is NOT your supervisor.  This will provide you valuable perspective when it comes to life, your current experience, and the pending job search.  I will definitely offer up my experiences and resources whenever someone from the CSAL program needs it!

- Rex Jackson

CSAL Alumni, 2009
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Community Director

What is your current position?
As the Community Director for Cougar Village at SIUE I directly supervise a graduate assistant and 15 resident assistants. Cougar Village is an upper-class apartment community; I work with the 500 side which is composed of 31 apartment buildings and house over 800 residents. Professional involvement: I am the Secretary/Treasurer for the St. Louis Area College Housing Association, I serve on the GLACUHO Inclusion and Equity Committee, and I am a Directorate Body Member for ACPA’s Commission for Housing and Residential Life.

What were some of your best memories during your time in the CSAL program?
The best memory would have to be the study abroad trip to Mexico. It was a blast! Another great memory would have to be the holiday potlucks we held as a cohort in November/December. They were always a fun time.

How did your assistantship/practicum help you as a professional in the field?
My assistantship was in Housing and that is what I am passionate about. Everything I learned during that assistantship and from the CSAL program has proven to be very beneficial. If I had to highlight one thing in particular it would have to be the supervision experience I had at Grand Valley. That experience helped me develop my style and allowed me to hit the ground running when I first started working at SIUE.

What advice would you give to current students a part of the CSAL program?
Get involved in regional and national organizations! This involvement can and will open doors for you as you begin your fulltime career. In addition, seek out opportunities to expand on your skill and knowledge base. If you want to maximize your professional and personal development you are going to need to put in some effort.

Current 2nd Years!

- Eric Garvelink

Club Sports GA – Student Life
GVSU Alumni, 2010
Sport Leadership in Sports Management

How did you become interested in student affairs?
My undergraduate experience allowed me to realize that the college environment would be the perfect place for me to work in.  I love the upbeat atmosphere of the campus community and want to help ensure current students have the best possible experience during college.  

Where did you conduct your practicum?
I did my summer practicum at UCLA – Los Angeles, CA.

What are some of your most interesting moments during your practicum?
I was able to experience a diverse campus community at UCLA.  During the summer I interacted with people from all different backgrounds and cultures.  Living in the dorms with nine other roommates, who were also selected for the internship at UCLA, was a lot of fun.  I was able to make nine new friends and network with other future professionals in the field. 

I was also able to meet professional athletes like Blake Griffin, Carmelo Anthony, James Harden, and the entire Real Madrid Professional Soccer team. As a huge sports fan, this was definitely one of the most memorable experiences I will take away from my practicum. 

What are your future plans?
In the future I plan to find a full-time position as a Club Sports Director, or another campus recreation related field.  I have also considered continuing my education by receiving an MBA.  My goal is to eventually obtain a position in college athletics and work my way into the role of an Athletic Director.

- Eboni Turnbow

Greek Village GA – Student Life
Wayne State University Alumni, 2010
Secondary Education

How did you become interested in student affairs?
I became interested by attending a Women’s Leadership conference at Wayne State my junior year; here I attended a break out session on the President’s office where the topic was basically about student affairs. I was highly involved as a student, so at that moment I knew I was making a career change.

Where did you conduct your practicum?
I did my summer practicum in the College of Engineering at Wayne State working with Student Outreach Programs. I am doing my second practicum in the Dean of Students office at Grand Valley.

What are some of your most interesting moments during your practicum?
One is definitely being stuck in an elevator with 11 college freshmen at 9:30pm at night for approximately 40 minutes! We were on a corporate tour in Ohio and this happened in the hotel, I learned way more than I wanted to that evening about my students personal lives.

Another would probably be working with so many parents for our summer programs, especially when the students were in trouble. I was amazed at how much parents truly thought their children were angels.

What are your future plans?
My two primary goals within the first ten years of graduation is to one, obtain my PhD and two, obtain a Dean of Students position at a public mid-sized institution. So in between the time, I plan to navigate my path accordingly to accomplish that!

- Derek Plumb

Housing & Residence Life GA
GVSU Alumni, 2010
Elementary Education in English

How did you become interested in student affairs?
The Student Affairs track was my plan B after graduating, but I quickly became quite thankful that my Plan A plans fell through :)

Where did you conduct your practicum?
This past summer, I had did two practicums:
First, I was invited to be a program assistant on a Faculty-led study abroad trip to the Netherlands.  My second practicum experience was at the University of Michigan's Outdoor Adventure Department.

What are some of your most interesting moments during your practicum?
Visiting a Holocaust Labor Camp & seeing the Dutch tribute to the WWII American Liberation Soldiers were both quite memorable experiences.  Also, canoeing down the Maas River, biking to Belgium to hike, and international pubs were the best parts of my practicum in Europe :).  Lastly, living in a student co-op in Ann Arbor was a fun experience

What are your future plans?
I'd love to land in International Affairs in a study abroad office, which would be my perfect job :)

- Kathryn Clark

CCPS Undergraduate Advising Cntr GA
Michigan State Univ. Alumni, 2009
Supply Chain Management

How did you become interested in student affairs?
I became interested in student affairs through my work with intramural sports and the freshman orientation program both at Michigan State.  I learned that I loved the college environment and wanted to work to help students have a great experience in college.  I had no idea student affairs even existed until a supervisor asked me if I had thought about a career it in.  It was my “aha” moment!

Where did you conduct your practicum?
I spent the summer in San Jose, California working with the Frosh Orientation Program at San Jose State University.  It was a great experience!  I had the chance to work with a great staff and see how orientation and student affairs work at a university that was completely new to me.  I loved all of the students and professional staff I worked with and I have created a network for myself if I choose to pursue a career in California.  The opportunity to move across the country for a summer was one I will be forever grateful for.  It allowed me to grow as an individual and as a professional.

What are some of your most interesting moments during your practicum?
Since my practicum was in California, I had a lot of fun traveling and exploring the area around my university.  It was helpful to have a fellow CSAL student, Suzy Herman, in the area as well.  We made a point to learn about our new surroundings and take advantage of the opportunities provided by a practicum experience across the country.

I also had the opportunity at SJSU to supervise a group of 34 undergraduate orientation leaders along with two of my supervisors.  Through this experience I was able to observe different supervision styles and learn which traits I wanted to incorporate into my own supervision style and which ones I did not.

What are your future plans?
I will be graduating in April 2012 and am looking forward to the life of a student affairs professional.  I am keeping my options open when searching for a job but I am looking to pursue a career in academic advising and possibly moving to intramural sports in the future.

Current 1st Years!

- Andrew Bradley

Career Services - Allendale GA
Michigan State University Alumni, 2010
Sociology and Philosophy

How did you become interested in student affairs?
The youthful energy and impressionable nature of students is what makes my job fulfilling and a great career. Specifically, I worked as an RA (resident advisor) for two years, was involved in numerous student organizations, and worked part time. I discovered my senior year that I could do this as a career.

Why did you choose the CSAL program?
After attending the graduate interview day last spring, I was very impressed with the supportive environment and campus. Secondly, Dr. Merkle spoke about the growth and development of the university as a whole. These were great selling points and convinced me to attend.

At this point, what is the most interesting thing about being a graduate student?
The feeling of empowerment and being treated like an administrator; I am recognized for my hard work and desire to help students. Also, the flexibility and encouragement from the staff members

Where are you considering doing your summer practicum?
Being that student affairs is such a broad field, I want to work in different departments and get a rich, varied experience. I am thinking about Multicultural Affairs.

- DeAnna Poland

LAKER Academic Center GA
Rutgers University Alumni, 2009
Labor Studies and Employee Relations

How did you become interested in student affairs?
My interest in student affairs was sparked during my undergraduate years. As a student-athlete, I was able to build a strong mentoring relationship with my athletic academic advisor. The life lessons she taught me and the impact she continues to have on my life led me to student affairs. It was through that experience that I began to aspire to work within student affairs.

Why did you choose the CSAL program?
I decided to attend Grand Valley because of the opportunity I was offered from the LAKER Academic Center to work with student-athletes. I valued the chance to gain meaningful experience through hands on interaction with students and seasoned professionals.

At this point, what is the most interesting thing about being a graduate student?
There is never a dull moment working in the LAKER Academic Center! The best moment, thus far, was when we presented the LAKER Academic Award. This Award is given to the Men’s and Women’s teams with the highest GPA. We presented this award on the field at half time during a home football game. We also got to stand on the field to watch the game. It was very exciting!

Where are you considering doing your summer practicum?
I would love to have a summer practicum doing something that involves athletics but I am just not sure what that is right now. I am also exploring career services options as a practicum.

- John Gipson

College of Education’s Student Information Center GA
Western Michigan Univ. Alumni, 2011
Elementary Education

How did you become interested in student affairs?
I became interested in student affairs through the Residence Hall Association (RHA) at WMU. While serving as the vice president of RHA, the opportunity arose to work with administrators of Residence Life, Dr. Anderson (Dean of Students), President Dunn, and diverse populations of undergraduate students. Through these experiences, I learned that higher education is the best career choice for my personal enjoyment.

Why did you choose the CSAL program?
I chose the CSAL program due to the overall strength of the curriculum and the opportunities to connect theory and practice. Additionally, GVSU's staff members and campus environment made me feel like I had found a home.

At this point, what is the most interesting thing about being a graduate student?
The ability to interact on a personal basis with university administrators such as, T. Haas, Dr. Merkle, and Matt McLogan along with connecting theory to practice.

Where are you considering doing your summer practicum?
I am discussing the possibility of a practicum within President Haas' office or the Administration Office for next summer.

Semester At Sea!

- By Kerry Day

CSAL Alumni, 2005
University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, Residence Coordinator

   When I was in the CSAL graduate program at GVSU, my passion for international and multicultural student populations grew.  I used my summer practicum to place myself in the shoes of an international student by working abroad at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. This had been such a remarkable experience for me that I was selected to give a presentation at NASFA’s international symposium. At this symposium I learned about Semester at Sea and instantly wanted to work for this program. However, you need to be in the field for a minimum of 5 years before you will be considered for a position on Semester at Sea. 

   I embarked on a journey with over 650 college students, 40 faculty and staff and 300 crew members. We traveled to 8 different countries and into 4 different oceans/seas. My role on this voyage was to serve as the Living Learning Coordinator/Health and Wellness promotions. It was wonderful working in this role and being able to work so closely with the medical and counseling staff as well as faculty with some of the seminars that I led on the topic of Health and Wellness.

   Initially our voyage was supposed to go to Egypt, but due to the turmoil in that country, Semester at Sea had changed the location to Bulgaria.  Early on in the voyage I had connected with one of the security crew members, Vladimir, which I worked with on a consistent basis. Vladimir was from Bulgaria and one evening he asked what my plans were when we arrived. I had mentioned that I did not know anything about Bulgaria and that I would love to be immersed into the culture and get away from the touristy locations. All the people that I met in Bulgaria were very friendly and seemed to be so proud of their country and what they have overcome. When I returned from a two day trip in the mountains, Vladimir wanted to hear about my experience and see pictures.  It was the type of learning experience you can only gain through talking with someone that has lived through it.

   Some tips and highlights that I would offer are to be open to learning about who you are and adjusting your schedule to better fit your style. After the first two countries I left my agenda behind and did what I do best, explore and mix with the locals! For example: I love to kayak, when I was in Croatia I kayaked in the ocean around an island. I love to drive, when I was in Bulgaria I rented a car (something I haven’t even done in the states) and drove to the mountains and got to experience being on castle grounds with no one else but an opera having their dress rehearsal.

   My advice to others is to be open to trying new things and to look for ways to mix your passions together. A campus at sea is very different than a land campus, you do not have hospitals or police to aid with different situations, the internet worked sporadically, and you only had the resources that were available on the ship while at sea. As an extraverted person, I loved this experience, it forced others to step away from their laptops and have real conversations. I established wonderful relationships with faculty, staff, students and crew; the people I encountered on the ship taught me more than I ever expected to learn and are people that will be with me for life.

CSAL Alumni Updates

• Klotilda Abazi (2011)  has accepted a position as Area Director at Earlham College.

• Andrea Adams-Manning (2006) is now at the University of North Florida.

• Stacey Baisden (2009) is now the Assistant Director of Campus Activities at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington.

• Joseph Bishop (2010) left the University of Northern Iowa to accept a position as an Academic Advisor at Davenport University in Grand Rapids.

• Tillie Bell-Good (2006) is now the Assistant Director of Outreach and Events at Iowa State University.

• Amy Burns (2011) is at UT Knoxville.

• Shawn Clark (2011) is now a Coordinator for Housing and Residence Life at Western Kentucky University.

• Travis Fleming (2011) is a Residence Hall Director at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut.

• Michael George Dixon (2007) is the Director of Multicultural Services & Campus Diversity at Manchester College.

• Jamie Guigar (2011) has accepted a position at  Davenport University - Flint as a Academic Advisor.

• Shannon Healy (2010) left Lyndon State College and has returned to Grand Valley as a Living Center Director.

• Matthew Huml (2011) is at the University of Tennessee working as an Academic Advisor in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences.

• David Jaques (2011) accepted a position as Area Complex Director at Eastern Michigan University.

• Amy Joa (2011) stayed at Grand Valley State University as a  Housing Living Center Director.

• Kara (Kurczeski) Hoholik (2008) left Western Michigan University to become an academic advisor at Davenport University’s main campus in Grand Rapids.

• Lisa Knapp (2011) is an Assistant Director in Career Services at Grand Valley State University.

• Justin Landis (2004) is the Director of Residence Life at Siena Heights University.

• Joshua Lee (2011) is a Resident Director at Creighton University.

• Cherjanet Lenzy (2004) has left her position as the Director of Diversity Affairs at Alleghany College to work with the Semester at Sea program. You can read her blog at http://sistahatsea.wordpress.com/

• Kevin Lewtschanyn (2010) was promoted from Admissions Counselor to Assistant Director for Orientations Programs at University of Michigan, Dearborn.

• Brent Merritt (2011) is a  GVSU Adjunct Professor in Movement Science.

• Jacqueline Miller (2011) has accepted a position as Hall Director at the Virginia Commonwealth University.

• Jessica O’Rourke (2011) is working in Human Resources at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, MI.

• Brianne Perez (2011) accepted an academic advising position with the College of Health Professions, GVSU.

• Chris Rader (2008) left Quinnipiac University to become Assistant Director of Residential Life at Sacred Heart University, Connecticut.

• Samantha Schenk (2011) is at the New Mexico State University as a Resident Director.

• Rachele Slotman (2011) accepted a position as a Recruiting Specialist - Adult and Online Programs at Grace Bible College.

• George Sprague (2011)  is working at Indiana University as an Assistant Residence Manager.

• Erin Taylor (2011) is working as a Resident Director at Albion College.

• Matea Vazgec (2011) is a Housing Living Center Director at Grand Valley State University.

• Allison Webster (2010) left Millikan University to become the Assistant Director of Student Organization Programs at Oakland University.

• Patrick Wilson (2011) remained at GVSU working with the Freshman Academy.