Large Turnout for Annual Student Affairs Staff Development Conference
The sixth annual Division of Student Affairs Staff Development Conference was held on Aug. 11. This year was another great turnout with nearly 200 Student Affairs professionals and paraprofessionals in attendance. The theme was “C4 Cultivating Collaborative Connections for Change.” Participants networked and gained ideas, strategies, and tools to better serve students through an engaging keynote by the Universal Human Rights Initiative, concurrent sessions, and roundtables. All the activities were designed to align with the NASPA and ACPA competencies.
The conference provided the division an opportunity to come together before the start of the school year to connect with each other and continue to grow our skills in support of student success. Student Affairs professionals had the opportunity to learn from their peers, who shared knowledge, expertise, and resources.
“It is such an honor to serve on the Student Affairs Professional Development committee,” said Summer Steele, Director of the Office of Pre-College Programs. “With the ongoing and unwavering support of our division leadership, our team is able to coordinate signature programs to uplift and support the professional learning of our Student Affairs professional and paraprofessional staff."
She added, “A cornerstone event is the annual Professional Development Conference. With close to 200 attendees, this convening promotes community, celebration, and lifelong learning. If you are interested in being a part of the [Professional Development] committee, please email me at bivenss@csusb.edu.”
Throughout the event, attendees enjoyed refreshments, lunch, networking opportunities, and opportunity drawings. Dr. Paz Olivérez, Vice President for Student Affairs, provided paraprofessionals with an orientation to the Division of Student Affairs. The Division of Student Affairs staff awards were also presented at the conference. Student Affairs professionals were honored with the following awards:
- Emerging Leader: Navneet Singh (Women’s Resource Center Coordinator)
- Empowered Excellence: Jairo Leon (Undocumented Student Success Center Director)
- Faculty Partner: Jess Neren (Communication Studies Lecturer) and Arianna Hunh (Anthropology Associate Professor)
- Outstanding Employee: Melissa Acuna (Senior Health Educator)
- Student Centeredness: Mario Orellana (Audio Visual Specialist)
- Team Project: Recreation and Wellness
- Community Partner: Lydie Gutfeld (City of San Bernardino Parks, Recreation, and Community Services)
- Vice President for Student Affairs Award:
- Lisa Root (Associate Dean of Students and Director of Student Conduct and Ethical Development)
- Dr. Terri Anderson (Basic Needs and Student Support Director)
- Dr. Avisinia Rodriguez (Interim Assistant Dean of Student Engagement)
Check out photos from the day on the Student Affairs Flickr. Stay connected and follow the Division of Student Affairs on social media: Instagram, YouTube, and Flickr.
To access information about the Division of Student Affairs, click here.