Leadership Exchange - Spring 2008

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Colleagues:

As I write my final column as NASPA president, I am energized and motivated to maintain the spirit I have experienced during the past year. The enthusiasm of colleagues, students, friends, and family has inspired a range of initiatives, communications, and professional development opportunities with compelling results all the way around.

In this issue of Leadership Exchange, you will read about the importance of faculty and staff collaboration, the role of student affairs in accreditation and assessment, and our responsibilities in meeting the evolving needs of our students and our staff.

Throughout the year, we have addressed a range of issues that affect the learning process.
Recently, an outstanding group of colleagues synthesized and identified our priorities in
times of crises. (Check the NASPA Web site soon for their report.) NASPA has continued its
work on assessment and accountability with the International Center for Student Success and
Institutional Accountability (ICSSIA) partners. To see our progress, go to www.icssia.org. In
2007, thousands of colleagues participated in NASPA professional development programs
covering topics such as multiculturalism, mental health and alcohol issues, legal challenges,
sustainability, and student learning. All of these initiatives are further evidence of our commit-
ment to serving students and
fellow staff members in the best
possible ways. There is no doubt
Th_ere _is _no _doubt _that that our work with students is a
powerful influence on their lives
our work with students ^{and their futures.}

As we move into the latter is _a _powerful _influence portion of this decade, we must continually plan for the future of on _their _lives _and our profession. What will we and our successors be doing in the th_eir _futures.2010s, 2020s, and the 2030s? Will we have any influence? It is time to identify ways for senior student affairs officers around the globe to come together and

strategically build that future. Our knowledge and experience give us unique perspectives in understanding the history of the profession and anticipating the future needs of students and the profession.

In my previous Leadership Exchange columns, I have noted our changing seasons. Our profession has moved well beyond its spring, yet we are constantly experiencing new growth and change on our college and university campuses. We must be truly intentional as we plant seeds in our communities and continue to cultivate the most essential elements of our work. There have been many landmark events during the past year in both higher education and student affairs, and we have no reason to believe that those shifts and pressures will diminish. We must remain focused and deliberate as we create strong, executable strategies to meet the challenges of the coming decades.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve NASPA, colleagues in student affairs, and our students. It has been a truly memorable and rewarding experience in every aspect.

Publisher NASPA–Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education

Executive Editor Gwendolyn Jordan Dungy

Managing Editor Nancy E. Grund

Contributing Editors Melissa Dahne Kevin Kruger Leah Ewing Ross

Designer Sese-Paul Design

Advertising Manager Shane T. Carlin

Editorial Board James E. Scott National Academy for Leadership and Executive Effectiveness Cynthia Cherrey, Chair Dennis Black Brett Campbell James F. Conneely Arthur Costantino Mela Dutka Henry Gee Patrick Lamy John Laws Kathy MacKay Joe Marchetti Gary L. McGrath Cornel Morton Xavier Romano Thomas Shandley Brian Sullivan Eliseo “Cheo” Torres Tracy Tyree Barry L. Wells James F. Vick Jan Winniford

Leadership Exchange is published four times a year for senior student affairs officers in higher education. Letters to the editor are welcome. For subscription information and advertising opportunities, please contact the NASPA office.

Leadership Exchange
NASPA
1875 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Suite 418
Washington, DC 20009-5728
Fax 202.797.1157
E-mail le@naspa.org

Sincerely,

Copyright © 2008 by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), Inc. Printed and bound in the United States of America. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means without written permission from the publisher.

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