One of the best things to come out of quarantine this spring was being elected President of the Student Personnel Association! This organization, commonly known as SPA, provides graduate students in the Higher Education/Student Personnel program at the University of Mississippi with social and professional development opportunities.
It has been an exciting semester with SPA! The Executive Board and I hit the ground running since we assumed our positions in April. We spent the summer doing a rebrand of the organization, rewriting our bylaws, brainstorming innovative recruitment tactics, developed promotional material, and planning events for the fall semester. It was rewarded and exciting presenting the great things we had done at the virtual new student orientation in August.
Since then, we have had two successful in-person social events. The first, Scoops with SPA, was an ice cream social. This was the first time many of the first year students had met each other or seen each other since their interview weekend in February, so it was really rewarding seeing so many people excited to come to the event. COVID-19 policies were upheld, and a virtual option was offered! Additionally, we had a Picnic in the Quad with pizza for our members. This relaxed event took place on a Friday and helped our members transition from “class peers” to “weekend friends!” We had a blast.
In addition to our social events, SPA also offers professional development for our members. We kicked off the semester with a guest speaker on “What I Wish I Knew as a New SA Pro” to discuss things like work/life balance, stress management, boundary setting and more. We then had a panel of second year graduate students on “Graduate Internships in Student Affairs” to discuss different opportunities for the first year students to pursue in between their first and second year. We recently hosted “Counseling 101: Helping Students in Crisis” to equip graduate assistants and full-time staff members with the tools they need to engage with students facing a trying time.
One of my favorite events of the semester was titled “So You Think You Want to Pursue Student Affairs?” which was a panel of professionals from across the nation presenting to undergraduate students about the field of higher education. We had student affairs specialists from all different functional areas, geographical regions and experience levels to share their experiences and advice for students looking to enter the industry. It was extremely successful!
Additionally, we were able to introduce our members to one of the most inspirational figures on campus, the Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics and the Athletic Director of Ole Miss, Mr. Keith Carter! We were able to pick his brain about the coexistence of student affairs and athletics, recent hires including Lane Kiffin, and his development through athletics. It was a blast!
Additionally, we were able to collaborate with our friends at LSU that are a part of their equivalent of SPA called HESPA. The highlight of the event was an SEC scavenger hunt where everyone had to collect as many SEC items as possible. It was a great opportunity to network with other upcoming SA Pros at a peer institution, and we hope to implement a full SEC version of this in the spring!
One of the highlights of the semester was taking photos with the Executive Board. We had a blast taking professional headshots with each other, and I have loved working with them on our various initiatives. Talk about a group of #GirlBosses!
I’m looking forward to seeing what the remainder of the year looks like with this amazing group. I am so fortunate to serve in this capacity!
