Some of SNHU’s biggest names in student affairs made the trek to Springfield, Massachusetts in an ongoing effort to make the campus experience the best it can be.
The NASPA Region 1 conference was held November 12-15 and provided affairs professionals an opportunity to convene for various workshops and learning opportunities. NASPA is the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.
Some of SNHU’s attendees included Michelle Scali, Matt Petersons, and residence director Michael Masterson.
‘This was my first year attending the NSAPA conference and it was amazing. I went to sessions that looked at the university from a 30,000 feet high level perspective and sessions that will help me grow professionally,” said Masterson. Masterson was presented with the New Hampshire Richard F. Stevens Outstanding New Professional Award at the conference.
“Winning this award and attending the conference has given me new energy, ideas and passion for our campus and the higher education field,“ said Masterson.
Attendees were able to attend workshops to help refine skills in career planning, community building and social justice, among other topics.
Michelle Scali, assistant director of student involvement, gained insight regarding commuters.
“I attended a presentation about how to best support our commuter students and it was insightful. We do a lot to serve this population with commuter programs and our commuter lounge in the Student Center, but it made me think about how we can better engage our students who not live on campus in our other programs.”
The NASPA conference was preceded by a conference for students looking to pursue careers in student affairs themselves. The SALT conference (Student Affairs Leaders of Tomorrow) saw five SNHU students and 94 undergraduates in total attend.
SNHU’s own Colleen Lubin, associate director of student involvement, was responsible for planning the event.
“It was amazing to see all these talented undergrads who want to pursue a career in student affairs and were passionate about the work we do every day,” said Lubin.
