July 2011 Board Update

As I reported in my last Forum article, NASPA is indeed moving forward with a renewed sense of direction and optimism. This past week, the NASPA Board of Directors voted unanimously to accept the strategic plan informed by the valuable member feedback received though survey responses, regional meetings, discussions with and among NASPA's many diverse constituency groups, including divisions, knowledge communities, and Faculty Fellows, as well as the wealth of information learned through consolidation discussions over the past few years. I am excited to share this plan with you next week. It builds on NASPA's excellence and ensures the association's longevity through relevance, inclusivity, and leadership.

It is with far more mixed feelings that I officially inform you of Gwen Dungy's retirement from NASPA, effective March 31, 2012. This year marks Gwen's "Sweet Sixteen" with NASPA, and the association has never experienced such a time of growth and stability as during her tenure. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to continue to work with Gwen throughout my term as NASPA President, and look forward to the contributions I know she will continue to make to student success, student affairs, and higher education long into the future.

As we move swiftly to initiate a search and have someone in place come April, the board proposed a bylaw amendment to change NASPA leadership titles as follows in response to input received over the past years and in order to stay current with association trends:

• NASPA Executive Director (current) to NASPA President (proposed)
• NASPA President (current) to Chair, NASPA Board of Directors (proposed)
• Regional Vice President (current) to Regional Director (proposed)

Further information regarding the proposed bylaw change will be sent to voting delegates in August.

In annual conference news, following discussions with ACPA leadership, the NASPA Board of Directors did agree to pursue an alternative location for the 2014 conference. In the context of possible consolidation, ACPA and NASPA had moved up the joint conference that usually would have been held in 2017. Given the apprehension heard over the past years regarding the size and logistics of a single conference, it was agreed to utilize the additional time and consideration afforded by reconsidering a joint conference again on the original 10-year track to help us think through how best to address these concerns.

The Board also approved President-elect Levester Johnson's appointment of Brian McCoy, vice president for student affairs/dean of students at Nichols College, as 2013 NASPA Annual Conference Chair. As the 2013 Chair, Brian will serve on the 2012-2013 NASPA Board of Directors. And, finally, I am happy to report that the 2012 annual conference budget was passed with no increase in registration fees. The program submission process is open through September 2, and we certainly hope you will join us in Phoenix to Ignite Leadership and Influence Change.

And, lastly, I could not close this update without sharing some great news from the NASPA Foundation. Sixty-five research grant proposals were received during this last cycle, up significantly from previous cycles. We are so excited for the ways in which the NASPA Foundation is able to support the discovery of new knowledge and innovation in the field of student affairs, and look forward to the contributions to the field that the funded proposals are sure to bring.

The dedication of NASPA members never ceases to amaze me, whether it be commitment to their students, their colleagues, or their professional association, or the many ways in which they work to better the student affairs field and higher education more broadly. THANK YOU for all you do, and I look forward to working with you in this exciting time ahead!

Sincerely,

Patricia Telles-Irvin
NASPA President