Fall 2010, Issue 8
A Publication for UNI Postsecondary Education
Working Professionals, Alumni and Students
Panther P.A.W.S.
Another Year Brings Another Cohort
Inside this
issue:
Another Year Brings
Another Cohort
1
Alumni Spotlight:
Quentin Hart
2
History and
Philosophy Online
2
Students Attend
NASPA
3
The Part-time
Perspective
3
A Note from
Dr. Waggoner
4
Getting Involved
and Volunteering
4
This year our Postsecondary
Education: Student Affairs program welcomed one of its biggest cohorts yet. This signifies
excellent things for the learning
and developing of future student affairs leaders. It means
engaging classroom discussion,
a wide diversity of ideas, and
sharing a variety of experiences
with one another. As first-year
Kim Hanneman notes, “My experience in the PSE program
thus far has been great. I have
met many wonderful people
who I have learned a tremendous amount of valuable information from that will hopefully
allow me to positively influence
students. The program does a
great job of combining a unique
learning environment that combines both theory and hands-on
experiences.” Kim, who also
has an assistantship with the
Academic Advising office also
comments, “My assistantship
allows me to bring what I am
learning in the classroom to
a practical setting. The classroom experience plus the
assistantship opportunity
create a unique and outstanding learning environment.”
This cohort is settling in
and fast becoming comfortable with the PSE routine.
Full-time students are taking
the three classes traditionally
offered in their first semester: Intro to Student Affairs
with Lex Smith, Organization
and Government with Bob
Frederick, and Student Development Theory with David
Schmid (“Schmiddy”). Attending class three nights a week
kept these students busy. As
for instructing these students
Lex Smith notes, “All 15
members of this entering
cohort class have expressed
and have evidenced a genu-
ine commitment to student
affairs work, and are committed to graduate study.
Graduate work does not
seem to be viewed as an
obstacle to overcome on the
way to becoming a full-time
practitioner in the field as is
sometimes the case with a
few members of each new
cohort group.” Lex goes on
to say, “Also, there is wide
diversity in terms of prior
experiences, interests, gender and race. This diversity
adds value to the classroom
experience for everyone in
class. This is a selfmotivated group of students
who are eager to learn…
They are inquisitive about
student affairs and higher
education, they ask good
questions, and they are otherwise engaged in the various class activities and discussions.”
The cohort
spent the
final day of
their Intro
to Student
Affairs
class
at
Professor
Lex Smith‟s
h o m e
where they
discussed
their first
semester
and their
plans for
upcoming
break,
a
tradition in
the
PSE
Program.
Alum Quentin Hart: Truly a Student Affairs Professional
Our featured alum, Quentin
Hart has been with Hawkeye
Community College for the
past 12 years. Now the Associate Director of Multicultural
Affairs, Hart has held the following roles: Admissions Representative, Associate Director
of Retention, and Interim Manager of the Martin Luther King
Jr. Center. Additionally, Hart
has consulted and presented
with several different colleges
and organizations throughout
Iowa and the Midwest. On top
of all his involvement in higher
education in the last several
years Hart still has had time
for family, as he makes sure
to add, “I have a wonderful
wife and two boys.”
An important part of the
Hawkeye community, Hart
involves himself in a number
of activities. He serves as the
advisor for the Multicultural
Student Organization and
Hawkeye Democrats as well
as the co-advisor for the Latino Student Organization.
Furthermore, Hart holds a
chair position in the Diversity
Committee and Student Veteran Planning Committee
while also overseeing the
“Yes, You Can Program” which
focuses on suspended students/Early Alert program. But
it doesn‟t end there, Hart is a
member of the College Strategic Planning Committee,
works with the Faculty Diversity Internship Program, and
facilitates interview committees.
Along with his specific work
at Hawkeye, Hart plays a very
active role in the Cedar Valley.
He is a first term city councilman in Waterloo and he also
founded the From the Heart
Program which repairs homes
for residents in need as well
as serving on many boards
around the city and state. As
he eloquently notes, “As student affairs professionals it is
imperative that we are engaged and active in the communities we serve. The word
„community‟ is embedded into
the phrase community college, which means that we are
a college that belongs to the
community. By being involved,
you provide support and set
an example for those that you
serve.”
When asked what he has
taken from our Postsecondary
Education: Student Affairs
program to use in his day to
day work, he replied with, “I
take away a strong understanding of the components
of community colleges and
that every student has the graduate of the PSE propotential for success. I under- gram. Although they were not
stand the history and the in my program, I also met
many components that make some great faculty members
up higher education. I have a such as Dr. Clayton and
greater appreciation of the
Janet McClain that were
work that we do in the lives
of our students. We make a great role models for me.”
difference in their lives and And our program feels honthe higher education pro- ored to have such an influengram has taught me how to tial and important student
go from theories to practice affairs professional in our
and implementation.”
midst.
Hart goes on to say,
“The program has given me
a foundation and greater
appreciation the history and
philosophy of higher education. I began the program
thinking that I may be able
to make a program, but I
left the program knowing
that I can make a difference. I was also fortunate
to meet a great colleague
and mentor of sorts, Dr.
Waggoner. He was not just
one of the best instructors
that I had, but also a great
mentor and person.”
An excellent and successful and graduate of the
PSE program, Hart obviously lives his life giving Quentin Hart has worked at Hawkeye Community College for the
back to higher education last 12 years where he is curand those who gave to him, rently the Associate Director of
“I feel honored to be a Multicultural Affairs.
Now Online: History and Philosophy in Higher Education
For the first time since the
beginning of the PSE program,
History and Philosophy of
Higher Education is now offered
online in WebCT format through
elearning. History and Philosophy is set-up for personal assignments as well as for online
discussion on the different eras
that shaped higher education.
PSE students aren‟t the only
Page 2
ones who are taking this class
either; doctoral students from
the College of Education are
also jumping on board. Having
students outside our own program has only fostered more
rich discussion and gives us the
opportunity to interact with yet
more viewpoints.
The course will continued to
be offered online for the Spring
2011 semester and head of
the program and instructor,
Dr. Mike Waggoner notes,
“We are evaluating the use of
online systems, but no long
term commitments are being
made yet.”
The NASPA Experience: Gaining Insight and Appreciation
By Steffoni Smith
This year the Regional NASPA
VI-East Conference was in the
great city of Minneapolis, MN.
Four students from the Postsecondary Education graduate program were in attendance: Monica
Johnson and Jackie McAndrew
represented the first year cohort,
while Fred Silva and I attended
from the second year cohort. The
theme of the conference was
“Innovative Practice, Creative
Discovery: Together” and inspired
attendees to think outside the
box of current student affairs
practice, generate new and creative ideas for research and action, all with a sense of cohesion
and togetherness.
All four of the UNI attendees
walked away from the NASPS VIEast Conference with a better
understanding of the profession
and wonderful learning experiences.
Jackie felt that the bond she
was able to create with the sec-
ond year students was a valuable part, both personally and
professionally, of attending the
conference. She also was
thrilled to learn strategies and
techniques specific to her areas
of interest within student affairs.
In the same vein, Monica
enjoyed meeting people and
the chance to network with
other professionals in the region. The sessions she attended allowed her to expand
her knowledge base of the profession.
Fred commented that this
conference was a great opportunity to learn and share so
much about UNI‟s graduate
program with other graduate
students in our region. He feels
so proud to be a part of the
unique program that we have
here at UNI.
Having attended the National NASPA Conference in
Chicago in 2009, I felt that the
Region IV-East conference was
much more manageable.
With fewer participants and
a more approachable atmosphere, it was like being
with your student affairs
family. I was also able to
make great connections
with some of the presenters
in order to further idea sharing to bring innovative ideas
to the UNI Student Leadership Center.
Reflecting back on the
entire experience, the
NASPA IV-East conference
was a wonderful opportunity to network, make personal connections, and
learn more about this dynamic profession we are a
part of. All of those who
attended would strongly
encourage others to attend
in the future!
2010 Regional NASPA Attendees: Jackie McAndrew,
Steffoni Smith, Monica Johnson, and Frederico Silva.
Through the Eyes of Part-time Students: Two Perspectives
The PSE: Student Affairs
program has always made
itself accessible to the working professional. The program currently has many individuals working part-time
towards their Master‟s degree. Part-time students
“surf” from cohort to cohort,
depending on which classes
they take in a semester.
Their input is always valued
as they are often already
working full-time in the student affairs profession.
In regard to the program‟s
flexibility, Meg Ryan, Wartburg Admissions Counselor,
comments, “Dr. Waggoner
and the faculty understand
the need to go part time for
whatever reason. Mine was
to work full time and take
classes part time. The faculty in the program understand working and class
because it's what they do.
They understand there will
be events that pull you away
from class, whether it be a
conference or assistantship
work or full time work. It
also gives a different dynamic that other traditional
students may not be able to
understand as much as
someone dealing with certain issues and theories day
to day.”
Another part-time student, Ashley Brickley, who is
also a coordinator for Student Disability Services on
campus states, “I feel every-
one in the program is understanding and supportive of
part-time students. Faculty
seem cognizant of the
needs of part-time students.
With assignments, I'm often
able to pick a topic that is
relevant to my full-time position, allowing me to immediately put into practice what
I've learned in the classroom.”
Overall Ashley notes, “I've
had a great experience as a
part-time student. As a parttime student, I have the
opportunity to take classes
with multiple cohorts allowing me to meet new people
every semester.”
M e g
Ryan is
a partt i m e
student
graduating
t h i s
coming
May.
Ashley
Brickley is a
partt i m e
student
graduating in
t h e
May of
2013.
Page 3
A Publication for UNI
Postsecondary
Education Alumni, Working
Professionals and Students
A Note From
Dr. Waggoner
Warm greetings of the season from the deep freeze of Iowa. I hope that this
end of term finds you poised for a relaxing winter break. 2010 was an eventful year for the PSE program. Along with all programs at UNI, we underwent
an academic program assessment and review that could have had one of
multiple results: reduction, elimination, maintenance, or enhancement. I
am pleased to report that we were named for enhancement. One possible
outcome of this may be developing a separate online version of the program
(in addition to the regular face-to-face version) to reach part-time students
at a distance—nationally and internationally. It may also mean new fulltime faculty. We’ll provide more details as they develop.
Best of the season to you.
Educational Leadership,
Counseling, and
Postsecondary Education
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0604
Phone: (319) 273-2605
Fax: (319) 273-5175
Contact email:
mike.waggoner@uni.edu
Publication Editor
Kasey J. Tumilty
Email: tumiltyk@uni.edu
Phone: (319) 273-3139
UNISPA and YLA: Getting Involved for Good
Sporting their sweet shades,
lime green vests and orange
trash bag, Kolby Knupp and
Meg Ryan know how to clean-up
with a super sense of style.
For more information about
the Postsecondary Education
program and UNISPA,
please visit::
http://www.uni.edu/coe
This year, UNISPA (UNI Student Personnel Association)
once again participated in
Adopt-A-Highway clean-up. It
was a small, but mighty turnout. On October 2nd, Kolby
Knupp, Frederico Silva,
Monica Johnson, and Meg
Ryan all braved the wind and
cold with their gloves on and
trashbags in hand. First-year
Monica Johnson comments on
the importance of cleaning up
the highway, “Although the
thought of walking miles up
and down the side of the interstate on a cold Fall morning
does not initially sound pleasant, I actually had a lot of
fun… I know that I did something that was beneficial to
the community and the environment, and that makes me
feel good.”
Another volunteering opportunity, The Young Leaders in
Action (YLA) conference once
again called for assistance
from Postsecondary Education
students, and again we an-
swered the call. Four volunteers from our program
helped out with this amazing
experience that unites young
minds together in the hopes
of integrating leadership into
their daily lives. The volunteers from our program were
Frederico Silva, Monica Johnson, Keniese Evans and TJ
Warren.
TJ is a five-time volunteer
for YLA and he notes, "The
Young Leaders in Action conference is an outstanding
opportunity for our program
to engage in. It provides us a
chance to connect with community members and youth
outside of UNI, and allows us
the chance to practice our
facilitation skills. As future
administrators, it is important
that we engage in these opportunities so we can effectively lead students in our
future careers. And along the
way, not only are we learning
ourselves, but we are impacting the lives of our local youth
by teaching them a specific
set of tools and skills that
will help them become extraordinary leaders in their
communities."
Similarly, Monica notes,
“It is important to be involved in UNISPA to get to
know other students in the
program. Many of us
(especially first and second
years) don't see each other
outside of UNISPA if we do
not have classes together.
For those that we do have
class with, it is important to
get to know them on a more
personal level outside of the
classroom.”
More volunteer opportunities and chances to participate in UNISPA are sure to
present themselves next
semester including another
chance to volunteer for YLA
on April 5th.