Alum named outstanding new professional by PCPA

By Rachel Raccio, communications assistant

Bryson Purcell ’17/19M, a graduate of Bloomsburg University’s College Student Affairs master’s program, was recently announced as the winner of the Outstanding New Professional award from the Pennsylvania College Personnel Association (PCPA). This award is presented to an ACPA/PCPA member who has made a significant contribution to higher education and has been employed in the student personnel field for less than five years.

“I was shocked when I heard I won,” Purcell says. “I’m honored to be recognized for the hard work we’ve all been putting in through this past year. Adapting to the online environment while continuing to provide the best support to students isn’t an easy task.”

His time at Bloomsburg is what brought him to love the idea of working with college students. He held a position as one of the Husky Orientation and Welcome Leaders, which initially sparked his interest. His love only progressed as he went through his classes and eventually into the College Student Affairs program.

“After my first experience with our traditional summer orientation programming, I immediately applied for a position as an admissions tour guide so I could continue working with future students all year long, not just during the summer,” Purcell says. “During that time, I found some incredible mentors in both New Student Orientation and Undergraduate Admissions, who encouraged me to pursue my graduate degree in College Student Affairs. One being my former supervisor, Dr. Kristin Austin who is taking the lead of PCPA as the president.”

Purcell enjoyed his time in the CSA master’s program and even got hands-on experience as a graduate assistant in multiple departments on campus which only furthered his passion for his career.

“I really enjoyed the CSA program,” Purcell says. “The faculty were extremely passionate about their subject areas and are always looking for ways to push you to be the best you can be. I was able to hold GA positions in New Student Orientation, Department of Teaching and Learning, Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Office of Graduate Admissions.”

Now, he’ going to be serving as the president-elect on the PCPA executive board. He’ll support the president in their absence and train executive board members and committee chairs. Prior to this position, he was the chair of the New Professionals and Graduate Students Community of Practice since 2019. He transitioned to president-elect on March 1, 2021 and will hold this position for a year before he becomes president next March.

Bloomsburg’s CSA program really helped to prepare Purcell for the job search ahead of him once he graduated.

“The fact I was able to complete GA positions in both enrollment management as well as student affairs really gave me a competitive edge when it came time for the job search,” Purcell says  “I really enjoyed the fact the CSA program combines aspects of leadership, counseling, experiential learning, and room for students to choose elective courses that directly relate to their interests.”

Transition

–noun1.movement, passage, or change from one position, state,stage, subject, concept This is what my life feels like. Right now I'm in limbo between the past and my future endeavors. Currently am rereading Harry Potter before the movies come out. I've:-Received my assistantship contract in the mail (need to mail it back)-Registered for classes ! :)-ONLY taking 3 instead of 4 like I thought which is good because it will make for an easier transition-Committed to being a TA for my supervisor of my assistantship for "Straight Talks" class (reminds me of Peer Mentoring which I LOVED!)-Have my lease waiting for me Aug 5 on move in day! Lastly, I recently found out that I will need to depart the last week in July (not the first week in August like I originally though) due to receiving my stipend in August and NOT have it roll over to late September! (I need that money!)  Also, last day of work is today-wouldn't be surprised if I cry. About 7.5 weeks left...Enjoying the weather while I can!

CSA student earns trip to NCAA leadership seminar

Pankil Chander, who is pursuing a master’s in Bloomsburg University’s Educational Leadership in College Student Affairs program, has been accepted to attend the 2018 NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar (ELS) in Indianapolis later this month.

As part of its programming, Chander will be taking part in several pre-work activities, including a behavioral assessment. ELS is an annual professional development event that provides effective leadership, educational and transitional programing for more than 200 current graduate assistants and interns from NCAA membership schools, conference offices and affiliate organizations. 

The three-day program — which will be held Jan. 24 through Jan. 26 this year — educates, develops and connects selected participants, and can increase the likelihood for rapid career progression within college sports.

At BU, Chander is a graduate assistant with the Dean of Students and Health and Wellness offices specifically working with the The Choices and Peer Assisted Student Success program. He is also a volunteer assistant coach for the Huskies wrestling team. 

Twenty-one graduate students and two faculty members in Bloomsburg. University’s College Student Affairs (M.Ed.) program assisted Wilkes University’s Division of Student Affairs with their effort to assess and understand campus culture. 

Students interviewed staff from residence life, student affairs, and career services, campus activities, and global education, met with Wilkes undergraduates, and conducted an informal campus audit.  

The day concluded with informal presentations of recommendations for change and improvement on the Wilkes campus. Throughout the day-long visit to the Lackawanna campus, BU graduate students applied concepts learned in “Foundations and Functions of College Student Affairs” and “Student Development Theory.”

College Student Affairs program showcases research

Fourteen alumni and faculty of Bloomsburg University's College Student Affairs graduate program attended the annual conference of the Mid Atlantic Association of College and University Housing Officers in Atlantic City, NJ. 

Denise Davidson and Mark Bauman implemented several presentations, including “Take a Leap: Choosing a Graduate Program in Student Affairs?,” “Is it Time to Eliminate Group Process?,” and “Writing for Publication.”

Mark Bauman

Denise Davidson

Pooja Daya

Jestina Drysdale

Stacey Green

Terrence Haynes

Olivia Naugle Libby

Aaron Lichtenwalter

Thomas Mannion

Sandra Misseri

Joanne Powser

Kendell Rousseau

Becky Shortes Ream

Alex Werenberg

CSA student lands two graduate awards

Bryson Purcell, a recent graduate from the Bloomsburg University’s College Student Affairs (CSA) master’s program, was recognized with the Regional Outstanding Graduate Student Leadership Award by the National Orientation Directors Association (NODA) at its Region 8 Conference in Virginia this spring.

This award is designed to give special recognition to graduate students for their contributions to their campus orientation program, staff success, creativity and outstanding abilities.

Purcell also was awarded the Outstanding Graduate Student Award from the Commission for Student Involvement. ACPA (American College Personnel Association) Awards recognize on an international and local level the impact of recipients’ efforts toward enhancing the student experience. Award recipients were honored at the 2019 ACPA Awards Reception held during the ACPA Annual Convention in Boston, Mass.

NODA is an international organization comprised of professional administrators, students, faculty, and related organizations who strive to provide education, leadership, and professional development in the fields of college student orientation, transition, and retention.  

Purcell received his undergraduate degree from BU in information and technology management in 2017. He then enrolled in the CSA program and hopes to work in enrollment management at a college or university.

Postpartum experience inspires GA to help others

Having children can be the greatest joy mothers imagine. However, for some, the experience can also lead to depression — an illness one Bloomsburg University graduate student knows firsthand.

Kim Plaza, a graduate assistant with BU’s Health and Wellness who is pursuing a master’s in College Student Affairs, dealt with the struggles of postpartum depression with her first two children.

“I can remember feeling embarrassed about this diagnosis and need for medication,” said the mother of five, who studies psychology as an undergraduate. “After learning more about mental illness, I realized I was one of millions of people who were going through the same thing.”

Working with health and wellness as a graduate assistant has given her a lot of insight into the work BU is doing for mental health awareness. The department is working tirelessly to provide speakers and information to assist and educate students, according to Plaza.

“I’m able to utilize my understanding of issues that matter greatly to me to create programming and awareness for the students on campus,” Plaza said. “It’s so very important to recognize that something is going on and seek proper help.”

One of the programs she’s bringing to campus is called “Fresh Check Day.” A platform of the Jordan Porco Foundation, “it is a nationwide program and looks to bring the campus community together to promote the understanding of mental illnesses,” explains Plaza.

This uplifting event with free food, games and prizes wants to promote mental health, prevent suicide and create a message of hope for those who have mental illnesses, she added.

Another program Plaza is coordinating is the “Stigma Reduction Communication Plan,” the first of its kind at BU. It was created to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness, in the hopes people with mental illnesses won’t be afraid to seek help.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to shed light on this important topic,” Plaza said. “I hope the program will continue long after I leave the university.”

  — Danielle Backowski, mass communications major

Emily Bruno, M.Ed. ’19, a student in the College Student Affairs graduate program, will present an educational session at the annual conference of the Mid-Atlantic Association of College and University Housing Officers in Erie.   

“Summer Bridge Programs: Connecting Foster Youth to Higher Education” will provide information about BU’s Anchor Program, which engages youth, ages 15 to 18, involved in the Pennsylvania foster care system in a week-long summer residential college life experience on the Bloomsburg campus. 

Bruno will highlight the key concepts in a summer bridge program for foster youth and explore the success rates of students attending these types of programs.

Where will CSA take you?

Jenna Wright:

"This summer I am doing my field experience at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. In my position and I am helping coordinate the various camps and conferences that will utilize the campus for events!"

Emily Bruno:

"I am completing my field experience as an ACUHO-I intern at Lehigh University in the Office of Residence Life. This summer, I will be supervising 3 Summer Gryphons, assisting with the Themed Communities, Summer Gryphon training, assessment, and the on-call summer duty rotation."

Amanda McIntyre:

"I am currently in my 3rd semester at Bloomsburg University in the CSA program. I am a GA in Operations which is a part of the Student Activities office in the Kehr Union. I have also decided to use this as my field experience this summer and I am loving all of the opportunities I am getting from “behind the scenes” of Student Activities!"

Bryson Purcell:

"This summer I am completing my Field Experience as a NODA Graduate Intern at Susquehanna University within the Center for Academic Achievement specifically working with First-Year Experience."

Bloomsburg University's College Student Affairs (CSA) program within the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership provides a balance of academic and theoretical learning with a strong focus on practical application of knowledge. Whether you are new to a career in College Student Affairs or have prior experience and want to strengthen your credentials for a leadership position, the CSA program has a great deal to offer.

The CSA program prepares students to work in higher education in various capacities including admissions, residence life, academic advisement, career development, orientation, multicultural affairs, and more. Core faculty with extensive experience in the college student affairs field provide important learning opportunities for graduate students in this program.

Kristin Austin, Frederick Douglass Teaching Scholar Fellow, along with Mindy Andino, in the Department of Teaching and Learning, presented her dissertation research titled “Parents as Partners, not Pesters: Understanding Parental Role in New Student Success” at the National ACPA: College Student Educators International Conference this spring in Houston, Texas.

College Student Affairs students go to Ireland!

Eleven students in the College Student Affairs graduate program and four students from other institutions will travel with Mindy Andino, assistant professor of teaching and learning, to three locations in Ireland this summer. Visiting eight institutions of higher education, the students will visit Belfast, Limerick, and Dublin in a 14-day trip.

The purpose of this first-ever graduate-level study tour is to develop an understanding of the structure and practice of college student affairs in Ireland and gain insight into international issues.  In addition to pre-trip meetings involving a review of Ireland’s higher education system, students will meet regularly during the tour to discuss their observations and learning and relate this back to their work in American higher education.

Through journaling, dialogue with fellow travelers, and exchanges with international colleagues on site, participants will consider how the experiences and understandings of this international study tour impacted their philosophy of practice.

For information on receiving academic credit through study tour participation, please contact:

Dr. Mindy Suzanne Andino Assistant Professor Department of Teaching and Learning Bloomsburg University of PA [email protected]

Ambivert personality research hits national stage

Rebecca Slutsky has a chameleon-like personality, an extrovert one minute and then introverted the next … all depending on the situation. Coincidently, fellow Bloomsburg University College of Students Affairs graduate student Michael Sloboda considers himself the same.

So it made perfect sense the two would team up for research, which they will showcase on a national stage this spring at the NASPA Annual Conference in Philadelphia. The conference will bring together a global gathering of more than 5,000 student affairs administrators in higher education who are passionate about important higher education issues.

The pair is researching the ambivert personality trait, which is the trait that individuals who are both extroverted and introverted possess, depending on their environment.

“Michael and I started this research because we wanted to see what else is out there,” Slutsky said. “This ties into my professional interest, because I’m always interacting with students who are either introverted or extroverted. I did not know there was a grey area to these personalities. With this research, I will be able to understand and best help students who are ambiverts, along with be a support to them while they are in college.”

Sloboda has both excited, competitive, and compassionate feelings towards their research and the conference. According to him, the conference is the largest gathering of professionals in their field, and it gives them the chance to present to their colleagues from all across the nation.  It's an extremely competitive process to be accepted as a presenter, and it will allow the pair to stand out as they prepare their future career searches.

“We both believe more attention should be brought to the ambivert personality trait in student affairs, and we believed presenting at the largest conference in our field would be the perfect way to do so,” Sloboda said. “I'm excited to attend other educational sessions and learn more about emerging topics in student affairs.”

According to Slutsky, BU’s CSA program has opened many doors for her and has prepped her for collaboration with those outside of her functional area, being able to see different perspectives of student affairs. She and Sloboda are researching under the guidance of Mindy Andino, assistant professor of teaching and learning.

“I can't begin to explain how the opportunities the CSA program provides have prepared me for the field,” Sloboda said. “I have had such supportive professors every step of the way.” 

Sloboda says the program has helped him pursue a wide array of professional development opportunities, ranging from applying for competitive internships, presenting at national conferences, and completing research projects.

“After going through the program and working through this research, I feel like I've been equipped with the skills necessary to succeed as a student affairs practitioner and make a positive impact on student's lives,” Sloboda said.

  — Megan Hawbecker, mass communications major