Month: June 2019

Kudos

SoACE Kudos: June 2019 Edition

June 28, 2019 by 0 Comments

Every other month, we do a call out for SoACE members to submit their anonymous Kudos to colleagues that have gone above and beyond in the office, as part of a professional association, or in other ways that make life better for others.

ER Summit Planning Committee
Matt Battista (University of Tampa), Richard Combs (UNC Chapel Hill), Beth Mannella (Elon University), Jennie Marchal (Vanderbilt University), V’Rhaniku Haynes (Central Florida). Thank you to the excellent committee for the 2019 Employer Relations Summit. The event would not have been a success without your contributions. Your volunteer efforts do not go unnoticed.

ER Summit Planning Committee
Thank you for all your hard work!!!

FloridaACE Workshop Selection Committee and Roundtables Committee
Great job to the committee for choosing a nice variety of topics for both sessions and RT’s, and nice job to everyone who presented for coming up with new and unique ideas!

North Carolina Central University Career and Professional Development Center
Congratulations on winning the NC Central Student Affairs Department of the Year Award!!!

University of South Florida, Office of Employer Relations
Shout out to Pranam and Amanda for presenting at the SoACE ER Summit last week!

Wake Forest University
Congratulations on winning the NACE Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Award!

Texas A&M-Commerce Career Development Team
I want to give a shout out to our new career coaches (Shanna Jonescu, Chelsey Jonson, & Trevor McCray) for handling their first spring as career coaches with precision, poise, and perfection. You have exceeded our expectations and we are so glad you are on our team. Adding the three of you to our team has been such a blessing to our office and our students – thank you for all you do! ~Lacey & Bethany

The University of Tampa
Thank you for hosting a great visit to UT during the ER Summit! Your redesigned office is impressive and your staff incredible. Way to go!!

Marissa Miller, University Career Center, Auburn University
Wonderful job planning and coordinating our Your Major: Career Discovery Workshops this year! Your hard work is making such a positive difference for our incoming freshmen!

Tasheila Williams-Townsend, University Career Center, Auburn University
Way to hit the ground running, Tasheila! The work you’ve done developing new programs including Mock Interview Day is incredible. Thanks for all the joy you bring to the office every day!

Beth Mannella, Elon University
Way to make our FDR reporting a hit! I appreciate your thoroughness and on-top-of-it-ness you’ve provided through the process!

Tara Stevenson, Flagler College
Congratulations on putting together an AMAZING FloridaACE conference! It would not have been so successful without your leadership.

Tara Stevenson, Flagler College
Nice job on the Annual Conference! Lots of time for connections and networking, plus fun events. Uncomplicated learning and fun!

Blake Winchell, LSU Olinde Career Center
For your leadership, support this past academic year for our team, and for coordinating the highest attended JCPenney Suit Up event in the nation. You Geaux Blake!!

Heather Woodall, Mississippi State University
Congratulations, Heather, on your promotion to Assistant Director and liaison to the College of Business.

Melody Iannone, Old Dominion University Career Development Services
Melody has done an amazing job of working with the VACE budget as treasurer, and in helping with the planning of the VACE annual conference. Well done!

Summer Steelman, Old Dominion University Career Development Services
Summer did an amazing job of working as part of the conference planning committee for VACE this year. Well Done!

Saranette Williams, Old Dominion University Career Development Services
Saranette has done a great job this year of helping our team reorganize and regroup in regard to employer programs. She never fails to amaze with her boundless energy and attitude of care for students, staff, faculty, and employees alike. It is a pleasure and an honor to know and work with you.

SMU Hegi Family Career Development Center, Employer Relations Team
Kudos to an AMAZING Employer Relations Team – Essence Smith, Sandra Bray, MK Rademacher and Caroline Rydquist! Because of your commitment and hard work, we were able to increase our employer engagement and offer more programming and events this year than ever! You are appreciated and I am grateful to work with such a wonderful group of professionals!

Kaitlin Burke, St. Edward’s University
Kaitlin earned a promotion to assistant director for Residence Life at St. Edwards University! She began as a resident assistant and has worked her way up!

Twyla Hough, Trinity University
Congratulations to Twyla for listening and following her direction in life after helping students find theirs for 15 years! We will miss you but wish you a lifetime of success as you pursue a PhD and journey forward. We know you will continue to positively impact lives!! ~Your Work Family, CELCS

Whitney Prescott, University of Georgia
Congratulations on receiving the NACE Technology Excellence Award!

Yolanda Dillard, The University of Memphis
Yolanda has been a truly dynamic leader in our office! She has spearheaded our transition to Handshake software and has diligently worked with each staff member to make it a seamless change. This was a huge undertaking for our university. She is effectively leading positive change. Keep roaring Tiger!

Dia Buchanan, The University of Mississippi
Thank you for an exceptional experience at the Employer Relations Summit last week! You and the rest of the planning committee knocked it out of the park! The programming was outstanding and it was apparent that a lot of hard work went into making it happen. Congratulations on a successful event!

Dia Buchanan, The University of Mississippi
Congrats on planning a successful Employer Relations Summit. You did an amazing job!

Adam Barnes, University of South Alabama Career Services
Outstanding performance regarding student engagement.

Tiffany Waddell Tate, Wake Forest University and NCACE
Thank you for your commitment and investment as NCACE President this past year. Your leadership led to more opportunities for members to grow professionally and make connections across the state. Enjoy being Past President!

Award Recipients - Diversity & Inclusion

Sheena Jacobs, 2018 Champion of Diversity Award Recipient

June 21, 2019 by 0 Comments

The Champion of Diversity Award is presented annually to a member who has demonstrated a sustained commitment to the pursuit of diversity and inclusion in the community or workplace. Contributions in advancing diversity could be in the form of activism, education or outreach, publication, service, or other initiatives. Criteria for the award includes: demonstrated commitment to the spirit of diversity and inclusion through active participation in promoting diversity and inclusion initiatives within the last twelve months; positive communication and education that promotes mutual respect, acceptance, cooperation or tolerance among people of different backgrounds; and demonstration of a positive influence on constituencies. These contributions could be within the member’s employing organization, SoACE, or the larger community.

The Champion of Diversity Award was presented at the 2018 Annual Conference to Sheena Jacobs from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an individual who has developed successful strategies and programs that serve as models of excellence both inside and outside the UNC community.  When tasked by her Vice Provost and Vice Chancellor to support the university’s Retention through Recruitment program to increase the number and success of African-American males enrolling as undergraduates, she used her voice to assure that issues of diversity are factored into the institution’s strategies and part of everyone’s professional growth plan.  She initiated collaboration between the Career Center and Carolina’s Office for Men of Color Engagement to help minority men navigate the academic climate and become more aware of opportunities and support at UNC.

In addition, as Carolina and Career Development Co-Chair for UNC’s Women of Worth Initiative, she piloted a four-part lunch and learn series promoting academic preparedness, holistic student wellness and success, identify development and career readiness for women faculty, staff and students of color.

One of her colleagues said the following of Sheena:

“She sets the standard for student affairs professionals striving to enact diversity and inclusion programs.  She’s the one who prods her colleagues to be vigilant about providing respect, appreciation, and inclusion to everyone.”

Sheena Jacobs serves as an Assistant Director for University Career Services and Liaison for the University Office of Diversity and Inclusion. She has a B.A. in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a M.A. in Career Counseling and Placement from North Carolina Central University, where she served as a graduate intern in their career center. Sheena is a Higher Education professional with training and experience in Undergraduate Admissions, Scholarships and Student Aid, Career Counseling, and University Program Planning. She has spent her professional career in higher education and has a professional interest in the areas of career counseling, coaching, and professional development. Sheena is an active member of many professional associations, NASPA and SoACE. Her favorite quote is:” Change your IF, to WHEN.”

 

Letters from the President

Letter from the President: Mark Colvenbach

June 14, 2019 by 0 Comments

Hello SoACE Membership,

As the summer gets into full swing, many of us use this time of year to take a deep breath, re-group and maybe even find some time for a little vacation. I hope SoACE members are able to do all three before the pace picks up and students return in full swing. As you plan for the future semester(s) ahead, its always good to review what has been and appreciate what was accomplished over the past year. With our lives seemingly becoming busier by the day, I would like to encourage everyone to look in the rear-view mirror just for a second.

Your new SoACE Board will be convening in late July to plan for the year ahead. Over the past year, the Board and its many wonderful volunteer leaders and members, have truly accomplished a great deal.  On behalf of the entire SoACE Board, I say THANK YOU.  Without this level of engagement, the elevation of programs and sharing of best practices would not be possible.

SoACE as an organization, is at a tipping point of sorts.  A special taskforce was commissioned to focus on the long-term financial stability of the association by looking specifically at revenue and sponsorship areas of interest.  I am excited what lies ahead with their recommendations, as I truly believe their diligent efforts will provide positive and long lasting impact on the value of SoACE to its members.

New webinars and sharing of innovative strategies are seemingly passed through the association weekly. Membership continues to grow (Don’t forget to renew)!! With this, SoACE has stretched to better collaborate with State Associations and Consortia to provide additional resources and sharing of best practices among its variety of members. An increased focus on Diversity and Inclusion will continue to provide membership with strategies to elevate its services to institutions and organizations it serves. The Knowledge Groups (KGs) remain THE resource for many who seek information on specific aspects of their roles and those they want to develop as a professional. In less than a week, well over 100 members will convene in Tampa, FL to participate in the 5th Annual Employer Relations Summit. This is a remarkable milestone to reach and is a direct result of the hard work by so many volunteer leaders over the years. The Board has committed to this and many other programs to ensure members reaches the highest of value from their membership.

In closing, I would like to personally recognize several members who will be rolling off the board on July 1.  Thank you to the following for their service, dedication and energy over the past years to take SoACE to the next level. Please join me in thanking Raymond Rogers – St. Edward’s University, V’Rhaniku Haynes – University of Central Florida and Elizabeth Boggs – Stetson University.  You will be truly missed. As we kick off the 2019-20 fiscal year, new energy and innovation will be welcomed to the Board through those elected earlier this year. Please welcome Danny Pape – University of Tennessee, Holly Williams – Clemson University, Jill Boatright – Loyola University New Orleans and Kimberly Billeaudeau – University of Louisiana Lafayette.

All the best this summer and beyond,
Mark Colvenbach
2018-19 SoACE President