As a first-year graduate student in the Student Affairs in Higher Education program at Miami University, I appreciate the professional development opportunities provided by the Ohio College Personnel Association (OCPA). I first became aware of the OCPA from a second-year colleague in my program, Andrea Shea, who serves as a campus liaison to the organization. However, it was another colleague, Rayshawn Eastman, who convinced me to participate in the association earlier this academic year.
Collaborating on a proposal to conduct a workshop at the 2008 Careers in Student Affairs Conference, Rayshawn and I were able to share our passion for educational leadership with current and future student affairs professions at the fall conference. The positive feedback we received for our presentation, Student Affairs through the Socio-Economic Lens, gives us continued inspiration in our graduate studies. I have even seen many of the workshop participants at other OCPA and educational events, and I hope to continue the conversation on socio-economic issues in higher education in the near future. The fall conference was a great professional development and networking opportunity that serves as an “icebreaker” into the OCPA.
Another opportunity for graduate students to get involved in the OCPA is by attending the OCPA/OASPA Annual Conference. At this event, students can conduct presentations, participate in a graduate case study competition, and learn about current developments and research in the profession by attending the various presentations offered at this conference. I took advantage of these opportunities this year and participated in the 2009 Dr. Robert A. Dubick Case Study Competition. In the true student affairs spirit of collaboration, I partnered with Katie Purcell of Kent State University and we placed 1st in the competition. Prior to participating in this conference, I never considered engaging in cross-institutional partnerships during my graduate studies and I had no prior interactions with Katie. Now such partnerships are a priority in my practice and Katie is part of my expanding network of professional colleagues.
Outside these conference opportunities, the OCPA hosts a group page on Facebook for graduate students. Through Facebook, I can keep in touch with other graduate student members of the organization throughout the year. Although modest in membership, you can rely on the OCPA Facebook graduate members to keep you informed about regional and national opportunities you may not be aware of outside your graduate program. The group page also serves as a forum where graduate students can talk about various issues they are facing in their studies and beyond. I have found a lot of encouragement and support from graduate members of the OCPA in the Facebook group.
It is never easy to balance school, work, and a personal life, but being a member of the OCPA has been a worthwhile endeavor in professional development for me. I encourage faculty, staff, and students to get involved in this organization. Not only does it provide an opportunity for professional development and networking, it re-energizes our passion for student learning and development in higher education.
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