NASPA 100th Annual Conference 2018

Article By 2018 PACADA Grant Winner: Aaron Harris

Philadelphia, PA the “City of Brotherly Love” known by many, although for me it was also the home of my first NASPA conference. As a newcomer at NASPA, I was eager to learn, meet new professionals, and enjoy the city of Philadelphia. However, Philadelphia’s unpredictable weather made for a fun few days of wind, cold weather, and an unexpected blizzard. As well, I would like to thank PACADA for affording me the opportunity as a recipient of the professional development grant.

“Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence” -Sheryl Sandberg

A quote shared by President Dwuan Warmack of Harris-Stowe University wrapped up NASPA’s African-American Male Summit. In my opinion is, and was, the best session held at NASPA. However, I must remind of my “first time attendee” hat that I was wearing at the time.  In a room full of black males, I felt at home. Thinking back to that conference summit in particular, I would say that the summit’s theme is what resonated the most. Community, empowerment, and the building of a personal foundation.

As a Success Coach, my role at Purdue is to support students as they strive to persist. In many instances persistence in college can be one of the most challenging tasks due to financial issues, sense of belonging, lack of knowledge as it pertains to resources etc., and that is just to name a few. While we could place the onus of students to know, in hindsight we also must look at ourselves and ask, “What are you doing to support students?”

Using data from Fall 2017 to put things into perspective, Purdue enrolled 41,573 students. With 1,272 African-American students comprised of undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. This translates to roughly 3% of the university population.  On a campus where students African-American students are roughly 3% population. Finding a community could be a challenging task. Organizations such as National Society of Black Engineers, Black Student Union, Black Men’s Excellence Network, along with Mind, Body, & Soul, and facilities such as the Black Cultural Center provide great opportunities for involvement. However, the question is for the students who are not using these organizations and facilities to develop a sense of belonging, how are we keeping these students connected to campus?

Ryan Holmes, V.P. for Student Affairs & Dean of Students University of Miami, posed a question, which highlights an integral part of keeping students connected. Holmes, “The Generalist” as he introduced himself asked a simple question, “Who are you?” Immediately individuals around the room began sharing their name and what it is they do for a living, only to learn that was not the objective. Holmes intended for us to share our personal story of who we were and what we represented. Our vulnerability, the narratives we share, and the interactions with students are have a direct impact on retaining students in unfamiliar places. Sharing our stories allows us to build rapport. Our vulnerability allows students to recognize us as humans, which opens up opportunities for mentorship. By sharing whom you, are as a person, with students also empowers them. Students are able to see the resolve you have displayed through early trials and tribulations to reach this point. By not sharing these stories we allow students to believe adversity does not exist.

Speaking from experience, words cannot justify the impact of NASPA’s African-American Male summit; it’s something to experience. An event where university presidents and other administrators removed their titles, status quo, and mentor younger professionals. Providing opportunities to learn, but also providing significant tips for growth and building a personal foundation. In closing, I again ask, “Who are you & who are you being?” Are you here to collect a check or are you willing invest yourself for the greater good of students? As well, ask yourself “what are you doing to support students of underrepresented populations in a place of unfamiliarity?”