GREETINGS FROM DR. SASSO

Greetings! I began as graduate program director of the

College Student Personnel Administration (CSPA) program

last fall semester. My initial academic year serving in this role

has been a “baptism by fire” and has been very exciting.

When I was initially selected for the position as Assistant

Professor and Program Director, I was very eager to assume

responsibility along with the existing faculty within the

Department of Educational Leadership. The CSPA

program has already demonstrated continued growth and

has now featured sustained expansion. With new faculty and

courses, we have a consistently evolving curriculum that is

contemporary towards the changing demands of the

profession of student affairs. In this albeit brief space, I will

summarize the excitement within the CSPA program.

A large focus of my time has been spent traveling the

historic Route 66 corridor to expand the institutional reach

of the program for field placements. I can say with some

pride that this has been exceptionally successful. Within the

first year we have developed formal memorandums of

understanding (MOUs) with several institutions. These will

include approximately 15 new graduate assistantship

positions at Greenville University, Fontbonne University, St.

Louis Community College, Washington University, and

Blackburn College. A very special arrangement will also

debut in spring with the St. Louis College Bound and the

nationally competitive AmeriCorps program.

Students can now engage in practicum experiences at these

institutions as well Lindenwood University, Lewis & Clark

Community College, and Southwestern Illinois College. We

are also one of the few institutions to have an arrangement

with an HBCU as Harris-Stowe State University has been

very popular with our students.

Of course, a more intentional and reciprocal relationship

with the Divisions of Student Affairs as well as Enrollment

Management and Student Success has expanded graduate

assistantships and practicum opportunities. There are over

25 offices on campus at SIUE which now include the

various academic advising offices, student conduct, and

other functional areas. Distinctive placements unique to the

program are being developed as well. An innovative new

program will be piloted to allow for academic mentoring

and intrusive advising with the Student Success Center. A

special arrangement with the East St. Louis campus has

have been developed with the TRIO programs and

Workforce Development. A new placement will begin the

East St. Louis Charter School for college access efforts and

programming.

Additionally, our curriculum continues to evolve and shape

in response to the very tenuous challenges affront to higher

education. With a focus on academic rigor, the program is

now mapped to the second version of the ACPA/NASPA

Professional Competencies. We have added a fall semester

special topics course and updated all course assignments.

The final project capstone experience has also been more

formalized to facilitate increased student scholarship. The

program will soon be advancing to focus on diversity and

social justice.

This past academic year, we established a number of new

traditions. We held the first annual graduation event for all

graduating cohort members. Many parents and other guests

were present! Also, a student organization was started to

facilitate academic community. The professional honor

society in student affairs, Chi Sigma Alpha, was formed with

the help of Rani Somers (Cohort II) and other students.

They hosted several meet up events and the first annual Job

College Student Personnel Administration

Summer/Fall 2017 CSPA Newsletter

THE VECTOR

Search Bootcamp. They also held the first annual induction

ceremony in which approximately 40 students were

inducted.

Increasing program awareness and reach for our students

has resulted in one student winning a national award from

ACPA and another selection for a national internship with

ACUI. Our program students continue to earn national

recognition as our collective faculty push and mentor our

students forward. We will be taking a team of students to

compete in the case study competition at the ACPA national

convention in spring 2018.

I am excited to welcome Cohort IV which will be our most

geographically diverse group featuring students from

around the United States. It will also feature a broad mix of

part-time and full-time students from a range of

professional experiences with those making the transition

from K-12 to those seeking to begin their career as a recent

college graduate.

It has been a challenge and a pleasure in my first year at

SIUE. Go Cougars!

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Shayna Dixon received national recognition, earning

the American College Personnel Association’s (ACPA):

College Student Educators International 2016

Outstanding Masters Level Graduate Student of the

Year.

Full article can be found here:

https://www.siue.edu/news/2016/12/SIUE-Grad-Student-

Earns-National-Award-as-Advocate-for-Student-

Involvement.shtml

David Groves was selected for the Marsha Herman-

Betzen internship program, a competitive national

summer fellowship with the Association for College

Unions International (ACUI).

Full article can be found here:

http://www.siue.edu/news/2017/05/SIUE-Graduate-

Student-Achieves-National-Summer-Fellowship.shtml

Congratulations to our CSPA Award Winners:

CSPA Student of the Year- Rani Somers

This award recognizes a graduating or recently

graduated CSPA student in the program who has

demonstrated academic success, leadership, and

commitment to the CSPA program and the profession

of higher education/student affairs administration. In

reviewing the nomination, faculty consider outstanding

involvement in the classroom (academic achievement),

professional practice (employment, practicum, or

assistantship), and commitment to the profession

(involvement in local, regional, or national associations).

Rani Somers

Outstanding Contributions by a CSPA Student- Shayna Dixon & Alexis Paladini

This award is presented to CSPA student(s) who have

provided outstanding, voluntary, non‐compensated

service and contributed to the enhancement of the

CSPA program, Southern Illinois University

Edwardsville community, and/or the higher education

profession.

Examples include but are not limited to:

1. Contributions to CSPA and/or SIUE through

leadership positions, service on committees or projects,

or volunteerism/community service beyond

internship/job requirements

2. Contributions to ongoing research that advances the

field

3. Contributions to local, state, regional, and/or national

organizations (e.g., professional presentations,

committee/commission participation, volunteer

projects)

Shayna Dixon

CSPA Faculty Award for Excellence in the Final Project- Dr. Brenda Klostermann

This award is given to a CSPA student who has

completed an outstanding Final Project. This award

recognizes the highest achievement in a master's degree

research based on a completed Final Project and overall

efforts to contribute to the body of research and

knowledge within the profession of higher

education/student affairs administration. This student

demonstrates a significant commitment to the scholarly

contribution to the profession and its intellectual

pursuits. Faculty consider the candidate academic

achievement through an overall evaluation for the

quality of the final project. Any student is eligible who

has completed a final project from the preceding

academic year.

Dr. Brenda Klostermann

PROFESSIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

COHORT I

Kelley Brooks was promoted to Assistant Director in Undergraduate Admissions at SIUE.

Chantelle Grey is now an academic advisor at Oklahoma State in the Spears School of Business.

Ryann Heap is now an academic advisor at SIUE working with undeclared students.

Dr. Brenda Klostermann is now an academic advisor at SIUE working with undeclared students.

Steven Lawton is now an academic advisor at SIUE in the School of Engineering.

Tarsha Moore is now student program advisor for transition programs and outreach in the Office of the Vice Chancellor at SIUE.

Danie Schneider is now an academic advisor in the School of Education, Health, & Human Behavior at SIUE.

Craig Skinner is now a Senior Academic Advisor at Webster University at the Webster Groves Campus Advising Center.

COHORT II

Meagan Arnold published her final project in the NASPA Journal of College and Character to be released in Fall 2017.

Demetrius Coleman is now at the University of Michigan as a Hall Director.

Shayna Dixon was selected as the ACPA American College Personnel Association’s (ACPA): College Student Educators International 2016 Outstanding Masters Level Graduate Student of the Year by the Commission for Student Involvement.

Ashley Jeffers is now an admissions advisor at St. Louis Community College-Meramac.

Myra Kaufman is now Assistant Director of Graduate Intern Programs at the University of Illinois Springfield.

Kate Kessler is now an academic advisor at SIUE in the School of Education, Health, & Human Behavior.

Alexis Paladini accepted a job as a Hall Director at the University of Minnesota-Mankato.

Rani Somers is now Coordinator of Fraternity & Sorority Life at Wichita State University.

COHORT III

Terra Cole Brown was selected as the Tech Grad Intern for the NASPA Region IV-East Conference.

David Groves was selected a fellow for the Marsha Herman-Betzen (MHB) Internship Program with the Association for College Unions International (ACUI). He was also selected for a competitive national AmeriCorps position with St. Louis College Bound promoting college access and college persistence for first-generation students.

Tracey Kane obtained a $21K sustainability grant through her CSPA practicum experience.

Jazmine Newsome began as an Admissions Counselor at Lindenwood University.

Stephanie Simpson is now an academic advisor in Education Outreach at SIUE.

Ivan Solis Cruz attended the 7th annual CAIR (Collegiate Alliance for Immigrant Reform) Conference at Pomona College and presented on the issues for college students from Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Christine St. Louis won the Illinois Residence Hall Association People’s Choice Award.

PRACTICUM PLACEMENTS

SPRING 2017

Yvonne Akini SIUE Academic Advising- School of Education, Health, and Human Behavior

Meagan Arnold CSPA Program Teaching Assistant

Cassandra Bradley SIUE Undergraduate Admissions

Todd Burrell SIUE Career Development Center

Moniesha Curry SIUE Undergraduate Admissions

Jennifer Davis SIUE Arts and Sciences Speaker Series

Shayna Dixon SIUE Kimmel Center-Service Learning

Ashley Dunn Lewis & Clark-Granite City Campus-Industrial Technology Center

Rachel Dunning SIUE Graduate School

Megan Gilbert SIUE School of Business-Advising

David Groves SIUE Student Opportunities for Academic Success (SOAR)

Jordyn Hale SIUE Undeclared Advising

James Horne Harris-Stowe State University Student Engagement

Alicia Johnson Lewis & Clark CC- Student Support Services

Tracey Kane SIUE University Housing - Facilities Management

Myra Kaufman SIUE Student Conduct

Ivan Solis Cruz Washington University-Diversity/Inclusion Center

Charles Martin Harris-Stowe State University Student Engagement

Brianna McCarthy SIUE CSPA Program Recruitment

Julianne Miller SIUE University Housing

Stefon Napier SIUE Campus Recreation/Student Fitness Center

Jazmine Newsome Lindenwood University- Career Development Center

Anna Schuh SIUE Honors Program

Tiffany Shemwell SIUE Retention and Student Success Center

Stephanie Simpson SIUE International Student Services

Christine St. Louis SIUE Kimmel Student Involvement Center--Student Organizations & Leadership

SUMMER 2017

Yvonne Akinyi SIUE SOAR Office

Shavonda Calhoun SIUE CAS Advising

Eboni Chism SIUE East St. Louis Upward Bound

Christine Crowder St. Louis Community College VP Student Affairs

Moniesha Curry SIUE Conference Housing & Conduct

Jennifer Davis SIUE Student Success

Rachel Dunning Theta Xi Inter/national Fraternity Headquarters

Liang Ge SIUE Graduate/International Admissions

Megan Gilbert SIUE Orientation/Springboard

David Groves Association of College Unions International

Jordyn Hale Harris-Stowe State University Admissions

Cory Harlan SIUE School of Pharmacy Student Affairs office

Cassandra Holland SIUE University Housing

James Horne Washington University First Year Experience

Alicia Johnson SIUE Disability Student Services

Terrell Jones Harris-Stowe State University Academic Success

Caleb Pecue SIUE ESLI Program

Ivan Solis Cruz SIUE STEM Center

Charles Martin Harris Stowe State University Summer Bridge Program

Brianna McCarthy Northern Kentucky University Student Activities

Stefon Napier Webster University Academic Advising Center

Anna Schuh SIUE SHEEB Advising

Tiffany Shemwell SIUE CSPA Program & Summer Teaching Assistant Educational Leadership Department

Stephanie Simpson SIUE Educational Outreach

Christine St. Louis SIUE Springboard Program

Marry Thierry SIUE East St. Louis Upward Bound

Billie Turner SIUE East St. Louis Workforce Development

GRADUATING STUDENTS & FINAL PROJECTS

FALL 2016

Emily Eilers - Financial Aid Literacy and Barriers in Community College Students

Jessica Hale - Satisfaction and Support in Community College Students

Ryann Heap - Academic Probation: Student Perceptions

Caitlin McLaughlin -New Student Orientation Programming and Retention at the Community College

Danie Schneider - Benefits and Feasibility of Intrusive Advising: Advisor and Faculty Perceptions

SPRING/SUMMER 2017

Fannie Acoff - A Qualitative Study of Diversity Initiatives within Higher Education

Meagan Arnold - Non-Traditional Belief Groups: Accommodation and Outreach

Demetrius Coleman - Perspectives of Admissions Professionals in the Use of Holistic Admissions in Undergraduate Student Recruitment

Shayna Dixon - Awareness and Perceptions of Bystander Intervention for Sexual Violence by Undergraduate Student Leaders

Ashley Dunn - A Self Analysis of Foundational Professional Competencies by Community College Student Affairs Professionals

Liang Ge - American College Adaptive Experience of Chinese Students

Hayle Gibson - A Qualitative Study on Male Athlete Persistence at a Small, Midwestern, Christian, Liberal Arts School

Ashley Jeffers - A Qualitative Study of Identity & the Lived Experiences of Midwestern Native American College Students: Implications for Horse’s Perspective

Myra Kaufman - Rural Student College Choice

Catherine Kessler - Sexual Assault Awareness in Community College Athletes

Stefon Napier - Servant Leadership in Higher Education

Alexis Paladini - Attachment Styles and Involvement in Commuter College Students

Fallon Potter - Identity Development of South Asian International Students

Rani Somers - “Frats R’ Tite:” Reflections from Fraternity Men on Gender and Image

Pollyann Walters - Successful Academic Advising from the Transfer Student Perspective

CHI SIGMA ALPHA Honor Society (CSA)

We are very excited about Chi Sigma Alpha (CSA) as we head into the fall 2017 semester. We plan to create some great events

that bring a sense of unity between all of the College Student Personnel Administration (CSPA) students. We will have socials,

webinars, meet-ups, group outings, and various other events planned. Currently, we are planning our first event which will

provide students with the opportunity get professional headshots taken. We are also very excited about the new Mentor

Program CSPA is creating. This will provide new students with the opportunity to be paired with second year students. This

mentor program will allow students to have support throughout their academic experience. Both the CPSA graduate program

and CSA honors society are fairly new programs here at SIUE. It is important to us that we create a positive environment and

establish some traditions for CSA. We strive to create great opportunities for students to challenge themselves, make

meaningful connections, and grow during this program.

If you would like to know more about Chi Sigma Alpha, please visit our SIUE website:

http://www.siue.edu/education/edld/cspa/chisigmaalphacspa.shtml

- Megan Gilbert & David Groves, CSA Co-Chairs

Chi Sigma Alpha Induction

Chi Sigma Alpha is pleased to welcome the new initiates:

Yvonne Akinyi

Meagan Arnold

Cassandra Bradley

Todd Burrell

Elizabeth Caldieraro

Demetrius Coleman

Moniesha Curry

Jennifer Davis

Shayna Dixon

Ashley Dunn

Rachel Dunning

Emily Eilers

Deangelo Franklin

Hayle Gibson

Megan Gilbert

David Groves

Jordyn Hale

Jessica Hale

Ryann Heap

Cassandra Holland

Ashley Jeffers

Alicia Johnson

Myra Kaufman

Catherine Kessler

Brenda Klosterman

Jennifer Koehne

Charles Martin

Brianna McCarthy

Caitlin McLaughlin

Julianne Miller

Jazmine Newsome

Alexis Paladini

Fallon Potter

Latrina Rogers

Danie Schneider

Anna Schuh

Tiffany Shemwell

Adrienne Sims

Darius Smith

Rani Somers

Mary Thierry

Billie Turner

Pollyann Walters

VOICES WITHIN STUDENT AFFAIRS

An interview with Dr. Jeffrey Waple, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs at SIUE

Would you talk about how you got started in student

affairs?

JW: I was at Heidelberg University. So I was playing college

soccer, too; to remain eligible to play college soccer I had to

take summer school. So I took genetics over again and the

funny story is I got an 'A.' My mom said, "Well, you should've

gotten an A - since you knew all the wrong answers you got an

'F.'" I was also in a fraternity and I was going to be entering as

fraternity council president as a junior. That summer, I took

summer school I worked in the Dean of Student's office

because the dean was the advisor to IFC. So that summer I

was actually in charge of room inventory for all the residence

halls, so I went around and looked at all the damages and what

was in the rooms, and then I was in charge of room assignments. I'll remind you that this was 1989, when everything was done

by hand. And that summer job turned into a two year job where I was basically the student assistant to the Dean. In subsequent

years I worked summer conferences and I was in charge of the guest house - which was for all dignitaries to visit - I was the

liaison to the dignitaries that visited campus, I was a tour guide, I was a resident assistant, I was IFC president, and I was captain

of the soccer team. So I was doing all of this leadership stuff not realizing it was preparing me for a career in higher ed. And I

remember I was at the Dean's house - the Dean was one of my mentors - and I said, "Okay this is a pretty cool gig. How can I

do what you do?" And he said, "Well, you have to go get a master's degree in student affairs." So, you know, a combination of

being in a small school, being connected - and I talk about this a lot to students about finding a mentor - and Robert Olsen was

my mentor, still is, and I connected to him and then having all of these experiences that were related to student affairs led me

to this field. I graduated in December of '91, and started grad school in '93. That's another story.

What advice do you have for new professionals and graduate students for balancing their work life?

JW: Now I'm gonna flip it a little bit and say, as a grad student, take advantage of learning all the things you can learn: Volunteer,

practicum, you know, there's lots of stuff happening at our university division and that's how you get experience. You never

know when that one experience or that one moment may help you in a future job or job interview - you can speak, "Oh yes,

when I was a graduate student, I did this, I got to do this, this is what we did - it wasn't in my job description, but that's the kind

of person I am." That work ethic is huge for me. I would tell young professionals and graduate students that just doing enough

isn't enough.

I'm looking for people that aren't breaking the bank but are going to step up and go a little bit beyond. That doesn't necessarily

mean you're working 60-70 hours a week, but maybe you're just adjusting differently, or you're trying to get a new experience,

or you're volunteering, or you're getting involved - you're not just getting by. That tends to follow you.

Part two of balance, and they kind of go hand-in-hand, and I know you've heard me say this and to others - you need to get

involved in your professional association. There's so many. Or the global ones, like NASPA and ACPA. That's the other thing

with professional involvement organizations: You have to look at your own time. If you're gonna get involved in NASPA or

something and join a committee, you better do it. That follows you too. That gets said. I pick up the phone, "well, this person

was on the member committee for NASPA but never attended any meetings." Oh, so I've got someone that can't follow through?

Dr. Waple inducted into Chi Sigma Alpha

That follows you. If you're going to do it, do it. If you can't do it, if you're in it and you're like "whoa, too overwhelmed," say

"I'm too overwhelmed."

Would you talk about your professional involvement?

JW: Now I will tell you that there's two or three organizations that I'm involved with - ASCA, NASPA, AFA. As a young

professional where you are in your life cycle, you may have more time to get more deeply involved and do some great things.

Myself, having three children of varying stages of life, I also want to make sure I'm not overburdening myself so I'm sacrificing

them for my national moment, sacrificing university - I'm very cognizant of that. I've been involved with NASPA since 1993.

Twenty-four years.

NASPA has regions. East or west, state-level. Get involved in that level. It's pretty easy, right? I'm on the IV East board - that

doesn't mean much - but I kind of help the direction of the region. But there's a lot of ways- national level, local, or regional,

and employers look for that involvement.

When you're an employer- I look at resumés, I interview every position in the university division. I'm looking at a resumé and,

you know, everyone has a good resumé - they're all doing great stuff. But I'm looking for that candidate that's involved in a new

program, are they stretching their mind, are they presenting? I'm looking beyond just the work. We're looking for those well-

rounded individuals that will not only get involved in the campus but be involved nationally and help put our name out there.

That's something else that employers look at. It's not the determining factor, but it does play into a lot of hiring.

I like - believe it or not, you may find this weird - I do like the behind-the-scenes stuff. So much of my job is very much upfront,

but I'm a better behind-the-scenes supporter. I can be the cheerleader, you know that. What I do in NASPA, because of I have

expertise in Title IX, fraternity/sorority advising, student union and leadership development - I am a program reviewer for the

programs for the national conference. I get about 8-10 program proposals every fall to review and I help pick sessions for the

NASPA conference. I help plan the itinerary and programming for the vice president of the conference. I'm in the NASPA

fraternity/sorority knowledge community and a project in looking at setting some national, professional standards for fraternity

and sorority communities on campuses.

I think it's important- find your niche. Maybe it's something new. Find your niche, find something you like, commit to it, then

do it. There's great reward in being involved in professional development. You need to do it to learn and every time I go I learn,

every conference I go to I learn something. Just don't go with familiar stuff all the time. Let your mind go to something different.

One last thing for the moment: as a grad student at SIUE, do not hesitate, do not be afraid, to approach me or other directors

with "how could I get involved with that organization?"

What about your teaching and connection to the CSPA program?

You want to talk about a graduate program that can grow and be revenue generating, especially with outside universities? We

made a commitment early on that we would have 15-20 assistantships in our divsion dedicated to CSPA. Well, it's grown - I

think it's more like 25-30 now just in the division. I have little doubt that a student graduate from our CSPA program will be

just as competitive if not more competitive than those major, major programs, like in Kansas, and Maryland, because we have a

smaller campus than some of those bigger places.

We're producing graduates that are starting to get a little more global. And having our graduates out there will help us recruit

more students here. I've taught in higher ed programs - I was actually the coordinator at Illinois State for two years. I taught a

couple classes, I was a head faculty member at NKU. I think it's important that students have not only the faculty point of view,

but the practitioner who's loving it. With the expansion of Dr. Sasso going out to other universities, now we have all these

assistantships, all these practicums, now we can support a cohort of 25 a year. And it's taught by our full-time faculty and

administrators, Vice Chancellor, by Dr. Shelly Price-Williams, Dr. Kevin Thomas- and all these practitioners are teaching. You

get a great grad assistantship or you get an internship if you're near Saint Louis. I think we're gonna get to a point where we're

highly competitive as a CSPA program.

To kinda wrap up, do you have any last advice for graduate students, or for students who are currently in the CSPA

program or incoming?

JW: Incoming- well, don't live in your box. Getting out of your box and engaging... I want you out of your box. Graduate

school's a time to try. Maybe successful and maybe fail. That's okay. Graduate school's the time to correct all that and it's the

time to hone in on your passion. Because you have only two years, really. Some three, but really two. It goes by fast, doesn't it?

And for our students who are not full-time: if you're gonna work on a master's degree in student affairs, in CSPA, you have to

be thinking about a career in student affairs and higher ed. You're gonna need to find practicums to get you ready to work. I

know there's sacrifices to be made. So getting out and sacrificing a little bit - because grad school goes by so fast - you think

about it, the new class coming in August will really become comfortable into their GA in their second semester, and then you're

into their last year. Enjoy the ride, enjoy learning, get out of your box, engage me and other leaders in the division.

Because, when you work in the field for twenty-four years, and you visit lots of places, and you're involved, you know lots of

people. Chances are you're going to interview for a job at some place where I know someone. If you've engaged with me, and

we've connected, we've had conversations like this, I can call that Vice President or I can call that director and say "hey, I got a

great young professional you need to look at. All I'm asking you to do is look at them and I can tell you all about them." Part

of it is not what you know it's who you know, and sometimes who you know is just about getting your foot in the door for the

opportunity, and that's really what this is.

One thing vice chancellors don't do is sugarcoat things. If there's struggles, challenges... You put your reputation, your ethics on

the line when you agree to be a reference. A lot of people like having the Vice Chancellor as their reference. Well, if I don't know

you, and you ask me to be a reference, I'm going to say, "well, we haven't interacted; I can't say much about you."

What do you think is the most important professional competency?

JW: One last piece of advice: NASPA and ACPA have core competencies. But I will tell you, right now, given the climate of the

US and climate on campuses, if you do not have an experience that speaks to the diversity of students, you're behind. Whether

that's - I'm talking diversity realistically, whether it's working with students with disability, LGBTQ, nontraditional students,

international - you have to have some experience that speaks to diversity because it's a question that's on every interview. It

could be the determining factor between getting a job and not, because there are not many campuses anymore that aren't diverse.

So, most campuses are very diverse and you have to be able to speak to a diverse university experience. And maybe not just one,

but several. I think that's really, really important, and it's easy to do here, because we have a great amount of diversity on campus,

and a lot of places looking for help.

CSPA FACULTY UPDATES AND BIOS

The CSPA program has shifted and expanded over the last academic year to include senior student affairs officers, additional

faculty, and the first dedicated full-time program director. We are excited to welcome the new affiliate and collateral faculty

below. The CSPA program welcomed Drs. Kevin Thomas, Dr. Shelley Price-Williams, and Jeffrey Waple. We also will

miss Dr. Phillip Buckley who is departing for the warm shores of Florida. Good luck! We also continue to have the fantastic

support from Drs. Puchner and Yu within the Department of Educational Leadership.

Dr. Buckley was instrumental in the beginning development and founding of the CSPA program. He developed several of

the courses including EDAD 504: History, Philosophy, and Organization of Higher Education and EDAD 524: Legal and

Ethical Issues in Student Affairs. It would be remiss to underestimate and not mention his significant value and scholarly

contribution to the CSPA program.

The CSPA program welcomes Dr. Pietro Sasso as Assistant Professor and Program Director. He holds an M.S. in Student

Affairs and Counseling from the University of Rochester and a Ph.D. in Higher Education from Old Dominion University.

He brings over 10 years of progressive administrative responsibility working in several functional areas including student

activities, residence life, and student success. He is the author and editor of Today’s College Students, Higher Education & Society,

Colleges at the Crossroads: Taking Sides on Contested Issues, and The Dynamic Student Development Meta-Theory: A New Model for Student

Success. His research interests include identity construction of traditional undergraduates (college student development), alcohol

misuse in higher education (student health outcomes), the impact of the college fraternity experience, and masculinity in higher

education. He teaches EPFR 514: College Student Learning and Development, EPFR 503: Research Methods in Higher

Education, EPFR 516: Individual and Group Dynamics, EDAD 594: Final Research Project, and EDAD 594: Final Research

Project.

Dr. Puchner holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and is a Professor of Educational Psychology and Chair of

the Department of Educational Leadership. She teaches qualitative research methods and educational psychology in a variety

of graduate programs, including K-12 administrator preparation and college student personnel administration. She has

published in the areas of women’s literacy in developing countries, professional development of teachers, action research, and

teacher education for social justice. She has been active in SIUE’s Safe Zone for the past 12 years, serving primarily in the

areas of training and curriculum development. For the CSPA program Dr. Puchner teaches EDAD 503: Research Methods in

Higher Education and EDAD 594: Final Project.

Dr. Yu earned an Ed. D. from the State University of New York at Binghamton and is a Professor of Social Foundations of

Education at the Department of Educational Leadership. As a scholar, he is primarily concerned with issues of identity, voice,

power, access, and their relationships to schooling. He has a keen interest in moral education, especially political issues

surrounding moral education policies and practices. He has published two books on moral education thus far. His other

research focus is on multicultural education, with special attention to race matters. He is particularly interested in the

construction of post-racialism in American society and schools, and the racial identity development and educational experience

of Asian American youth. His articles on these topics have appeared in many edited books and peer reviewed journals. He

teaches in a variety of graduate programs at SIUE, including Learning, Culture, and Society, Educational Leadership, and

College Student Personnel Administration. For the CSPA program he teaches EPFR 522: Diversity in Higher Education and

EDAD 594: Final Research Project.

Dr. Kevin Thomas serves as Director of Retention and Student Success at SIUE and holds a Doctorate of Education from

Western Kentucky University. He assists in the coordination of some of the academic advising placements for the program

and teaches special topics the new course Advising & Student Success. Dr. Thomas is chair of the 2017 National Academic

Advising Association (NACADA) annual conference in St. Louis and teaches Special Topics: Advising and Student Success.

Dr. Shelley Price-Williams received her doctorate in higher education administration from Saint Louis University (2015).

She holds almost two decades of experience in student and academic affairs spanning program development and management

as well as academic advising, career counseling, and assessment. Dr. Price-Williams is currently the Coordinator of Student

Services and Transitions in the School of Business at SIUE. Her research interests center on non-cognitive factors of college

student development and persistence, as well as inclusion of non-dominant groups in the college environment. She supervises

practicum students and teaches EPFR 514: College Student Learning and Development.

Dr. Franklyn Taylor holds an EdD from educational leadership is from Northern Arizona University. He is Vice President

of Student Affairs at St. Louis Community College-Forest Park. Previously, he was Assistant Campus dean for student affairs

and enrollment management at the University of Wisconsin-Marathon County and worked in mid-level positions in residence

life at Northern Arizona University and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He teaches EDAD 564 The Community

College and EDAD 554 Practicum.

Dr. Jeffrey Waple earned a doctorate in educational administration in 2000 from Illinois State University, a master’s in

guidance and counseling in 1995 from Eastern Michigan University and a bachelor’s in biology from Heidelberg University in

1991. Dr. Waple has over 20 years of professional service in student affairs and currently is the Vice-Chancellor at SIUE where

he provides leadership to the entire Division of Student Affairs. He teaches EDAD 574 Leadership and Administration of

Higher Education.

Dr. Monica Kempland received her PhD in Higher Education Administration from St. Louis University. Dr. Kempland

advises students in the School of Pharmacy where she serves as Program Coordinator. She has over ten years of academic

advising experience, specializing in advising those interested in health-related professions. Dr. Kempland’s research interest is

focused on student development theory, pre-professional health advising, and anxiety reduction among college-aged students.

Dr. Kempland has published and presented her research nationally and regionally, and is a member of the National

Association of Advisors for the Health Professions and the National Academic Advising Association. She teaches EDAD 554

Practicum and EPFR 514: College Student Learning and Development.

STAY IN TOUCH!

CSPA Website:

http://www.siue.edu/education/edld/cspa/index.shtml

@SIUECSPA

https://twitter.com/SiueCspa

Let us know if you have any professional updates such as promotion, job

change, or relocation. Please also send us any personal updates such as

marriage, moving, or even children. We want you to stay connected with the

CSPA program. Please send updates to Dr. Sasso (Psasso@siue.edu).

CSPA Students & Faculty in Action!

CSPA Students with Dr. Sasso after the Chi Sigma Alpha induction event

in front of the SIUE Cougar

2016-2017 Chi Sigma Alpha Executive Board CSPA Showcase space in Alumni Hall

Dr. Buckley teaches about financial aid in EDAD 524: Legal and Ethics Issues in Student Affairs

#Squadgoals of the CSPA Students!

Chi Sigma Alpha Graduation stoles

Spring 2017 Graduates Group Picture from left to right: (Front Row) Fallon Potter, Ashley Dunn, Alexis Paladini, Meagan Arnold, Fannie Acoff, and Ryann Heap. (Second Row) Catherine Kessler, Demetrius Coleman, Myra Kaufman, Ashley Jeffers, Shayna Dixon, Pollyann Walters, and Rani Somers.