Staff News

 

June 28, 2007

In This Issue

  • Message from the Vice President for Student Affairs

  • "Visiting With.......

  • "
  • Announcements

  • "Getting To Know You"

  • Departmental News


 

Message from the Vice President for Student Affairs

 

Some experiences and thoughts from the last two weeks:

 

I spent the last week as a faculty member at the New Professionals Institute (NPI) hosted by SACSA NASPA Region III.  All week I had the opportunity to connect with friends on the faculty and to talk with people who are new to the field of Student Affairs.  Some were in their 20’s with freshly minted masters’ degrees, a couple were in their late 30’s and came to the field after working as professionals in completely different areas outside of education and one was a grandmother.

 

Last night I spoke with students taking Dr. Maricela Oliva’s Multi-Cultural Issues class in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.  The class members also had a wide range of experience and I thoroughly enjoyed discussing the topics they had been considering in class this summer.

 

This week I received an e-mail from a graduate student asking me to fill out a pilot for the survey he will be doing.  He wants to measure how people in Student Affairs developed their skills.  At the end of the demographic section, the survey said that I was done.  It turns out that was because I had checked “no” to the question of having a master’s degree in Student Affairs.  As we exchanged e-mails it became clear he hadn’t really thought about the wide variety of ways people enter the field of Student Affairs.

 

These experiences from the past two weeks remind me.

 

While we are doing a better job of explaining to students that this is a “real job” than we did when I was in college, we still need to help open doors to students of diverse experiences and ideas.  We also need to remember that it’s important to have an understanding of what Student Affairs is all about and why we do what we do.  There are many roads to travel on the way to jobs in our field and I, for one, find that diversity to be one of our strengths.

 

We all came here in different ways and we all have different jobs, but we all have important roles in furthering the mission and vision of UTSA and of our specific division of Student Affairs.  We have defined a set of shared values.  We, I hope, will all support and hold each other accountable in managing our work in support of the vision and mission and in accord with the values.

 

Balance, something we discussed a great deal at NPI, isn’t a simple linear equation.  I came to the end of NPI physically very tired, but mentally energized and enthusiastic about coming back to the campus and to the work we do.

 

Teaching and learning, like leading and following, are not opposite to each other but rather complementary.  I know I learned from the participants at NPI when I was supposed to be a faculty member, their teacher.

 

We short change ourselves and each other when we limit our thinking to one way to learn, one road to our profession, one definition of a balanced life.  Our work, our lives, our experiences are much more complex and therefore much more interesting.  These experiences remind me yet again to listen carefully, to work to see the fullness of everyone’s experience and to appreciate the variety each of us brings to the mix even if, especially if, it’s wildly different from our own.

 

Best wishes,

 

Gage

 


 
"Visiting With"...... Student Financial Aid and Enrollment Services

 

Our mission: 

The UTSA Office of Student Financial Aid and Enrollment Services strives to be the leader in quality customer service, helping students overcome financial and enrollment barriers in the pursuit of higher education.

Who we serve:

The UTSA Community (prospective & current students and their families, faculty, staff, alumni)

Our Innovations and successes:

  • Office Structure Re-Organization: Allows for greater effectiveness and efficiency in regards to customer service and paperwork processing.

  • Successful Renovation of Call Center and Temporary Work Space Moves:  The Call Center now accommodates 14 work stations to effectively handles incoming calls; Due to JPL remodeling, the entire office has moved to several temporary locations across campus without any major problems.

  • Customer Service and Outreach:  Answered more than 350,000 inquiries during 2006-2007 via phone, counter, one-on-one counseling, and emails; presented financial aid information at more than 100 programs and events both on and off campus; enhanced financial aid website.

  • Campus-Wide Training for Staff:  Developed a successful campus-wide training for UTSA staff regarding scholarship processes and procedures as well as continued to conduct campus-wide training on processes involving appointments and hiring of work-study students   

Longest Serving Staff Member:  Joyce Fox, Associate Director (Start Date: 11/6/96)

Newest Staff Member: Doug Wallen, Financial Aid Officer I (Start Date:  7/1/07)

You may not know that:  Lisa Blazer, Assistant Vice President of Financial Aid and Enrollment Services, recently earned her Ph.D. and is currently President-Elect of TASFAA, our statewide association for student financial aid administrators.

How you can reach us:

Phone: 210-458-8000 or 1-800-669-0919; web site –  www.utsa.edu/financialaid/

 

Photo Gallery "Visiting With" ..... Financial Aid and Enrollment Services

 


 

Announcements

 

Congratulations to Lisa Blazer!

Lisa is surrounded by the members of her staff that attended her Public Dissertation Defense at the University of the Incarnate Word on June 28, 2007.

From Left to Right:  Vincent Carales, Joyce Fox, Bryan Hilburn, Gail Carbajal, Kim Canady, Dr. Lisa Blazer, Amanda Marin, Diana Martinez, Nathan Flory, Amy Alvarez and Henry Cantu

Way to go Dr. Blazer!

 


 

New Professionals Institute (SACSA NASPA Region III)

 

Chris Hargraves, Student Activities and Jana Kennelly, Student Affairs Development, represented UTSA on June 18-22 at the New Professionals Institute (NPI) at Radford University in Radford, Virginia.  Dr. Gage E. Paine also participated as a faculty/mentor and was selected to serve as the Director of NPI for the next two years.

Photo  Gallery .....NPI Institute


 

UTSA honored for alcohol prevention program

 

UTSA was one of 13 institutions honored recently at the 2006-2007 Prevention Excellence Awards for achievements in alcohol prevention as part of the AlcoholEdu for College program.

 

 UTSA Today article http://utsa.edu/today/2007/06/alcaward.cfm

 

 


 

Welcome to Student Affairs

 

Career Services

Janna Fennell – Administrative Associate

 

Financial Aid

Jacqueline Jackson - Enrollment Services Officer

Mark Aguero - Enrollment Services Officer

Edward Ortega - Enrollment Services Officer

Doug Wallen - Financial Aid Officer

 

Student Activities

 

John Montoya has been appointed to the Assistant Director of Leadership Development & SGA position.  This position was formerly held by Marlon Anderson.  John will further develop the leadership program and will advise SGA.  John brings a depth of experience to the position.  He has spent the past five years as an Advisor in the College Freshman Advising Center.  He also spent two years in the Tomas Rivera Center prior to that.  He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Wright State University in Ohio and he has his master of arts from UTSA in Bicultural-Bilingual Studies. John's can be reached by email at

john.montoya@utsa.edu or phone ext. 4936.

 

Kelsey Bratcher has been appointed to the Assistant Director of Risk Education, Drug and Alcohol Programs.  This is a new position that will build programming and focus on these important areas for students and student organizations.  Kelsey spent the past two years as an Assistant Director of the JBK University Center at West Texas A&M University.  While there she built a BACCHUS award-winning Alcohol and Drug program. Kelsey serves as the State Coordinator of the BACCHUS Network.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mass communication and broadcasting and a Master of Arts interdisciplinary studies from West Texas A&M University.  She has taught classes at Amarillo College, worked with the Girl Scouts, and has advised a Panhellenic Council. Kelsey can be reached at ext. 4786 or  kelsey.bratcher@utsa.edu

 

Student Health Services

Howaida Werfelli - Health Education Coordinator

Christopher Leeth - HIV Grant Coordinator

 

University Center

Zachary Madeley – Building Supervisor

 


Monthly Birthday Celebration

This is a great opportunity to meet and get to know  Dr. Paine and share your experiences and outlook. The next celebration is scheduled on July 12, 2007 for all Student Affairs staff July birthdays.  The celebrations will be on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

 


Helpful reference materials for summer 2007:

 

Ask Me For Help Guide - Summer 2007

 

Information Contact Sheet - Summer 2007

 


 

"Getting To Know You"

A new regular feature of the newsletter highlighting Student Affairs staff members

 

Joyce Fox

Associate Director

Student Financial Aid

 

Background:

Native Texan; Graduated from Winston Churchill HS; BS in Humanities and Anthropology from UTSA

 

Describe your job:

Once, I asked my youngest to describe what I do.  He replied, “You help students remember.”  It’s actually a bit more involved than that.  I provide support to students and parents while supervising three different areas and assist co-workers with system related questions.  I’m also called upon by the campus community to provide creative direction for campus events.

 

What is the most unusual job related case you have worked on?

Working with students is the easy part.  Sometimes the most unusual part of my job is working out the details for campus events.  I’ve helped to transform the Sombrilla into a beach, Las Vegas Strip, the Old West and a Movie Theater all recycled out of unconventional materials.

 

Editor's note:  Joyce is a major creative force behind many Student Financial Aid and Student Affairs' events!

 

Complete Interview with Joyce Fox

 


 

Departmental News

 

Athletics UTSA Sports Camp for people of all ages

 


 

Student Health Services continues July Blood Drive at UTSA Campuses

 

Facts:

*    Every three seconds someone needs blood.

*    One out of every 20 Texans will need blood at some point in their lives. However, less than 5 percent of the eligible donor population gives blood. The need exists for more people to donate blood and for people to donate more often.

*     You could save as many as four lives with one single donation. Most donated blood is separated into four different components: red cells, plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitate.

*     Red cells are used for surgical patients while plasma is used in treatment of shock and burn patients.

*     Platelets are vital to leukemia and other cancer patients whose own bone marrow does not produce enough platelets to help the blood clot properly.

*    The final component, cryoprecipitate, is used to treat hemophiliacs, people whose blood lacks this vital blood clotting protein.

*       500 daily donations are needed in order to meet the demands of patients in hospitals in South Texas.

*       Blood donations are used for many different reasons including coronary artery bypass surgeries, hip/joint replacements, cardiovascular surgeries, bleeding ulcers, brain surgeries, auto accidents, gunshot wounds, liver transplants, organ transplants, bone marrow transplants, and sickle cell/aplastic anemia.

 

Date/Time/Locations:

July 10th, 9:00 - 3:30, 1604:  Parking Lot 8 next to the Bioscience and Engineering Bldg

July 23rd, 9:00 - 3:30, Downtown in the Durango Student Center

July 23rd and July 24th,9:00 - 4:00, 1604: Parking Lot 8 next to the Bioscience and Engineering Bldg

 

REMEMBER All donors need to bring photo identification, weigh at least 110 pounds, be age 17 or older and in good general health.

 

Donor Rewards:

All presenting donors receive a Texas flag donor T-shirt and pizza.

 

Donors presenting to give blood twice this summer between May 1st and September 30th receive a $25.00 Wal-Mart gift card.

For additional information, contact Caroline Araujo South Texas Blood and Tissue Center at 275-3935, http://www.bloodntissue.org/ or Health Education at Student Health Services at 458-6428.


 

Rowdy Ties - Family Orientation

Orientation and Transition Services hosts orientation programs for incoming freshmen and their family members. More and more incoming freshmen are choosing to make their orientation an entire family experience and 100+ family members have participated in the first two Rowdy Ties Family Orientation sessions. The Rowdy Ties program will be having a "Thank You" reception at the end of every parent orientation session throughout the summer. Each reception will be held in the University Room from 3:30-4:30pm on June 13, 20, 27; July 11, 18, 25 and Aug 1, 8.

 


 

Road Runner Roundup - 2007 Schedules and information are now available

PDF Brochures are listed below to print out and post:

 

Fall Downtown Program Schedule

 

Fall 1604 Regular Program Schedule

 

Fall 1604 Cap Program Schedule

 


 

Student Activities In The Loop Prize-Winning Newsletter

 


 

Reminder

 

Please send newsletter items to Vivis.Lemmons@utsa.edu by July 9, 2007.