Earlier this month, students and faculty from the Student Affairs in Higher Education master’s program at Missouri State University traveled to Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri for the annual Missouri College Personnel Association (MoCPA) conference. Founded in 1971, the purpose of MoCPA is to promote the learning and development of students enrolled in institutions of post-secondary education through the ongoing professional development of college student affairs administrators and student development educators, in accordance with the purposes of the American College Personnel Association. The theme for this year’s conference, Improve your Practice, Renew your Passion, encouraged graduate students and professionals to continually learn and grow in the field. In all, 13 students from the SAHE program attended the conference and partook in various activities.
Five second-year graduate students submitted and presented presentations during the conference. Michelle Madsen, Assistant Hall Director in Wells House, Kelly James, Graduate Assistant for the Office of Admissions, and Emma Rapp, Graduate Assistant to the Dean of Students, all presented a session on the various methods for finding and applying to summer internships. Katie Brady, Graduate Assistant for Fraternity and Sorority Life/Leadership Programs, presented a session providing tips for surviving the first-year of graduate school. Dacoda Scarlett, Graduate Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs, presented a session regarding the importance of finding ‘Aha’ moments within one’s career. All five of these students presented their knowledge to fellow graduate students and administrators from institutions all across the state.
In addition, many Missouri State students competed, in teams of two, in the Graduate Student Case Study Competition. The competition, occurring over a two-day period, fostered a competitive, yet friendly, spirit in participants. Teams were asked to apply student development theory to a particular case study. Pairs were judged based upon their clarity, explanation of the problem, effective application of the theory, and professionalism. While many pairs from across Missouri competed, two Missouri State teams placed. The team of Taylor Juenger, Graduate Assistant for Alumni Relations, and Kimmie Brake, Graduate Assistant within the Career Center, placed 2nd and the team of Katie Brady and Dacoda Scarlett placed 3rd. Congratulations to our winners and the other Missouri State teams!
Lastly, two Missouri State graduate students were recognized as recipients of the Stephen H. Patterson Graduate Student Award. This honor is awarded for outstanding performance in a graduate program, contributions to the well-being of students and the student affairs profession through dedicated effort and commitment to learning. Both Kelly James and Michelle Madsen received this prestigious award. Congratulations to Kelly and Michelle!
As if the previously mentioned awards were not enough, Michelle Madsen, Kelly James, and Emma Rapp all served on the planning committee for the 2015 MoCPA Annual Conference. In addition, Dr. Michele Smith, Program Director, Student Affairs in Higher Education, served as MoCPA President for the past year and had significant part in the planning process of the annual conference. Thank you to Dr. Smith, Kelly, Michelle, and Emma for their hard work planning this signature event and congratulations to all Missouri State award winners and participants!