Treptow – Week 6 – Environmental Collaborative Office

This week has been a week of doing a lot of footwork.  To really get a understanding of the recycling process in each building I really felt that I needed to go a check each building out.  From there I am creating a manual for each staff about procedures, along with providing individualized educational advertisements for each building (Pictures hopefully soon to come!)  In addition to that I am excited to get our Housing Community Service and Sustainability group more involved in the educating side.  They’ve had a few ideas for youtube videos so I’m excited about the ideas they’ll bring to the table.

Because of everything that has been going on with Students for a Sustainable Campus, it’s been relatively quiet when it comes to the Energy Wars competition that they are sponsoring.  I spoke with Jeremiah about it this week and we both share the concern that this project may have been slightly swept under a rug.  I think it will be a “special” learning experience for me to find out what’s been going on with them and possibly step-in to revive the idea.  I’m used to helping guide the RA staff that I have, and even helping them through struggles with a program or idea, but I feel like it will be much different for a group I don’t work as closely with.  Being that I want to learn more about student involvement, I think that this will be a great opportunity to put myself in a position like this.

I’m also working on a program submission, and possible research opportunity,  for MAHO and SEAHO about sustainability.  I have a fellow RD and AC that would like to help present.  Right now we been working on what area of the topic to cover but I’m excited to share my passion with others that I work with, and can’t wait to get to see their perspectives!

Alumni Office week 6

Last week Dr. Tommy Stevenson asked the Alumni office how they were attracting African American Alumni. No one had a direct answer. Wednesday I spent time researching other SEC schools African American Alumni Associations. The University of Florida African American Alumni Association stood out the most. They have their own magazine, web page, conferences, and events. This association mission did state that the AAAA did collaborate with the National Alumni Association at the University of Florida but separate events were held to raise scholarship money for minority students, as well as remain in contact with outstanding African American Alumni.

Yesterday I traveled with Dr. Abraham and Michael Richardson to Amory for dinner with Amory Alumni members. The chapter in Amory is currently in a transition phase. Coach Stansbury spoke to the Chapter about the importance of remaining active and giving back to the University. Stansbury told Alumni members that without your support Mississippi State University would not thrive. During Dr. Abraham speech he described Mississippi State as being electric. Both Dr. Abraham and Coach Stansbury are very passionate about MSU and they try to spread that same passion into Alumni members. Stansbury also gave an update on the basketball team without providing too much information. It was very interesting how he described his role as a Coach. He’s not only a role model but a father figure to some of the players that unfortunately did not have a father in their lives. Before dinner I and Stansbury spoke and I had no idea he was from Kentucky, we shared a few common interests and he knew a lot about my High School cool right.

Overall great week in the Alumni Office

See you all Thursday

Gretchen 

Alumni Office week 4/5

Alumni Office Week 4/5

The Alumni Office has been crazy busy with events. A couple weeks ago I attended a lunch at the Starkville Country Club with board members from the Starkville Alumni Chapter. During the meeting they discussed new ways to raise money for scholarships and upcoming events. I was able to interact with Higher Administration on campus and observe how a board meeting, is ran.

This past week I also attended breakfast with the Provost and the Alumni Office. The Provost Dr. Jerome Gilbert spoke about current updates involving the Department of Student Affairs and the Department of Academic Affairs. He touched base on service-learning and the difference between extracurricular activities and co-curricular activities. He also addressed concern about the lack of African American professors. Stating that Mississippi State has the highest percentage of African Americans in the SEC. The African American student population is at 20% however, the percentage for African American professors is 4.3%, the Provost along with his leadership team wants to increase this number to 7.5%. I asked Dr. Gilbert, what efforts is his staff taking in order to increase these numbers. He stated it is very challenging to recruit African American professors. He said this summer he along with others attend conferences and presentations to learn how to recruit African American professors and retain them. He’s also working with the Alumni Office as well as the Office of Diversity and Equity to come up with solutions and ways to promote Mississippi State to African American professors. Dr. Gilbert also stated that students learn better when they are in a conducive, learning environment and sometimes when they are able to relate to someone who looks like them.  

Attending the breakfast was very informative and I look forward to seeing these improvements. This week in the Alumni Office I have been visiting with Jackie Hudson who is the Coordinator of Scholarships for the Alumni Office. Jackie works close with Alumni Chapters in creating Scholarships and endowments. Jackie is very passionate about her job. Listening to her, speak about the Alumni Office and having the privilege to award scholarships was intriguing.  I enjoyed my conversation with her and learning about the process of awarding scholarships. 

Treptow – Week 4/5 – Environmental Collaborative Office

The busy life continues as I had a conference in Birmingham last Friday, the game and my birthday Saturday and driving back Sunday!  I also went home to Minnesota this weekend to see my family and friends and got in a wedding too!

I feel like things have really picked up and slowed down as well!  Unfortunately a green roof on a residence hall will not happen, at least for a few years, but we’re not giving up and finding another location!  Housing also announced the architect for the new Aiken apartments last week and Fred Mock has mentioned allowing me to meet with them to talk about sustainability issues.  It’s always great to have the opportunity to work with both of my interests and I really hope that this meeting happens!

The brighter side of my last two weeks was that I had a few meetings with Jeremiah, Fred and our custodial supervisors. It really feels like we have set up a process for recycling in the res halls finally.  The big thing now will be to focus on educating students, which I’m actually really excited about!  I’ve also been looking into sustainability issues on campus in general, just to have some insight.

GO DAWGS!

Treptow – Week 3 – Environmental Collaborative Office

I feel like nothing new has happened this week – and sorry no pictures yet!  Wednesday I met with Rob and found out a lot about green roofs.  I’ve been trying to read the material that he gave me so that I can have a better understanding before trying to sell others on the idea.  I’m hoping to meet with Fred Mock this week to discuss the possibility of using a residence hall as the test site for this project.

It was great to have a long weekend off, especially since I was coming down with something.  It’s moments like this when I realize how important it is to have balance and to realize where I’m spending my time.  I love what I do so it is easy for me to overextend myself, but in moments when my body physically tells me to slow down, it’s a nice reminder!  So lesson of the week is – Take care of yourself!!

Alumni Office Week 3

Alumni Office

This past week in the Alumni Office was crazy busy. As you all know I attend the Memphis game and assisted with the Alumni Tailgating tent. The Memphis Alum, were eager to see the BullDawgs win and eager to give back to the BullDawg Club. My duty as a practicum student was counting the money from the BBQ plates. Each BBQ plate was $ 5 and proceeds go towards scholarships. I also assisted Dr. Jimmy Abraham with door prizes and greeting alumni members. This event was one of many important programs that the Alumni Office hosts in order to keep Alumni members actively involved.

Throughout the week I learned a lot about the connection between Student Affairs and the Alumni Office. The Alumni office has started to build a relationship with Admissions and Scholarship in order to recruit future Alum. The Alum Office works heavily with Admissions and Scholarship during fall and spring orientation. During the summer months they also host send-off parties and events.

It’s imperative for the Alumni Office to become Student Affairs oriented in order to improve recruitment strategies and promote traditions of the university.

Working with the Alumni office is also helping me gather thoughts about my future in Student Affairs and what that may look like.