Betsy Rivas’ Post

🌟 Attention Student Affairs Professionals! 🌟 Are you a student affairs supervisor, trainer, or staff member at a higher education institution? I’m conducting a doctoral research study with Rockhurst University to explore how new student affairs employees are trained and what methods best support their success. By examining both trainer and staff perceptions, this study will contribute to the development of a comprehensive training model that incorporates effective learning theory approaches. Your insights could help shape the future of student affairs training and, ultimately, enhance student success! If you are a student affairs supervisor or trainer, please share your experiences on this brief survey. https://lnkd.in/gV9ae5DZ If you started a new job in student affairs in the past three years, please complete this survey. https://lnkd.in/gb6Jtzsy #StudentAffairs #HigherEdResearch #TrainingDevelopment #EducationInnovation #StudentSuccess #ResearchStudy #HigherEdProfessionals

Did you know each of our five departments has its own dedicated Student Affairs Officer? These amazing individuals are here to guide you, offering resources and helping you plan your course schedule. Their main goal is to support your academic success—don’t hesitate to reach out! #ucdhip #ucdavis #studentresources #academicsuccess

Unlock your potential as a higher education admin! Imagine this: It's the start of a new semester, and you're juggling faculty meetings, student orientations, and updating academic records. Thanks to your top-notch skillset, everything runs smoothly (or, at least, as smooth as it can!), and everyone is impressed by your efficiency. A few essential skill areas you can build to make this vision a reality: ☑️ Organizational Skills ☑️ Academic Advising ☑️ Student Affairs ☑️ Technological Proficiency ☑️ Adaptability Learn more about the diverse skills essential to navigating the complex environment of higher education. https://buff.ly/4bVi7j2 #adminassistantskills #adminskills #academiccareers #higheredadmin #universityadmin #organizationalskills #academicadvising #studentaffairs #techproficiency #adaptability

Navigating the Crossroads: Higher Education vs. Vocational Training As many stand at the crossroads of their educational journey, they're faced with pivotal decisions. For some, it's pursue the academic path of higher education or dive into the hands-on world of vocational training. 🎓 Higher Education: - Broader Knowledge & Critical Thinking: Engage deeply with a wide range of subjects, fostering critical thinking and research skills. - Innovation & Research Opportunities: Access to cutting-edge research and the chance to contribute to new discoveries. - Long-Term Career Growth: Many fields, especially those requiring specialized knowledge (e.g., medicine, law), necessitate a degree. Plus, higher education often leads to higher lifetime earnings and career advancement opportunities. 🔧 Vocational Training: - Immediate Job Readiness: Tailored programs provide the practical skills that employers value, making you job-ready from day one. - Faster Workforce Entry: With shorter program durations, you can start your career sooner and gain real-world experience early. - Cost-Effective & Focused: Vocational training is typically more affordable and offers a clear path to employment in fields like IT, healthcare, construction, and more. This can lead to less student debt and quicker financial independence. Both paths have unique advantages and challenges. Your choice should align with your career goals, learning preferences, and long-term aspirations. Whether you opt for the depth of higher education or the hands-on experience of vocational training, what matters most is finding the path that best supports your dreams. #CareerChoices #HigherEducation #VocationalTraining #FutureSuccess #EducationalJourney

Taking on the role of a teaching assistant presents a chance to significantly influence students' lives which can help nurture their love of learning. Witnessing students reach both their educational and personal milestones can be incredibly fulfilling. Teaching assistants hone a diverse set of skills, including communication, organization, and problem-solving, all of which are beneficial in any career. It also offers the opportunity to collaborate closely with educators which can lead to other career paths in the field of education and beyond. As a teaching assistant, you enjoy time off during holidays, weekends, and summers! In New York, you may also qualify for retirement benefits. Pursuing a teaching assistant role in New York is straightforward; a high school diploma or equivalent is all you need. It is so rewarding to recognize the positive impact that you can have on a student’s life. Whether it's assisting a student in understanding a difficult concept or watching their self-assurance grow, there is always progress to measure. Becoming a teaching assistant can be a rewarding role for those looking to begin a career in education; it’s a chance to motivate and be motivated, leading to positive change in our communities. #becomeateacher #teachny #careersineducation #teachingassistant #teachersassistant #paraprofessional #paraprofessionals #benefitsofteaching #gratefuleducator

Student Affairs staff are faced with increasingly demanding expectations in their work.  Every "yes" they commit to necessitates a corresponding "no" elsewhere. It prompts the question: is time and energy being allocated to the most impactful endeavors? Every staff member should be asking that question. #studentaffairs #highered #highereducation

Without staff, a university does not run. Period. When staff resign/retire, the institutional knowledge of how the place actually works is lost. When between administrative staff members in a unit (as we have been), the time for action is slowed. It just takes longer when fewer staff have to support the same school. When faculty do not treat staff with the respect they deserve, they leave. And it takes longer to hire a new staff and train them. Staff can make your life easier and they are on campus all summer and during fall and spring breaks - answering questions about where you are and why you didn't answer an email and processing your travel and ordering your supplies. #respectthestaff #academicstaffmaketheuniversityrun

My recent post about the value of student affairs professionals in campus leadership has resonated with many of my colleagues. It's great to see new, mid and senior level colleagues reacting to it, which tells me that many of you think or experience this at your institutions. Let me add a bit more context. As someone who has been in higher education for 28 years, I can attest that student affairs professionals bring a unique perspective to the table. Having worked in various roles, including entry level positions (housing, academic advising, etc.), director, dean, and vice president, I've had to learn different skills, such as academic and administrative policies, legal considerations, crisis and risk management, facilities management, budgeting and strategic planning - you name it! And I'm not alone. Many student affairs professionals can attest that the skills we learn to every facet of campus. Not only do we study these skills in our academic programs, but we live them every day. Why? Because we never know what student/staff/faculty issue may walk through our doors. And, we are ready! My point? Archaic thinking about campus leadership sometimes keeps student affairs professionals on the fringes. While other administrators are critically important, the perspectives of SA staff add an important consideration to all campus decisions - students! Aren’t they why we do what we do? So, my advice to campus leaders is to seek out the perspectives of your SA staff at every level. You will be amazed at what you gain. #StudentAffairs #HigherEducation #CampusLeadership #StudentSuccess

On the importance of staff support (or the admin staff are the real heart of a university). When interviewing for a new position, pay close attention to how the staff are treated and how they treat the faculty. Why? Two reasons. First, when faculty treat the staff with respect, it's a signal of culture. As a new faculty member, you will need to be treated with kindness and respect, if you are to navigate the peer review and teaching review process unscathed. Faculty who treat staff with respect are far more likely to be kind and respectful of each other. You want to be part of a faculty with a supportive culture, so this cue is particularly important. Second, staff who are respectful of faculty make #academiclife so much better. As a new faculty member, you will need a lot of paperwork processed, advice on how processes work, and more. The staff hold the keys to so much of that knowledge. In fact, at some universities, a staff member will be the de facto day-to-day department chair - managing paperwork, resource allocation, and more. So be attentive to how the staff operate. You want to work at a place where the staff are attentive to small details, such as processing paperwork and securing signatures, and who are patient; when you fail to pay attention to such details, because they will make your academic life better. The very best places I've worked have mutual respect between faculty and staff; and staff who demonstrate they are respected by helping young faculty navigate their first years of academic life. If you detect contempt or incompetence on either level, seriously consider all of your alternatives on the job market - you do not want to work at a place that lacks a civil culture. Best of luck! #academiclife