Seven CSE staff members offer reflections on their experiences at the Virginia Student Services Conference, held in Wintergreen, VA on November 15-17, 2017.
Back to VSSC
The first time I went to Wintergreen for the Virginia Student Services Conference (VSSC) was in the fall of 1998. I was a full time staff member in the student union at James Madison University as well as a part-time graduate student and I was given the opportunity to go to the conference as part of my Master’s Program. I attended in ’98 and ’99 and really connected with the feel of the conference and being “On the Mountain” with colleagues from across VA. I remember the fun of staying in that environment and everything I was able to learn from people who had been in the field for a very long time.
Several years ago, I decided to bring a team from GW - or “the invaders from the North” as I called us. I was immediately reminded why I loved VSSC once I got off the main roads and was driving on Route 29 through central Virginia and then once we started up the mountain I knew it was a good idea to return to VSSC. We have brought a good mix of people every year since (aside from one year when we missed the conference).
VSSC gives people a chance to take a break, present to incredibly receptive and supportive colleagues, network with individuals from the area, and find ways to grow outside of our DC bubble. I hope we will continue to be a part of VSSC for years to come and more GW community members can find their home there as well.
...continue reading "VSSC: New Ideas, Skills, and Relationships"
For the first time in my career, I attended both NASPA and ACPA in the same year. I know there are many perspectives about the two organizations and who belongs where and who each one serves in our field. This is a debate and discussion that will probably go on for years into the future. There is even debate about the value of each organization and I have always wondered about this myself. What I found after attending the two conferences was that both organizations had an equal but very different meaning and value to me. ...continue reading "Two National Conferences – Two Different Experiences"
