February 2025 Newsletter

In this edition:

• President's Message
• JASPA Opportunities @ NASPA 2025 Conference
• 2025 NASPA Excellence Award: Seattle University
• Innovation Grant Applications
• IgnatianQ 2025 @ Loyola Marymount University
• Save the Dates
   

President's Message

Greetings, JASPA Colleagues.

A week ago was Valentine’s Day -- a time set aside for sharing expressions of love and friendship. All day, I've been reflecting not only on this tradition but also on what it truly means to love.

Many of us know by heart the words attributed to Fr. Pedro Arrupe, S.J., reminding us that divine love gives shape to our lives, infusing them with meaning and purpose. In a more renowned passage -- 1 Corinthians -- we read that love is patient and kind, that love never fails.

Love is one of the greatest gifts we can offer, and it is as essential in the public square as it is in our private lives. Yet in some corners of our world today, love can feel in short supply. This is why the work you do every day -- mentoring and accompanying students -- is so important, perhaps now more so than ever. Our work in Jesuit student affairs is a profound act of love in the midst of a society in great need of never failing love.

Through both small gestures and transformative moments, you help students see themselves more clearly and discover who they are called to be. In walking with them on their journeys of growth and becoming, you are modeling what it means to love. And you are teaching them how to love one another.

Thank you for the love you bring into this world and into your work with students.

With gratitude,
Michele

Michele C. Murray, Ph.D.
President, JASPA
Senior Vice President for Student Development and Mission
College of the Holy Cross
 

JASPA Opportunities @ NASPA 2025 Conference

Although we will not officially meet in March around NASPA in New Orleans since the JASPA Five-Year Institute will be at Loyola University New Orleans at the end of June, we do have some gatherings all colleagues and friends to Jesuit Education are encouraged attend.

JASPA Mass
Sunday, March 16, 9:00-10:00am
@ New Orleans Convention Center, Room 211

All are welcome!

Seattle University Reception
Monday, March 17, 5:30-7:00pm
@ Hilton NOLA Riverside, Churchill Room, C2

We invite you to join us for the SeattleU Reception. We will be recognizing our very own Dr. Alvin Sturdivant, 2025 Class, NASPA Pillars of the Profession.

Boston College Social
Tuesday, March 18, 7:30-9:00pm
@ Marriott Warehouse Arts District, Gravier A

We are happy to welcome anyone from JASPA to the BC Social!

Safe travels to those attending in New Orleans in March!
 

2025 NASPA Excellence Award
Bronze Recipient: Seattle University

The NASPA Excellence Awards recognize the contributions of members who are transforming higher education through outstanding programs, innovative services, and effective administration.

The Excellence Awards cover twelve categories crucial to the success of students. Sharing our successes benefit students, improves institutions, and promotes our profession.

In the "Athletics, Recreation, Counseling, Health, and Wellness" category, Seattle University earned the bronze award for its Food Recovery Program. Specific recognition goes to:

Nodia Rogers
Associate Director for Student Care & Support

Chris Fiorello, Ph.D.
Director, Wellness & Health Promotion

Mikaela Wallin
Associate Director, Wellness & Health Promotion

Deanne Liu
Associate Director, The MOSAIC Center

Joel Anschell
Executive Chef, Redhawk Dining - Chartwells

Chuck Nerger
Director of Building, Grounds & Food Services, Facilities Services

Benjamin Williams
Edible Campus, Grounds & Facilities Services

Congratulations to Seattle University!
 

Innovation Grant Applications

JAPSA Innovation Grant applications are open!

Each year, JASPA awards a limited number of grants for the purpose of applying current research to address pressing issues in Jesuit student affairs. While proposals for all projects and programs that address the goals and values of JASPA are welcome, special emphasis will be placed on those that are focused on efforts promoting diversity and inclusion. $10,000 will be available to fund these initiatives each year. 

Proposals will be accepted until all funding is dispersed however priority will be given to proposals received by April 7, 2025. Decisions will be made and communicated between May and June, and grants will be awarded in the new fiscal year. Applications are now open.

Please contact Patrick Rogers, chair of Innovation Grants, at progers@holycross.edu if you have any questions about the application. 

Are you interested in serving on the application review committee?

Each year a committee of JASPA membership will review and make funding recommendations to the JASPA Executive Board. The commitment of reviewing applications will be limited to a period of a few weeks during April and May. Please contact Patrick Rogers, Chair of the Innovation Grants, at progers@holycross.edu if you are interested in serving in this role.
 

IgnatianQ 2025 @ Loyola Marymount University

Loyola Marymount University will be hosting the annual AJCU IgnatianQ conference on April 3-6, 2025! The February 3 early bird deadline for registration and hotel block pricing is quickly approaching.

Hotel Registration

Our hotel registration block for IgnatianQ ends on February 3, 2025. You can register for accommodations through the IgnatianQ website. If you need more time to know how many rooms you need, you can register with these hotels past the early bird window date. However, the rate may not be same the same as currently advertised. We encourage everyone to stay at these locations as we will be providing transportation to and from the conference from these hotels.

Registering for the Conference

We have seen responses coming in and are excited to bring together so many members of the AJCU! Our early bird registration is also due on February 3. Registration during this early bird window is $65 a person. General Registration price begins on February 4 at $80 a person. You can register on the IgnatianQ website. 

Program Proposals

Proposal submissions are due on January 27 at 9:00am PST. You can submit a proposal on the IgnatianQ website. Your timely submission will allow us to make decisions on applications by February 1.

If you still need time to register though you know your institution is coming, please reach out with a ballpark number of how many delegates (staff, faculty, and students) will be attending. This can greatly help us with forecasting purchases for attendees. 

We're here and happy to answer any questions you might have and look forward to welcoming you to the Bluff in April!

IgnatianQ is an annually recurring AJCU conference that focuses on the intersections of faith, sexuality, and social justice in a Jesuit campus context. It provides a space for members of this traditionally marginalized community to come together, grow their faith, explore their personal relationship with God, and strengthen bonds with their peers. This will be LMU’s first time hosting IgnatianQ, and the third time this conference will be held on the West Coast. Information on registrations, accommodations, breakout session proposals, and more can be found at lmu.edu/ignatianq.
 

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