January 2024 Newsletter

In this edition:

• President's Message
• 2024 JASPA Awards - Nominations Open
• 2024 Innovation Grants - Applications Open
• Pipeline Stewardship
• Save the Dates

President's Message

Dear JASPA Colleagues,

I have a song stuck in my head. Even though I’ve not heard it recently, the refrain keeps coming back to me… "What the world needs now is love, sweet love..." so go the lyrics sung so powerfully and convincingly by Dionne Warwick in a year before I was born but no less fraught than the one we’ve left behind nor the one we’ve just begun.

Throughout the past year, higher education -- and specifically our efforts toward equity and inclusion -- have been under attack. Dismantling the “woke agenda” has been the subject of literally hundreds of state legislative proposals, and affirmative action has been repealed by the highest court in the land. Adding insult to these injuries are countless influencers who gain notoriety by labeling some in our communities as “other” with hateful epithets. And yet experience and age-old wisdom allow us to believe in the unexpected blessing. St. Ignatius taught us: God is in it all -- the light, the shadow, all of it. Perhaps hidden in the distress is an invitation to each of us to bring healing, peace, and love.

No matter how ubiquitous the effort to dismantle social progress may seem, we -- you and I -- must remember that working for justice and equity is built into the DNA of our work in Jesuit, Catholic student affairs. Indeed, we have mandates to support the dignity of all people, to address disparities, to recognize and celebrate diverse narratives, and to include people with historically marginalized identities at the table -- not as guests but as full-fledged community members.

One of the four Universal Apostolic Preferences (global values and strategic goals) from the Society of Jesus’ (Jesuits) is to walk with the excluded. Likewise, the Principles of Good Practice for Student Affairs in Catholic Colleges and Universities challenge us to: 

"Inspire and equip students to live solidarity and commit to the dignity of all people, embracing the goals of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in a community of love." (Fourth Principle)

As we move forward in this uncertain world of ours, we can stand firm in the values that guide our work in Jesuit student affairs. God is at work. I believe that… Even in the most difficult of situations. I also believe that each of us has to do our part. If we want a world that is peaceful, kind, loving, and just, we must work for it. If we want a campus community that upholds the dignity of all, we must promote a sense of belonging for all -- particularly those who too often find themselves on the margins of society.

We have the privilege of accompanying the next generation as they learn the tools of justice, peace, and loving kindness. We have the responsibility of demonstrating by our actions how to use these tools.

Our work in Jesuit student affairs is an act of love. In doing what we have been called to do, we can be the unexpected blessing in the lives of our students. They -- in turn -- can bless the world.

We go forward in hope.

Michele

President, JASPA
Senior Vice President for Student Development and Mission
College of the Holy Cross
 

2024 JASPA Awards - Nominations Open

Nominations are now open for the 2024 JASPA Awards. Every year, JASPA recognizes initiatives and individuals for their hard work and dedication to promoting the Jesuit ideals on our respective campuses. Please take a moment to consider submitting a nomination for the following awards:

2024 Ignatian Medal for Outstanding Academic Partnership

2024 Ignatian Medal for Outstanding Commitment to Diversity and Social Justice

2024 Ignatian Medal for Outstanding Campus Program or Initiative

2024 Ignatian Medal for Outstanding Graduate Student in Jesuit Student Affairs

2024 Ignatian Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Jesuit Student Affairs

2024 Ignatian Medal for Outstanding New Professional in Jesuit Student Affairs 

2024 JASPA Scholarship Award

2024 Ignatian Medal for Outstanding Service to JASPA

* The 2024 Reverend Victor R. Yanitelli, S.J. Award will be selected by the JASPA Executive Board.

Nominations will be open until February 2024. If you are interested in serving on the selection committee or have questions about the 2024 JASPA awards, please contact Alyse Hudock at hudocka@bc.edu (JASPA Awards & Recognition Chair, Boston College).
 

2024 JASPA Innovation Grants - Applications 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 Monday, April 8, 2024. 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 at progers@holycross.edu (JASPA Innovation Grants Chair, College of the Holy Cross) if you have any questions or if you are interested in serving on a committee to review grant applications. The commitment of reviewing applications will be limited to a period of a few weeks during April.
 

Pipeline Stewardship

Introducing new JASPA initiative: Pipeline Stewardship

In November 2023, JASPA leadership launched a new initiative enhancing the “pipeline”
between our Jesuit campuses and AJCU graduate preparation programs. As we begin 2024, we will put a call out for Pipeline Stewardship Committee members -- primarily seeking AJCU graduate faculty members and career engagement professionals -- to establish this standing committee.

Our purpose and responsibilities include:

• Helping undergraduates at AJCU institutions to consider the professional field of student affairs;
• Marketing AJCU graduate preparation programs to our undergraduate students, recent alumni, and professional staff who may be interested in the field of student affairs;
• Creating a system for JASPA members to advertise internship opportunities and employment postings to our graduate students at AJCU institutions; and
• Developing opportunities for dialogue between or AJCU preparation program faculty and SSAO leaders to enhance partnerships, communication, and feedback.

In the coming weeks, we will be soliciting via a survey your input, information, and committee membership from the JASPA community.

If you have questions, ideas, or insights for this initiative and/or interest in serving on the Pipeline Stewardship Committee, please contact Erin Swezey at swezey@seattleu.edu (JASPA Vice President for Pipeline Stewardship and Associate Teaching Faculty & Program Director for Student Development Administration, Seattle University). 
 

Save the Dates