October 2025 Newsletter

In this edition:

• President's Message
• JASPA Pulse Check
• Lead & Grow with JASPA!
• JASPA Five Year Institute - Webinar Series
• Celebrating Careers in Student Affairs Month
• Save the Date
   

President's Message

Dear JASPA Colleagues,

Happy Fall! It is difficult to believe that it is nearing the end of October already. I hear from most of our colleagues that this academic year feels different with students from the Class of 2029! Our new students seem more engaged, less isolated, keep eye contact, ask questions, and are readily utilizing our campus resources. Our new students had the more typical high school experience with in-person learning, co-curricular activities, and athletics as “normal.” Despite this, nothing about this year feels “normal.” Whether you have students focused on their college experience or students highly anxious about the state of the world or somewhere in between, our work as Ignatian educators has never been more important.

Our work on the holistic development of students has never been more critical. We are creating leaders as people for and with others. As Catholic and Jesuit institutions, we espouse our commitment to standing with the poor and marginalized. These times bring many marginalized people to our campus searching for meaning and purpose in order to advance their lives and the lives of their families. Know your worth in that development!

If you need language and or reminder, here are three resources worth reviewing and reading:

• The recently released NASPA report on “The Human Dimension of College Worth: Why Student Affairs Matters.”
• The joint publication of JASPA, ASACCU, and ACCU - “Principles of Good Practice For Student Affairs at Catholic Colleges and Universities.”
• And finally, “The Ignatian Imperative: Student Affairs Educators in Jesuit Higher Education” by Andrew Thon, S.J.

These publications not only guide our work but give us language to be leaders in the conversation of how we impact students on our Jesuit colleges and universities. Keep telling our story and remind our stakeholders that our work matters!

I am so grateful to have a career where I am surrounded by people who work hard everyday to make a difference in the lives of others! Thank you for all that you do.

Peace,

Deb Cady Melzer
JASPA President
Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students
Loyola University Maryland
 

JASPA Pulse Check

Occasionally, the JASPA Pulse Check takes a quick look at how our members are doing: how you’re connecting, what you need, and what’s on your mind. Your insights help us shape future programs, resources, and opportunities that strengthen our shared work and keep our community vibrant and connected.

Click here to take this month’s short, three question Pulse Check.
 

Lead & Grow with JASPA!

JASPA is seeking a new Chair and committee members for the Member Services Committee, which is the team that helps welcome new members, support campus liaisons, and strengthen engagement across the JASPA community.

The Chair plays a key leadership role in coordinating committee efforts, collaborating with JASPA Liaisons, and guiding membership initiatives that help our network thrive. Committee members contribute ideas, assist with onboarding and outreach, and help assess how JASPA can continue to grow and serve its members well.

If you’re enthusiastic, organized, and ready to contribute about five hours a month, we would love to hear from you! Interested? Apply here.

Questions? Contact Michelle Bata, Vice President for Member Services and Innovation Grants, at mbata@holycross.edu.
 

JASPA Five Year Institute - Webinar Series

"Good Faith Speech: Exploring Meaning Making & Tensions in Free Speech Practices within Catholic Universities"
November 6, 2025, 4:00pm EST
Register for this webinar

"Joy, Formation & Refounding: Lay Leadership in Jesuit Student Affairs"
November 14, 2025, 12:00pm EST
Register for this webinar

"Igniting Leadership & Accountability: Enhancing Supervisory Practices Through the Ignatian Mission"
December 5, 2025, 3:00pm EST
Register for this webinar

"A Jesuit Guide to Generative Conflict"
December 12, 2025, 1:00pm EST
Register for this webinar

Celebrating Careers in Student Affairs Month

To celebrate this important month, the JASPA Pipeline Stewardship Committee would like to recognize all current student affairs practitioners, leaders, and educators who are alumni of an AJCU college or university!

If you graduated from an AJCU college or university -- it does not matter what the degree is) -- please take the time to complete the survey below! 

Survey Link: https://sfsu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d40S2JTsZfKoCyO 

Our goal is to have as many student affairs career professionals as possible from your institution participate and share which AJCU campuses they attended. We hope this connects Jesuit educated alumni across your institution and also across JASPA. 

We have also included a one-page flyer below that highlights the AJCU institutions who currently offer graduate programs in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration/Leadership. The faculty from these programs have started to gather to discuss opportunities to support JASPA and careers in Student Affairs. This network continues to expand to additional AJCU programs.

If you want to recommend a faculty member from your institution, please contact Alvin Mangosing, Co-Chair of JASPA Pipeline Stewardship Graduate Faculty Committee, at anmangosing@sfsu.edu.

This month celebrates the accomplishments and essential engagement of our student affairs educators, leaders, and scholar-practitioners who transform our students' lives. We encourage everyone to celebrate this month by mentoring, sharing your experiences and wisdom from the field, as well as encouraging your students to consider student affairs as a career!

We are especially proud of all who choose careers in student affairs at Jesuit colleges and universities and are engaged with JASPA! Thank you!

Erin Swezey and Alvin Mangosing
JASPA Pipeline Stewardship Graduate Faculty Committee Chairs

Save the Date