Howdy!
As we begin the final weeks of the fall semester, it is important that we all reflect on the challenging work that has been done across the Division of Student Affairs during the past semester. We continue to navigate organizational changes across campus while delivering top-notch student support. We kicked off the semester with a huge grand opening of the Southside Recreational Center and Aggie Park, welcomed Brigadier General Patrick Michaelis '93 as the new Commandant, honored the 100th anniversary of Elephant Walk, and celebrated the many diverse cultures that call Aggieland home through events and programming like Fusion Fiesta, APIDA City Limits, Hispanic Heritage Month.
I have immense pride in the work you do for our students, for each other, and for the Texas A&M community. As I look back on what we have accomplished together this year, I am amazed at the leadership, “can-do” attitude and collaborative spirit I have seen throughout our DSA team. I am grateful that I have this opportunity to work with such an experienced, committed, positive, and dedicated staff, and for our student leaders, who are second to none. Regardless of your department or job title, please know that each one of you has made a difference in the lives of our students.
I would also like to express my gratitude to Dr. Anne Reber, Rick Hall, and Colonel Byron Stebbins for their dedication to students and Texas A&M as they each prepare for retirement and the next chapters in their lives. Thank you for exemplifying the Aggie core values and leading your areas in such a superb manner. All of you have made a BIG difference in the lives of our students, and you have helped make the DSA at Texas A&M among the best in the nation in how we serve our students and prepare them for the future.
Thanks for all you do for our students and for Texas A&M. I hope you enjoy a well-deserved holiday break, and I look forward to seeing you all in the spring semester.
From all of us in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, we wish you and your families a happy holiday season! Thank you for all you do. God bless you all.
BG Joe E. Ramirez, Jr. ’79 USA (Ret.)
Vice President for Student Affairs
NOVEMBER NEWS FROM DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS
All of us in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs wish you a joyful holiday season and thank you for everything you do for Texas A&M students! From left (back row) are BG Joe E. Ramirez, Jr. '79, USA (Ret.), Vice President for Student Affairs; Mr. Tom Reber, Executive Associate Vice President; Dr. Vicki Dobiyanski '03; Associate Vice President; (front row) Dr. Kristen Harrell '17, Assistant Vice President; Dr. Justin Jeffery, Assistant Vice President; and Dr. Anne Reber '91, Associate Vice President.
COMMITTEE ON STUDENT LEARNING
The Committee on Student Learning (CSL) developed a rubric to help DSA departments to engage in performance conversations with all their student workers. Go to our Rubric Resource and check out the new Student Worker Evaluation. Use it to help facilitate conversations and accountability with your student workers as they develop new skills while employed within your departments.
Check out the student learning and assessment resources on the CSL website including 17 student leader learning rubrics for download, and access to reflection resources and learning contracts (leader professional development planning) information.
DSA AWARDS COMMITTEE
Nominations for the 2023 DSA Awards are now open! You can view all of the awards and nomination requirements on our website. A few noteworthy changes:
- We’ve added the DSA Affiliate Award for our affiliates who work in facilities, finance, human resources, technology services, and marketing and communications.
- We’ve updated our nomination process to make it easier for you to work on your nominations earlier and save them! Learn more about the new nomination process.
Nominations will remain open until Feb. 2, 2023, at 5 p.m. Please reach out to your department representative if you have any questions.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT TEAM
Professional Development Grants are available to DSA employees to fund virtual or in-person professional development opportunities occurring in February, March, April and May 2023. Grant applications are due Dec. 2 by 5 p.m. All full-time, permanent employees budgeted at least 50% time in the title of graduate assistants up to directors are eligible to apply. Applicants must have completed six months of service with the Division of Student Affairs by the date listed of the professional development opportunity for which the applicant is applying. Apply here!
CORPS OF CADETS
Brigadier General Patrick Michaelis '93 is continuing to seek your feedback on the state of the Corps of Cadets. Please visit our website for more information on how to participate in our survey. Staff feedback is critical to the future success of the Corps, and we thank you for taking the time to record your responses!
In a semester-long partnership with the Hollingsworth Center for Ethical Leadership, Texas A&M Men’s Basketball Coach Buzz Williams presented several lessons within SOMS 380: Workshop in Leadership Organization. An incredible chance for our cadets to develop their leadership capabilities, this course is one of many fantastic opportunities available to our students through the Hollingsworth Center. Learn more about this special partnership and the developmental resources that the Hollingsworth Center offers here.
During the football game against Florida, the entire Corps of Cadets took to the field at halftime to form the iconic Block T formation. As the Block T took shape, a special video highlighting the rich history of the Corps of Cadets was played for the crowd. Visit our website to view the video.
Three members of the Corps Triathlon Team competed in the Best of the Best Triathlon in Denton, Texas, on Nov. 6. (See photo to the right.) This sprint-distance race included a 250-yard swim, 16.5-mile bike and 5 kilomter run. All three cadets competed in the Championship Division, which required a top 10 in age group finish in a previous race in 2022 to qualify. Faye Ortiz-Smith ’23 finished first place in the 20-24 age group (women). Mareck Remington ’23 finished first place in the 20-24 age group (men) and right behind him was Jacob Brooks ’24 in second place. Congrats to these three cadets on a dominating performance!
CAREER CENTER
This fall, 18 of our staff members have served as faculty for courses in the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, College of Engineering, College of Arts & Sciences, School of Education & Human Development, School of Military Sciences, and Office for Student Success.
In a collaborative effort to better serve Texas A&M students and employers, the Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences has transitioned its internship and full-time job postings to the Career Center’s HireAggies online recruiting platform.
Our former Student Career Services team hosted a virtual program on Nov. 14 for Aggies and employees who were affected by the restructuring of iBio in the Research Corridor. Our team continues to provide resources both virtually, on campus and on-site for those negatively affected by economic shifts.
MEMORIAL STUDENT CENTER
Homeward to my Heritage, an initiative of MSC Woodson Black Awareness Committee (WBAC) is hosting a speech contest in collaboration with Aggie Toastmasters on Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. in MSC 2404. This initiative benefits student development related to the African diaspora.
SHARES, hosted by MSC FLI (Freshman Leadership International), is a program designed to help collect essential items for Las Americas Newcomer School. MSC FLI will assist in painting, gardening and other tasks. DSA staff members are invited to donate items to assist with the project in collection boxes in MSC 2240.
Registration is open for spring MSC Open House. Visit our MSC Open House website to learn how you can recruit Aggieland’s best and brightest.
TEDxTAMU is taking nominations for the 2023 TEDxTAMU conference. This year’s theme, Memento Mori, is open to interpretation by selected speakers. Click here to nominate someone for this year’s conference.
Celebrate the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 26, 2023, in MSC’s Bethancourt Ballroom. Hosted by MSC WBAC, the breakfast will incorporate a keynote speaker and moderated discussion. Tickets will be on sale through the MSC Box Office: $25 for Texas A&M faculty and staff and $15 for Texas A&M students.
MUSIC ACTIVITIES
Choral Activities will present its final concert of the semester, the Holiday Spirit of Aggieland, on Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. in Rudder Auditorium. The concert features the Singing Cadets, Women’s Chorus and Century Singers, as well as ensembles The Aggienizors, The Quad, One-AChord and Century Sounds. Purchase your tickets at the MSC Box Office.
The University Orchestras present a final concert of the fall semester in Rudder Theatre on Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. Purchase your tickets at the MSC Box Office.
MULTICULTURAL SERVICES
The 15th annual Fusion Fiesta, hosted by the Asian Presidents’ Council, Black Student Alliance Council, and Hispanic Presidents’ Council, along with over 30 other campus student organizations, welcomed over 1,000 attendees to Rudder Plaza on Nov. 10. Each year, Fusion Fiesta celebrates cultural performances and cuisine from every walk of life as highlighted in this article.
The Texas A&M Foundation's fall 2022 Maroon Magazine featured DMS and affiliated student experiences in two different stories Unity in Community and My Aggie Experience.
The Asian President Council hosted the APIDA CITY LIMITS Festival in Aggie Park on Nov. 3. (See photo to the left.) All 15 performers were current Aggies, who showcased their talent concert style for this free well-attended campus community event.
Texas A&M Race Identity and Social Equity (RISE) Program Committee invites proposals for the fifth annual conference that will take place in the Memorial Student Center on March 24, 2023. The RISE initiative provides a year-long research opportunity for undergraduate students at Texas A&M, culminating with research presentations during the conference. The RISE Conference also seeks to provide an opportunity for a campus-wide discussion around significant issues of race, identity, and social equity on campus, in the nation and on a global scale. We welcome proposals for panels, individual papers, workshops, and alternative session formats that allow for audience participation and community engagement from faculty, staff, graduate students, and undergraduates. Please complete all submissions electronically here by Dec. 16. Visit the RISE website to learn more.
RECREATIONAL SPORTS
The Texas A&M Water Ski club recently competed in the NCWSA Collegiate Nationals and took home the championship for Division II. This marks the first time the club has earned a national championship. Congratulations Texas A&M Water Ski!
For any parties interested in participating in a group fitness class, the Winter Group RecXercise schedule is now available. Registrations for the December classes are open. Check the Rec Sports app for more information.
Are you interested in a hiking day trip? Join Outdoor Adventures for a trip through Huntsville State Park on Dec. 4. For more information on this trip through the beautiful woods of East Texas, visit the Rec Sports app.
New equipment has arrived at the Southside Rec Center. If you have not visited the state-of-the-art rec center across from the Commons residence halls, now is the time to see even more recreational opportunities. This facility is complete with 25,000 square feet of strength and conditioning space, two sand volleyball courts, and indoor as well as outdoor turf space.
RESIDENCE LIFE
A team of 16 delegates went to the 2022 SWACUHO RA [Southwest Association of College & University Housing Officers Resident Advisor (RA)] Conference at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. RAs learned a lot, shared their Aggie spirit, and made friends from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Mexico! They will bring back what they have learned to share with the College Station campus RAs.
Aggie City Limits, an alcohol education program, is partnering Residence Life with the University Police Department, Health Promotion and Carpool on Nov. 30 to bring residents information and activities to complete while wearing ‘under the influence goggles.’ The intent is to educate residents on the dangers of overconsumption of alcohol and provide both prevention and response resources.
Winter Fest is a collaboration between the Commons dining staff and Residence Life to promote stress relief. On Dec. 7, the Commons dining hall will be decorated as a winter wonderland with a photo booth and craft packets. Students may also learn how to decorate cookies and enjoy a "taste of home" menu, hot cocoa and Chex mix.
The Aggie Eco-Representatives hosting their final Sustainable Swap Shop of the semester on Nov. 18 in White Creek Community Center. (See photo below.) Students swapped clothes, books, office supplies, décor and other goods. If you have questions about the Sustainable Swap Shop, send us an email.
On Halloween our team hosted a "Fright Off Hunger" event to scare away hunger as an SECC fundraiser. Staff voted with their donations to see which associate director would appear in costume for Halloween. Contributions totaling $700 to The Brazos Valley Food Bank made for a lively competition. Maggie Guzman (left) was the winner! She appeared across campus as Maleficent.
STUDENT LIFE
Student Assistance Services has filled two of our four vacant positions. Kristen Brunson, our new student affairs coordinator, and Adam La Masters, SDS III, started work Monday. We are excited to welcome them to Student Life!
A few of our Student Life staff members spoke at the Texas Conference on Student Success last month and were able to share their experience and expertise with attendees. Thank you to Frances Jackson and Carla Alvarez from the LGBTQ+ Pride Center and Megan Woodfield and Jon Hill from Health Promotion.
The Battalion has been awarded 16 national awards! Most notably:
- First place for Best Editorial: Staff, Best Special Section-Four Pages or Less: Staff, and Best Sports Section: Staff from the Pinnacle College Media Awards.
- The staff earned four Associated Collegiate Press awards, honoring the best individual collegiate journalism work of the year, and was named a 2022 Pacemaker in the newspaper category. Read about all 16 awards on The Battalion website.
Nominations/applications are open for Elect Her: Aggie Women Win Conference. While the conference is designed for women who plan to run for office, it is open to Aggies of all identities who wish to learn campaign and leadership skills. A student may be selected for the conference in two ways: Anyone can nominate a deserving student to be a participant at the conference. If the student accepts their nomination, they simply must register for the conference. Students may also apply directly to the conference by filling out a brief online application. Nominations and applications will be accepted through Jan. 31. Visit our website to learn more about the Elect Her: Aggie Women Win Conference and nominate a student or apply for the conference.
Spring Howdy Week event proposals are open. Submit your proposal by Nov. 23 to be considered for the official schedule. Visit the Howdy Week website for more information, or email us.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES (StuAct)
The StuAct student lounge makeover, which began in spring 2022, is complete! The lounge now includes collaborative workspaces, individual work and study spaces, and social spaces for students and student organizations. In addition, the Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life also has completed a renovation to provide open and collaborative workspaces for our fraternity and sorority community.
We would like to congratulate and welcome Erica Jantz '26 into the role of freshman class president. Erica is a political science major with a minor in history from Double Oak, Texas.
Shanté Hearst will attend and present at the annual Association for the Study of Higher Education conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her conference presentation, titled Black Women Doctoral Students Create Intersectional Interventions to Address Intersectional Failures of the Academy, will focus on supporting Black women doctoral students with aspirations to be faculty and institutional leaders.
STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES (SHS)
Although Student Health Services is now part of Texas A&M Health, the Division of Student Affairs has agreed to continue posting its submissions in Division Update to keep our staff informed.
SHS has provided over 3,000 flu vaccines to students. Please continue encouraging students to receive a free flu vaccine at SHS. Appointments are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Schedule online here.
BTHO stress and visit SHS to pet therapy dogs before finals! SHS will be hosting the 12th Paw on Nov. 30 from noon to 2 p.m. in the SHS Basement Large Conference Room. To access the event location, follow the paw prints from the 12th Paw A-frame on Military Walk.
COVID-19 boosters are available for students, faculty and staff. Click here to schedule an appointment.
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES - STUDENT AFFAIRS
This year we saw the campus-wide, administrative reorganization known as The Path Forward. The plan called for information technology (IT)-related units to move to a unified administrative structure. Before the unification of IT units, coordination between various IT units across colleges, departments and divisions was challenging. Unification under TAMU Technology Services will improve coordination and communication among the various units. The Department of Information Technology is now Technology Services – Student Affairs. Read our web post for more information.
The Department of Information Technology is now Technology Services – Student Affairs. The branding on our communication channels will change to reflect our new title. The updates include changes to our monthly newsletter, alert templates and website. Our contact information has changed with the centralization. We have a new service desk email ID and a new URL for our website. However, our phone number, room number, and walk-in hours will remain the same. Read more about these changes.
For 30 years the plaza outside the Sanders Corps of Cadet Center has been systematically paved brick by inscribed brick. Each brick has a story and each makes other stories possible. Until now, finding a particular brick in the sea of nearly 13,500 bricks has been almost impossible without help. Our team was asked to help provide a solution for the Corps Center. Read our post to know what happened next.
STUDENT AFFAIRS PLANNING, RESEARCH & ASSESSMENT (SAPAR)
Welcome Gabbey Tharp, our new assessment coordinator! She comes to us from Residence Life with a wealth of knowledge and experience.
SAPAR will hold a beginner training session on how to create a survey in Qualtrics on Dec. 6, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. All attendees must have a DSA/SAPAR-issued Qualtrics account to participate. If you need one or are unsure if you have one, contact Barb Schumacher. Register here.
Would you like training on how to facilitate a focus group? Watch your email for more information about training in January.
Do you like donuts? Do you like data? We have something sweet in the works for the spring....
VETERAN RESOURCE & SUPPORT CENTER (VRSC)
The VRSC’s excited to announce that Texas A&M University has been named a GOLD-level recipient of the Veterans Education Excellence Recognition Award for the second year in a row. This state award, issued by the Texas Veterans Commission, will be presented during The Texas A&M University System Military Affiliated Symposium. Watch for our press release coming soon.
UNIVERSITY CENTER & SPECIAL EVENTS (UCEN)
The Throckmorton Lawn area of Aggie Park is now open! This area, located along Throckmorton Street, has a large lawn area and additional seating. (See photo below.)
UCEN welcomed two new employees. Derek Shephard joins our Rudder Theatre Complex team as a theatrical electrician III and Chase Lawrence joins our Event Services team as an event technician.