The SA Speaks Series: Bringing Joy to #NASPA23

When you think back over the last few years, joy might not be the first emotion that comes to mind. Perhaps fear, frustration, and exhaustion are more aligned with what you think about your experience supporting students and staff through a global pandemic. Despite the challenges of the last few years, we would be remiss to forget the moments that brought us joy. Maybe it was the clanging of pots to say thank you to health care workers, the neighbor who shared a few rolls of toilet paper, or the celebration when a loved one came home from the hospital. It could have also been seeing students return to campus, connecting over coffee with a colleague who you had not seen in months, or rejoicing at the return of a campus tradition. What would you add to the list?

During the program proposal period, the SA Speaks committee solicited ideas for talks from NASPA community members that would highlight the concept of joy. The courageous speakers who have been selected to share their talks will inspire you with their unique stories and encourage you to reflect on your own moments of joy. You might find yourself agreeing with Benjamin Rieth, Director of Student Affairs and DEI at Belling Collin, that taking the time to truly get to know your colleagues has helped you to find your place in the world, or maybe you will connect with the story of Krista Klein, Assistant Dean for Student Support and Inclusive Communities at Rutgers, on how adaptability helped her successfully navigate work-life changes. These are just a few examples of the stories that you will hear as a part of the SA Speaks Series.

If you don’t want to miss these talks, search for SA Speaks and SA Stories in the conference schedule and bookmark these events!