Quarterly Update from One Dupont Circle

Gregory Roberts
Executive Director

Greetings,

The time continues to fly by and a lot is happening for the better in our Association. ACPA – College Student Educators International is marching onward and upward creating new opportunities for the nearly 7,500 members and beginning to plan the 90th Anniversary year of events for the Association. Also, preparation is underway for my transition and the installation of a new Executive Director. During summer 2014 I will step down as the Executive Director of ACPA – College Student Educators International. Having served eleven years in this position as the third Executive Director in ACPA’s history (VanDursen, Neuberger and Roberts). It is my hope to return to a campus and continue the work of the profession to advance student learning wherever and however I can.

There is much to do and the strategic plan is fully underway and we are making progress on all areas. The 90th Anniversary of ACPA – College Student Educators International is well underway and the Foundation will highlight a few wonderful events at the Indianapolis Convention, March 29-April 2, 2014. Please visit the Web site and learn all the wonderful professional development activities and programs available to each of you.

Since we last communicated, there has been lots of activity on Capitol Hill here in the United States. Our elected officials were truly sending a message showing just how selfish they are to allow the most respected government on earth to “shut down” simply to make a partisan point. Many elected officials did not realize or care that many in the country lost their job and/or were laid off while our elected leaders “played” with the operations of the Federal Government.

I urge you to continue monitoring the troop withdrawal schedule for the end of 2014. I would imagine we would see a spike in veterans enrolling in our colleges and universities with the expanded GI Bill benefits. I challenge us as educators to be proactive and be prepared to embrace this large segment of our college going Americans.

The Supreme Court continues to flex their muscles and will hear the Fisher v. Texas case again. Continue to watch for updates on the ACPA – College Student Educators International Web site. The Association signed on with the Amicus Brief supporting widespread diversity in higher education.

I want to say congratulations to the 2014 ACPA – College Student Educators International Diamond Honoree Class. As always, the class is comprised of distinguished colleagues who have earned international recognition from their peers. In addition, a personal congratulations to Ann Bower, Association Archivist, on her full time retirement from the National Student Affairs Archives, housed at the Bowling Green State University Library.

Have a wonderful winter and I look forward to seeing all of you in Indianapolis.

Until next time,

Greg