Two OSU Institute of Technology staff members from Student Services have been chosen to take part in the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s 2018-19 Student Affairs Leadership Academy.
Rendi Glass, Assessment Center director, and Kyle Gregorio, assistant registrar, are among the 27 fellows from 14 institutions taking part in this year’s leadership academy.
“I looked at it as an opportunity to make peer connections,” Gregorio said. “We get to make connections with some big names in higher education.”
The Council on Student Affairs—an advisory council to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, OSRHE chancellor Glen Johnson, and other state officials created the Leadership Academy to facilitate the professional growth and career advancement of student affairs specialists and to create advanced cutting-edge leadership skill development opportunities.
The group attends monthly seminars covering topics including diversity in higher education; legal issues; legislative issues; and the Higher Learning Commission’s impact on student affairs.
“I am excited about being able to sit down and learn from some of the top student affairs professionals from across the state,” Glass said. “Just being in the same category as my fellow cohorts is a privilege.”
Gregorio said he’s looking forward to the seminar on strategic enrollment, recruitment and management.
“I always say the best ideas are the stolen ones,” he joked, but said talking with peers and listening to others is a great way to glean ideas and best practices. “You get an outside perspective, you get an idea of how other schools work through the same challenges and issues we do.”
Glass agrees.
“I hope to bring more ideas into the institution and implement new things,” she said. “I will now be able to reach out to any of the committee members or my cohorts about issues pertaining to my area and get sound advice when needed.”