> CAMPUS/COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS - 2 F E B 2013
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The Campus/ Community Partnership Issue
President’s Message Greetings OACUHO! This month’s edition of the Pulse focuses on the campus and community partnerships essential to our work in housing. Partnerships are crucial to our work. On campus experts provide support to our work in critical functional areas such as facilities and admissions. Community partners provide broader learning opportunities for our students and at times even our own development as student housing officers.
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In my 2nd year as a housing professional, I participated in a service learning trip over reading week called Project Serve Canada at the University of Calgary. 15 University of Guelph students joined 15 University of Calgary students to learn about urban poverty, access to higher education and aboriginal issues. The project combined volunteering in the community with critical reflection, lectures from expert faculty researching the topic, and community building including billeting with students living in residence. Two student affairs professionals at University of Calgary named Alyson Woloshyn and Camille McFarlane were responsible for planning our project. The consummate professionals, Alyson and Camille were expert organizers making the project run seamlessly. They took the time to ask me questions about my own development, helped me learn new facilitation techniques, and modeled what it meant to be an engaging, passionate, and committed Student Affairs professional. Prior to departure I knew I would help to support our students’ experience during our trip. I also hoped to develop professional skills in group dynamics and facilitation. In fact, I gained 2 professional colleagues whose conversations helped me realize that a career in Student Affairs and education was for me. As a bonus I gained a professional curiosity in understanding how service learning pedagogy helped support student learning and development. This short project set the stage for my choosing to explore service learning and teacher education as my Masters thesis topic. I often thought of Alyson and Camille as I completed my research and the great impact they had made in my life. Though our time together was short, the effects were lasting. In May 2012, I was saddened to hear of Alyson’s passing after a dignified battle with cancer. The first thing I thought of was the important impact Alyson had made on my career. Her role as a community partner in my work as a housing professional was critical to furthering my path in student affairs. As we consider the important nature of our partnerships, let us remember to always give thanks for those who help support our work. This month I say thanks to both Camille and Alyson for their lasting contributions to my success. Wishing you all the best as always, Jen Gonzales
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