Rose Viau, 2013-2014 President

Current Position

Director of Residential Life at Northwest Missouri State University

Please provide your educational information – institution(s) attended, degree(s)/area(s) of study, year(s) attended

Bachelor’s degree in BS, Math Education from Missouri State University (1988-93).  Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Missouri State University in Springfield, MO (1996-98).

What is your favorite part of your role at your institution?

I love the collaboration we have at Northwest with other departments.  We work together to create the best possible services for our students and staff.

How did you get involved with MoCPA?

I started attending the annual conference years ago then was asked by Jackie Elliott (Jackie Elliott is a Past President, who was my supervisor at the time) to be the board Secretary and to be the Sponsorship Chair on the conference committee. 

What is your favorite MoCPA event/membership benefit?

My favorite MoCPA event is the annual conference.  I really enjoy being a part of the planning team and working behind the scenes to make this great conference happen.  At the conference I enjoy the smaller conference feel and getting to talk to people in all areas of student affairs.

What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world of education?

I wish money was no obstacle.  Many students can’t attend college because of cost.  Colleges and universities are forced to raise cost due to lack of state and federal funding and a slowing economy which means more students can no longer afford to attend.  There are also many amazing things we could do if money was no obstacle including renovating or replacing aging facilities across the nation, experiential trips, paying staff what they are actually worth and much more.

Scott Shields, 2013-2014 Past-President

Current Position

Coordinator of Residential Life Operations, Northwest Missouri State University

Please provide your educational information – institution(s) attended, degree(s)/area(s) of study, year(s) attended

*Truman State University, B.S. Psychology, Minor in Communication, 1992-1997

*Indiana University of Pennsylvania, M.A. Student Affairs in Higher Education, 1997-1999

What is your favorite part of your role at your institution?

*As operations coordinator, I get to put a lot of my hobbies to use.  Photography and information technology are two skills I have put to use helping out with our data management and improvement of web and social media.

How did you get involved with MoCPA?

* I was nominated by one of my Complex Directors to run for Public Institution Representative.  Not sure if I wanted to do this, I chatted with then MoCPA President, Dr. Jackie Elliott, about the possibility.  I was highly encouraged to run, but was offered a spot as the Technology Chair if I didn't win the position.  I won the election, but opted to take on the Technology Chair position as well.  I was able to use both positions together to help grow both positions and had a very successful first year.  With those successes, I was tapped to run for President and the rest, as they say, is history!

What is your favorite MoCPA event/membership benefit?

* Just working with the MoCPA Executive Board is immensely rewarding.  I have made contacts in different areas all around the state and can call them up for help at any time for some specialist help.  But mostly, they have opened my eyes to professional development and networking opportunities and how easy they can be to create.  These people are my colleagues and my friends.

What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world of education?

* If I could wave my magic wand, teachers would be paid a lot more and students would pay a lot less in tuition and fees.  Ah, if only the magic wand.

Abby Tribble, 2013-2014 Newsletter Coordinator

Current Position/Institution in Missouri?

Assistant Director, Residence Life / State Fair Community College – Sedalia, MO

Please provide your educational information – institution(s) attended, degree(s)/area(s) of study, year(s) attended 

State Fair Community College, 2007-2010 (Associate of Arts Degree)

Central Methodist University, 2010-2012 (Bachelor of Science, Psychology)

Arkansas Tech University, 2013-Present (Master of Science, College Student Personnel)

What is your favorite part of your role at your institution?

My favorite part about serving as Assistant Director in Residence Life are the moments that give me the opportunity to encourage students when they need a push, and then be there to celebrate their success with them when they walk across the stage in May. I also enjoy living on campus because I have the chance to engage with students in a more informal setting than any other department on campus. Though unpredictable and chaotic at times, ‘res life’ rocks!

How did you get involved with MoCPA?

I first attended the Annual Conference in 2011 and after attending again in 2012, I knew I wanted to be a part of this organization that promotes networking with our neighbors and continued education and development. As a graduate student and new professional, I am always seeking out opportunities to get more involved and MoCPA is one that I feel passionate about.

What is your favorite MoCPA event/membership benefit?

The Annual Conference each fall is an event I look forward to each year as it is a great way to kick off a new year and network with colleagues. As the Newsletter Coordinator, I also feel that the MoCPA Newsletter is a great way to keep that initial connection and provide professional development in a range of fields in student affairs.

What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world of education?

A practice that I believe in is being personable with the students I work with. This means asking questions about students’ hobbies, lifestyle, and why they chose your respected institution, but also serving as an example of how education can change a life. Working at a community college involves working with a diverse population of students, many of which come to us as first generation college students. As a first generation college student and alum of SFCC, it is important to me to be a role model for the students I work with. Our students come to us because they want to improve their life and they trust us to help them reach their educational goals. A former supervisor always reiterated to me: “Without the student there is no need for the institution”, and this is a credo we all need to adopt.

Ability Ally: Moving Toward an Inclusive Institution

By : Alisha Abbott - Allies For Inclusion: Exhibit Coordinator, Saint Louis University & Amy Brinkley - Research Assistant, Saint Louis University

The Ability Institute at Saint Louis University is pleased to announce a forthcoming initiative that promotes awareness of disability related topics.  Borne out of its parent project, Allies For Inclusion: The Ability Exhibit, The Ability Ally Project is an educational training offered to institutions that wish to create a more inclusive campus environment for people with disabilities.  

The Ability Institute’s original initiative, Allies for Inclusion: The Ability Exhibit, was created by Saint Louis University (SLU) graduate students in the Disability in Higher Education and Society course under the direction of their instructor, Karen Myers, PhD.  Evolving from a class project into a sophisticated exhibit, Allies for Inclusion: The Ability Exhibit debuted at SLU on October 27, 2010.  Since its debut, The Ability Exhibit has been displayed at numerous colleges and universities, and it received national recognition at the 2011 and 2012 ACPA College Student Educators International annual convention.

The Ability Ally Project is designed to be The Ability Exhibit “in a box”.  The specialized instruction contained within the Ability Ally training is designed to educate faculty, staff, and students on how they can be allies for disability inclusion.  Participants will learn how to create environments inclusive for students with disabilities.  The training will include a pre and post-assessment; a range of interactive activities to engage participants; and discussions about disability-related topics, including person-first language, universal design, and the disability movement.  Faculty and staff who complete the training can display an Ability Ally placard at their work space, which identifies the space as an inclusive environment for people with disabilities.  Upon completing the training, students will receive a wristband identifying them as an Ability Ally.

The Ability Ally Project will be available for purchase in January 2014. If your institution is interested in hosting The Ability Exhibit or purchasing an Ability Ally training workshop, please visit our website at www.slu.edu/theabilityexhibit.  If you have additional questions about The Ability Institute, please contact Alisha Abbott at aabbott7@slu.edu.