Talking Stick - March/April 2017 - 34

SPECIAL FOCUS
and/or budget development." Matthew
Nelson, assistant director for residence
life at the Qatar Foundation in Doha,
also emphasizes the importance of
exposing mid-level managers to new
activities and projects. "In Qatar,
student affairs is a new field. As a
mid-level manager part of my role is to
support other mid-level professionals,
whether they are nationals or
expatriates. I work behind the scenes
to develop mid-level professionals
by exposing them to high level
conversations, decisions, and the
delegation of work assignments."
As senior managers work to
create an atmosphere of support and
development for mid-level managers,
they must also ensure that the space at
the table is welcoming and inclusive.
As Lyn Redington, assistant vice
president for student life and dean of
students at the University of Iowa in
Iowa City, stresses, "Senior managers

have to work to create an environment
for middle managers where questions
can be asked and answered. This
means the environment needs to be
respectful, inclusive, and welcome to
new perspectives in the conversation.
A professional may physically be
present, but we have to create space
so that their ideas and voice can be
present too."
Professional development should
be an ongoing project for mid-level
managers, whether they choose to
ascend the career ladder or to remain
where they are. Fortunately, there
are several comprehensive resources
that can help them recognize the core
competencies required for specific
areas: Core Competencies: The Body of
Knowledge published by ACUHO-I
and Professional Competency Areas
for Student Affairs Educators jointly
published by College and Student
Educators International (ACPA)

and Student Affairs Administrators
in Higher Education (NASPA). For
some mid-level managers, finding an
immersion experience, such as the
James C. Grimm National Housing
Training Institute (NHTI), is the best
choice. Bridgeforth describes the value
of his own experience. "NHTI was one
of the most pivotal experiences that I
had in that I was in a room with people
who understood housing as a business
and a profession. NHTI faculty
helped to elevate my perspective to
that of a senior manager, by teaching
me that residence life and housing
are strategic retention components
used to support and engage students.
This was an 'ah-ha' moment for me
because the presenter said to us 'If
you are in this room, you are going
to be a CEO of a multi-million dollar
operation,' and it clicked for me. It
taught me the importance and value of
housing." Redington says that getting

89% of students say their housing
experience contributed positively
to their academic performance.
2014-2015 ACUHO-I/Benchworks Resident Assessment

Developed in partnership with ACUHO-I, Benchworks Residence Life
Assessments measure impact and provide data-backed improvements
so your housing programs can keep trending upward.
Contact Skyfactor for a personalized demo today.
skyfactor.com | Courtney.Briley@macmillan.com | (512) 222-5315

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TALKING STICK
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Talking Stick - March/April 2017

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