Talking Stick - March/April 2017 - 35

involved in ACUHO-I was a pivotal
moment for her. "I had the pleasure
of serving as a faculty member for
NHTI and the South African Housing
Training Institute (SHTI). Both of
these experiences, coupled with
others, have allowed me to forge
professional relationships and develop
my knowledge, skills, and abilities as
a mid-level manager. You don't always
know what the next opportunity will
bring, so reviewing the professional
competencies or applying for one
of the many development institutes
through ACUHO-I, NASPA, or ACPA
may be just what you need to move
ahead."
Some opportunities can be
found closer to home. Darby
Roberts, director of Student Life
Studies at Texas A&M in College
Station, explains how they created
a program specifically for mid-level
managers. "We are a large division

with a number of middle managers
in different offices. A few years
back a colleague and myself found
ourselves brainstorming ideas on
how to support our middle managers
within our division. We created a
program for middle managers called
D.E.C.K. (Development, Education,
Communication, and Knowledge). The
thought was that as middle managers
'you are on deck,' referring to being
next at bat. We brought in some of
our Assistant Vice Presidents (AVPs)
to talk about changes in buildings,
facilities, and strategic initiatives,
exposing middle managers to upper
senior-level conversations. We also
had sessions on critical skills, like
managing up to director or AVP and
how to maximize communication
with senior leadership. Overall, the
program was successful and allowed
us to focus on the critical skills middle
managers need to stay engaged in

their current role or plan their next
steps."
Mid-level managers are vital to the
success of our students, programs,
and services and allow us to deliver on
the promises articulated in our shared
mission and vision. The time we spend
supporting them is an investment on
both sides. Let's continue to find ways
to move our profession forward by
moving and developing the middle. 
Shaun N. Crisler is the associate director
of the office of residence life at Syracuse
University in New York.
 scrisler@syr.edu

ACUHO-I is excited to offer its
inaugural Mid-Level Managers
Institute in Las Vegas, Nevada, April
24-27, 2017. Space is limited, so sign
up today at http://www.acuho-i.
org/educational-events/mid-levelmanager-leadership-institute.

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Talking Stick - March/April 2017

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