SEAHO Report - Winter 2021 - 11

SEAHO NEWS
	
	

* Pro/Am Subcommittee Member, 2014-2015
* Regional Entry Level Institute (RELI) 2015 Cohort

Much of my committee work has been within the Graduate Issues and Involvement Committee (GIIC). I have a
sincere passion for developing and nurturing the next group of professionals within our field. In my first year of
serving on GIIC, I served on the Pro/Am subcommittee. Through our work we were able to revitalize the Pro/Am
program and rebrand. It was relaunched as the SEAHONext program to better serve our graduate students being
mentored by new, mid-, and senior-level housing professionals. After one year of serving on the committee as
a member, I was selected as the sub-committee chair for the Recognition and Partnerships committee where
I spearheaded the introduction of the SEAHO Rising Star Award. This recognition has highlighted hundreds
of graduate students across our region for their work on our college and university campuses. In 2017, I was
selected to chair the GIIC, where I continued to advocate for the graduate students of our region. In my work
as committee chair, I advocated along with fellow committee chairs to move the day of committee meetings to
increase participation and engagement, advocated for a Grad Lounge/Mentoring Room for graduate students,
continued the SEAHONext Social, increased recognition for graduate students while also increasing the social
media presence through the SEAHO GIIC Facebook page.
As the Director of Committees, my service and dedication to all committees will transcend what I gave to the
Graduate Issues and Involvement Committee. In this role, serving as the liaison to the Executive Board, I want
to continue to advocate for and with our SEAHO committees which is one of our largest areas of engagement
not just at the annual conference but throughout the year. As the housing profession evolves, I believe we must
continue to evolve our committees to align with the evolution of the development of our professionals.
As the Director of Committees, I would like to establish to following goals:
	

	
	
	
	
	
	
	

* Conduct a planning meeting with the Committee Chairs to evaluate current committee goals, create
new committee goals, and create a strategic plan for committees aligning with the SEAHO strategic
plan
* Create a bi-monthly e-blast to inform the SEAHO membership of committee projects and upcoming
meetings
*D
 evelop a standardized structure for committee meetings to ensure all committee work is equitable
and accessible for all SEAHO members
* Engage and retain committee membership from all career levels through meetings, events, and
professional development opportunities
* Solicit committee member testimonials for marketing committees to throughout the year
* Continue monthly conference calls with chairs to share ideas and accountability
* I ncrease marketing and online presence for committee events and initiatives to keep general
membership better informed of committee progress and work
* Encourage Executive Committee & Committee chairs to post messages on the SEAHO Social media
pages

I have witnessed the continued growth of SEAHO and have admired how this organization pours
into its members. I am ready to continue giving back to the organization that has given me so
much over the years. I am truly honored to be a candidate for the Director of Committees
position and thank you for your consideration.

Michael Jones
Vanderbilt University
Greetings SEAHO Family:
It is with profound honor and great excitement to accept the nomination for
the Director of Committees role for our professional organization.  Joining
this incredible candidate slate is nothing short of a testament:  to my belief in
what SEAHO can accomplish for its members and to the countless individuals
who reached out and took a chance on me.  Meaningful and purposeful
engagement within our organization is an essential component for enhancing
one's professional development, contribute to the educational exchange across
our institutions, and providing space to elevate our collective work make our
organization function at its best.  It is with this energy and drive that I hope to

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SEAHO Report - Winter 2021

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