NASPA and Qatar University partner for the 9th MENASA Conference
Supporting the Profession
February 19, 2015
Sunrise at the Burj Khalifa is an incredible site. High in the sky, looking down on the awakening city of Dubai definitely causes one to take notice. On this particular day, I am standing outside in the Burj, looking down on a sleeping city, the morning fog so thick, that it looks as if a downy blanket has been laid protectively over the land. This is a time of possibilities. As I gaze over the city, who’s building tops are just peeking through the fog, I am reflective of my time in Doha at Qatar University.
Just the day before, I was at the 9th MENASA conference, surrounded by friends and colleagues, learning about the future of student affairs in an area bursting with development and possibilities. NASPA had just announced that we are formally forming the MENASA (Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia) Area in an effort to partner with colleagues to be responsive to the professional development needs of practitioners working and living in the area. A meeting quickly followed, where anyone who was interested in applying to serve on the inaugural volunteer board could come to hear more about the opportunity and take the time to think about the possibilities.
Dr. Courtney Stryker, Wadad El Housseini, and Mai Mohamed Alaa Mo Sleem, led an incredible committee of volunteers who built the conference from the ground up. A conference of possibilities; aimed at exploring leadership from an Islamic/Middle Eastern perspective, providing space for networking and interaction with regional and international student affairs experts, and helping participants craft their personal professional development plans and career pathways. During the event, I had the opportunity to attend help facilitate the pre-conference workshop and attend conference sessions.
25 rising stars in student affairs took part in the pre-conference workshop, where a panel of seasoned professionals talked about student affairs leadership from the Islamic perspective. Stephanie Gordon, Vice President for Professional Development at NASPA led the afternoon portion of the pre-conference and encouraged participants to begin to think about the future. She challenged participants to craft an experience that is rich with personal and professional development, mentorship, and networking opportunities. The participants also had the opportunity to share best practices with each other, begin to develop a personal professional development plan, and to make connections to build a cohort to encourage each other on their journey. Lastly, Stephanie challenged them to find a professional development partner, someone who would hold the other accountable for acting on their developed plan. Participants left feeling energized and filled with purpose.
The following two days contained speakers, keynotes, galas, and cultural elements, wrapped together to create a seamless, interconnected experience for participants, the atmosphere charged with excitement for all who were in attendance at the conference. During my time at the conference, I attended one session, hosted by the three colleagues from Qatar University about social media and how the university is using to influence student success. Bisher AlHomsi, QU’s social media coordinator manages multiple university twitter accounts, and helps colleagues start and maintain their own. They do this in hopes that the students will see the university’s services as approachable and responsive to their needs. One shining example (at least for me) was the maintenance account, where a student tweeted a picture of a broken outlet and its location. The maintenance staff found the outlet, made the repair, and tweeted the student back. Talk about reaching the students where they are!
The professionalization of student affairs in the MENASA area is taking flight. Professionals working in the student services areas are passionate about the success of their possibilities and are striving to learn theoretical concepts and model that will in turn inform their practices to ensure the success and graduation of their students. The MENASA conference and newly form MENASA Area, will help in that effort. As part of the conference closing, NASPA has announced that the 10th MENASA conference will be hosted by the Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. There is a popular saying in Arabic that many use in the MENASA Area. “Insha’Allah” In-sha-Allah means “God willing” or “If God wills it”. If you visit the area, you will hear it all the time. If I am fortunate enough to go to the 2016 MENASA conference, Insha’Allah, I will see more NASPA friends and colleagues at the top of the Burj imagining the possibilities with me.