#thankyou

“Encourage, lift and strengthen one another.

For the positive energy spread to one will be felt by us all.

For we are connected, one and all.” 

― Deborah Day

Three years ago, we had the opportunity to engage and give back to an initiative and community that we had long-admired and found support within.  After being shoulder-tapped to apply for the opportunity to participate on the newly-developing Women in Student Affairs Knowledge Community Social Media Team, we took a leap, applied, and happily accepted the opportunity to help support women across the country. 

 Since its inception in 2011, the WISA Social Media team has come a long way, and has made meaningful strides in finding new and unique ways to support women both online and “IRL”. In 2013, after seeing the influence of the social media team, we wrote a piece for NASPA’s Annual KC publication and focused on the impact of social media on women’s professional development and advancement in the field.

“These platforms offer women a reprieve from the norms because they are empowered to design their own communities that highlight their own voices and the voices of other women.  Interactions on social media, including affirmations and supportive conversations, typically occur within the confines of the platform away from the pressures that may be experienced at a home institution.  These networking communities provide a safe haven for exploration, to step beyond one’s own comfort zone, while concurrently working to support and affirm others.”

 Over time, it became increasingly evident to us that the work we were supporting spanned far beyond social media.  Each of these platforms offered women a unique opportunity to build support networks they otherwise may have been lacking.  

“It may be difficult for individuals who identify as introverts to engage in a room full of people they don’t know; the anxiety of doing such can disappear when communicating online [...] For the extroverts of the world, social media can mirror a need to gain energy from socializing and connecting with people.  Social Media also has an uncanny ability to take down political and positional barriers within and across institutions.  An important relationship for the advancement of women is a connection to women in senior leadership positions.  In the political climate of a traditional university setting, it may be difficult to build relationships with senior level administrators. Junior level staff often have little access to deans, vice presidents, provosts, and presidents.  Generally, those in higher level positions who engage on social media want to connect and converse.  As such, it is easy to surround oneself with circles of connections at every level and from every corner of the globe, developing relationships with mentors, sponsors, and advocates.”

In summary, this work matters.  In a tradition started more than three years ago, we continue to hear from professionals at all levels about their professional and personal journeys of holistic development. Our community has THRIVED because of those who have engaged and contributed.  With these contributions, we have moved the dialogue forward.  We truly believe that this work will help the next generation of women start in a better place, rather than starting anew. So thank you to our bloggers, writers, tweeters, pinners, and readers.  Without your honesty, brave, and transparent thoughts and discussion, none of this would be possible.   

Some of the team’s proudest accomplishments over the past few years include:

●      Monthly #WISAChat sessions, spearheaded by our fantastic Twitter Team

●      WISA Tweet Ups at the 2013, 2014, and 2015 NASPA annual conferences (where, remarkably, we both met for the first time after working together for over a year!)

●      The development of our Instagram account, surely to be a highlight at this year’s Annual Conference

●      The launch and continued development of our Pinterest account

●      The publication of an article for the KC Publication: Building & Sustaining Relationships Founded through Social Media

●      A well-received and very well-attended presentation at the 2013 NASPA Annual Conference on the influence of social media on women in the field of Student Affairs (again, women are interested, this work matters!)

We are forever grateful to the outgoing WISA KC Co-Chairs, Ann Marie Klotz and Julie Payne-Kirchmeier for their leadership, support, and for allowing us the opportunity to help uplift and support other women across the country. Thank you for believing in us, empowering us, and teaching us how to pay it forward.

 We would like to take a moment to celebrate members of the WISA Social Media Leadership Team past and present, as without their brainstorming, drive, and initiative, it would have been much harder to engage our community as successfully as we have.

Paige Abe
Shanoya Conner
Jenna Day
Lizzie Dement
Renee Dowdy
Grace Hahn
Sarah Hoffarth
Amy Jorgensen
Claudine Meilink
Shelly Morris Mumma
Niki Rudolph
Kelley Stier
Kristyn Tomlinson
Roxie Tucker
Megan Wyett 

On a personal note, we’re greatly appreciative of the support of our families, especially our partners, Evan Heiser and Evan Robertson.  (You read that right!).  You’ve enthusiastically supported us through our hours of G+ hangouts, writing, and conference attendance and even contributed the occasional idea!

And finally, it is with great pleasure that we introduce the incoming co-chairs of the WISA Social Media team, Grace Hahn (University of Kentucky) and Lizzie Dement (Stetson University).  Grace and Lizzie have been at the forefront of several initiatives, including our monthly #WISAChat, our newly created Instagram account, as well as the WISA Tweet Up coming up at the Annual Conference.  They are both strong, enthusiastic, and creative leaders and will successfully lead the team in new and exciting directions.  Grace and Lizzie will both be at the Annual Conference and are anxious to get to know you!  With their leadership, we can’t wait to see how the platforms grow, change, and respond to the needs of women in the field. We are also thrilled to see the new ways in which you will engage and contribute in the coming years. 

Again, thank you for this memorable and transformative experience. Lizzie and Grace, embrace the journey you are embarking on and enjoy the ride!

With sincere gratitude and fondness,

Melissa Robertson and Ciji Heiser