Middle East, North Africa, South Asia (MENASA)

As a designated NASPA Division, the Global Division guides NASPA’s engagement and support for student affairs professionals around the world through collaboration, research, innovation, and professional development.

The Division fosters collaboration and increases communication across the Association, with similarly aligned organizations, external constituents, and global partners.  More specifically, the Division keeps diverse global higher education issues, and professional development in the foreground of the Association, using the NASPA Strategic Plan as a guideline. This includes but is not limited to:

●  Advising the NASPA Board of Directors on setting (charting) strategic direction. The Division will advise the NASPA Board of Directors on charting the strategic direction for international initiatives in NASPA. The Division will coordinate efforts among all global programs and services of the Association, and foster collaboration and increase communication across the organization, with sister associations, external constituents, and global partners. 

●  Cultivating and implementing opportunities for engagement, student support, membership, and professional development of Student Affairs and Student Services professionals around the world. The Division will create and implement programs and processes that engage and support NASPA members globally. The Division will lead research and innovation in global initiatives, creating and deploying resources for NASPA members, areas, and regions.  

●  Developing community and fostering a collaborative spirit among NASPA’s diverse regions. The Division will routinely engage in discourse on global issues, serve as a resource for global student affairs issues, and work collaboratively to best support and give voice to NASPA colleagues  worldwide. 

●  Creating partnerships and strategic alliances. The Division will be proactive in creating partnerships with other associations and organizations worldwide to build strategic alliances and increase efforts to collaborate on global issues in higher education.   

NASPA Areas and Regions are run and supported entirely by the continued hard work and contributions of our volunteers. The MENASA Area offers numerous volunteer leadership positions and opportunities for our members to become involved.

Country Representatives

MENASA is currently seeking nominations for country representatives to serve on the MENASA Advisory Board. Through their service Country Representatives ensure that regional and country contexts are taken into account and represent the interests of student affairs professionals in their country.

How to Get Involved…

The MENASA NASPA Advisory Board is seeking talented and dedicated professionals to serve as in country representatives for each of the countries represented in the Area. Positions are typically for a two-year term.

If you are interested in a Board position, or can recommend an area professional who is willing to serve please contact the MENASA Area Director (see contact details on Advisory Board page).

Current or Anticipated* Openings

Please note All Board members must have and maintain membership in NASPA. MENASA Area Board Application

The Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) Area compiled the following list of resources; however, inclusion on this list does not represent an endorsement of the information, site, or organization by NASPA and any of its entities. 

العروض الويبينار (Webinar Presentations)

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2017

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2020

2021

OVERVIEW

The MENASA NASPA mentor program has been developed upon the feedback of area professionals to provide a guided mentoring partnership for full-time professionals. Opportunities for mid-level professionals (4-8 years) may also exist as available. Participants will engage through online webinars, mentorship from a mid-level or senior level experienced Student Affairs professional, and a session at the Annual MENASA NASPA regional conference.  The majority of mentoring will be via online or distance communication methods (video chat, social media, email, and/or telephone) to overcome issues presented by distance/remote locations, or a lack of accessible local professional peers. 

Mentoring is a valuable component for professional growth as it partners less experienced individuals with a more experienced peer who is knowledgeable and interested in developing the skills, capability and confidence of emerging student services professionals.  Further, the mentoring process can increase personal effectiveness, explore career development, skill attainment, gain field specific insights and guidance. 

Mentors will have at least 5 years of experiences in student affairs and services and Mentees will be new to student affairs and services and have under 5 years of experience:

Specific goals for the MENASA NASPA Mentor Program are to:

• Provide participants with professional growth opportunities, within a regional perspective, that support field specific knowledge, career development, and the attainment of professional qualities.
• Partner mentees with mid or senior level student affairs/services professionals who have significant experience and demonstrated a professional commitment to the field of student affairs/services.
• Promote professional development through mentorship activities which promote personal goal setting, self-reflection, and gaining knowledge of the profession.
• Provide opportunities for new professionals to network within the region with peers.

Topics for exploration in the program may include transitioning, networking, career advancement, developing leadership attributes, accountability, skill attainment, navigating campus politics, supervising personnel, and others.

PROGRAM LOGISTICS

This program will enhance your understanding of issues in our global workplace and is a means for knowledge sharing and skill development by connecting emerging practitioners with established student affairs/services leaders across the MENASA Area.

To accomplish the above the program will operate based on the following:

• The program will operate from October through April, with applications for both Mentees and Mentors accepted October to Mid-November (see below for application details).
• Participants must be available to interact twice a month (minimum of once a month) for the specified period, and work towards a mutual agreeable time, frequency, and method for interactions.  Interactions ideally would be once a month via video/audio exchange and once a month via e-mail or other written correspondence.
• Participants must identify goals for each pairing and a means for achieving each goal.
• Participants must maintain regular contact with their paired professional, and with the program administrators. 

Applications for the program will be accepted from September 20 – October 26, 2020.   Applications for both mentee and mentor roles are available below.  Please note that every effort will be made to accommodate all applicants and requests, however there may be a limited number of spaces based on registration. If you have any questions, on being part of this please email the MENASA NASPA Professional Development Coordinator at [email protected].

• For more details and to apply to be a MENTOR: Apply to be a MENTOR
• For more details and to apply to be a MENTEE: Apply to be a MENTEE