TSU Student Affairs Administrators Receive State, National Career and Professional Development Opportunities

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Two senior staff members of the Division of Student Affairs at Tennessee State University have been selected to participate in separate prestigious state and national programs that offer career-enhancing and professional development opportunities.

Dr. Cheryl Green

Dr. Cheryl Green, assistant vice president of Student Affairs, has been named a Maxine Smith Fellow with the Tennessee Board of Regents; while Dr. Jame’l Hodges, assistant dean of Student Life and Engagement, has been selected to participate in the Mid-Manager’s Institute at Texas Christian University this summer.

As a Maxine Smith Fellow, Green will have the opportunity to experience how decisions are made at the TBR senior administrative and governing board levels.

The fellowship, established as a TBR central office Geier initiative, is designed to provide African-American TBR employees the opportunity to participate in a working and learning environment that enhances work experience and career development. The objective is to increase the academic and professional credentials of the fellows, as well as help to increase the number of qualified applicants from underrepresented groups for senior-level administrative positions at TBR institutions.

Dr. Jame’l Hodges

For Hodges, his summer experience with the Mid-Manager’s Institute will give him and other mid-level professionals from around the nation the opportunity to develop skills, relationships and dispositions that distinguish them, as well as help them make more meaningful contributions to the programs and people they serve.

“This institute is an amazing opportunity to learn from the best in higher education,” Hodges said, upon hearing of his selection. “I am excited to learn about innovative programs, policies and procedures from those who will attend and I am equally eager to teach others about the best practices here at TSU.”

The institute is sponsored by Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, and the Southern Association for College Student Affairs.

Called the 2014 NASPA Region III/SACSA Mid-Managers Institute, the five-day (June 1-5) program will discuss topics such as navigating politics and campus climate, strategic planning, synergy between academic affairs and student affairs, and exploring professional competences and career planning.