As the spring conference season continues its approach, we have received word that more HESA students and UConn staff will take part in presentation efforts of the NASPA Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. Jack Nguyen (HESA Class of 2015), Sarah Lindahl of the Student Activities Programs Office, and Angela Rola, Director of the Asian American Cultural Center, will present, "Peer Mentorship: Journey to Student Success in the Asian American Pacific Islander Community." Nguyen, Lindahl, and Rola will be presenting at the NASPA Annual Conference on Tuesday, March 24, from 11:05 - 11:55 Am in Room 209 of the Convention Center. Congratulations again!

Danielle DeWeese (Class of 2015) and Krista O'Brien (Class of 2012) recently presented at the Leadership Educators Institute (LEI) in Fort Worth, TX. The pair of past and current HESAs presented, "Building Institutional Support through the Leadership Legacy Experience." Danielle and Krista were not the only HESAs in attendance! Pictured above are seven HESAs, both current and alumni,  that attended LEI as well this past week. From left to right: Jeremy DiGorio, Danielle DeWeese, Krista O'Brien, Alicia Harley, Greg Fink, Tiago Machado, and Kevin Sella. We are always proud to see multiple "generations" of HESAs engaging in the professional conference circuit!  

  Ty McNamee (Class of 2015), continues to expand upon his professional conference experiences! After contributing to "Social Media: #DoItRight" with fellow HESA students who conducted assessment projects at the University of Glasgow, Ty will lend his talents to presentations this upcoming spring as well. Alongside Nancy Bilmes, Director of the UConn Center for Career Development, Ty will present "I Have to Write a Résumé Now?  Using the Résumé as a Career Development Resource for First Year Students" at both the ACPA 2015 Convention in Tampa, FL, and the 2015 NASPA Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA. All of us here at UConn HESA wish Ty the best of luck with his upcoming presentations!  

Garrett Schlichte (Class of 2015) attended the  NODA National Conference (NODAC) held in Orlando, FL on November 2-5, 2014. At this conference, Garrett presented "Challenging Students to Dare Greatly: Empathy in Peer Leadership." As a graduate assistant within the Division of Enrollment Planning & Management, Garrett uses his bubbly personality and eagerness to help others to support Orientation programming at UConn. As always, we are proud to acknowledge the hard work of our students. Congratulations again, Garrett!    

Every year, the UConn HESA program offers an International Experience where students can travel to partner institutions abroad to conduct research and assessment projects. The goal of this collaboration, structured through the Universitas 21 partnership that UConn belongs to, is to benefit not only the student researchers but the hosting institution as well. After spending three weeks assessing the use of social media platforms by international students at the University of Glasgow, five UConn HESA students returned to the 'States with a fresh set of data and suggestions for UGlasgow student affairs staff. After returning home, these five students applied and were accepted to present their experiences at the NASPA Region 1 conference on November 17, 2014. The group's presentation was titled, "Social Media: #DoItRight." Congratulations to Jackie Lee, Caroline Green, Eileen Rodriguez, Em Loisel, and Ty McNamee on their successful presentation!

  George Takei, an established actor, social justice activist, and social media mega-power visited UConn on the evening of November 5, 2014. Preceding his speaking engagement with students and visitors to the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, Takei sat down to dinner with various leaders within student affairs, including staff and HESA students from an array of departments and cultural centers on campus. HESA students provided guidance to student organizations involved with the event, aided in the overall planning of the evening, and acted as ambassadors of the institution during Takei's visit. The event was sponsored by the Asian American Cultural Center, Asian & Asian American Studies Institute, Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, Division of Student Affairs, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Neag School of Education, Global Affairs, UConn Alumni Association, Community Outreach, Leadership Office, Residential Life, Rainbow Center, Puerto Rican Latin American Cultural Center, Women's Center and the African American Cultural Center.

Marisa Forti, a UConn HESA graduate with the Class of 2009, is set to begin her new position at the University of New Hampshire at Manchester. As the new Director of Student Development, Marisa will regularly manage first year students and students in transition programming. Overseeing such programs as first year seminars, peer advising, student activities, social justice programming, and direct coordination of student leadership efforts, Marisa continues to utilize the skills and experiences gained from the UConn HESA program into her role as a practitioner. Furthermore, Maria's efforts in supporting academically at risk students through early alerts and academic coaching will allow her to share her experiences between areas of student affairs and academic affairs concurrently. The UConn HESA program is happy to recognize the efforts of past graduates, and we wish Marisa the best of luck in her new role!