Spelman College to host
NASAP's Mid-Year Conference and Executive Board Meeting

Embracing the Diversity Within: Critical Issues for HBCUs
and Campuses Serving Students of Color
July 18-19, 2008

Spelman College, a leading educator of African-American women and women of color in Atlanta, Georgia will host the 2008 National Association of Student Affairs Professionals (NASAP) Mid-Year Conference, July 18-19, 2008. The one-day professional conference, sponsored by NASAP and Spelman’s Division of Student Affairs, will focus on diversity issues on Historically Black College and University (HBCU) campuses and institutions serving students of color. Programs will include workshops for student affairs professionals and other campus administrators interested in diversity.

Blending theory and practice, the conference will provide strategies to foster more inclusive and respectful environments that both embrace and celebrate the various aspects of diversity on college campuses. Devoting particular attention to the uniqueness of diversity issues on HBCU campuses and within student of color populations, we will explore a range of targeted social identities including race and ethnicity, culture, gender, sexuality, disability, class, and religion.

Through the distinctive lenses of experts and professionals within Student Affairs, the conference is designed to enhance skills and interests through interactive sessions. Programs will include workshops for student affairs professionals and other campus administrators to: (a) foster team building and the sharing of knowledge (b) network with colleagues at diverse colleges with emphasis on the critical issues of diversity faced in such settings; and (c) to share a range of successful strategies currently being implemented.

Sessions will run concurrently throughout the day. The schedule for the conference is still being developed. Updates will be posted to the Spelman College Web site on a regular basis. The Web site will provide updates to the schedule; answer frequently asked questions, and offer online registration.

For additional information please contact the conference planning committee at studentaffairs@spelman.edu or by calling (404) 270-5138.

What is the National Association of Student Affairs Professionals (NASAP?

NASAP is a professional organization dedicated to promoting excellence in the area of Student Affairs. The organization serves as a beacon for student affairs personnel addressing the issues and needs of today’s college students. With a varied membership spanning across academic, administrative, corporate, and student affairs boundaries, the organization offers a variety of resources, and experiences.

The origins of NASAP can be traced back to two parent organizations: DOWA, the National Association of Deans of Women and Advisor of Girls in Colored Schools founded in 1929, and DOMA, the National Association of Dean of Men at Negro Educational Institutions founded in 1935. History was made at Howard University in 1954 when delegates of the two parent organizations gave NAPW, the Nationals Association of Personnel Workers, its founding. Today the organization is known as the National Association of Student Affairs Professionals. We invite your full participation in NASAP.

NASAP sponsors several annual programs and events that address the needs of students and the professional development needs of student affairs personnel. NASAP hosts dynamic annual and mid-year conferences, a Student Leadership Institute, and a National Summit on Greek-Letter Organizations. NASAP also is a significant resource through the publication of the critically-acclaimed NASAP Journal and the NASAP Focus Newsletter.

For more information on NASAP visit www.nasap.net.