Student_Affairs_Annual_Report_2021

STUDENT AFFAIRS 14 ANNUAL REPORT Student Affairs raises $1,855.00 in Northern’s first-ever GiveNDay Student Affairs staff, alumni, and supporters participated in Northern’s first-ever, 24-hour fundraising challenge, known as GiveNDay. Professional highlights: Student Affairs team members are challenged to be life-long learners, to engage with national and regional professional associations, and to utilize institutional opportunities (committee assignments, campus and community projects) to develop their skills and abilities, grow as individuals, and better serve students. Committed to excellence and personal growth, these staff members live out this challenge. Team members promoted the event on social media and donated to two specific accounts: Student Affairs Special Projects and the Volunteer Service Clearinghouse. The Student Affairs Special Projects account is utilized to advance the Student Affairs Strategic Action Plan (2021-2025) and the professional development of Student Affairs team members. The Volunteer Service Clearinghouse is utilized to support students participating in community engagement and alternative break programs. Dean Blackburn and his wife Sarah offered to match the first $500.00 raised for either account. According to a release from the NSU Foundation, “GiveNDay reporting showed that 1,253 donors generously gave a total of more than $193,000 during this 24-hour campaign designed to unite the entire Northern community. There were 730 alumni donors, 106 employees of the NSU system, 183 parents of current students and 49 students who supported the philanthropic effort. The success of this history-making event was elevated by the many donors who funded more than $48,000 in prizes, challenges and matching gifts, which help[ed] maximize NSU supporters’ gifts and rally Wolves Nation.” “GiveNDay was our first major effort to develop private support to advance the mission of Student Affairs. I am grateful for the enthusiastic support and every dollar raised. We look forward to making more friends and reconnecting with alumni and community members,” said Dean Blackburn. Heather R. Aldentaler, Director of Counseling and Health Services, served as Interim Dean of Students from April 2020 to August 2020 and was certified as a QPR Trainer in 2021. Aldentaler serves on the Diversity Action Pillar Team, the Return-To-Campus Taskforce, and search committees for the Career Counselor, Counselor Education Professors and the Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities and Title IX Coordinator. Aldentaler created the South Dakota Board of Regents Counseling Directors professional network to increase collaborations and professional development opportunities for staff counselors across the state. Aldentaler presented Professional Identity, Internship Protocols and Expectations for Licensure for the NSU Counselor Education program; Mental Wellness for the NSU Student Athletic Council (SAC) and select classes; with Doris A. Stusiak on Student Mental Health for the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL); and Love Languages for the Brookings, SD, Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa (international honorary organization of women educators). Kelly A. Bindenagel, Staff Counselor in the Counseling Center, is currently working towards certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Bindenagel was certified this year as a QPR Trainer. She is an officer with the local Driftbusters Snowmobile Club, responsible for official correspondence, coordinating and implementing fundraisers for college scholarships and local trail maintenance, and is currently assisting in planning the state convention. Bindenagel participated in several virtual trainings this year including: Alternatives Interactive Journaling Training, Motivational Interviewing for Prevention Professionals, and Motivational Interviewing Community of Practice. Kelly maintains memberships with the Aberdeen Chapter of Pheasants Forever and the Elks Club. Sean S. Blackburn, Dean of Students, was named co-facilitator of the Strategic Action Team which is responsible for the Campus of Distinction Northern’s strategic planning effort in 2020. Blackburn chairs Northern’s Student Affairs Council and Behavior Intervention Team. Blackburn participated in Ten Skills for Agile Leadership Planning and Delivering a Strategic Doing Workshop and the 2020 ACPA/ASHE Presidential Symposium. As Dean of Students, Blackburn serves on Senior Cabinet, the South Dakota Board of Regents Student Affairs Council, and the Return-To-Campus Taskforce.