On May 8th,
representatives from Pacific Life Bible College, Trinity Western University,
and Summit Pacific Bible College assembled at Columbia Bible College in
Abbotsford for an opportunity to network and share a meal. The last formal
CACSD BC Regional meeting had occurred 13 years ago! After introductions,
representatives shared both their joys and challenges of the academic year. We
also explored opportunities to gather during the academic year, along with our
student leaders, for further networking and training. No plans were made
other than a commitment to have a similar meeting of representatives in May of
2020. Overall there was a strong sense of collegiality and an appreciation for
the ministry of each institution. In addition, a mutual
level of trust was established, knowing we will
be able to call each other throughout the year if needing advice or
encouragement. Kathleen Doll did an excellent job in providing an
overview of the benefits of CACSD membership and encouraged the representatives
to attend the annual conference.
Cathryn M. Heslep – Ombudsperson – MacEwan University – Edmonton
Cathryn M. Heslep (B.A., M.A., Ed.D. (candidate) is currently the Student Ombudsperson at MacEwan University. She retired from the position of the Vice President, Student Services in April 2015, a position she held since 2002. In that position, Cathryn provided overall leadership and strategic direction for a team of Student Services professionals who delivered a range of services and activities for students from prospective/inquiring to alumni. Included within the Student Services portfolio was the Office of the University Registrar, Student Life, MacEwan Athletics, Student Residence, Alumni Relations and Services, MacEwan Centre for Sport and Wellness, on campus medical clinic, and administrative liaison with the Students’ Association of MacEwan University (SAMU).
Cathryn has
worked in higher education at several postsecondary institutions totalling over
thirty years. She was appointed Registrar at MacEwan (then Community College)
in 1989, and Vice-President in 2002. Her research interests include the impact
of multiple generations in the classroom, student success, and legal issues in
higher education.
She completed a Master of Arts in Leadership at Royal Roads
University in 2003 and pursued doctoral studies in Higher Education
Administration at the University of Calgary. Providing leadership external to MacEwan
University, Cathryn chaired the provincial Senior Student Services Officers
committee for several years, participated on the Pan-Canadian Student
Engagement Survey Advisory team (ACCC) and was a member of the initial
management committee for two provincial initiatives – eCampusAlberta, and
ApplyAlberta.
Cathryn initiated and developed MacEwan University’s first Office
of the Student Ombudsperson in May 2016. The Student Ombudsperson is an
independent, impartial, confidential and accessible resource for students who
will, in a fair and impartial manner, assist students in understanding and
clarifying policies, processes and decisions that affect their enrolment. It is
a student-friendly resource to resolve conflict informally. She holds
membership in the International Ombudsman Association, Association of Canadian
College and University Ombudspersons and the Alberta Network of Ombuds in
Higher Education.
Personally, she has served the community as board member of an after-school care program, and The Alberta Baroque Music Society. Currently, she is on the board of Canadian Mennonite University (Winnipeg), her church (Lendrum Mennonite Church) and Te Deum Singers. Cathryn enjoys watching the MacEwan Griffins compete, reading, travel, classical, choral and jazz music, and golf.
Dr. Vern Peters – Adjunct Professor of Biology The King’s University – Edmonton
Vern graduated with a BSc from the University of Manitoba in 1995 and a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta in 2003. His main research interests include fire ecology, tree reproduction, interactions between seed predators, and conifers. Currently, he is studying prescribed fire as a management tool for restoring populations of the endangered limber and whitebark pine in parks. He also uses community-based restoration approaches to engage the public in conservation practice; this work is supported by greenhouse and field-based germination and survivorship experiments he conducts with students. Additionally, Vern serves as a faculty member at the Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies in Michigan, USA, and is an adjunct professor at the University of Alberta.
Dr. Melanie Humphreys – President – The King’s University – Edmonton
Dr.
Melanie Humphreys is in her sixth year as President and CEO of The King’s
University. Dr. Humphreys has been a
catalyst for change. Under her leadership, the University has achieved the
founding of the Leder School of Business, an institutional name change, and the
creation of Shared Vision 2020, a strategic plan with the vision of
becoming widely known as a Christian university serving to build a more humane,
just, and sustainable world.
A
Canadian, Dr. Humphreys spent much of her professional career prior to her
current role outside of Canada. Dr. Humphreys began her career in higher
education as a Residence Director at Trinity Western University. She served ten
years as Vice President of Student Life and Dean of Students at LCC
International University, a liberal arts university in Lithuania, Eastern
Europe. She served four years as Dean of Student Care & Services and
adjunct faculty member at Wheaton College in Illinois. Dr. Humphreys holds a
PhD in higher education from Azusa Pacific University in California and her
undergraduate and master’s degrees from Trinity Western University in British
Columbia. While completing her doctorate, she taught in Azusa Pacific’s Masters
of Global Leadership program teaching in Brazil, Chile, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan,
Lithuania, Mexico, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Dr.
Humphreys is a member of the Council of Post-Secondary Presidents of Alberta,
serves on the Education Committee and Women’s Leadership Advisory Committee to
Universities Canada, and is a Trustee for Los Angeles Pacific University.
The
King’s University is a Christian liberal arts and sciences university providing
top-quality learning experiences for students. King’s receives top rankings and
national recognition for student-faculty engagement, our supportive campus, and
the quality of teaching. Excellence in teaching and research are core to who
King’s is as an institution. All programs are fully accredited by the government
of Alberta.
Think of a tree with a well-developed root system, planted in good soil. Student Life Departments are like trees, complex and alive. We are rooted in the soil of theories and theology as well as history and humanity. At our conference this spring, we will consider the roots that nourish us while we also share about the winds and weather that challenge our health.
During the
conference this year, we are focusing on the health of the systems (the soil)
that we exist in at our institutions. We hope to provide opportunities to
learn about student development theories and experiences that support
professional programs and personnel in our pursuit to build strong foundations
for our programs and students.
We are excited to offer 3 fantastic plenary speakers from the Canadian
higher education scene this year to help us think through the Rooted In theme.
Pre-Conference Workshops –
Monday, June 3 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
More information regarding these workshops will be located on the CACSD
website. Registration is available in the form for the conference.
Join
Dr. Vern Peters on a walking lecture through the beautiful sanctuary of
Elk Island National Park as he teaches us more about how trees are “rooted
in” to their ecosystems so we can consider how we are rooted in to ours.
More info on Elk Island National Park: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/elkisland
Senior
Administrators Roundtable – facilitated by Dr. Michael Ferber, VP Student
Life, Dean of Students, The King’s University. All Senior
Administrations are invited to come to a roundtable discussion. This
is a valuable time to discuss the challenges and joys of Senior
Administration, best practices for departments, and creating vision for
your team.
Think of a tree with a well-developed root system, planted in good soil. Student Life Departments are like trees, complex and alive. We are rooted in the soil of theories and theology as well as history and humanity. At our conference this summer, we will consider the roots that nourish us while we also share about the winds and weather that challenge our health.
If you have any questions or require further clarification as you develop your proposal, please contact: Sandra Loeppky at sloeppky@cmu.ca
Call for CACSD 2019
Workshop Proposals – June
3-6, 2019
Conference Theme:
Rooted In
Think of a tree with a well-developed root system, planted in good soil. Student Life Departments are like trees, complex and alive. We are rooted in the soil of theories and theology as well as history and humanity. At our conference this spring, we will consider the roots that nourish us while we also share about the winds and weather that challenge our health.
During the conference this year, we are
focusing on the health of the systems (the soil) that we exist in at our
institutions. We hope to provide opportunities to learn about student
development theories and experiences that support professional programs and
personnel in our pursuit to build strong foundations for our programs and
students. We invite new and experienced student development professionals,
professors, and other interested speakers to submit workshop proposals. Please
note that a workshop can take many forms; be it presentation of content or
facilitation of process, all are welcome.
Canadian Association for Christians in Student Development 