Conner: 6 universities in 7 days

Debbie Conner, vice president of campus life and student engagement, recently returned from a week of visiting six universities in the United Kingdom as part of an exchange program coordinated by the UK’s student services organization. She was joined by three other student life professionals from U.S. colleges and universities, including representatives from the University of Colorado-Denver, Newbury University in Boston, Mass., and Hampshire University in Amherst, Mass.

The team visited Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Manchester, the University of Chester, University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Mores University and Edgehill University.

Topics of discussion included: student services, housing programs, student mental health and well-being, preventative programs for self-care, career services, sexual violence response, international programs, spirituality and university chaplaincy, student unions and student involvement. “Unexpected topics included supporting students through the various terrorist events that have been happening,” said Conner.

The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators’ (NASPA) international exchange program has been in existence since the mid-1990s. The program is designed to expose administrators to global practices of student affairs and services.

AMOSSHE, the UK student services organization that informs and supports the leaders of student services in the UK, and represents, advocates for and promotes the student experience worldwide.