Spring Break
Candidate for admin. visits university
Vice-chancellor applicant offers ideas on campus
Jacob McCormick
Issue date: 5/1/08 Section: News
On Tuesday, the first of four candidates for the position of vice chancellor and dean of students visited the university to answer the question "How can the Student Affairs Division support student learning and the UW-Eau Claire Strategic Plan?"
Beth Hellwig, dean of student services at Gonzaga University (Wash.), offered many suggestions as to how university administration and faculty can branch out and work together to move the campus community forward.
"When people come together, they create so much more with a collaborative model in place," Hellwig said. "It provides an excellent opportunity for students' university experience in and out of the classroom … you learn so much more that way."
After reading through Eau Claire's strategic plan, Hellwig said she was very impressed with it and believes combining students and faculty together will create a better experience for everyone involved.
"At universities, there is often a silo impact, where faculty are on one side of the campus and students are on the other," she said. "(Faculty) should be servant leaders, where they find ways to be a leader and follower for students."
To continue building a connection between student and academic affairs, Hellwig offered the idea of attending sporting events as a residence hall, also a way to help support and raise school spirit toward athletic events.
"I want to see a residence hall night, where they go to a game and maybe compete against each other to see who can bring the most people," she said. "Going to a sporting event as a large group builds a sense of know each other."
Hellwig also said Student Affairs is usually so busy with day-to-day jobs and activities that it has little time for research. She added in order to continue growing and expanding, money always comes into play, and research can help bring in those needed finances.
"In my mind, great (student affairs) programs can do both," she said. "When looking at finding finances, you need to identify research so people know your program is working."
Hellwig also touched on her feelings towards keeping students engaged and involved in university activities and events.
"You can't just recruit students, you need to retain them," she said before explaining how a good student center is the "living room" of a university. "(Student centers) play a huge role in recruiting and it's critical to keep it beautiful so students feel a sense of pride towards their education."
Junior Dylan Jambrek asked a few questions and was satisfied with what Hellwig had to say.
"She presents a good paradigm of the problems between students and faculty connections," he said. "I really like her ideas on bridging that gap."
Because she has been involved in student affairs at universities ever since she was a student herself, Hellwig said she is dedicated to it and is up for any challenge.
"It's my passion to work with college students," she said. "I hope when I come into work students feel challenges but inclusive."
Beth Hellwig, dean of student services at Gonzaga University (Wash.), offered many suggestions as to how university administration and faculty can branch out and work together to move the campus community forward.
"When people come together, they create so much more with a collaborative model in place," Hellwig said. "It provides an excellent opportunity for students' university experience in and out of the classroom … you learn so much more that way."
After reading through Eau Claire's strategic plan, Hellwig said she was very impressed with it and believes combining students and faculty together will create a better experience for everyone involved.
"At universities, there is often a silo impact, where faculty are on one side of the campus and students are on the other," she said. "(Faculty) should be servant leaders, where they find ways to be a leader and follower for students."
To continue building a connection between student and academic affairs, Hellwig offered the idea of attending sporting events as a residence hall, also a way to help support and raise school spirit toward athletic events.
"I want to see a residence hall night, where they go to a game and maybe compete against each other to see who can bring the most people," she said. "Going to a sporting event as a large group builds a sense of know each other."
Hellwig also said Student Affairs is usually so busy with day-to-day jobs and activities that it has little time for research. She added in order to continue growing and expanding, money always comes into play, and research can help bring in those needed finances.
"In my mind, great (student affairs) programs can do both," she said. "When looking at finding finances, you need to identify research so people know your program is working."
Hellwig also touched on her feelings towards keeping students engaged and involved in university activities and events.
"You can't just recruit students, you need to retain them," she said before explaining how a good student center is the "living room" of a university. "(Student centers) play a huge role in recruiting and it's critical to keep it beautiful so students feel a sense of pride towards their education."
Junior Dylan Jambrek asked a few questions and was satisfied with what Hellwig had to say.
"She presents a good paradigm of the problems between students and faculty connections," he said. "I really like her ideas on bridging that gap."
Because she has been involved in student affairs at universities ever since she was a student herself, Hellwig said she is dedicated to it and is up for any challenge.
"It's my passion to work with college students," she said. "I hope when I come into work students feel challenges but inclusive."
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