As a graduate student in the Student Development Administration (SDA) program here at SU, we are always encouraged to spend time on our professional development outside of the classroom. With the help of the Graduate Student Council, I was able to attend the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Conference (NASPA) in Chicago, Illinois.

At the conference I was able to connect with old and new colleagues, learn from peers across the country, attend valuable and informative sessions, and network for potential internship opportunities. I encourage everyone to seek out their professional organizations to improve their educational experience. Yes, the networking receptions can be awkward, but the relationships that you develop are extremely valuable. I spent four days at the conference and by the end of Day Two I was already recognizing faces and running into people that I had met.

Conferences can also provide unique opportunities. One of the keynote speakers this year was Dr. Condoleezza Rice, former US Secretary of State. She spoke to a room of Republicans, Democrats, Liberals, Conservatives, etc. as educators, not politicians. Whether you agreed with her or not, she touched you as a person. It was a great speech and a wonderful time in Chicago!

Brittany Wooten and Jessica Carter - College of Education

For a special occasion, I got to enjoy a night at Teatro Zin Zanni in downtown Seattle. The place, food, and entertainment were amazing! The show was classed “A License to Kiss!” Everything from the dinner/drink menus, to the servers’ outfits, to the performers was in keeping with the theme of the show. The performance is like going to dinner theater with a 5-course gourmet dinner that is served over the course of three hours. In between courses, there is an “act” in which you are either watching performers hang from the ceiling or laughing out loud at the latest joke. The overall experience was interactive and amazingly fun.

The experience will cost a pretty penny for the dinner show but there are student discounts for the brunch shows. Either way, I totally recommend building them in to your next occasion!

Brittany Wooten - College of Education