Professional Development Committee
The DSAES Professional Development Committee coordinates opportunities for all staff members within the Division to gain knowledge and insight on topics pertaining to trends in higher education, student development, professional growth and other topics tied to the Student Success mission. In addition, the Professional Development Committee also works to develop and coordinate the Student Affairs and Enrollment Services Awards and Recognition Program and Winter Social.
The DSAES PDC is pleased to offer the following development opportunities:

DSAES Practice - A series of activities related to the latest hot topics and current issues arising in higher education.
This semester, the PDC will offer a series of Electronic Resource Toolkits for staff members related to a variety of hot topics. Toolkit topics, links and dates of availability are listed below:
- DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)
- Social Media and Generation Z
- Supporting & Engaging Non–Traditional Students
- Who is the UH Student? - Podcast
- Student Employee Readiness: Are They Prepared? - Podcast
- Student Employee Readiness: Are They Prepared? - Toolkit
- Mental Health Awareness and Student Support - Podcast

DSAES Enrich - An ongoing series of workshops and activities to better yourself as a person and professional with experiences such as wellness and authenticity at work.

Sponsored by the Professional Development Committee, the DSAES LINK Program pairs experienced and excelling staff members with staff who are interested in developing their career and leadership skills. The program is structured to provide support, networking opportunities, and professional development training to help staff members develop their careers and to become effective contributors to the UH community.
The Professional Development Committee would like to thank you for your interest in the DSAES LINK Program. Listed below are details about the application process for the program. Should you have any questions, please contact Cassandra Joseph.
Please also listen to the Art of Mentoring: LINKed Together, a podcast discussing mentorship and the LINK program.
- Leadership: Provide a structured development program that includes workshops in which a mentee can learn more about leadership and related skills to enhance their careers.
- Insight: Provide an opportunity for mentees to learn from an experienced and excelling staff member at UH through one-on-one informal mentoring sessions, where a mentor can share information on their own career development.
- Networking: Provide networking opportunities for mentees to meet and build relationships with other staff members and leaders at the university.
- Knowledge: Develop a stronger understanding of University resources and programs available for staff.
- Provides an opportunity for mentors to help identify, support, inspire and develop staff members at the University.
- Assist staff mentees in learning more about professional competencies in higher education, organizational structure at UH, and resources for career development.
- Provide an opportunity for a mentor to develop new, collegial relationships.
Due to limited space, participation in the DSAES LINK Program is selective. Interested individuals are required to apply and pending application review, an individual may be accepted into the program.
Ideal candidates for the program display the characteristics noted below:
- Qualities sought in Mentors:
- Excellent Performance
- Professionalism
- Positive Attitude
- Willingness to share career experience and skills
- Openness to new ideas and fresh perspectives
- Qualities sought in Mentees:
- Excellent Performance
- Professionalism
- Positive Attitude
- Desire to learn more about the University
- Desire to grow professionally
- Openness to new ideas and fresh perspectives
There are a couple of important notes about participation in the DSAES LINK Program. Participation in the program does not in any way guarantee advancement, promotion, or salary increases. The program is meant to inspire and support a rewarding and evolving career at UH.
Mentees will be matched with a mentor who is not from the same unit as the mentee and is not in any type of supervisory or evaluative position over the mentee.
All mentors and mentees in the program are asked to provide information on their professional experience, strengths, areas of interest, and program expectations. Based on the information provided, the Professional Development Committee will try to match mentees with mentors who have experience in an area that the mentee would like to learn more about.
The Professional Development Committee hopes that the mentoring process is a rewarding and enriching experience for both the mentors and the mentees, and that both parties are comfortable with the match that has been provided. Upon completion of the first mentor meeting, in the event that either the mentor or the mentee do not feel comfortable with their mentor/mentee match, we will try to match the mentee with a new mentor. Participants are only allowed one mentor rematch during the program cycle.
The DSAES LINK Program will run from October - May. The program will include a variety of workshops and events.
Program Design
The DSAES LINK Program consists of both one-on-one mentoring and development opportunities. The 4 components of the program must be considered prior to committing to the DSAES LINK Program. Each of these bullets are further described below.
- Mentors and mentees are expected to meet once a month during the program and complete a professional development plan. Each month, the Professional Development committee will share a discussion prompt based on the NASPA/ACPA Professional Competencies.
- Mentees and mentors are expected to attend cohort meetings throughout the program, usually once every 4-6 weeks, where you will hear from a seasoned professional on “Hindsight 20/20: What I wish I would have known”.
- Mentees are recommended to attend at least 2 Professional Development Workshops during the program cycle hosted by the Professional Development Committee of their choosing.
- Program evaluations will be distributed at the end of the program cycle to gain feedback from mentoring participants on different aspects of the program, but feedback can be shared at any time with the Professional Development Committee.
Program participants (mentors and mentees) are required to attend a Program Orientation, only if they are selected to join DSAES LINK. In the event that individuals are not able to attend the program, they must coordinate with the Professional Development Committee to review program guidelines and materials from this session.
After pairing, all mentor pairs are expected to finalize a Professional Development Plan, which outlines the expectations for their specific mentoring relationship along with objectives to achieve during the program cycle. A Professional Development Plan template will be provided by the Professional Development Committee, and the mentoring pair can make additions to the agreement as necessary.
The primary focus of the DSAES LINK Program is to provide the opportunity for staff mentees to meet and learn more about UH from experienced and excelling staff mentors. Through one-on-one, face-to face meetings, mentors and mentees may discuss and explore areas including professional strengths, career development, and UH organizational culture.
Mentors and mentees are expected to meet once a month for the program duration, for a total of five meetings. Meeting lengths can be determined by the pair, but should be for at least 30 minutes.
Throughout the program, participants may be asked to provide feedback about the program, professional development programs, and overall program effectiveness. This will include a complete program evaluation at the conclusion of the program. All feedback provided will be kept private and will be used for informational purposes only.
The DSAES LINK program should inspire career growth and development, while not interfering or imposing upon an employee’s responsibility to their position, particularly with regards to release time. In addition to the Program Orientation, a mentee in the mentoring program can expect to devote approximately 90 minutes to two hours a month towards the program, for an estimated total of 9 hours over a five month period. Similarly, a mentor in the mentoring program can expect to devote approximately 30 minutes to one hour a month towards the program, for a total of 4-5 hours for the duration of the program.
Due to limited space, participation in the DSAES LINK is selective. Interested individuals are required to apply and after they have been through the application process, may be selected into the program. The program is open to any staff member of the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services.
To apply for the program:
- Read the DSAES LINK Program Information which details the program design and anticipated time commitment.
- Submit the Mentee Application / Mentor Application. You are encouraged to provide fully developed responses to each of the application questions. Responses for the questions will help the Professional Development Committee in identifying and matching individuals with a mentor. Please type your responses.
- Discuss Interest in Applying with Supervisor: It is important that you discuss the mentoring program with your supervisor. As part of the application process, prospective mentees are required to gain their supervisor support. It is highly suggested that this packet of information is shared with the supervisor for additional awareness.
- Submit Completed Application: Submit your completed mentee application through Get Involved.
- Committee Review: Once your completed application has been received, it will be reviewed by the selection committee. If you are determined to be a candidate for the program, the Professional Development Committee will contact you.

DSAES Sync - Receive a welcome package with digital orientation and engage in sessions to meet other colleagues and understand the culture of the University and Division. *For new DSAES Employees.
SYNC events are intended for staff within their first year of employment within the Division; invitations will be sent directly to appropriate staff members to invite them to SYNC events.

DSAES Exchange - New professionals in the field can participate in this institute to learn personal and professional development lessons from seasoned colleagues, to improve effectiveness within the first five years.

DSAES Navigate - This institute series is to help supervisors navigate university policies and responsibilities, while learning how to best support their staff by developing new management and leadership skills.

DSAES Connect - creates opportunities for staff to connect on a personal level to build relationships with others across the Division.
Membership Roster 2020 - 2021
Cassandra Joseph (Chair)- she/her/hers | Center for Fraternity & Sorority Life |
Courtney McElroy (Co-Chair)- he/him/his | Student Housing & Residential Life |
Jeremy J. Sanford (Co-Chair)- he/him/his | Admissions |
Linda Patlan- she/her/hers | Admissions |
Teeba Rose- he/him/his | Student Housing & Residential Life |
Jarell Miller- he/him/his | Student Housing & Residential Life |
George Hill- he/him/his | Student Housing & Residential Life |
Alyssa Veteto- she/her/hers | Student Housing & Residential Life |
Aaron Crowe- he/him/his | Student Housing & Residential Life |
Ja'Nelle King- she/her/hers | Center for Student Involvement |
Javier Carmona- he/him/his | Women & Gender Resource Center |
Stephanie Love- she/her/hers | Student Centers |
Kimberly Shaw- she/her/hers | Student Centers |
Beverly Garcia- she/her/hers | Student Centers |
Mary Gibson- she/her/hers | Student Health Center |
Larissa Rios Cruz- she/her/hers | Career Services |
Jessica Rubinsky- they/them/theirs | Campus Wellness |