October 13-15, 2008
Des Moines, Iowa

November 2-4, 2008

Indianapolis, IN

November 5-8, 2008

Jacksonville, FL

March 7-11, 2009

Seattle, WA

March 28-April 1, 2009

Washington, DC

April 13-17, 2009

San Diego, CA

Membership in professional associations develops and/or enhances administrative and professional skills necessary for effective student affairs practice. Professional associations provide opportunities to build networks with colleagues, gain new perspectives and insights on student affairs work and college students, engage in professional development activities, stay current with research and knowledge in the field, contribute to the health and growth of student affairs as a profession, and identify and respond to emerging issues in postsecondary education.

Scholarly associations in postsecondary education focus specifically on the generation and dissemination of research and scholarship to inform and improve educational policies and practices. The link between effective student affairs work and research is an important focus of the SDP and SAAR programs and we encourage students to join and contribute to associations such as the Association for the Study of Higher Education and the American Educational Research Association.

Most professional and scholarly associations offer journals, newsletters, drive-in workshops, on-line professional development opportunities, and annual conferences to members. We also expect students will present papers and program sessions -- alone and with faculty -- at national, regional, and state conferences as part of their professional and scholarly development and service.

Some professional associations have broad purposes and address needs and concerns of both general and specific student affairs functions. The following associations are general purpose organizations:

ACPA - American College Personnel Association

ACPA supports and fosters college student learning through the generation and dissemination of knowledge, which informs policies, practices, and programs for student affairs professionals and the higher education community. Areas of emphasis include, among many others, assessment, student development and learning, administration, counseling, multicultural affairs, student life, and professional preparation programs.

NASPA - National Association of Student Personnel Administrators

NASPA provides professional development, promotes exemplary practices, and is a leader in policy development. NASPA helps senior student affairs officers and administrators, student affairs professionals, faculty, and other educators enhance student learning and development. NASPA promotes quality and high expectations; advocates for students; encourages diversity; and excels in research and publication.

ISPA - Iowa Student Personnel Association

ISPA was founded to establish and nurture a statewide community of student personnel professionals, educators, and graduate students.

Other professional organizations to which some of our students belong include:

ASHE - Association for the Study of Higher Education

The Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) is a scholarly society dedicated to higher education as a field of study. ASHE has about 1300 members, including faculty, institutional researchers, policy analysts, graduate students, and administrators. ASHE values rigorous scholarly study of a wide range of topics relevant to higher education in the United States and in other countries, and emphasizes application of research to improvement of policies and practices. The ASHE journal, the Review of Higher Education, is a widely-respected and widely-used resource on current research about college students and postsecondary institutions.

AERA - American Educational Research Association

The American Educational Research Association is concerned with improving the educational process by encouraging scholarly inquiry related to education and by promoting the dissemination and practical application of research results. AERA is the most prominent international professional organization with the primary goal of advancing educational research and its practical application. Its more than 22,000 members are educators; administrators; directors of research, testing or evaluation in federal, state and local agencies; counselors; evaluators; graduate students; and behavioral scientists. AERA has many publications covering a broad range of topics and inquiry methods. Division J of AERA focuses on postsecondary education.

Check with your faculty advisor or look on the association web page for membership information.

Most professional organizations related to graduate work in student affairs and college student research offer membership and conference registration to full-time students at reduced rates. In addition, the College of Education, the Graduate College, and the Iowa Testing Program provide travel funds for graduate students; check with your faculty or with these entities' web sites for information about resources for students.