Student Affairs Vice President to Chair NASPA Symposium for Future Leaders
January 19, 2016
Contact: University Relations
Phone: 410.837.5739
Shelia Higgs Burkhalter, vice president for Student Affairs at the University of Baltimore, has been selected as chair of the 2016 National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Alice Manicur Symposium for Women Aspiring to Become VPSAs. The symposium will be held Jan. 21-24 in San Antonio, Texas.
The Alice Manicur Symposium is specifically designed for women at the middle management level considering a move to become vice presidents of student affairs or chief student affairs officer. Sponsored by NASPA's Center for Women, the symposium presents an engaging and supportive environment for women to learn and reflect on their personal goals and aspirations.
"When I attended the Manicur Symposium in 2008, I could never have anticipated landing my first chief student affairs officer role at UB two years later," Burkhalter said. "The symposium opened my understanding of the CSAO role, exposed me to critical knowledge and skills needed to be successful, and helped to me to cultivate mentoring relationships which continue to influence me daily. I am thrilled and humbled to chair this experience, and to partner with a seasoned group of female vice presidents in the critical student affairs role to create a life changing experience for women from around the nation."
The Manicur Symposium is an application-based conference offered every two years and allows time for in-depth discussions and small, faculty-led mentor group sessions. Additionally, participants meet one-on-one with experienced vice presidents of student affairs faculty members as well as participate in content sessions on topics such as strategic thinking, leading change, planning for career advancement, and work-life balance.
"Shelia Burkhalter has been an inspiration to many women in the student affairs profession, and it was only fitting that she was selected to be the Manicur Symposium chair," said Stephanie Gordon, vice president for professional development at NASPA. "Her leadership for the symposium will provide a new set of women who are aspiring to be vice presidents with the knowledge and confidence to take the next step in their career."
Burkhalter attended the Symposium in 2008 and was one of the "faces" of the institute in 2014, where her story and symposium experience were shared as part of marketing for the event. She was appointed director of the 2016 Manicur Symposium last year.
The University of Baltimore is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the College of Public Affairs, the Merrick School of Business, the UB School of Law and the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences.