On Monday, September 23, the University of Miami’s Division of Student Affairs and Alumni Engagement had the honor of hosting Kevin Kruger, former President of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), in the Shalala Student Center Ballroom. With over 40 years of experience in higher education, Kruger delivered a profound reflection on the evolving challenges and opportunities within student affairs and higher education leadership.
Attendees included staff from Student Affairs, Alumni Engagement, Center for Student Navigation and Success, Human Resources, Strategy and Transformation, and Auxiliary Services.
Kruger’s presentation provided a comprehensive look back at his extensive career, focusing on the significant evolutions he has witnessed within the field. He underscored the need for continued support of low-income and first-generation students, emphasizing the importance of meeting their needs at every stage of their educational journey. He also identified mental health and well-being of students as institutional priorities.
Pat Whitely, senior vice president for student affairs and alumni engagement, who has served the University of Miami for over 40 years, invited Kruger to speak. Whitely, a national leader in student affairs, recently co-chaired the search for the next NASPA president and has been recognized for her extensive contributions to higher education. Reflecting on the event, she remarked, “Kruger’s presentation was thought-provoking and filled with invaluable insights and data, providing our teams with strategies to elevate their work and further support for student success.”
Kruger also addressed pressing campus issues, including the need for innovation to address belonging and well-being across diverse student populations and navigating financial constraints. His analysis offered a roadmap for collaboration between student affairs professionals and academic staff to tackle these critical challenges effectively.
Addressing the pressing issues on university campuses, Kruger called for continued innovation to tackle challenges such as belonging and mental health, finding commonalities across diverse student populations, and navigating fiscal constraints. His insights offered a valuable perspective on how student affairs professionals and academic staff can collaborate to address these critical issues and support student success.
This event reinforced the importance of professional development for university staff as the institution continues to prioritize student success. Kruger’s insights will inspire ongoing efforts to enhance the support provided to students, ensuring their continued growth and achievement within the University of Miami community.
