UTSA Team Presents at NASPA 2017

This team knows how to accomplish one of our 4 Cs – and we shared our story at the 2017 NASPA Conference!

"Collaborating To Impact Leadership Development and Career Readiness Skills in Student Employees" was presented by Victoria R. Lopez-Herrera (Campus Recreation), Nigel Harris (Campus Recreation), Ellissia Hill (Campus Living Villages), and Nikki Lee (University Center) at NASPA 2017.

The presentation was so popular it was standing room only!

Submitted by —
Nikki Lee
Senior Associate Director,
University Center, Events Management and Conference Services

Alice Teaching Elvira Dance at UTSA Student Affairs Conference

Alice DeCristoforo led a session on dancing as a way to stay physically and mentally fit. It was very well attended. Here is a quick video from the session:

Submitted by —
Joe DeCristoforo, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President,
Office of the Registrar

International Natural Day Celebrated at UTSA

The Harris Room was filled with 100 students for the first celebration of International Natural Day at UTSA this past Monday, February 13.

Sophomore Sociology major Sanah Jivani had an epiphany as she transitioned into High School. She realized that she had a long-maintained habit of self-bullying and that this habit called for a radically compassionate response of self-acceptance and self-love. That transformative discovery led her on a journey of sharing her vision of community that celebrates and fosters self-love. She established Love Your Natural Self (LYNS), "a non-profit dedicated to improving self-esteem and empowering others to be the best version of themselves" Sanah and her organization help communities around the US and internationally establish Natural Day celebrations. LYNS has supported and provided curriculum for Natural Day events in 61 middle- and high Schools, and now (with UTSA’s participation) a first university partner. Her Organization is also active in facilitating conversations about self-love that span the boarders of 28 countries.

The event is held on the day before Valentine’s Day - significant because a major premise of the organization is that we must love ourselves before we can truly love others. Student Life Partners included the Student Leadership Center and the UTSA Ambassadors. Two additional speakers contributed to a panel discussion on self-love and represented cosponsoring organizations at Monday’s event. These were Blessing Korie, President of UTSA Embrace (Embracing Your Natural Beauty) and Shenée Simon, Executive Director of the San Antonio Younger Women’s Task Force.

Submitted by —
Eliot Howard
Associate Director,
Student Leadership Development