​​​​​​Membership in a professional organization: 

• Records: MACRAO & AACRAO
• Financial Aid: MSFAA, MASFAA, NASFAA
• TRIO: Priorities
• Admissions: NACAC, AACRAO, MACRAO
• Many of these organizations offer conferences & learning opportunities.
• This is just a short list of all the professional organizations that exist for higher ed professionals.  Here are longer lists to browse:
  • https://www.studentaffairs.com/resources/websites/professional-associations/
  • https://www.gvsu.edu/studentaffairs/professional-associations-21.htm
• Additional Membership Opportunities:
  • The American Association of Blacks in Higher Education
  • American College Personnel Association-Michigan (ACPA-Michigan)
  • Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education
  • American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education
  • National Institute for Native Leadership in Higher Education

 

Citizens (a bank and private loan lender) offers great professional development to all staff members of the university – and not necessarily all related to financial aid:  https://citizensbank.webex.com/webappng/sites/citizensbank/webinar/webinarSeries/register/00c21b497ce9437898479b058a3e6368

 

Get involved in your community

• Become a board member of an organization in your community
  • Many trainings offered online, some are free (https://get.nonprofitready.org/board-directors-training/) and some are for purchase
• Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce
  • https://grandrapids.org/
• Grand Rapids Toastmasters
  • https://grandrapids.toastmastersclubs.org/
• Schools, local organizations, nonprofit organizations, and places of worship are all good places to look for involvement & growth opportunities