Join the LKC in Five Simple Steps

NASPA Knowledge Communities (KCs) provide an opportunity for NASPA members to access information and resources in a specific subject matter that pertains to the student affairs profession and come together through common interests in ways that support the NASPA mission, vision, and goals. Knowledge Communities create and share knowledge through the delivery of educational research, programs, and products; through the use of technology; and by way of face-to-face meetings, workshops, and/or conferences. Knowledge Communities provide an entry point to the association for graduate students and new professionals, and offer a structured organization for new and continuing members to confirm their commitment to and passion for the profession through their common interests.

Knowledge Communities build credibility through activity, consistency, and the quality of knowledge generated. It is important to note that the concept of Knowledge Communities is more than information and dissemination thereof: Knowledge Communities are about gathering and generating information in a specific interest area; discussing the information; looking for examples of practicing the information; and critiquing, evaluating, and making some judgment about the worthiness of findings before disseminating findings as knowledge.

Participation in Knowledge Communities is open to any NASPA member. Find out about any of the 25 NASPA Knowledge Communities by following the this link: http://www.naspa.org/kc/default.cfm

To join any of the 25 KCs, simply follow these steps.

Step 1: Visit the NASPA website at http://www.naspa.org/.  Enter your Username and Password.

Step 2: Click on “Update Profile”

Step 3: Click on the “Edit Information”

Step 4: Scroll Down to KC Section

Step 5: Highlight all KCs you want to join, such as the Latino/a Knowledge Community. Click “Save”.

List of the 25 NASPA Knowledge Communities
Adult Learners and Students with Children
African American
Alcohol and Other Drug
Asian Pacific Islanders
Assessment, Evaluation, and Research
Campus Safety
Disability
Fraternity & Sorority
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Issues
Health in Higher Education
Indigenous Peoples
International Education
Latino/a
Men and Masculinities
MultiRacial
New Professionals & Graduate Students
Parent and Family Relations
Spirituality and Religion in Higher Education
Student Affairs Development and External Relations
Student Affairs Partnering With Academic Affairs
Student Leadership Programs
Sustainability
Technology
Veterans
Women in Student Affairs

Opportunity to Take Action on the DREAM Act

Below is a message emailed to all NASPA members that we'd like to share with our LKC members:

If you attended the 2012 NASPA Annual Conference, you may have seen NASPA's petition calling for the passage of the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act.
While we know not all members support the DREAM Act for various reasons, as an important piece of legislation that NASPA has long supported, we wanted to provide education on the issue and a way for members to participate in advocacy. This bipartisan bill would create a pathway to permanent residency* for undocumented young adults who were brought to the United States as children if they pursue higher education or military service.

In the first two days of the conference, volunteers gathered more than 400 signatures. Now, we need your help to get more support for passing the DREAM Act. Here's what you can do:
If you haven't already, sign the petition.

Post the petition link online through Facebook, Twitter, etc., encouraging your friends, colleagues, fans, and followers to support the DREAM Act.

Forward this blog entry to other student affairs colleagues on your campus.

Contact your Senators and Representative to express your support for the DREAM Act.

With the 2012 election shaping up, it is important for us to make sure all Presidential candidates know how important the DREAM Act is to higher education access and equity. Throughout the month of April, NASPA members and leaders will be engaging their campuses and communities to educate on the importance of the DREAM Act and gain support for its passage. For more information on the DREAM Act, reasons for NASPA's support, and links to other resources, please visit http://www.naspa.org/divctr/pp/dream.cfm.

Sincerely,
Kevin KrugerPresident
Rebecca MillsChair, NASPA Public Policy Division

*The legislation would provide conditional permanent residency to certain undocumented students who graduate from U.S. high schools, arrived in the United States as minors, and lived in the country continuously for at least five years prior to the bill's enactment. If they complete two years in the military or two years at a four-year institution of higher learning, they would obtain temporary residency for a six-year period. Within the six-year period, they may qualify for permanent residency if they have "acquired a degree from an institution of higher education in the United States or has completed at least two years, in good standing, in a program for a bachelor's degree or higher degree in the United States."

National Immigration Law Center's Five Things You Should Know About the DREAM Act:
The DREAM Act rewards success by providing relief to a limited number of immigrants.
The DREAM Act helps high-achieving immigrant youth that came to the United States as small children.
The DREAM Act provides for a rigorous application process for deserving youth and does not provide safe harbor or amnesty for criminals.
The DREAM Act would not change current law regarding in-state tuition. The DREAM Act is a much-needed bill that rewards success and encourages economic productivity.

$1 Trillion in Buying Power

In an image posted on latinobrandingpower.com the influence and impact of the Latino community was seen in terms of numbers...what do you think? What does this mean for the Latino community? What does this mean to student affairs practioners?