Master's students are able to pursue supplementary summer internships through the Association of College and University Housing Officers - International (ACUHO-I) and the National Orientation Directors Association (NODA) focusing on residential life and orientation respectively. Institutions across the country share positions to each organization's portal where candidates are able to apply and interview for internships. 

Marie Castro interned for Temple University’s New Student and Family Programs through NODA, where she was able to focus on offering support for BIPOC students throughout the summer, connecting to her work in diversity, equity, and inclusion at Fordham. Marie encourages all who are interested in NODA internships to seek support from their current institutions, peers, and colleagues, and to start looking at postings as soon as possible!

Tsering Chophel recently completed a summer internship at Towson University through NODA. She found her work in orientation to be refreshing; she loved working with the Orientation Leaders and found the new students’ excitement contagious. Tsering says she left Towson with a greater appreciation for the work student leaders do. She encourages future NODA applicants to be open-minded while applying and to do their best to showcase their skills, experiences, and perspectives throughout the application and interview process.

Aliya Syed completed an internship through the Association of College and University Housing Officers - International (ACUHO-I) at Harvard University where she served as a proctor in their pre-college program. Aliya’s ACUHO-I internship demonstrated the commonality of student affairs positions—practitioners at all sorts of institutions are facing similar challenges and must work together to solve problems creatively. She advises others to continue to aim high and to take charge of their individual growth and development as practitioners.

For more information on available internships and application timelines, visit acuho-i.org and nodaweb.org.

Master’s student David Morales works as a college advisor in the College Advising Corps (CAC). David loves interacting one-on-one with students, getting to know their personalities, and learning about their individual stories.
CAC members advise their students on the college admission and application process as well as other post-secondary plans. One of David’s biggest worries last year was the uncertainty his students were facing. Like most of higher education, the CAC transitioned to virtual appointments and advising. While a number of the 2021 student cohort did ultimately attend colleges outside New York City, the vast majority of students chose institutions closer to home. This year’s cohort seems more optimistic and David is excited to continue working with them in-person as they apply and select their colleges. 

Stephanie Akunvabey (MA ’09, EdD ’18) was appointed vice president for Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island this year.  Stephanie began her career in higher education working at the only community college in Brooklyn— Kingsborough Community College. There, she worked in student affairs with a focus on “Equity in the Classroom.” Stephanie’s new position allows her to combine her passion for increasing access to higher education with a focus on equity and inclusion, areas that she feels are especially important at a predominantly white institution (PWI) such as Roger Williams.

Recent reports confirm that the long-term decline of men attending and completing college has accelerated, with men now representing less than 40% of college students. The decline of male participation cuts across race and socio-economic status, and is impacting all types of colleges and universities. The current crisis in community college enrollment in particular spotlights the precipitous drop in enrollment for Black men.
On Thursday, November 18, Ann Marcus, director of the NYU Steinhardt Institute for Higher Education Policy, spoke with Michael Rodriguez, director of the Kingsborough Community College (CUNY) Men’s Resource Center, Niobe Way, professor of Applied Psychology at NYU, and Jonathan Williams, assistant vice president of NYU Undergraduate Admissions. The panel spoke about the intersection of research findings and professional practice in higher education and offered insights into the cultural messaging that attracts or discourages men from pursuing higher education. At the conclusion, Prof. Marcus noted that this continued decline in participation constitutes a threat to the future economic and social health of the country.

The recorded event will be posted to the Steinhardt Institute for Higher Education Policy Website at a later date.