SUNY Oswego has once again been named to the “Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs” by NACPA-College Student Educators International (ACPA) and The EDU Ledger.

Oswego is one of only 30 institutions on this list, as a university “who rose to the top in categories such as family friendliness, salary/benefits and professional development opportunities, to name a few,” ACPA and The EDU Ledger wrote in notifying Oswego of its continued placement.

“Student Affairs at SUNY Oswego is clear in its mission to support the success of students,” said Kathleen Kerr, vice president for student affairs. “To achieve this, we need to have staff members who have the resources, skills and support necessary to engage in work that is challenging and complex in a collaborative and holistic way.”

Beyond that, taking care of staff members is important, she noted.

“The well-being and professional development of divisional staff is a vital aspect of our ability to achieve this,” Kerr explained. “This recognition acknowledges the work we have done divisionally to engender engaged staff members who have a voice in the decisions of the division, a stake in its success, and the resources to make vital contributions that benefit our students and thus our university.”

ACPA is known as the leading comprehensive student affairs association that advances student affairs and engages students for a lifetime of learning and discovery.

Publishing for over 40 years, The EDU Ledger is dedicated to advancing the success of students, faculty, staff and administrators across the higher education landscape.

‘A great deal of support’

April Lopez, assistant dean of students and basic needs case manager for the Office of the Dean of Students, is approaching two years of service at Oswego with a range of responsibilities that include coordinating the Students Helping Oz Peers (SHOP) pantry.

“SHOP has received a great deal of support from the campus and the community,” Lopez said. “We've seen major growth, from the inaugural SHOP at Syracuse, to a sharp increase in monetary donations from alumni to sustain our operations.”

Support across the Oswego family and from the SUNY system toward students' basic needs has been very welcome, Lopez said.

“There is an institutional investment in providing basic needs resources to students in the form of Empire State Service Corps members assisting students in applying for SNAP; the establishment of a campus Homeless Liaison; the investment in a second basic needs case manager to provide broader support; and providing the tools to learn more about basic needs security on campus through the National College Health Assessment and the SUNY Basic Needs Survey,” Lopez said.

Lopez described working for Oswego’s Division of Student Affairs as “a privilege,” especially seeing people work across departments to support events and programming.

“For example, it's great to see our division come together during orientation season by participating in move-in and welcome activities; the Health and Wellness Fair in the fall; and collaborating with Auxiliary Services during the Fresh Food Giveaway before the Thanksgiving and Spring breaks,” Lopez said. “Across the division, we have the same goal: support students and provide the tools to thrive on campus and beyond.”

Kerr also noted that students benefit from the campus supporting staff members and providing the necessary resources to perform their jobs well. 

“SUNY Oswego prides itself on the personalized and caring approach we take with each student,” Kerr said. “Staff should feel cared for and supported as well. This award communicates to both prospective employees and certainly to current students that we are willing to invest time and resources toward being a better division as we constantly strive to improve how we support and educate students.” 

“I look forward to seeing the continued support in basic needs so we can reach more students and normalize a culture of help-seeking,” Lopez said. “I feel very lucky to work at SUNY Oswego, especially in the Division of Student Affairs. It is an honor to contribute to and carry out the pillars of grow, connect and thrive.”