"As Assistant Director of Continuing Education at Newark State College (now Kean University of New Jersey), I received my initial exposure to summer session along with adult continuing education responsibilities (1969-1974). The following year, I was working in Summer Sessions and Special Programs at Montclair State College where I had the opportunity to become active with a loosely affiliated group of New Jersey college administrators responsible for summer session operations and was responsible for bringing Montclair State College (now University) into NAASS back in 1975. Throughout my 33-year career at Montclair State, my professional responsibilities and titles changed several times, but I always retained major responsibility for Summer Sessions.
I have been active with NAASS and the Middle States Region throughout my career, and Montclair State University continues its membership today. I served as interim vice president and subsequently vice president for the Middle States region from 1995 to 2000. With the assistance of a very small office staff and participating institutions, we were involved in joint meetings with the Northeastern Region in Charlottesville, New York City, Toronto, and Pittsburgh during that period. I believe these joint meetings proved to be worthwhile and helpful to the attendees, and the tradition has continued.
Throughout the years I served on the Research Committee, chaired and served on the Creative and Innovative Awards Committee, and assumed responsibility for the Middle States Membership Committee as vice president. I served as recorder, discussion leader, panelist, and presenter at numerous plenary sessions of the national and regional conferences over the years. All of my experiences with NAASS helped me with my career and professional development. I made friendships that continue today because of NAASS."
Conference Registration
Join us for the upcoming Annual Conference as we honor John Leffler and all our award winners. Cindy DeLuca, NAASS president-elect, created a conference program which focuses on achieving student success through Summer Sessions. Information regarding the conference is available at the NAASS website.
Creative and Innovative Awards
The submission deadline for the Creative and Innovative Awards has been extended to October 14, 2011. Programs may be submitted in three categories: credit, non-credit, and administrative. Additional information (including the submission forms) is available online.
I look forward to seeing you in Chicago.
Cordially,
Jamie
Jamie Bilella
Middle States Regional Vice President
