Michigan State University Student Affairs Administration Master of Arts (SAA MA) Alum go on to careers in student affairs, higher education, and beyond. Engage with the SAA Alum Spotlights below to learn about the careers of some of our alum and what they have to say about their time as SAA MA students. Continue on to learn about ways in which alum may connect and contribute to the SAA MA Program after graduation.
Celebrate the SAA 75th Anniversary!
Join the SAA MA Program for upcoming events to celebrate our 75th Anniversary in 2024!
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SAVE THE DATE:
SAA 75th Anniversary Celebration Weekend
Friday, September 13 – Saturday, September 14, 2024.
Join the SAA MA Program at MSU to celebrate our 75th Anniversary in East Lansing, Michigan!
Weekend events include:
Friday, September 13th
- 4:00–5:00 PM: Raines Colloquium, Keynote: Dr. Kristen Renn (RSVP Required; Free Event)
- 5:30–7:00 PM: 75th Anniversary Reception (RSVP Required; Hosted Hors D’oeuvres; Cash Bar)
Saturday, September 14th
- 9:30–11:30 AM: SAGA 75th Anniversary Breakfast (RSVP Required – Space Limited; Hosted Breakfast)
- 3:30 PM: MSU vs. Prairie View Football game ($50/ticket) – SAA Alum/Guest Only (RSVP Required – Space Limited)
If you have any questions about the 75th Anniversary Weekend, please contact Amanda Cronk at nickols2@msu.edu.
Ready to start planning your visit to East Lansing?
We have reserved a small block of rooms at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center for Friday, September 13th and Saturday, September 14th. The rate is $219/night plus taxes for up to 2 people/room. Guestrooms exceeding double occupancy are subject to an additional $10 room rate increase per occupant/night. Overnight parking is $15/day. Of course, you can also check options at other local hotels!
Guests are kindly asked to arrange and pay for their lodging at the Kellogg by calling the Kellogg directly at (517) 432-4000 and referencing the Group Block Code: 2409EDUCAT. Rooms at the group block rate are available on a first-come/first-served basis until filled or until Friday, August 16, 2024, 12:00 PM ET. We encourage you to plan ahead!
Celebrate with SAA Further!
Make a Difference: Give to SAA
To celebrate our 75th anniversary, we are launching a special fundraising campaign to ensure that our program continues to thrive for another 75 years and beyond. Your support is crucial in helping students in the student affairs profession move higher education closer to equity and justice. By making a gift of any amount in celebration of the SAA 75th Anniversary you are impacting the lives of students who are pursuing careers in student affairs. Every gift makes a difference! Click the button below to visit our official giving page.
Send Us Your Photos
We want to share in your memories from your time in the SAA MA Program! You’re invited to submit some of your favorite photographs from your time with SAA for the program to archive and use to celebrate our 75th Anniversary with you. Click the button below to submit your favorite memories.
Share Your Accomplishments
Our alum do incredible work in student affairs, higher education, and beyond. We are excited to learn about and highlight your achievements! Click the button below to update the SAA MA Program about your professional achievements or updates you would like us to celebrate and share.
Update Your Alum Profile
Make sure you’re getting our emails with updates about the 75th Anniversary and more! Please update your alum profile by logging into the MSU Alumni website so that we may connect with you about upcoming events and program updates.
SAA Alum Spotlights
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Jonathan Washington
Since graduating from the SAA MA Program in 2023, Jonathan has continued his career in residence life and education. Jonathan earned the 2023 Louis C. Stamatakos Award for Outstanding Second-Year Student, which is awarded to one student per year by the SAA MA Program and recognizes a second-year student who demonstrates exceptional promise through scholarship and professional commitment.
“The SAA MA program prepared me for my career by providing me with multiple opportunities to craft my graduate experience and take ownership of my success. During my time in the program, I was challenged, motivated, and felt an ample amount of guidance and support from the faculty. This balanced approach contributed to my overall sense of belonging and growth as an individual and new professional in the field. Above all, the program taught me the importance of being intentional, knowing my worth and values, and putting theory to practice. As I continue to advance in my career, my pride as an SAA MA Alum and Spartan will forever serve as a reminder of the invaluable lessons learned in the program.”
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Elizabeth Sanchez
Since graduating from the SAA MA Program in 2022, Elizabeth has gone on to a student affairs career leading orientation programming and parent and family engagement. She continues to give back to the SAA MA Program as an alum through participation in alum panels for current and prospective students, and also is helping to plan the 75th-anniversary celebration of the SAA MA Program. Elizabeth earned the 2022 Louis C. Stamatakos Award for Outstanding Second-Year Student, which is awarded to one student per year by the SAA MA Program and recognizes a second-year student who demonstrates exceptional promise through scholarship and professional commitment.
“The SAA MA program prepared me for my career by providing me the opportunity to connect with world-renowned faculty, have multiple practical learning experiences both in and out of the classroom, and receive the support and guidance I needed to learn and thrive. The program also provided a wonderful contextual framework, theoretical foundation, and space for reflection that prepared me to be thoughtful, intentional, and effective in my career. My experiences prepared me to take on all that comes in my career because I was taught, supported, and empowered to do and implement what I was learning in my classes.”
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Dr. Gavin Henning
Dr. Henning graduated from the College and University Administration program, the former title of the now Student Affairs Administration MA Program, in 1993. Since then, Dr. Henning has gone on to have an incredible career as a student affairs administrator and higher education scholar, including serving as the past president of the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) and as the past president of ACPA–College Student Educators International. Dr. Henning has made important contributions to the field of student affairs and higher education and has been recognized through the receipt of NASPA’s George D. Kuh Outstanding Contribution to Literature and/or Research Award and ACPA’s Annuit Coeptis award and Diamond Honoree awards. In 2022, the SAA MA Program awarded Dr. Henning the Cynthia K. Helman Distinguished Alumni Award, honoring his contributions to the field.
“Like many people, I had never intended on going into student affairs as a career. As a first-generation college student, I didn’t even know such a career even existed. But, with the encouragement of mentors at MSU during my undergraduate years, I applied and was accepted into the College and University Administration (the name of the program at the time) master’s program and found an academic path program to further my goal of helping students realize their personal and professional potential, as others had helped me. I would not be the person or professional I am today if it weren’t for MSU faculty and staff. I’m a proud Spartan (with ankle tattoo to prove it!) and am honored to be a member of the Spartan community.”
Connect with Us!
We value the involvement and experiences Student Affairs Administration alum bring to our program. There are several ways for alum to stay connected with the SAA MA Program long after graduation.
Follow Us!
Click on the icons below to follow SAA on Instagram, connect with us on LinkedIn, and check out the SAA Linktree.
Let Us Know About Job Openings and Internship Opportunities
The Spartan Network is strong! Email the SAA MA Program Ambassador, Maryann Orawczyk (orawczyk@msu.edu) to share opportunities for jobs and internships in your unit with current SAA MA students.
Join Us at Conferences
The SAA MA Program and the HALE Unit host several socials for MSU alum at major conferences. Check back here for information about upcoming events.
ASHE Friends of Michigan State University Social
2024 ASHE Annual Conference – Minneapolis, Minnesota
November 20–24, 2024
Date/Time of MSU Social: TBA
ACPA Friends of Michigan State University Social
ACPA 2025 Annual Convention – Long Beach, California
February 16–19, 2025
Date/Time of MSU Social: TBA
NASPA Friends of Michigan State University Social
NASPA 2025 Annual Conference – New Orleans, Louisiana
March 15–19, 2025
Date/Time of MSU Social: TBA