Student Affairs Professional Development

Department or Office Announcements:

Submit announcements to be shared at Student Affairs Forums! Announcements should be submitted the Thursday before an upcoming forum to be included.

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2025 – 2026 Academic Year

As Student Affairs professionals we each play a vital role in the student experience. Everyone has a seat at our table – a place to share ideas, voice concerns, or just be. These forums are designed around a pillar of belonging to help create a divisional sense of belonging. Have an idea or want to talk to someone about the Student Affairs Forum? Email us at SAforum@tcu.edu.

Join us to connect with your colleagues, learn more about Student Affairs events, and grow in your development. A light breakfast is provided, and forums are from 8:30-10:00 am. The location can vary and will be sent in each meeting request.

Make sure to RSVP for each forum by selecting “accept or decline” and “send response” on each meeting request. This allows us to plan accordingly for food and seating.

We would love ideas and input regarding Student Affairs Forums. Please email us at SAforum@tcu.edu.

We strive to strengthen connections across the division and will have several opportunities throughout the year. Join us as your schedule allows for fun and informal opportunities.

Be on the lookout for an email invitation for connection opportunities this year.

September Opportunities:

Fantasy Football and College Pick ‘Em (sign-ups have closed)
Social Hour on September 3 (RSVP to calendar invitation)

Upcoming Fall Opportunities (Be on the lookout for emails with details soon!)

We strive to strengthen connections across the division and will have several opportunities throughout the year. Join us as your schedule allows for fun and informal opportunities. Be on the lookout for an email invitation for the following opportunities this year.

2025-2026 New Staff Onboarding Sessions

Fall semester: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
New staff as of early-March 2025 will receive an email/calendar invitation with additional details
Spring semester: Thursday, February 19, 2026 (subject to change)
New staff as of mid-September 2025 will receive an email/calendar invitation with additional details in February 2026

Eunah Bang
Assistant Director, International Student Services

An app on your phone that would surprise people?
“TooGoodToGo” – This app is to reduce food waste and helps you save snacks/meals from local shops, supermarkets and restaurants. This app will let you know where you can get products with lower prices towards the end of the day before it is wasted.

Single best piece of professional advice you ever received was?
“Never burn a bridge. You may need to cross it someday.”

Something you are happy you did but would never do again?
Drove from Boston to Dallas with Tesla which was a fun experience crossing many states. I will not do it again especially with Tesla since we had to stop almost every 2 hours to charge the car which takes 30 minutes to fully charge!

Taelor Cruz
Coordinator, New Student and Family Programs, Leadership & Student Involvement

An app on your phone that would surprise people?
The Crumbl cookie app (with the notifications on) I like to be notified about the flavors of the week every single week!

Single best piece of professional advice you ever received was?
We spend most of our lives working, so make sure to choose a path that makes you look forward to Monday mornings. Each day is an opportunity, not an obligation.

Something you are happy you did but would never do again?
Watching the ball drop-in Times Square on New Year’s Eve- it was SO magical, but extremely cold and tiring!

Benji Williams
Hall Director, Clark Hall

An app on your phone that would surprise people?
Fender Tune – a guitar tuning and rhythm app.

Single best piece of professional advice you ever received was?
Comparison is the thief of Joy – Proverbs 14:30.

Something you are happy you did but would never do again?
Go through kidnapping training in Haiti.

The Student Affairs Professional Development Committee is a collaborative group of colleagues from various departments across the division who design and implement professional development opportunities for TCU Student Affairs staff members. If you would like to learn more about this committee or if you are interested in learning about ways to be involved, please reach out to allison.combs@tcu.edu.

2025-2026 Student Affairs Professional Development Committee

Leadership:

Allison Combs, Chair
Norma Ramirez, Past Chair
Sue McClellan, Executive Assistant for the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs

• Student Affairs Forums Subcommittee:

Estee Hernández
Jayla Hill
Michael Mack

• Social Connections Subcommittee:

Rylea Dunlap
Holly Harrelson
Cori Middleton

• New Staff Onboard Subcommittee:

Markel Harris
Addison Prado