VP Student Affairs assumes new role in global organization

(Tahlequah, Okla.)-- Dr. Jerrid P. Freeman, assistant vice president of Student Affairs at Northeastern State University, has served in a number of positions at eight institutions during his 16 years as a member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). In February, a new title was added to the list, as Freeman was named the regional director of NASPA IV-West, which spans ten states; including Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

Freeman said he was humbled and excited about the opportunity, since in his earlier years as a young professional in higher education, he considered the position as a possible aspiration.

Achieving that goal was a bit unexpected, but he plans to follow in the steps of his predecessors and work to make sure projects are completed and communication is improved at IV-West.

The two biggest things I would like to do is get us (IV-West) engaged in setting good goals and plans for what we want to accomplish in the next few years. And then hold folks accountable for those projects.

Freemans broad student affairs career spans over 20 years. He started as a resident advisor at the University of Nebraska, and quickly realized he had a knack for keeping people accountable for their behavior, and working with them to make positive changes.

I began to really enjoy hopefully challenging people in a way that they havent been challenged before, to be better. Thats what I fell in love with.

Freeman said he has evolved since his RA days, but his ability to communicate with students and break down barriers was a major factor in his success.

His experience as a higher education professional ranges from research coordinator for NASPA IV-West, serving on the editorial board for the Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, to working in seven other universities across the country as a community director, strategic planning consultant, facilities manager, resident hall director and an adjunct assistant professor.

This range allowed for immense learning opportunities and a different perspective on how to handle the various situations which may surface in his field.

As I grew up in the profession, I wanted to sample as many departments as I possibly could, so I could have a very broad-based knowledge about everything going on in higher education.

He explained that not every institution is the same in terms of what kind of help student affairs could deliver, but essentially, the division had the responsibility of providing support and guidance in the face of wide-ranging issues.

Someone to help them see a grander future for themselves than they originally thought was possible, Freeman said, adding that certain situations required developing one-on-one relationships with students.

Youre really trying to understand each individual person in those sessions. Some students need to know someone is watching them and taking care of them, for them to feel like they can jump and do the things they need to do, to be successful.

He said students coming in with social, mental, or emotional issues could find a way to overcome their issues with the help of student affairs, while working toward successfully completing college.

He added however, that helping a student to graduate was not the ultimate goal.

Its much bigger than that. If someone graduates here, but they're not successful in their first job, in a sense, we've failed that person. Advising is not just about building someones class schedule. Its about getting to know the individual. What are their future goals and dreams? What are their struggles? What do they need to be successful?

Freeman also uses his experience and communication expertise to train his staff, which in turn positively affects students.

I want to push them further than they thought they were capable of going, and that doesn't mean comfortably sometimes.

Freeman shared he was not afraid of challenging people to go beyond their own expectations.

I enjoy that kind of interaction, its rewarding.

NASPA was established in 1918, and is the leading voice for student administration, and promotes the advancement of the student affairs profession. There are 13,000 members in 50 states, 25 countries and eight US territories.