DOSA Developments over a picture of the quad

In this Issue:

DOSA Dates - Mark Your Calendars
Staff Updates
THRIVE - DOSA Professional Development
DIVISION NEWS & REQUESTS
Recognition - Submit your RJ Nominations!
Campus Partners Corner

DOSA DATES - MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

Join fellow DOSA Staff between Orientation shifts for lunch in the Commons!

Sign Up to let us know your coming by inserting your name in this spreadsheet!

STAFF UPDATES

Happy Birthday!

Emily Giffin (June 16)
Catie Baxter (June 26)

Let us know your birthday here.

add these dates to your outlook calendar

Date	Event Name & iCal Link	Time
Tues. 8/11/26	DOSA Welcome Back - time TBD.ics	TBD
Fri. 8/28/26	DOSA ParaPro Welcome.ics	2pm-4pm
Fri. 8/28/26	DOSA GA Professional Development Seminar.ics	11am-2pm
Thurs. 9/17/26	Connect Grow - ProDev Educational Workshop.ics	12pm-1:30pm
Wed. 10/28	DOSA Divisional Meeting October.ics	10 am-11:30am
Thurs. 11/12/26	Connect Grow - ProDev Educational Workshop.ics	12pm-1:30pm
Fri. 12/11/26	DOSA End of Semester Social - Time TBD.ics	TBD
Tues. 1/12/27	DOSA Retreat - Time TBD.ics	TBD
Thurs. 2/25/27	Connect Grow - ProDev Educational Workshop.ics	12pm-1:30pm
Wed. 3/24/27	DOSA Divisional Meeting March.ics	10am-11:30am
Thurs. 4/1/27	Connect Grow - ProDev Educational Workshop.ics	12pm-1:30pm
Fri. 5/7/27	DOSA End of Year Celebration.ics	10am-1:00pm

Professional Development Opportunities:

SERVE ON THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Submit an interest form here!

Be a Mentor! Spark and Lantern Program Information

ProDev News:

Tell us about your Professional Development! Click here to complete the Professional Development form to tell us about your professional development so we have a record of all the conferences that staff have engaged in throughout the academic year!

Check out the virtual training sessions offered by ACPA

The full list of dates and topics can be found by clicking here. There are SO MANY great topics.

Coming up soon:

Should I Stay or Should I Go? Transition in Higher Ed - 11 June 2026 // 1:00PM – 2:00PM ET
Be Anchored in Purpose: Empowering Student Affairs Professionals through Executive Coaching - 16 June 2026 // 2:00PM – 3:00PM ET
High Impact Practices: A Co-Curricular Strategy for Equitable Student Success - 23 June 2026 // 2:00PM – 3:00PM ET

If you are not an ACPA member, reach out to Cara and we'll figure out getting you registered!

Call for ACPA Foundation Research Grant Proposals

The ACPA Foundation Research Grants program is now open for applicants and reviewers. This year, $10,000 will be awarded to support research that advances the student affairs profession. Grants range from $500–$2,500 and are available to ACPA members for expenses like graduate support, data collection, software, and materials (excluding conference travel and indirect costs). Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with junior scholars. Applications are due on 1 July 2026, with decisions announced in late September. Apply for the ACPA grant here.

They're also seeking reviewers for July-August. Reviewers must hold a terminal degree — complete the short interest form to participate.

Website & Digital Accessibility Quick Tip: Directional Language

Avoid instructions that rely on visual positioning or layout, as users may experience content differently depending on the technology they use.

Examples

Incorrect: Click the button on the right.
Correct: Click the "Submit Application" button.

People using screen readers or other assistive technologies may not perceive page layouts the same way sighted users do. Instead of referencing location, use clear, descriptive labels that identify the specific element or action.

Click here for a full list of website and digital accessibility resources.

Questions? Email the digital and web accessibility task force at watf@wcupa.edu.

DIVISION NEWS & REQUESTS

DOSA Developments Summer Schedule

This summer, DOSA Developments will be distributed on June 8, July 6, and August 17. Beginning in August, it will resume a twice-monthly schedule, with issues sent near the 1st and 15th of each month. Please continue to use this forum throughout the summer to share news and updates, including staff changes, committee updates, and move-in or welcome week requests.

New Student Orientation

Just a reminder that New Student Orientation is coming up on the following dates: June 23-26, July 7-10 & 14-17. Unless you have reqested time off, all DOSA members should plan to be physically present in the office on those dates. Whether you are volunteering during the program (many thanks!) or holding down the fort in your offices, consider wearing WCU attire and nametags so that we can provide a visible and welcoming presence to new students and their famillies!

RECOGNITION - KUDOS & RJ AWARD

RJ Award

Our next RJ Award recipient will be recognized at our Divisional Welcome Back Retreat on August 11. Please submit your nominations by July 27 to have them considered for August. Submit your RJ nominations via this form.