Our new quarterly orientation program, "Maximizing Your Membership", is designed to help you get started with your membership, get connected to colleagues, and get involved with our association. Whether you are new to NAPAHE or a seasoned member, we are certain this session will help kick-start your membership. This 60-minute session will include the following topics:

• An overview of your benefits,
• A brief History of NAPAHE,
• Navigating the membership website,
• How to get more involved,
• ...and much more!

Pre-registration is required.

If you are unable to attend this session, don't worry! We will be hosting this event each quarter, so stay tuned later this year for additional opportunities to attend.

Published July 23, 2024

Earlier this month I took a cross-country road trip. Along the many miles, I couldn't help but remember my time working at a lakeside resort in my hometown. For several years I worked in guest services, primarily as bell staff and a front desk agent. As I thought about my summers working in guest services, I was reminded of two training principles that guided my every interaction with guests.

First, we were always tasked with "finding the yes" with the guest. No request was too large or too extraordinary to entirely refuse; I always found a way to make their stay exceptional. The guest doesn't need to know the details about how I accomplished what I did. Yet, if done right, I knew that they would remember what I did and how I made them feel during their stay because I found a way to say "yes" for them.

Second, and most importantly, anticipate the guests' needs. For example, if a family with a toddler was checking in, I'd offer a crib to be delivered to their room. If they were checking in around dinnertime, I would offer a few on-site and local restaurants to consider dining at. You get the point: my job was to think about the guest's journey during their stay and meet their needs before they even realize they have a need.

Both of these principles translated perfectly when I moved into higher education. Whether we are interacting with our senior leaders, trustees, students, parents, or other colleagues, executive assistants are poised to find the yes and to anticipate the needs of those around them. They are equipped with a toolbox of skills and treasures to ensure they can provide excellent service with every encounter. Professionals who support higher education's leaders are the bell staff equivalent on our campuses, ready to proactively ensure the success of those they serve.

Many of us find our way into these roles through a variety of former career experiences. Mine happens to be hospitality. As a result, our toolboxes are full and growing each day. These toolboxes are what make an organization like NAPAHE so valuable. What's in your toolbox that you could lend to somebody else? What surprising skill from a former career were you able to pull out at just the right moment?  How can you help expand the toolbox of your colleagues? I encourage you to consider these questions as we prepare for the upcoming Annual National Conference & Business Meeting in January. Perhaps you will even consider sharing part of your toolbox as a presenter for a breakout session. More information about getting involved will be available soon. At the very least, I invite you to mark your calendars for January 23-25, 2025. We hope to see you there!

In the meantime, enjoy the rest of your summer! I wish you all the very best as we gear up for a new academic year. As always, please reach out if NAPAHE can support you in any way.

Sincerely,

Stuart Schmidt
NAPAHE Executive Director