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Finding Your Third Place: A Journey in Making Authentic Connections as an Emerging Professional

Finding Your Third Place: A Journey in Making Authentic Connections as an Emerging Professional

Includes a Live Web Event on 10/06/2025 at 4:00 PM (EDT)

Third spaces are abundant for college students—whether campus cafés, recreation centers, or free events. However, these opportunities become much harder to find once students transition into the role of "new professional." This session will explore the concept of the "Death of the American Main Street" and examine how the loss of accessible third spaces impacts young professionals. In particular, we will discuss the importance of cultivating friendships and emotional support networks beyond the workplace to sustain mental health and well-being.


Learning Outcomes:

  • Infer how the “Death of 3rd Spaces” impacts young professionals in finding community and belonging outside of the workplace.
  • Discover ways Higher Education Institutions manufacture 3rd Spaces for students, and the challenges New Professionals Face when entering employment.
  • Discuss their interests and hobbies outside of the workplace, and how they work to achieve relational balance in the workplace.

Maddie Cuckow

Assistant Director of Residence Life

The College of Wooster

Maddie Cuckow (she/they) serves as one of the Assistant Directors of Residence Life at The College of Wooster in Wooster, OH. Maddie began her journey in Student Affairs at Bowling Green State University where she obtained her Master's Degree in College Student Personnel in the spring of 2022. For the past 3 years, Maddie served as a Residence Hall Director at the University of New Hampshire before transitioning to The College of Wooster in the Summer of 2025. Maddie has been an active part of the NPGS team since the summer of 2023, originally working with the Industry Engagement working group, then moving up to the role of Co-Chair with Leiana Boldon in fall of 2024. Maddie is passionate about student development, DEI Education, and weaving curriculum into every aspect of the college experience. When Maddie isn't working, you can find her cozied up with a good book, sipping a cup of coffee, or working on her latest and greatest crochet project. 

Elizabeth Bluth

Marketing Administrator, Graduate Admissions for USC Bovard College

USC Bovard College

Elizabeth Bluth (she/her) is a seasoned student affairs professional with experience developing, implementing, and managing programs and communication campaigns to support students’ belonging, wellbeing, and thriving in higher education settings. She currently serves as a Marketing Administrator, Graduate Admissions for USC Bovard College, supporting current and prospective students in the online graduate programs. Within NASPA, she holds positions on the New Professionals and Graduate Students Knowledge Community Leadership Team and the Region VI Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Advisory Board. In 2024, she was awarded the Region VI Graduate Rising Star Award at the NASPA Western Regional Conference for her focus on inclusivity and accessibility in the student affairs profession. Elizabeth holds a BA in Theatre and Creative Writing from the University of Redlands, a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from The New School where she held a competitive Graduate Teaching Fellowship, and a Master of Education in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs from the USC Rossier School of Education. 

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