Reframing Student Government: Moving from Dysfunction and Toxicity to a Renewed Version of Student Representation
Includes a Live Web Event on 04/10/2025 at 1:30 PM (EDT)
The presenter will share details of rebuilding the student government association at Appalachian State University, including clarification of both the range of problems leading to change, and the steps taken to rebuild over the past two years. Through reframing student government, a new version of student representation has emerged, creating a more inclusive and collaborative environment which welcomes students, faculty and staff to engage together.
Learning Outcomes
1. Identify various challenges and barriers that have become increasingly common within campus SGA organizations.
2. Recognize that major change can be considered, even for student-led student organizations that are often perceived by some to be rich in history.
3. Recall actionable steps that can be replicated on other campuses in collaboration with students.
Jeff Cathey
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Appalachian State University
Jeff Cathey serves as an Assistant Vice Chancellor and oversees the following Student Affairs Departments: Community-Engaged Leadership, Campus Activities,Intercultural Student Affairs,New Mountaineer and Family Engagement, and the Plemmons Student Union.He co-advises the Student Government Association with the Dean of Students, Judy Hass, and serves as a designated Responsible Officer for Free Speech on campus. Prior to coming to Appalachian as a departmental director in 2014, Jeff served four and a half years as an Associate Dean of Students at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He also served as Assistant Dean of Students and then Associate Dean of Students at Colorado College from 2001-2009. Jeff received his Bachelors degree in Animal Science and a Masters degree in College Student Personnel, both from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Gretchen Cross
Appalachian State University
Gretchen is a first year graduate student working as Graduate Advisor for the Student Government Association
Continuing Education Credits
This session counts for 1.0 CSAEd-CORE credit
NASPA has been approved by the Higher Education Consortium for Student Affairs Certification to provide CE credit for Certified Student Affairs Educators (CSAEd). NASPA is solely responsible for all aspects of this program.
Guidelines for earning CE credit:
No partial credit will be rewarded.
Participants must also complete the feedback survey in the Online Learning Community.
1 Credit is available for attending the live session or viewing the on-demand recording.
To receive CSAEd credit, attendees must complete the feedback survey that offers the certification in each session. Once you have attended all the live sessions or watched the on-demand sessions for which you would like to request credit, visit the Continuing Education (CE) website to fill out the Student Affairs Education Certification Request Form for all the sessions. All certificants must fill out one for the live session and a separate one for the on-demand sessions. Visit the Continued Education (CE) website to learn more regarding deadlines and receive your certificate of completion for the Virtual Conference.