HESA Holds Networking Luncheon During NYU Student Affairs Conference

A large group of attendees gathers on a stage beneath a screen that says "How will you stay connected to HESA?"

Current students and alumni connected on the power and importance of their work.

On February 14, NYU Steinhardt’s Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) program held a luncheon for nearly 80 current students and alumni.

“The main goal of the event was to give opportunities for current students to interface with alumni and celebrate the important work that we do,” says Mike Funk, clinical associate professor, HESA program director, and department chair of Administration, Leadership, and Technology. “We also wanted to reconnect alumni across generations and specializations, and we were really pleased with both the number of attendees and the cross-section of functional areas that were represented.”

Five people sit around a table. Behind them, people stand and chat.

The event was held during the 23rd Annual NYU Student Affairs Conference, a collaborative effort between the Division of Student Affairs and the graduate student Association of Student Affairs Professionals (ASAP) to help members of the HESA field to grow, connect, and empower. During the event, tables were organized around these career areas—such as campus life, enrollment management, and student advising—to allow students and alumni from related fields to network and discuss their challenges and successes.

Michael Funk and Michelle Van-Ess Grant stand together on a stage — *Mike Funk and Michelle Van-Ess Grant*

The keynote speaker was Michelle Van-Ess Grant, EdD (MA ’03, HESA), senior associate dean of students at Cornell University and a member of the NYU Steinhardt Dean’s Alumni Advisory Board. She has worked in higher education for two decades at public, private, and state institutions, including Hofstra University, Fashion Institute of Technology, and NYU.

“It was energizing to see so many people associated with HESA come back together for connection,” says Van-Ess Grant. “Despite all that is happening in the current political climate, there are many people who need our help and expertise, now and in the future. The work is challenging, but it’s worth it.”

“Michelle was tremendous,” says Funk. “During her speech, she demystified leadership, underscored the value of showing up and pushing yourself into unexpected roles, and overcoming imposter syndrome.”

Van-Ess Grant also highlighted the value of the people in that space and encouraged attendees to leverage each other. “I asked everyone looking for a job to stand, as well as everyone looking to hire, and I hope everyone walked away with a new contact,” says Van-Ess Grant.

Six people stand on a stage — (L-R) Visiting Professor of Higher Education and HESA Program Coordinator Laura S. Dahl; Associate Director of Experiential Learning and Professional Development Chrissy Glaser;Eva Klimas; Michelle Van-Ess Grant; Shaya Morgan; Mike Funk.

Eva Klimas and Shaya Morgan, senior director and assistant director of alumni relations at Steinhardt, respectively, echoed the importance of connection, asking attendees at the end of the event how they will stay linked to the program and the School.

“Giving back to the program is more than just financial support and fundraising,” says Funk. “We rely on the expertise of our alumni and their time through mentoring, helping recruit new students, and becoming partner sites because of the strong practice-based element of the HESA program.”

“I continue to give to and serve this program because it has made a big impact on my work in student affairs,” says Van-Ess Grant. “The players may have changed over the last 23 years, but my connection to the program is still strong.”

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