In the fall of 2006, South Dakota State University hosted our very first APPA Supervisor’s Toolkit on our campus. I had the task of planning the event, and it was such a huge success that we hosted a toolkit again the following year. During that following year, my AVP encouraged me to become more involved in CAPPA as a toolkit trainer. The whole toolkit program impressed me and I was excited to learn more about CAPPA, APPA, and the toolkit process. I attended several toolkits in the Midwest, training with others and learning each toolkit module. What a great opportunity I had to network with others, to gain knowledge of the organization, and to grow professionally.
My first CAPPA Conference was in St. Louis, Missouri in 2017, also a joint conference with MAPPA. While at the conference, the CAPPA Board announced the open spot to fill the new Assistant Treasurer role. The open position intrigued me, so I visited with a couple CAPPA board members who encouraged me to get involved. Their enthusiasm piqued my interest even more so I threw my name into the nominations, the members voted and I earned the spot on the board. After my two terms as Assistant Treasurer, I have served two terms as the Treasurer and have stayed on an extra year training in a newcomer into the Assistant Treasurer role. In these roles, I have also served on several committees and sub-committees as well, from the Finance Committee to Professional Development to Business Partners. Each area has expanded my knowledge to more than just the financial aspect of higher education; offering me newer insights and a broader perspective across all areas within the facilities profession.
After attending two of the four sessions in the APPA U, I decided to become a Certified Facilities Professional and study for the CEFP exam. Joining a cohort of fellow members, we studied with an APPA professional who prepared us for the exam. The CEFP was another experience where I gained further knowledge within all areas of facilities, as the CEFP program focuses on the four components of facilities management. I am grateful to CAPPA for offering a discounted price to members which assisted me with this professional designation.
Additionally, being involved in CAPPA has allowed me to gain confidence to become a presenter at the recent annual conferences. I want to give back to the members by helping others to learn more about the financial aspects of higher education facilities. My first presentation was at the 2022 CAPPA Conference in Lincoln Nebraska, where I co-presented with Megan Telecky from the University of Nebraska-Kearney. We enjoyed it so much that we participated another presentation at the 2023 CAPPA Conference in Dallas Texas last October. Our presentations focus on the benefits for everyone in their facilities organizations to be aware of their budgets and how decisions impact other facilities areas. The sessions are called: “Budget Controls for Dummies – How Budgeting Benefits Boots on the Ground” and “Building a Budget from the Ground Up – Understanding Facilities Budget Line Items.” It has been both a fun and rewarding experience!
With CAPPA’s purpose of developing and maintaining high standards in the administration, maintenance, operation, planning, and development within educational facilities management and promoting and engaging in professional ideals and standards to better serve the objectives of education; there is a wealth of benefits for all facilities professionals. A great first step is to attend a Supervisor’s Toolkit or an annual conference; there really is something for everyone in CAPPA! CAPPA has been a big part of my professional career, to which I am grateful for everyone who has mentored me and assisting in my learning along the way. A huge benefit that I have found is the network of fellow facilities professionals who can offer their insights; maybe they have experienced the same issue and have found a solution to the same issue you are currently experiencing. It is comforting to know that you are not alone dealing with the same experiences, successes, and challenges – we may be in different parts of the nation, but we are all in the same boat rowing towards the success of each of our institutions. I look forward to seeing many of you at the upcoming annual conference this October in St. Louis as we “arch” forward on the future of facilities!