ACPA-MI 2024 Elections - Candidate Bios
Candidate(s) for President-Elect (3 year term)
Brittnie Vithanage (She/Her)
With a professional journey spanning since 2018, I have had the privilege of serving in various leadership roles within the student affairs field. I earned my master's degree from a Michigan institution, and my love for this great state brought me back to Michigan time and again to continue my professional journey. My extensive experience and unwavering passion for staff relations and wellness drive my commitment to fostering a supportive and thriving community for our ACPA-MI members. In a field notorious for its high attrition rates within the first 5 years of a career, I have dedicated myself to initiatives that prioritize staff well-being, development, and retention. I believe that by nurturing a culture of support and professional growth, we can create an environment where student affairs professionals can excel and sustain their careers long-term. As President-Elect, I will bring my experience, passion, and dedication to our regional chapter, working collaboratively with all members to address our challenges and celebrate our successes. Together we can build a resilient and vibrant community for all student affairs professionals in Michigan. I am excited about the opportunity to serve and lead, and I humbly ask for your support!
Candidate(s) for 2025 JEDI Conference Co-Chair (1 year term)
Nick Malendowski (He/Him)
Hello! My name is Nick Malendowski (He/Him), and I am interested in serving as the 2025 JEDI Conference Co-Chair. For the last three years, I have served on the Graduate Students and New Professionals Community of Practice (GSNPCoP) in a multitude of roles, including as an ACPA Ambassador, as the Coordinator of Convention Ambassadors, and the Coordinator of Scholarships and Awards. Through these experiences, I have learned about the importance of governance and community within our profession, which led me to joining the ACPA-MI Leadership Team! As the current Member-at-Large, I have been an active member of the organization, serving on the Annual Conference Committee and on the JEDI Conference Committee. Within these roles, I have helped support our assessment efforts, served as a day-of floater and liaison for leadership team members, and currently focusing on the convention experience for the JEDI Conference. Attending the 2024 JEDI Conference was a really exciting time for me. I could learn from different professionals in the state and present on a topic I was passionate about. Being able to serve as the chair for this event would allow me to continue applying JEDI principles to the work I am doing, and encouraging others to learn about JEDI concepts. In whatever area ACPA-MI sees me fit to serve in, I am happy to serve. I have really enjoyed my experiences in ACPA-MI up to this point, and hope to continue in a leadership capacity.
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