Tegan Klevorn, coordinator of student activities at UMSL, wrote a “how to” on creating events at an urban university for the national magazine Campus Activities Programming. Klevorn’s story, “Big City Programming,” can be found online in the November-December 2013 edition. (Photo by August Jennewein)
Tegan Klevorn missed the debut of her first nationally published magazine article in November because she was giving birth to her first child. But Klevorn, coordinator of student activities at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, is not the least bit disappointed. She has extra copies of Campus Activities Programming magazine, the accolades of her colleagues in the Office of Student Life and that new baby.
“I did a presentation last spring at a regional conference of the National Association for Campus Activities on programming for urban institutions,” Klevorn says. “Right after that conference, I was contacted by NACA to write the article. I’ve been active in the organization for several years now, but it’s the first time I’ve written for the magazine. It’s pretty exciting.”
Klevorn’s article offers advice to other student activity planners with a laundry list of experiences for the diverse population found on an urban campus. Commuters, residential students, those who work or have families and out-of-state and international students all may be interested in something different. She also offers advice on saving money when booking big events.
NACA was established in 1960 to increase the buying power of campus programming dollars and now has more than 950 college and university members. Its 500 associate members represent artists, lecturers and performers. It offers program planning, risk management, multicultural education, concert management and student and professional leadership development.
UMSL’s student activities office is in charge of fun at UMSL, and they tap into NACA’s network to help.
Klevorn advises the student-run University Program Board, which staffs many of the events geared toward students. From big Mirthday events with carnival rides and booths during the day and big-name bands and performers at night to tickets for Cardinals baseball, Blues hockey and the City Museum – the pace in the cramped UPB office can be frantic at times. It’s fun 24/7.
Klevorn loves the atmosphere.
She describes herself as an “overly involved student” from the time she was in high school in Wright City, Mo. She came to UMSL for her bachelor’s degree where her passion for getting involved was rewarded. Big time.
“When I got to UMSL I immersed myself in the activities here,” she says. “When I discovered I could have a career doing something that I loved, I jumped at the chance.”
Klevorn earned a bachelor’s degree in communication in 2007 and a master’s degree in higher education administration in 2009 at UMSL.
View “Big-City Programming: Tips for Producing Events at an Urban Institution” in the November/December 2013 issue of Campus Activities Programming magazine.
