France Nielson
By Charlene Renberg Winters, ’73
BYU sophomore France J. Nielson, ’05, will represent five states at several conferences in a new appointment to the Association of Student Advancement Programs (ASAP) executive board, the student arm of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
The Blanding, Utah, native was appointed, in part, because of his accomplishments as a vice president of BYU‘s Student Alumni Association (SAA). During his year with SAA he directed a 5K family run for Parents’ Weekend, spearheaded Finals Survivals Kits, worked on the annual BYU/U of U food-drive competition, served as student chair of the Brimhall Essay Contest and Founders Day Luncheon during Homecoming, and supported Student Alumni International and Student Alumni Relations Council programs.
“I’m very excited for this opportunity,” Nielson says. “My motto is that whenever an opportunity arises, you have to grab it. I’m eager to meet new people, to network with other schools, and to learn more about CASE ASAP.”
“It is a great honor to have a BYU student represent us on the board,” says Carri P. Jenkins, ’83, assistant to the president for university communications and a professional member of regional CASEleadership. “Student feedback and implementation is very important. France will serve a key role by representing students from five different states.”
CASE includes eight districts within the United States and Canada. France will represent district seven, which includes Nevada, California, Arizona, Utah, and Hawaii. The student organization of district seven is headed by John Eagleston, a Utah Valley State College student. “I worked with France at a regional conference, and I know he is a very sociable person—very likeable—and a hard worker,” Eagleston says.
“France has a lot of expertise in working with SAA programs as well as good networking abilities, a high GPA, and good leadership skills,” says Todd J. Hendricks, ’00, a BYU Alumni Association program administrator.
Nielson will help schools with new SAA programs and help professional CASE members be more involved with students.
