2024 Conference Schedule

  • Thursday, November 6th

Interest Session 1

9:00 - 9:45 AM

  • Presenter: Paris Eley

    Crawford North

    Oftentimes, we engage in experiences and do not spend enough time reflecting on the impact they could have on us professionally. This lack of reflection can lead to minimizing or discounting the value of these experiences. In this session, I aim to guide graduate students in effectively networking and marketing their experiences. We will explore how to articulate our experiences on a resume, with a focus on using the right action verbs and impactful language. Following this, we will delve into in-person networking, where we will learn how to confidently discuss our experiences and develop a strong elevator pitch.

  • Presenter: Pachia Martin

    Crawford South/Central

    Student staff evaluations typically consists of check box items taken from the job description or work agreements. Through one on one meetings, corrective action processes, and working in their position, most student staff members understand their abilities in their role. Evaluations create a repetitive process to share with students what they already know. ODU HRL decided to create a developmental evaluation process that focuses on goals and growth over the course of the academic year. This presentation will provide perspective of our process for change and examples of the outcomes. Space will be held for questions and discussion regarding student staff evaluations.

  • Presenter: Lauren Garret

    Shamokin

    When developing our first-year experience almost a decade ago, we also created a new student inventory to help campus-wide partners make data-driven decisions - without losing sight of the holistic student experience. Join us to discuss lessons learned and how the inventory has evolved in response to institutional priorities, university leadership, COVID-19, and, of course, our student and supporter populations.

  • Presenter: Joshua Shirey - EdSight

    Upper Crust- Shrapshire

    Join us for an in-depth exploration of how EdSights harnesses conversational AI and years of higher education research, including that of Dr. Vincent Tinto, to help institutions understand their students' journeys. This session will focus on the innovative ways EdSights collects and analyzes Student Voice data to provide actionable insights, especially as it relates to student engagement and retention. Learn how these insights empower campus leaders to proactively address challenges, improve persistence, and foster a supportive campus environment tailored to students' evolving needs.

9:00 - 11:50 AM

Senior Student Affairs Officers Meeting

Windsong

Senior Housing Officers Meeting

Summitt Room

Interest Session 2

10:00 - 10:45 AM

  • Presenter: Steve Grande, Bella Cabaccan-Picart, and Anna Lambert

    Upper Crust- Shrapshire

    The anxiety of FOMO (fear of missing out) has become well-known, but have you heard of FOPO, the fear of other people’s opinions (Gervais, 2023)? In an era where social comparison is seemingly unavoidable due to social media, competitive academic cultures, and marketers seizing on consumer insecurity, FOPO has been posited as one of the greatest restrictors to human potential (Gervais, 2023). The role of student affairs educators is to draw out student potential to promote student learning, success, and development (CAS, 2023). As student affairs educators our job is to facilitate student learning and development so graduates function effectively in society. This session defines these challenges and invites participants to consider strategies to counter these developmental hurdles.

  • Presenter: Olivia Bowman

    Crawford South/Central

    Student Affairs Professionals can feel the effects of imposter sydrome (IS) at any stage of their career. This program aims to identify the signs of imposter syndrome and discuss ways to dismantle negative thinking cycles. Participants will also brainstorm ways to kick imposter syndrome to the curb at any career level!

  • Presenter: Kelly Garrett

    Shamokin

    It is as important as it has ever been to understand how we can make systematic and structural changes on our campuses to support Trans and Nonbinary students. This program will highlight some of the updated guidance provided in "Promising Policies and Practices for Supporting Trans and Nonbinary People in Postsecondary Education" released by the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals in June 2024. Attendees will be provided an opportunity to think strategically about how to utilize their spheres of influence to make important changes on their campuses.

  • Presenter: Kevin Wade and Chris Parthemos

    Crawford North

    In this program, we will look at best practices related to collaboration between an institution's disability support office and housing office. Dr. Parthemos is the President-Elect of the VA chapter of the Association in Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) and the Associate Director of Student Accessibility and Education Support at VCU, and Dr. Kevin Wade is a former President of VACUHO and the Director of Administrative Services for RLH at VCU. Dr. Parthemos and Dr. Wade will discuss how their offices work together to support VCU students. They will also share best practices related to disability support in the residence halls and how institutions can avoid common pitfalls that can limit student access and add stress to our students with needs.

Affinity Round Tables

11:00 - 11:50 AM

This session will allow for attendees to engage and empower one another through conversations based on experiences of the identities in each group. Moderators will be present to help cultivate a safe space for attendees to discuss, exhale, and develop a call to action.

  • Moderator: Danny Lee

    Upper Crust- Shrapshire

  • Moderator: Emily Higham

    Crawford South/Central

  • Moderator: Kenzil Hill

    Upper Crust Piedmont

  • Moderator: Ashley Owens

    Crawford North

  • Moderator: TJ Pegg

    Shamokin

Wellness Break

1:45 - 2:45 PM

Join us as we take the time to unwind, exhale, and relax our mind, bodies, and soul!

  • Upper Crust

  • Piedmont Room

  • Skyline Pavilion

  • Courtyard

  • Outside Skyline Pavilion

Interest Session 3

3:00 - 3:45 PM

  • Presenter: Lauren Garrett

    Shamokin

    Are you looking for unique ways to celebrate and recognize the military kids within your community? We were too! As a result of a brainstorming session (or two or three!) with current students and young alumni, we developed seven strategies that seemingly work on our campus ... and believe they can be adapted to most post-secondary communities. Join us to learn more!

  • Presenter: Josh Leidy

    Crawford North

    "Are you looking to develop a brand new department, program, initiative, or strategy at your institution? Are you aware of a need on your campus but don’t know where to start to fill that need? This session will highlight the ways in which Appreciative Inquiry, a high engagement, strength-based process for positive change with tangible and actionable results, can be used to co-create a solution focused on opportunities rather than deficits utilizing all the voices that need to be present."

  • Presenter: Bailey Bowers

    Crawford South/Central

    A session intended for any graduate students, new, mid-level, or senior professionals who have been wrestling with the age-old question, how do we communicate and show the time, effort, and complexity of the work that we do when we meet with students in student affairs. This session will take a deep dive into exploring the Case Acuity and Complexity Measure that the Care and Support Services (CASS) team at UVA has developed to do just that. We will discuss each step of the process from the creation of the scales, the implementation, as well as future uses and the expansion of this tool.

  • Presenter: John Hughey and Paul Brown

    Upper Crust- Shrapshire

    Do you work with your institution’s Care Team? Are you looking for better ways to track interactions with students? This past year, the University of Mary Washington began integrating Roompact into our processes in both Residence Life & Housing and the University’s Care Teams to improve retention. This session will cover the ways that Roompact changed how UMW documents student interactions and intervention follow-ups and will allow for discussion around how its features may benefit work on your campus.

  • Associates Showcase

Membership Meetings

4:00 - 5:00 PM

  • Upper Crust- Shrapshire

  • Crawford South/Central

  • Shamokin

  • Friday, November 7th

Leadership Meetings

8:30 - 9:30 AM

  • Rockfish

  • Blue Ridge

  • Shenandoah

Graduate Student Symposium

9:45 - 11:25 AM

Session 4 & 5

  • Session 4 (9:45 - 10:30 am)

    Rockfish

    Presenter: Lauren Garret, TJ Pegg, Olympia Ghosh

    Graduate students are encouraged to join for a panel discussion focused on navigating summer internship and practica experiences and choosing what’s right for you (NODA, ACUHO-I, Local Community Colleges experiences, etc.)

  • Session 5 (10:30 - 11: 25 am)

    Rockfish

    Presenter: Justin Tarbell

    The job/internship process can be incredibly daunting and overwhelming! The presenter will be sharing tips and tricks that have made him successful in navigating the job/internship processes to help and make the programs less overwhelming and manageable. We will cover things such as organization strategies, interview prep strategies, and identifying strong fits for you.

  • Session 5 (10:30 - 11: 25 am)

    Blue Ridge

    Presenter: Mikela Ortwein

    Join current graduate student, Mikela Ortwein, to learn how to connect VSSC presentations & networking into LinkedIn posts and Resume Building.

Interest Session 4

9:45 - 10:30 AM

  • Presenter: Chris “CJ” Porter

    Shenandoah

    Soft Landings is a program at the University of Mary Washington that is specifically designed for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Come find out what we learned, what the students said and how we're going to improve the program in the future!

  • Presenter: Harley Hess

    Crawford South/Central

    This session explores how Zen principles can improve staff dynamics, focusing on mindfulness, balance, and compassion. It provides actionable strategies for effective communication, conflict resolution, and team building while promoting a positive work environment.

  • Presenter: Corinne Hoffhines and Alex Wilson

    Upper Crust- Shrapshire

    Holding staff accountable, while also maintaining a positive relationship and staff dynamic is challenging. William & Mary has worked to change our staff accountability process through more of a restorative lens and less of a punitive one. Building community in a staff is key, but restoring trust after it is broken is vital to keeping positive staff dynamics. Looking at accountability through a lens of restorative practices and care leads to more developmental conversations that repair potential harm, while also helping support successful student employees.

  • Presenters: Emily Higham & Demarcus Merritt, Sr.

    Crawford North

    As Student Affairs professionals, we consistently encourage our students to “get involved” but what about us? In this session, your presenters will talk through different professional development opportunities including involvement in professional organizations and thinking about continuing education. You will leave this session with a basic professional development plan to take back to your home campus.

Interest Session 5

10:40 - 11:25 AM

  • Presenter: Abby Wax and Mackenzie Harry

    Shenandoah

    "Are you an introvert? Or perhaps you work with one? We will explore tips and tricks to help introverts thrive in the workplace in a field as social as higher education. We’ll also discuss ways to support the introverts you work with or supervise."

  • Presenter: Matt Talone and Kenzel Hill

    Crawford North

    When students encounter a policy violation, a common concern is whether their parents or guardians will be informed. In this session, we will explore the history of parental notifications within the student conduct process, review the laws and policies governing communication with parents and guardians, and examine best practices for engaging with students' families. Additionally, we will discuss the assessment conducted by VCU Residential Life and Housing regarding its parental notification process and the insights gained from this evaluation.

  • Presenter: Elizabeth Simmons

    Crawford South/Central

    In today's interconnected world, the concept of being a global citizen is embracing a sense of interconnectedness, empathy, and actively engaging in service towards the betterment of society and the environment. In this program, we will review what it means to be a global citizen in the realm of service, the Randolph-Macon College SERVE Program, first year community service involvement retention data for RMC, and community service and philanthropic initiatives from peer institutions.

  • Presenter: Pachia Martin and Dr. Krystal Allen

    Upper Crust- Shrapshire

    Having a professional mentor can be integral in successful career. Through participating in this session, individuals will gain skills and tools for finding a mentor and creating a professional relationship.