Schedule & Workshops

Topic Area: Assessment/Evidence-Based Decision Making

Location: Kimmel 909

Large unrealistic caseloads, degree audits, concentration & minor approvals, academic probation, degree verifications, unrealistic caseloads .... being an academic advisor can be extremely gratifying albeit also extremely challenging. Join us as we discuss some tips and tricks to streamlining the cyclical expectations of the role while striving to reframe things as a means to make all of our roles and interactions less strenuous for all.

Presenter(s):

Crystal "CD" Dilonez, Student Counselor, Opportunity Programs, Student Success, New York University

Topic Area: Well-being & Flourishing

Location: Kimmel 907

This session will provide participants the opportunity to take a step back from the non-stop multitasking environment of student affairs and reflect on their experiences, values and beliefs as student affairs professionals in an educational, analytical lens. Through individual reflection and group discussion, participants will leave the session with a sense of how to implement reflective practices through their day to day lives in order to better inform their practice and better serve a consistently changing student population.

Presenter(s):

Lianne Marelle Hipolito, Master of Arts Candidate in Higher Education and Student Affairs, NYU Steinhardt

Topic Area: Communities & Connections

Location: Kimmel 405

It is well documented that students who express satisfaction with their academic advising and advising relationships are more likely to persist at their universities (Vianden, 2016). Yet, the field is facing challenges (i.e. proportionally high turnover, lack of standardized advising definitions that lead to unwieldy and ever-expanding portfolios, the absence of transparent pathways to promotion). This roundtable session will be an opportunity to discuss and name challenges, share successes and resources, and brainstorm paths to creating a community of practice and a sustainable future.

Presenter(s):

Sarah Beth Bailey, Assistant Vice Provost, New York University

Daniel Choi, Associate Dean for Steinhardt Student Affairs, NYU Steinhardt

Topic Area: Graduate Student & New Professional Staff Development

Location: Kimmel 802

Navigating professional spaces as graduate students and new professionals can be intimidating and overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. The presenters will share their experiences navigating ACPA, ASHE, and NASPA with practical tools relevant to the landscape of our field. The presenters are involved at the local and international level in graduate student roles (masters and doctoral), professional roles, and affinity-based groups within these associations.

Presenter(s):

Elvira Garcia, Graduate Student & MLK Scholars Graduate Assistant, New York University

Capria Berry, Assistant Director, MLK Scholars Program, New York University

Topic Area: Well-being & Flourishing

Location: Kimmel 912

Food insecurity is a widespread issue affecting more and more students annually. The Violet Pantry is a student food pantry managed by the Liberal Studies, designed to bolster food security by providing non-perishable food, fresh produce, and personal care products, all free of charge. Join us for a discussion about the impacts of food insecurity, opportunities to expand the infrastructure and networks, identify resource gaps and critical engagement, and share the model developed and lessons learned from the Violet Pantry, attempting to offer all students a seat at the table.

Presenter(s):

Yenifer Dalloo, Assistant Director of Advising, Service & Leadership, New York University

Cammie Kim Lin, Clinical Assistant Professor of Liberal Studies, New York University

Jonathon White, Associate Dean of Students, Liberal Studies, New York University

Briana Martin, Assistant Director of Advising & Diversity, Liberal Studies, New York University

Nicole Engan, Undergraduate Student, Liberal Studies, New York University

Topic Area: Global Inclusion, Diversity, Belonging, Equity & Access

Location: Kimmel 406

In January 2023, NYU graduate students traveled to Türkiye to study the higher education system and its students. As Türkiye straddles between Europe and Asia not just geographically but also culturally and religiously, the young nation offers an insightful perspective on diversity, access, and the role of the state. This session will begin with an overview of the Turkish cultural/political context followed by presentations on various topics including admissions, DEI, and student belonging. Takeaways for American higher education student affairs practitioners will be discussed.

Presenter(s):

Mathew J.L. Shepard, Associate Director, Student Conduct & Doctoral Candidate, Higher Education Administration, New York University

Abhiramy Sathyanarayana, Residence Hall Resource Manager & M.A. Candidate for the Higher Education & Student Affairs program, NYU Steinhardt

Jimmy Suarez, Director of Planning and Program Development; Doctoral Candidate, Higher Education Administration, New York University 

Sarah Fisher, M.A. Candidate, Higher Education & Student Affairs Graduate Assistant, New York University

Marquisha Lu, M.A Candidate, Art, Education & Community Practice, NYU Steinhardt

Topic Area: Global Inclusion, Diversity, Belonging, Equity & Access

Location: Kimmel 903

The Islamic Center at New York University has developed a presentation that works to speak to the Muslim American experience in the polarizing world we live in, and at the same time, touch on sensitives surrounding the faith to increase literacy about a faith tradition that is often misunderstood. With challenges and obstacles seemingly on the uptick, there is a necessity to reflect upon the diversity of the Muslim community and identify specific hurdles faced by Muslim students on campuses, which the presentation works to address.

Presenter(s):

Amira Shouman, Associate Director, Islamic Center, New York University

Faiyaz Jaffer, Associate Chaplain, Islamic Center, New York University

Topic Area: Well-being & Flourishing

Location: Kimmel 914

Outside of the field, professionals receive training as they move into supervisory roles. However, in Student Affairs, it's assumed that supervision will come naturally. During this session, presenters will discuss real-life successes using synergistic supervision to support and retain staff while also exploring participants' questions, concerns, and hesitations to adopting this practice. Participants will walk away from this session with tools to support a productive and enriching supervision experience.

Presenter(s):

Becky Kjaerbye, Associate Director, Undergraduate Residential Life, MIT

Kat Howell, Assistant Director, Undergraduate Residential Life, MIT

Topic Area: Global Inclusion, Diversity, Belonging, Equity & Access

Location: Kimmel 905

Outside of the field, professionals receive training as they move into supervisory roles. However, in Student Affairs, it's assumed that supervision will come naturally. During this session, presenters will discuss real-life successes using synergistic supervision to support and retain staff while also exploring participants' questions, concerns, and hesitations to adopting this practice. Participants will walk away from this session with tools to support a productive and enriching supervision experience.

Presenter(s):


Byron Juan Tsabetsaye, Director, Student Involvement Center, Fort Lewis College

Allen M. McFarlane, Assistant Vice President, Outreach & Engagement, New York University 

Alyssa Klingler, M.A., Resident Hall Director, Office of Residential Life & Housing, New York University

Topic Area: Well-being & Flourishing

Location: Kimmel 802

The COVID-19 pandemic brought a slew of changes to higher education. Many of these adjustments came at a high cost to professionals, who reported increasing feelings of fatigue and burnout. Living during the pandemic has caused higher education professionals to reevaluate their lives and what is most important to them, including their health and well-being.This conversation will examine the pandemic's emotional and professional impact on higher education professionals, as well as suggestions for fostering nourishing places of care, balance, and respect for one's needs inside the academy.

Presenter(s):

Cammie Jones, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Partners for Campus-Community Engagement, and CEO of J. Jones Consulting, LLC.

Topic Area: Communities & Connections

Location: Kimmel 905

Exploring Transfer (ET) is a partnership between Vassar and local community colleges. Community college students have the opportunity to live and learn on Vassar's campus for 4 weeks during the summer. The students take classes that have a co-teaching model, with a community college professor and a Vassar faculty member. Boosting their confidence, helping them manage imposter syndrome, connecting them to a network of resources, students report that ET inspires them to consider broader academic possibilities and gives them a vision for their future.  What if we had an ET program at more institutions, perhaps, at your institution? Think of how we could move forward the DEIJ work.

Presenter(s):

Wendy Maragh Taylor, Associate Dean of the College, Vassar College

Topic Area: Assessment/Evidence-Based Decision Making

Location: Kimmel 406

Developing a comprehensive assessment plan strengthens the ability for data-informed decision making. This session explores how the NYU Welcome Program (over 400 programs in 3 weeks) developed its assessment elements including event submissions aligned with pillar themes, survey design aligned with program frameworks, qualtrics data visualization, qualitative coding for open-ended student responses, accurate event attendance using Engage, and tracking email direct open rates. Presenters will share examples of how assessment results are used to directly inform changes in programming approach.

Presenter(s):

Isabella Villacampa, Associate Director, Center for Student Life, New York University

Rebecca Gumpel, Program Administrator, Center for Student Life, New York University

Bianca Phillips, Assistant Director, Center for Student Life, New York University

Topic Area: Assessment/Evidence-Based Decision Making

Location: Kimmel 909

The presentation discusses transformational leadership and its role in education settings. Dr. Moreland used the Social Responsible Leadership Scale (SRLS-R2) assessment with staff leaders who worked in higher education to investigate if social responsible leadership impacted low-income college student retention and academic success during two pre-pandemic academic school years. The presentation discusses outcomes of the research and highlights staff leaders as cultural goods for the success of students like low-income college students who may lack capital to navigate complex systems.

Presenter(s):

Brooke Moreland, PhD, Associate Director, Community Engagement & Coalition Building, Indiana University

Topic Area: Graduate Student & New Professional Staff Development

Location: Kimmel 907

NASPA's 2022 Compass Report showcased how COVID-19 has left nearly 100% of student affairs professionals with increased responsibilities and 50% requesting stronger mentorship or supervisory support to increase their capacity. Understanding that everyone builds a tolerance for uncertainty in different ways, this workshop will discuss how teams can leverage a trauma-informed approach to capacity building, personal development, and strengthening team dynamics. Participants will engage in interactive discussions to practice their approach to working in an ever more ambiguous workforce.

Presenter(s):

Erin Haywood, Adjunct Professor in the Graduate School of Education and Psychology (Online), Pepperdine University

Gimel Rogers, Psy.D., ABPP, Owner, Faculty, Associate Director Online Programs, Pepperdine University

Topic Area: Global Inclusion, Diversity, Belonging, Equity & Access

Location: Kimmel 903

In an ever-urbanizing country, students from rural communities are left to fend for themselves when it comes to navigating higher education. With the minimal amount of research done looking into rural students' experiences, there is data to show that their experience before, during, and after college is different, and often more challenging than that of their suburban and urban peers. In this session, we will explore hurdles that rural students face when applying to college as, when they arrive on campus, and what student affairs professionals can do to support them.

Presenter(s):

Annie Cassutt, Media and Communications Graduate Assistant, Center for Student Life, New York University

Abagail Watford, Campus Activities Graduate Intern, Pace University

Topic Area: Global Inclusion, Diversity, Belonging, Equity & Access

Location: Kimmel 912

Chinese students comprise the largest percentage of international students in the US and bring academic, economic, and cultural value to US higher education institutions. These students face a multitude of transitional challenges during their first year of study in the US. This session endeavors to critically examine the intersections of education policies, cross-cultural communication and their impacts on Chinese students' social behaviors and academic performances. The session seeks to end with future programming ideas that would bridge such a knowledge gap for student affairs professionals.

Presenter(s):

Yibin Wei, MA Candidate in Higher Education and Student Affairs, NYU Steinhardt

Jiao Wang, MA Candidate in Education & Social Policy, NYU Steinhardt

Topic Area: Global Inclusion, Diversity, Belonging, Equity & Access

Location: Kimmel 914

How do we create space and opportunities for students and staff to develop the skills needed to create the equitable and just world we seek? This session outlines a developmental training approach that is effective and transformative. Utilizing two frameworks, social justice and intercultural competence, participants will explore methods for assessing intercultural capacity and growth, building critical skills, and creating developmentally appropriate training rooted in individual self-work and the critical examination of history, colonialization, power, and oppression.

Presenter(s):

Rafael Rodriguez, Ed.D., Dean of Students, New York University

Topic Area: Global Inclusion, Diversity, Belonging, Equity & Access

Location: Kimmel 905

Student engagement is a multidimensional construct associated with increases in self-confidence, motivation, and academic achievement. However, unlike academic performance, evaluating student engagement can be a daunting task.  Not only are there numerous theories that can influence practice, there is no consensus on what engagement is let alone how it should be measured. This roundtable discussion will focus on ways in which student engagement can be defined, operationalized, and measured.  Implications for improving co-curricular or other student experiences will also be discussed.

Presenter(s):

Adam G. Pilipshen, Assistant Director of Assessment, Evaluation, and Research, Stony Brook University

Topic Area: Well-being & Flourishing

Location: Kimmel 903

The world is not as binary as we're conditioned to believe it is. We are worthy even when we are producing to the benefit of our job responsibilities (or capitalism in general). Moreover, we are especially when we are practicing self care and boundaries. In an effort to inspire joy and positive energy join us to take a break to celebrate ourselves while we continue to do the work by playing a carefully crafted card game. Discussions of reframing pedagogy in academia is a bonus.

Presenter(s):

Crystal "CD" Dilonez, Student Counselor, Opportunity Programs, Student Success, New York University

Topic Area: Assessment/Evidence-Based Decision Making

Location: Kimmel 914

Research shows credit accumulation deficiencies during a student's first year are a leading indicator that they may not graduate on time. To address this issue, NYU created the Summer Success Program, a credit accumulation and early support intervention developed during the Summer of 2021. We discuss this initiative from three perspectives: data, programmatic design, and student support. We will share outcomes, successes, challenges, and how a similar program can be developed at other institutions.

Presenter(s):

John Burdick, Senior Associate Director, Student Success Office of Student Success, New York University

Melanie Oliva, Program Administrator, Student Success Office of Student Success, New York University

Juan Rodriguez, Assistant Director, Student Success Office of Student Success, New York University

Topic Area: Communities & Connections

Location: Kimmel 406

A workshop to provide attendees with the skills and information needed for students to start exploring the option of pursuing a career abroad. This session includes a reflection activity, essential information to jump start researching going abroad, and draws from moving to the Netherlands as a case study on how to pursue going abroad. This is a great workshop for all Student Affairs professionals and current international students who are in Higher Education programs.

Presenter(s):

Tim Zhang, International Mobility Specialist at bol.com/Founder at Overseasy

Topic Area: Communities & Connections

Location: Kimmel 907

Experiencing understaffing, diminished motivation, or reduced creativity within your advising team? This session will provide a framework for fostering and sustaining a continuous innovation and creativity culture. Explore The Ten Faces of Innovation and discover how your role and personality is effective in the overall productivity of a team. Learn how to build on an individual's strengths to transform the advising experience of your campus community!

Presenter(s):

Lorena Laverde, Interim Director, University Advisement Center, New Jersey City University

Rose Marie DiStefano, Academic Advisor, University Advisement Center, New Jersey City University

Vivianne Jimenez, Academic Advisor, University Advisement Center, New Jersey City University

Topic Area: Experiential Learning

Location: Kimmel 909

This session focuses on the many aspects of developing and implementing a collaborative Undergraduate Service Learning course.  Since 2019, the Silver School of Social Work has partnered with the NYU Langone Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Family Support Program and offers a service learning course, which adds an academic component to an existing intergenerational program.  This session will explore course development, from identifying a partner organization, developing a comprehensive syllabus, matching students to community participants, integrating critical student reflection and evaluation.

Presenter(s):

Peggy Morton, DSW, LCSW, Clinical Associate Professor, NYU Silver School of Social Work

Ann Burgunder, LMSW, Program Coordinator, Alzheimer's Disease & Related Dementias Family Support Program, NYU Langone Health

Topic Area: Well-being & Flourishing

Location: Kimmel 912

Students often arrive at college having experienced various types of trauma: physical, emotional, racial, medical, sexual, relational, and/or others. The consequences of these traumas can be exacerbated by the institutional structure into which they are acclimating, especially a decentralized administration. Academic advisors are in a unique position to foster the crucial sense of belonging students need to thrive. The purpose of this presentation is to introduce concepts, tools for academic advisors to nourish a sense of belonging in traumatized students within the context of decentralization.

Presenter(s):

Abigail Claire Winn, Master's Student, Higher Education Student Affairs, NYU Steinhardt

Topic Area: Global Inclusion, Belonging, Diversity, Equity & Access

Location: Kimmel 405

Institutional policies partially or fully create the conditions under which students will feel true belonging, or like "welcomed guests,"or marginalized in the campus community. This session examines a framework for student policy design to foster genuine inclusion and equity and ultimately, a welcoming campus climate. Audience members will have an opportunity to dissect case studies of student policies, such as athletics dress codes, housing policies, and student leadership rules.

Presenter(s):

Sarah Holtan, PhD, Special Advisor to the President & Professor of Communication, Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor

Topic Area: Assessment/Evidence-Based Decision Making

Location: Kimmel 802

This session extends earlier research exploring and framing out the state of research in assessment literature. Using 5 lenses for assessment work, this session will discuss recommendations for equitable practice and examples in methods, in data analysis, in vetting findings, in reporting, and in policy. The presenter and attendees will also share their own examples of using an equity lens of practice for each phase of the assessment cycle, including rubrics and program review.

Presenter(s):

Cindy Cogswell, Director of Data Strategy, New York University

Topic Area: Global Inclusion, Belonging, Diversity, Equity & Access

Location: Kimmel 405

So much research shows that the administrator can make a big difference in student-veteran success in higher education. Many institutions have started offering Green Zone training programs specifically designed to increase military cultural capital on campus. I want to facilitate a discussion about the need for military cultural capital, the inclusion of this in IBDEA policies, and hear what current administrators believe is important when supporting student-veterans.

Presenter(s):

Sarah Arikian-Coe, Assistant Director of Admissions, NYU Wagner

Nadia Tatum, Associate Director, NYU School of Professional Studies

Topic Area: Communities & Connections

Location: Kimmel 406

It Takes a Village: A Collaborative Approach to Supporting Students with Disabilities discussion provides ways to enhance students' diverse needs in academics and cognitive areas. The focus of this presentation/roundtable is to create a strength-based program that contributes to their educational and professional journey. Our goal is to view the whole-student approach, which requires all support services to promote positive youth development outcomes.

Presenter(s):

Luis Gutierrez, Assistant Director of AccessABILITY Services, Guttman Community College

Topic Area: Communities & Connections

Location: Kimmel 905

In Spring 2020, 84% of the undergraduate institutions moved their university online (National Center for Education Statistics, 2021). As student affairs educators, we maximized our adaptability and worked on other duties as assigned apart from colleagues. But at what cost? This session plans to examine a departmental task force that started in the middle of the pandemic to build a cohesive community after a global disaster. Join us to examine how we approach the process and feel free to share your own narratives. We can also help scale some ideas to match your needs and resources.

Presenter(s):

J. Joseph Jang, Residence Hall Assistant Director, Residential Life & Housing Services, New York University

Morgan Vinson, Residence Hall Director, Residential Life & Housing Services, New York University

Topic Area: Communities & Connections

Location: Kimmel 907

This presentation provides a fresh outlook at the first-generation student experience by focusing on the graduate student population. Given the unique needs of first-generation graduate students, student affairs practitioners may grapple with how to best support students who hold this identity in a way that differs from their undergraduate experience. By grounding this presentation in the context of Teachers College, attendees will be able to share trends and best practices that they can bring back to their home institution.

Presenter(s):

Fanny He, Associate Director, Graduate Student Life and Development, Teachers College, Columbia University

Amelia Jones, Administrative Fellow, Graduate Student Life and Development, Teachers College, Columbia University

Topic Area: Global Inclusion, Diversity, Belonging, Equity & Access

Location: Kimmel 914

The Black Achievement Success and Engagement (BASE) Initiative at the University of San Francisco (USF) offers high-impact academic and extracurricular programs that centers on the recruitment, retention, and belonging for Black / African American undergraduate and graduate students. Using BASE as a case study, this session aims to empower participants to explore, develop, and implement campus-wide initiatives that aim to enhance the student success and belonging of marginalized student populations using existing institutional resources and revenue.

Presenter(s):

Kevin Collymore, Assistant Dean, Retention and Persistence Programs, Center for Academic and Student Achievement / CASA, University of San Francisco

LaShirine Howard, BASE Program Manager, Center for Academic and Student Achievement / CASA, University of San Francisco

Topic Area: Graduate Student & New Professional Staff Development

Location: Kimmel 802

How much of your identity or self-worth is contingent on your performance at work or in your relationships? As high-performing professionals, we can often find ourselves sacrificing our self-esteem for recognition, validation, and perfection. But what are the costs and benefits of doing so? In this presentation, we'll identify and learn about common cognitive fallacies that shape the way we view ourselves and the world around us. In response, we'll talk through how to counter each distortion with compassion, and delve into what it would mean to be "good enough."

Presenter(s):

Matt Poon, PsyD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Topic Area: Well-being & Flourishing

Location: Kimmel 912

The 24/7 nature of campus life imposes a duty to respond to critical incidents in the moment, meeting students where they are. The development of services to meet the documented increase of needs in the areas of mental health, substance use, and sexual violence has been a top priority in student affairs. We will discuss the creation of a new category of professional staff dedicated to incident response in the residence halls, representing a shift in the traditional model of crisis management in the spaces where students live, as well as the applicability to other student affairs units.

Presenter(s):

Noelle Melartin, Associate Director, Residential Wellness, Residential Life & Housing Services, New York University

David Lopez, Incident Response Manager, Residential Life & Housing Services, New York University

Ian Koncagul, Incident Response Team Administrator, Residential Life & Housing Services, New York University

Topic Area: Experiential Learning

Location: Kimmel 903

Come learn about how the NYU Stern Undergraduate College has taken an innovative approach to the training and development of student leaders. In a post-COVID world it is important for student affairs professionals to adapt to the way in which Generation Z receives information. So the undergraduate college Office of Student Engagement decided to develop an online module to supplement an in-person student leader training experience. Within this session we will talk about the challenges and accomplishments we have identified after a year of implementing our online training and development program.

Presenter(s):

Stephanie Valentino, Associate Director of Student Engagement, MBA Candidate, NYU Stern

Stephanie Bautista, Graduate Fellow of Student Engagement, HESA Graduate Student, NYU Steinhardt