Schedule & Workshops
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Pre-Conference on Diversity & Equity Schedule Linked Here
Friday, February 14, 2020
Check In and Registration (8:45 AM to 1:00 PM)
Kimmel Center For University Life, 60 Washington Square South, Lobby
Coffee will be available from 8:45am-10:00am in the Skirball Lobby
1 [Roundtable]: Intersection of Student Affairs & Retention: A Transformational Dialogue
Topic Area: Student Success & Development
This roundtable dialogue will focus on how retention and persistence work impacts the work of student affairs professionals. In a time of decreasing populations and enrollments, increased fiscal costs, and FLSA guidance, the focus on student retention is gaining increased importance across student affairs. How are we changing job descriptions? Responsibilities? Collateral Experiences? This session will provide participants with an opportunity to think about retention and persistence and share meaningful experiences with colleagues across institutions and position types.
Presenter(s):
Thomas Tressler-Gelok, Director of Residential Education & Retention Specialist, Residential Education at Wagner College
Matthew Kubacki, Ed.D., MA, Dean for Academic & Career Engagement at Wagner College
1A: Emerging First-Gen Professionals in Students Affairs: Promoting Growth & Development through Building a Sense of Inclusion and Belonging
Topic Area: Professional Development
Increasing a sense of inclusion and belonging for emerging first-generation student affairs professionals (FGSAP) has implications on the growth, development, and retention of a diverse student affairs workforce. Challenges and best practices which impact emerging FGSAP are identified through a review of the literature and group discussion. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their institution’s engagement with emerging FGSAP, identify an action item that commits to initiating or increasing support at their institution, and share existing best practices with other participants.
Presenter(s):
Ashley Cisneros, Residence Hall Director, Residential Life & Housing at Barnard College
Luis Cisneros, Graduate Assistant for Inclusive Leadership Programming and Advancement, Office of Global Inclusion, Diversity, and Strategic Innovation at New York University
1B: Engaging Student Artists on Campus
Topic Area: Student Success & Development
Performing artist students often have unique challenges to consider due to differences in their college experiences and academic programs. From career advising, to disability support and counseling services, to visa requirements, these various stressors impact how they can be engaged on campus. This session will explore how student affairs professionals can best support artists on their campus.
Presenter(s):
Cory Owen, Associate Dean of Student Development at the Julliard School
Crystal Wilson, Assistant Director of Student Engagement & Coordinator of Disability Services, Student Affairs at Manhattan School of Music
1C: The Case for Coaching
Topic Area: Professional Development
Is your team struggling with motivation? Are there issues meeting deadlines? Are you curious about how to optimize your 1:1s? If you answer yes to any of these questions, this session is for you! While the art of coaching has been around for years, professional organizations, institutions, and groups are just now understanding the power of coaching. This presentation will examine where the coaching phenomenon originated, the principles of coaching, frameworks, approaches to coaching that will improve interpersonal communication, and get a chance to practice these skills!
Presenter(s):
Daniel Nicholas Erosa, Residence Hall Assistant Director, Residential Life & Housing Services at New York University
1D: How Understanding the High School to College Transition Can Benefit Higher Education and Student Affairs Practitioners
Topic Area: Professional Development
This session aims to increase awareness of the connection between the K-12 system and higher education for current graduate students or student affairs practitioners. Participants will learn about what is currently happening at the policy level and in practice in the K-12 system, as this experience shapes both traditional and non-traditional students entering community colleges, public four-year, private four-year, and for-profit institutions. We will talk about poverty, race, first-generation, discipline, and academic rigor and support. All crucial components affecting students college readiness.
Presenter(s):
Carolina Reyes, Graduate of NYU Steinhardt Educational Leadership, Politics and Advocacy MA in Administration, Leadership & Technology at NYU Steinhardt
1E: Surviving or Thriving? Strategies for Promoting a Culture of Wellness on Campus
Topic Area: Health & Wellness
While institutions have historically prioritized mental and physical health on campus, promoting holistic wellness among students has become a critical imperative for student affairs practitioners. This session will discuss the extant and emerging scholarship around student wellness promotion and explore a case study from the Thrives pilot initiative at The Juilliard School. Attendees will leave the session with practical tools for developing and assessing initiatives around social, physical, emotional, career, community, and financial wellness within their unique campus communities.
Presenter(s):
Elizabeth Scott-Francis, Assistant Director of Residence Life at the Julliard School
1F: Embedded Career Development: Innovative Approaches to Influencing Your Campus Ecosystem
Topic Area: Student Success & Development
Career services extends beyond the career center walls. How can college campuses embed career development into students’ overall academic experience? Join us in a deep dive of how NYU is reimagining traditional career services by equipping both campus partners and students in innovative ways. Participants who attend this session will leave with tangible, creative, and sustainable approaches to integrate career services into the university ecosystem and meet customized career development needs across their own campuses.
Presenter(s):
Gracy Sarkissian, Senior Director, Wasserman Center for Career Development at New York University
Akiko Yamaguchi, Director, Stern School of Business at New York University
1G: Getting Students to Do What is Best for Them: Nudges, Behavioral Science and Support for Academically Difficult Courses
Topic Area: Student Success & Development
Complex factors prohibit students from being proactive, even when proactive behavior — such as utilizing tutoring — is in their own self-interest. The NYU Office of Student Success and the Faculty of Arts collaborated to development a text-message based nudging initiative to support academically at-risk students in high enrollment, gateway STEM courses. We will share research on the benefits of nudging, offer best practices for this type of highly personalized intervention, outline technology and staffing requirements, and discuss the role of nudges as a tool to create a more equitable campus.
Presenter(s):
John M. Burdick, Associate Director of Student Success, Office of Student Success at New York University
Whitney Hawkins, Associate Director of Student Success, Office of Student Success at New York University
2 [Roundtable]: What Can You Do to Make a Difference? A Career at the Community College
Topic Area: Professional Development
The decision to pursue a career at a community college is a both a professional and personal decision. This program will focus on the presenters intentional decisions to pursue their careers at a community college. While addressing the misconceptions of community college, presenters will also be reviewing the quality of life a professional can experience while ultimately changing the lives of students.
Presenter(s):
Tania Velazquez, College Director for Career Services at Suffolk University
Dr. Brian Mitra, Dean of Student Affairs at Kingsborough Community College
2A: Intersectionality vs. Multiple Identities: Knowing Which to Use in Your Role as a Student Affairs Professional
Topic Area: Diversity
As student affairs practitioners become increasingly committed to incorporating social justice within their practice, “buzzwords” are removed from their theoretical context, which leads to incorrect application. While the intent is to serve students with diverse needs, we must properly utilize these concepts to support the well-being of students and affirm their identities. This program will help practitioners better understand intersectionality through discussion, while identifying strategies that can be integrated into practice.
Presenter(s):
Harlie Pietrangelo, Graduate Hall Director, Residence Life at Rutgers University - New Brunswick
Vanessa Danek, Graduate Hall Director, Residence Life at Rutgers University - New Brunswick
2B: Accessibility for the Res Life Professional: Tips from a former Disability Services Counselor turned Residence Hall Director
Topic Area: Professional Development
Learn tips for ways that residential life staff can increase accessibility and access for students with disabilities in their communities. Participants will learn ways to create more accessible programs, including creating accessible advertisements. This session will also cover common accommodations and an overview of assistive technology. Finally, there will be an activity for participants to consider ways they can apply this new information to their roles while asking questions and getting feedback.
Presenter(s):
Jacqueline Atkins, Residence Hall Director, Residential Life at Columbia University
2C: Financial Literacy - What We Didn’t Learn Growing Up and Our Responsibility to Understand to Educate
Topic Area: Professional Development
In the United States, the national student loan debt and the average credit card debt has never been higher. Financial literacy is not a topic that is typically covered in our current education system, however, money management plays a significant role in being able to build net worth, purchase a home, and comfortably retire. To assist students in learning about financial literacy, we first need to understand these concepts. This presentation provides an overview of how credit scores are calculated, tips on how to budget, and suggestions on saving for retirement.
Presenter(s):
Levi Verges, Residence Hall Director at Columbia University
Presenter(s):
Jason Joyce, Assistant Director of Student Life, School of Professional Studies at Columbia University
2D: How to Do Better: Supporting International Students through Social Media
Topic Area: Student Engagement
Despite our students’ origins, the internet is a necessity of life. However, Student Affairs Professionals often project uniform ways of social media engagement across various student populations. The presenters aim to point out the differing social media usage habits of international students and how social media is enforcing (or impeding) their adaptation to the new environment. The presenters also suggest best practices for Student Affairs Professionals to advise and support international students via social media.
Presenter(s):
Violet Yin, Student Affairs Officer, Data Science Institute at Columbia University
Viva Ye, Admission and Communications Assistant, Office of Graduate Affairs at Columbia University
2E: The Fifth Trimester: Navigating Work and Life After Maternity Leave
Topic Area: Health & Wellness
Can we have it all? This question plagues women as they return to work from maternity leave. After surviving three trimesters of pregnancy and the newborn phase, the “fifth trimester” defines when the working mom is born. Presenters will share their personal strategies for navigating work and life after maternity leave. Whether you’re about to experience maternity leave or are looking to support others who are, this session will start conversations around what it means to become a working parent in student affairs.
Presenter(s):
Krista Klein, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, Honors College at Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Nicole Baron, Assistant Dean & Director for Admissions, Honors College at Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Delmy Lendof, Ed.D., Associate Dean for Student Affairs at NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development
Kelly Hennessy, Ed.D., Interim Assistant Vice President for Student Services at The College of New Jersey
Issata Oluwadare, Associate Dean for Student Affairs at Rutgers University-New Brunswick Honors College
2F: Say What You Mean: Strategies for Improving Communication between Academic Advisors and English Language Learners
Topic Area: Advising
In this session, the presenters will apply linguistic research to the academic advising role and share quick, accessible communication strategies focused on improving the experience of English Language Learners. Through interactive team exercises, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in best practices when revising written communication and practice active listening.
Presenter(s):
Roxana Ashtari, Academic Advisor, Student Affairs at the School of Professional Studies at Columbia University
Briana McDonald, Academic Advisor, Student Affairs at the School of Professional Studies at Columbia University
2G: The Untold Stories of First Generation African American Students- Promoting Sense of Belonging & Academic Success at PWI's
Topic Area: Student Success & Development
By 2018 in the US, approximately 101 million jobs required a post-secondary degree. This session is intended to help higher education administrators develop a strong understanding of the relationship between first-generation African American students and the campus environment in predicting student persistence or
withdrawal behavior at PWI's. A better understanding of this relationship will allow higher education administrators to more clearly design and manage institutional programs that will have the greatest influence on student persistence. This session will include current research.
Presenter(s):
Dr. LaToya Blount, Interim Senior Advisor - Student Success at SUNY Rockland Community College
Coffee & Treats (2:00 to 4:00 PM)
Everyone needs a little pick me up in the afternoon! Coffee and desserts will be available on the 4th and 10th floors of Kimmel. Feel free to stop by for a treat in between sessions or take a break from sessions to catch up with colleagues!
3 [Roundtable]: A Curricular Approach to Student Engagement
Topic Area: Student Success & Development
Research shows that the design and implementation of a curriculum model for programming and student learning outside of the classroom has a positive effect on student learning. However, the ways in which that curricular approach takes form varies at each institution. This round-table discussion will focus on common practices and current iterations of approaching programming for students with a pedagogical, curricular approach.
Presenter(s):
David R. Nielsen, Residence Coordinator, Office of Community Engagement at Purchase College (SUNY)
Tolu Omole, Residence Coordinator, Office of Community Engagement at Purchase College (SUNY)
3A: Aesthetics and Accessibility: Inclusivity in a Digital Space
Topic Area: Technology
As the digital age has become increasingly prominent in the lives of our students, it is imperative that we evaluate our communication strategies to ensure they are accessible, engaging, and inclusive. In doing so, we will be able to create content that is authentic and allows students to feel a sense of belonging online. This presentation will highlight student-centered strategies and best practices for creating aesthetic content by understanding your digital brand aesthetic, knowing your audience, and ensuring accessibility on all media and communications platforms.
Presenter(s):
Zach Harrell, Director of Student Engagement, Office of University Life at Columbia University
Isabella Villacampa, Associate Director, Center for Student Life at New York University
Emily Anderson, Graduate Assistant, Center for Student Life at New York University
Fatime Osmani, Graduate Assistant, Office of University Life at Columbia University
3B: Empowering Students to Become College Access Ambassadors
Topic Area: Student Success & Development
High school students have many influencers in their college application journey. This workshop will discuss how to prepare current high school students to become college access ambassadors. Peer to peer advisement can prove to be very effective when reaching certain student populations. We will conduct a deepdive of the NYU College Access Leadership Institute (CALI) to explore the various intentional partnerships that have allowed this program’s success. CALI is a collaboration among universities, CBOs, high schools, and others in the higher education realm.
Presenter(s):
Jimmy Suarez, Director of Planning and Program Development, Undergraduate Admissions at New York University
Tysha Vulcain-Murrell, Graduate Assistant, Pipeline, Undergraduate Admissions at New York University
3C: Don’t Speak Slowly Just Because They Have an Accent: Recognizing and Navigating Biases in our Student Facing Work
Topic Area: Diversity
For better or worse, our personal biases are woven into all facets of our work as student facing professionals. The good thing is that all biases are not inherently negative. Our goal in this session is to help participants identify their existing biases, think critically about their root cause, and implement strategies to mitigate their impact. Grounded in existing research, participants will leave the session with strategies they can apply to their roles as student affairs professionals, and best practices they can bring to their colleagues.
Presenter(s):
Joshua Mackey, Assistant Director of Student Life, Office of Student Engagement at Columbia University, School of Professional Studies
Phong Luu, Interim Director of Student Support, Office of Student Engagement at Columbia University, School of Professional Studies
3D: Remaining Calm in the Storm - Mindfulness Techniques for Both Leaders and Educators
Topic Area: Professional Development
Student leaders & student affairs professionals have at some point experienced some of the stressors that are so prevalent within our field and modern lives. The reality is that stressful environments with stressed out participants tend to foment a space in which creative challenge solving, spontaneous cognition, intuitive discernment and transformational leadership becomes limited at best and stifled at worst. Throughout this workshop, I will outline tools and practices to assist individuals and groups in creating mindful spaces that enhance productivity, a sense of presence and fulfillment.
Presenter(s):
Juan-Carlos Piñerio, Assistant Director of Student Involvement: Leadership and Multicultural Programs, Department of Student Involvement at Westchester Community College
3E: 100% THAT Candidate: Tips and Tricks for Navigating a Successful Search Process for Graduate Students and New Professionals
Topic Area: Professional Development
Like Lizzo said, let us “help you with your career, just a little.” For graduate students and new professionals, navigating the student affairs job search process can be intimidating and daunting. This session will provide participants tips and tricks for all things job search related, including resume and cover letter prep, placement conferences, and phone/on-campus interviews. The session will also aim to allow participants the chance to begin practicing strategies for self-reflection as well as interview questioning.
Presenter(s):
Joey Kopriva, Associate Director of Residential Life at Columbia University
Tara Hanna, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Student Life/Executive Director of Residential Life at Columbia University
Janae Buege-McClain, Residence Hall Director at Columbia University
3F: Keeping them Engaged: Facilitating Workshops for Adult Learners Across Campus
Topic Area: Professional Development
Determining the most effective strategies for engaging participants in a workshop can be especially difficult for facilitators working with non-traditional undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty and staff. These adult learners are unique in their view of and approach to learning meaning strategies for engagement need to be equally unique. In this session we will introduce some theoretical approaches to adult learning, explore effective facilitation tools designed specifically for adult learners and discuss how to successfully incorporate these strategies into your workshops.
Presenter(s):
Samantha Collins, Coordinator, Center for Faculty Engagement and Advancement at Stevens Institute of Technology
Yijia Liu, Coordinator, Graduate Academics & Student Success at Stevens Institute of Technology
3G: "Fill Out this Form!"... an Engagement Tool
Topic Area: Student Success & Development
How can we turn tedious, bureaucratic, work flow processes into effective engagement tools? This session will explore Vassar College's revamped student activity event approval process - a peer-led planning and approval process that has yielded a more successful programming model AND a more impactful student leader experience. Attendees will explore how to leverage day-to-day operational needs of their institution into effective developmental conversations, and higher accountability and empowerment among students.
Presenter(s):
William Rush, NYU HESA '14, Assistant Director of Campus Activities at Vassar College
4 [Roundtable]: Navigating Conversations in Color
Topic Area: Diversity & Professional Development
This roundtable is focused on helping traditionally marginalized students communicate effectively in an academic environment. While the key focus of the discussion will address "common" concerns as they impact students of color, the tools, resources and information provided can be used to help other traditionally marginalized students (ex: LGBTQ+, low-income, first-generation, etc.) navigate many of the academic offices where there may be a lack of representation (administrators, faculty and staff may not look like the student or may not be associated with the same background).
Presenter(s):
Quintin E. Sipp, Financial Aid Counselor at New York University
Danielle P. Cooper, Financial Aid Counselor at New York University
4A: Designing for Neurodiverse Populations: Supporting Student Success and Career Readiness
Topic Area: Diversity & Student Success
The number of neurodiverse students entering college and the workforce is rapidly increasing. These students bring an important perspective to the classroom and a valuable skill-set to the workplace. But there are challenges. Traditional support in the form of accommodations is often not enough. This interactive session will help colleges and employers identify their neurotypical bias and explore innovative ways to prepare the workforce of the future.
Presenter(s):
Gracy Sarkissian, Senior Director, Wasserman Center for Career Development at New York University
Lauren Hough Williams, Director, ASD NEST Support Network at New York University
Jacob Cohen, Disability Specialist, Moses Center for Students with Disabilities at New York University
4C: The Mindful Leader: Breaking Free From Self-Critical Cycles with Courage and Compassion
Topic Area: Health & Wellness
In a fast-paced academic environment, it can be difficult to pause and ask ourselves, "how am I doing?". As higher ed practitioners, our attention is often on the wellbeing of our students. However, to continue providing sustainable and authentic care, it is paramount that practitioners take care of themselves as well. This presentation is a follow-up from The Compassionate Leader, & will focus on the practice of mindfulness. Participants will not only learn more about shame and anxiety & its contribution to self-critical cycles, but will engage in an experiential exercise & learn new skills.
Presenter(s):
Matthew Poon, PsyD, Staff Psychologist, Student Health Services at Columbia University Irving Medical Center
4D: Hire Education: Getting Students to Think Like Hiring Managers
Topic Area: Professional Development
NYU has developed a program that transforms its students into hiring managers, giving them the opportunity to make decisions about a pool of fictional job candidates. As students review the candidates’ applications, watch their interviews, and ultimately negotiate the salary of their prospective hire, they engage in rich discussions with their peers and develop insight into the job search process. Participants of this session will experience a portion of the program for themselves and learn how to design and assess a version customized for their own institutions.
Presenter(s):
Miriam Miller, Senior Assistant Director for Graduate Student Career Development, Wasserman Center for Career Development at New York University
4E: The Missing Colors of the Rainbow: Recommendations for Supporting Queer & Trans Students of Color
Topic Area: Diversity
The experiences and struggles of LGBTQIA+ people of color (QTPOC) are often forgotten- especially when people fail to recognize what life is like at the intersection of those identities. Using findings taken from the personal narratives of experiences of students of color who took part in a camp designated for queer-identifying individuals, this workshop will be centered around the complex array of power that impacts the experiences of students with intersections of blackness, queerness, and gender while also helping attendees to understand how to better support LGBTQIA+ people of color.
Presenter(s):
Suede Graham, Coordinator for Student Development, Student Development & Campus Activities at Pace University
Erinn Furey, Adjunct Professor of Social Work & Psychology at New York University, Fordham University & Columbia University
4F: Strengthening Academic Integrity Values Through Preventative Education & Action Planning
Topic Area: Student Success & Development
Academic integrity defines a university and is essential to the mission of higher education. This presentation outlines national trends in academic integrity in higher education and provides an overview of best preventative practices. It will provide context of how Columbia University orients its undergraduate students to understand how to uphold integrity by drawing on cross-promotion of academic and campus resources. Participants are invited to engage in participatory dialogue about academic integrity trends and start an action plan to strengthen their academic integrity values on their home campuses.
Presenter(s):
Victoria Malaney Brown, Director of Academic Integrity, Student & Family Support at Columbia University
4G: Connecting your Personal Charge with Your Student Affairs Trajectory
Topic Area: Professional Development
Vast and varied is the field of higher education and student affairs. This presentation will support student affairs professionals by helping them find alignment within their professional trajectory. By workshopping through concepts and frameworks such as Tim Tamashiro’s Ikigai, Simon Sinek’s Start with your Why, and Angela Duckworth’s Grit, attendees will self reflect, unpack their experiences, and examine their future prospects. In finding one’s personal charge, one can explore what role within student affairs feels best paired with their working theory of change.
Presenter(s):
Stephanie Liu, Assistant Director, Breakthrough Scholars Leadership Program, Leadership Initiative at New York University
Amity Hall
Conference Social (4:30 - 6:30 PM)
Come debrief, visit with colleagues, and even meet a few new folks! Everyone is encouraged to attend! Social will be at a Amity Hall, 80 W 3rd at Thompson Streets (behind the Kimmel Center). Appetizers will be provided by the conference and a cash bar will be available.