Session 1
Perseverance as a New Professional- Schroeder Hall 104
Jill Benson & Michelle Whited, Illinois State University
Ask any Student Affairs professional about horror stories from their first few years in the field and you are sure to get an earful. Why is this? Didn’t the field seem so wonderful when you are an undergraduate or graduate student? What happened to the field you fell in love with? In all likelihood, there’s a combination of factors at play – unrealistic or idyllic expectations, lack of understanding that Student Affairs work is different than Student Affairs student involvement, a clash between personal values and institutional/office values, poor supervision or a myriad of other issues. Professional perseverance is required to survive and thrive those first professional years. Two seasoned Student Affairs professionals will share techniques to use personal agency to challenge and reframe perspective in order to persevere and, ultimately, learn and grow as a professional. They will draw upon their own career narratives and those of their colleagues and former supervisees.
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What I Wish I knew About Graduate School: SA Edition- Schroeder Hall 114
Rachelle Krausen, Amber Webb, & Annie Garner, Eastern Illinois University
Debunk the myths, fears, and unknown of graduate school with those who are experiencing it first-hand. Current graduate students will share their perspectives and tips to best prepare undergraduate students for graduate school. Students are expected to leave with confidence and questions answered after discussing classes, assistantships, what to expect, ways to prepare, and the differences between the undergraduate and graduate experience.
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Putting the “Eye” in Internships: Critically Analyzing Internships Through a Social Justice Lens-
Schroeder Hall 201
Brandon Ishikata & Jazminn Williams, Loyola University Chicago
Internships are more than just free labor & grabbing coffee for your supervisor. In grad school, internships allow you to gain knowledge in specific functional areas, organizations & institutions. More importantly, these opportunities can widen your critical lens by incorporating your social identities & the social identities of the students wish you serve. From a Hawai’i flagship to a Chicagoland community college, come learn from these personal experiences in finding YOUR best internship fit.
Connecting Personal Purpose to Professional Practices and Passion- Schroeder Hall 204
Tracy Rogers-Tryba, Northern Illinois University
Questions about civic engagement, democracy, and the role of education have always been intertwined (Biesta, 2007). These same characteristics can be said to overlap with the American tradition of higher education in developing active citizens while preparing individuals personally and socially for effective civic participation in society (Dewey, 1916; Strayhorn, 2008; de Tocqueville, 1969). Research has indicated that civic engagement, such as community service, leadership, and philanthropy, positively affects college student experiences. However, exploration of the long-term effects of these experiences upon student organizational members once they have graduated and begun their post-collegiate lives as alumni is noticeably absent. Gain perspective from one student's lifetime journey to find true purpose in supporting deliberative dialogue on college campuses and how it can contribute to supporting the historical role of higher education. How advocating for increased student participation in "wicked" conversations surrounding social justice, civic and community issues can prepare individuals for the conversations and actions that matter following graduation and into their professional lives.
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Student Affairs Graduate Search: Trust the Process- Schroeder Hall 206
Danae Miesbauer, Wendall Lytle, & Carly Tucker, Northern Illinois University
This session will focus is on the process of becoming a graduate student in the student affairs profession. Whether you are coming straight from your undergraduate career or transitioning from the workforce, the process can be very intimidating. The presenters hope to alleviate your stress and help you feel prepared to make the right decision on choosing a graduate program. This interactive session will include dialogue from a higher education graduate program advisor and two current graduate students who will share advice on the graduate school application process, graduate assistantships and reassure that all you need to do is “Trust the Process”.
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Getting the Most out of Your Graduate School Experience- Schroeder Hall 211
Kelly Olson,Northern Illinois University
It can be difficult to figure out what your graduate school experience should look like and include. In this session, you will learn about ways to get the most out of your graduate school experience that includes graduate assistantship positions, internships, volunteer opportunities, and committee involvement. You will learn about the benefits of informational interviews and building a professional network. If you are interested in going to graduate school, you will learn what type of questions you should ask when selecting a graduate school program to ensure that you get the best experience tailored to your professional path that will include advice from current graduate students. If you are already in graduate school, you will learn strategies to ensure you get the best experience possible that helps grow your resume for when you are looking for full-time positions.
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Session 2
Creating Your Dream Job- Schroeder Hall 104
Sarah Dolan, Illinois State University
Since childhood we are asked what we want to be. What happens when the dream and reality don’t coincide? In Creating Your Dream Job Sarah Dolan will speak about turning her role as an academic advisor into a dream job and how that job took her to Milan, Italy last summer. Learn about how you can be more than your job description and find fulfillment in the work that you do. Sarah Dolan is an academic advisor for the School of Teaching and Learning (TCH) at Illinois State University. Since being hired she has: revamped TCH’s new student orientation, gained a graduate assistant, created a student ambassador program, and developed a study abroad program to Milan, Italy.
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Graduate Assistantship Panel- Schroeder Hall 114
Kiley Sturm, Eastern Illinois University
Graduate students at EIU with assistantships in Admissions, Student Success Center, Minority Affairs, Greek Life, Housing, Financial Aid, and Civic Engagement/Volunteerism will share a summary of their assistantship. Second year graduate students will also discuss the two internships they have done/are in the process of completing. Students attending the panel will be able to ask questions to any of the graduate students. They will also be able to speak directly to the graduate student in the specific assistantships of interest to them.
Why we gotta hate? Moving beyond Charlottesville- Schroeder Hall 201
Michelle Janisz, Ph.D. & Abbi Hanson, Western Illinois University
Hate! Hate! Hate! It's beginning to seem commonplace in our world but what can we in Higher Education do about it? This facilitated dialogue will provide participants the space to self-reflect on the recent incident in Charlottesville while also creating an opportunity to discuss, with others, what role we have as students, faculty, and staff to help address the continuing volatile nature of events that keep happening across our country. A brief video will be shown followed by personal reflection and small group discussion, and conclude with opportunities to discuss what our respective campuses are doing to help educate and hopefully prevent such hateful events on our campuses.
Fish Out of Water: Exploring Unwritten Rules as New #SAPRO- Schroeder Hall 204
Nicki Rowlett, Purdue University
Today’s graduate programs focus heavily on the higher education landscape and theoretical approaches to advising, yet lack courses in navigating politics, developing professional capacity, and dynamics between stakeholders. As a result, hundreds of new professionals entering our field are ill-equipped to handle situations that are rooted in some of these troublesome areas. Led by four new professionals with varying experiences, this transparent and engaging session will address some of the most taboo topics in our profession by sharing personal experiences and engaging in discussion. New professionals are welcome to join us for an authentic conversation that surrounds the future of new professionals in our field.
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First Things First: Resume Design & Development-Schroeder Hall 206
Ann Schick & Kevin Thomas, Heartland Community College
Applying for a new opportunity can be daunting due to the competitive nature of the job market. For this session, we want to focus on resume building and design, professional networking, and developing transferable skills with experience. Making connections and letting your resume material speak for you prior to the interview(s) is beneficial to establishing yourself as a well-rounded professional. Participants will gain confidence in designing a resume, articulating diverse experiences to employers, and learn suggestions for professional networking.
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Make the Most out of Your Internship Experience-Schroeder Hall 211
Natalie Vang & John Willis III, Western Illinois University & Illinois State University
Learn about finding the right internship for you! The audience will gain valuable insight on how to navigate the NODA and ACUHOI summer internship process as well as how to make the most out of a summer internship experience.
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Session 3
From Main Stage to Back Stage: The Transition from Student Leader to Advisor Schroeder Hall 104
Presenters: Jaimee Maddox & Kristal Gomez, Panelists: Kimberly Kuspa, Myranda Anderson, Abbi Hanson, Ricky Boche, & Tyler McLean, Western Illinois University
If you are considering student affairs as a profession, chances are you might have had at least one leadership position in your undergraduate career. When you are in a leadership role, you are performing certain tasks related to your position. When you become a graduate advisor, you are helping leaders perform those tasks. Join us to learn more about how to make the transition from performing on the main stage to how to advise students from the backstage.
SA 101 Panel- Schroeder Hall 114
Faculty, Staff and Current Graduate Students from Eastern Illinois University, Illinois State University, and Western Illinois University
Participants will get the opportunity to hear about the three host institutions’ graduate programs (Eastern Illinois University, Illinois State University, Western Illinois University) in a facilitated conversation led by our Keynote speaker, Brandon Common. Panelists will include both second-year students and faculty from each program to allow participants to hear a diversity of opinions and experiences. Initial questions will be provided, but we encourage our audience to prompt the panel with their own after we begin!
Engaging Social Justice: Using Arts-based Methods for Inclusion in Student Organizations-Schroeder Hall 201
Katy Jaekel, Ronan Kaiser, Gabriel Sonntag, Maggie Hitchcock, Kylee Warner, Alex Forgue, & Elliot Davis, Northern Illinois University
This proposal gives an overview of a workshop that members of Prism (the LGBTQIA+ student organization) put on for the NIU student community. Providing opportunity for underrepresented students to reimagine how their identity is presented (and not presented) on campus, this workshop fostered a space for individuals to use arts-based materials to (re)envision what campus could look like. This workshop provided individuals opportunity to reflect and create a sense of belonging on campus.
Marketing is my Second Job- Schroeder Hall 204
Hayley Remmel & Hannah McInerney, Western Illinois University
It's a dog eat dog world out there trying to promote events or share information to students. With technology at the forefront of information seeking, it is important for marketing materials to be short, sweet, informative, and catchy. There are many free web-based marketing programs that students and professionals can utilize to promote events and share information with their students and peers.
39th Annual Oshkosh Placement Exchange: Finding an Employment Match in the Field of Student Affairs- Schroeder Hall 206
Andy Schumacher, Oshkosh Placement Exchange, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
The Oshkosh Placement Exchange is a nationally known and recognized job placement conference that has been hosted for 39 consecutive years on the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh campus. OPE has served the professional needs of the field of student affairs for close to four decades, and thus our history and stability as one of the nation's largest and most well-respected placement exchanges means that literally tens of thousands of student affairs professionals have attended and successfully navigated OPE to launch their careers in higher education. This session will be presented by a veteran, OPE staff member who will thoroughly explain the purpose of the Oshkosh Placement Exchange; discuss the many job opportunities that are offered through the exchange; and share strategies on how to successfully navigate the exchange in order to find a position that is a great match for you. The session will be interactive, and the presenter will welcome frequent questions for attendees in order to make the time spent together meaningful and mutually beneficial.
What is Professional Development? Schroeder Hall 211
Kelly Olson, Northern Illinois University
What is professional development? Why is it important? What are the NASPA/ACPA Professional Competencies? What is a professional development plan? In this session, we will discuss why professional development is important, even as a graduate student. You will learn about the NASPA/ACPA Professional Competencies and learn how to connect them to your resume. You will learn how to create a professional development plan and why it is an important step to investing in your Student Affairs career.
Session 4
Oh Yes, It Can Be Done! Campus Involvement and Degree Attainment, Schroeder Hall 104
Konya Sledge, Governors State University
Student involvement outside the classroom enhances and contributes to student learning. Successful student college experiences are realized when students are educated about student organizations and freely choose to get involved. Active students succeed more academically. If you want the most out of your collegiate experience, find something that inspires you. Be passionate and voice your opinions. This session highlights the key concepts of student involvement theory, strategies to increase engagement and the correlation of student leadership and degree attainment.
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The Road Less Travelled: Deciding to Go Into Student Affairs- Schroeder Hall 114
Amanda Dermer & Lorii Smith, Western Illinois University
This presentation will focus on non-traditional routes in student affairs. We will review the routes we took to find our paths and how we decided to pursue a career in student affairs. We will then discuss three types of decision-making processes. Following this discussion, the audience will break into smaller groups to discuss the applicability of decision-making in their own lives, including the decision to attend graduate school and what that means for their own journey to the field. We will assess learning outcomes by surveying participants knowledge of decision-making before and upon completion of the session.
Maintaining Authenticity while Setting Boundaries- Schroeder Hall 201
Jalyn Jones, Western Illinois University
As a leader at any stage in your career, boundaries between supervisor and supervisee as well as group members have to be set. These boundaries can cause tension and a lack of trust between leaders and the ones being led if they do not feel as though the leader is being their authentic self. In this presentation, I will explore the benefits of maintaining an authentic relationship with students/clients/co-workers/supervisees while setting boundaries in order to foster the best working relationship possible. By giving examples on how to practice authenticity in a professional manner, attendants of the session will leave with a working knowledge of how authentic they feel they can be as well as knowledge of how this will make them a more effective leader.
Google Yourself: Examining Your Digital Footprint and its Effects on Graduate School Admissions and Applying for Jobs- Schroeder Hall 204
Paige McConkey, Northern Illinois University
A recent survey conducted by Kaplan found that 35% of admissions officers will look at a student’s social media account as part of the admissions process in 2016. The survey results are being used to help students understand the severity of their actions online (Katzman, 2017). The Pew Internet and American Life Project, is encouraging social media users to think of social media as a digital footprint that will help users reflect on potential consequences of their actions (Greyson, Kind, & Chretien, 2010). These resources help students understand how purposeful social media can be.
Managing the Thesis Process- Schroeder Hall 206
Paul Higgerson & Kayla Slusher, Eastern Illinois University
This session will describe the thesis process; the benefits of choosing to do a thesis, the challenges, as well as the process of completing it. As students look to choose an institution to continue their education, the decision of whether to undertake a thesis is often part of that process. A panel of graduate students that are in various stages of the thesis process will conduct a session to separate fact from fiction as students begin the process of selecting a graduate school.