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Concurrent Session 1 ~ 10:15 am - 11:00 am
Professional Development for the Win!
Catherine Preston & Patty Davis - University of South Alabama
Location: Terrace
Professional development is critical to the success of an advising or student service staff as it serves as an investment in the individual and in the unit. With often limited budgets reserved for professional travel and conference attendance, administrators must be creative in providing growth opportunities. Questions arise, such as, “How do you support professional development for advisors with limited resources? Or Is it possible to keep staff morale strong during times when resources are limited?” At the University of South Alabama, leadership has responded to these questions by creating a professional development program
that supports skills attainment and also fosters a sense of connection to the unit and the institution. Professional development is essential not only for student success in advising but also for the personal success of each advisor. During this session, presenters will share creative and effective use of budgets to support professional and networking opportunities. They will share the mentoring and continuing education program established for new staff. They will talk about award opportunities for staff recognition, certifications, the unit career ladder, and much more.
The Gold Standard: Daily Detox for Enhancing Advisor Performance
Adam Barnes & Sa’Mya Jones - University of South Alabama
Location: Room 203
Like any great Olympian, achieving peak performance in academic advising requires more than just skill and dedication; it demands a commitment to holistic well-being. Just as athletes integrate rigorous training and balanced nutrition into their routines, academic advisors must embrace daily detox strategies to prevent burnout and maintain their effectiveness. Adopting these practices sets a Gold Standard for personal and professional excellence. By prioritizing self-care and integrating wellness practices into their daily routines, advisors can ensure they are at their best, ready to support students and excel in their roles. Embracing a comprehensive approach to well-being enhances personal resilience and fosters a thriving, supportive environment for student success.
Enhancing Success: Academic Advising Strategies for Special Populations in Higher Education
Charity White & Nichole Evans - Coastal Alabama Community College
Location: Room 205
This presentation addresses the critical need for tailored academic advising strategies to support college students in special populations, including first-generation students, student-athletes, and students with disabilities. Participants will gain insights into the unique challenges these groups face and learn effective approaches to enhance their academic success and overall well-being. Key strategies will include early identification and outreach, customized academic plans, regular check-ins, mentorship programs, and access to essential resources. The session will also cover the importance of cultural competence and clear
communication in advising. This comprehensive session aims to equip academic advisors, faculty, and student affairs professionals with the tools to create a supportive and inclusive environment that fosters the success of students in
special populations. Objective: To provide academic advisors with effective strategies and best practices for supporting college students with special populations, ensuring their academic success and overall well-being.
Advising as a Team Produces Gold Medal Results
Dr. Eric Steward & Derik Wolfe - University of South Alabama
Location: Room 211
Advising can be considered a team sport that should not be done alone. At The University of South Alabama’s College of Engineering, the Advising team partners with faculty in other schools and colleges to help identify Engineering students needing assistance early into their courses, otherwise known as “Early Alerts.” Data tracked and collected shows Engineering students are more successful when contacted by College of Engineering Advisors early into the course(s) vs. waiting until midterms. In the presentation, successful strategies, data, and takeaways will be shared.
Professional Development for the Win!
Catherine Preston & Patty Davis - University of South Alabama
Location: Terrace
Professional development is critical to the success of an advising or student service staff as it serves as an investment in the individual and in the unit. With often limited budgets reserved for professional travel and conference attendance, administrators must be creative in providing growth opportunities. Questions arise, such as, “How do you support professional development for advisors with limited resources? Or Is it possible to keep staff morale strong during times when resources are limited?” At the University of South Alabama, leadership has responded to these questions by creating a professional development program
that supports skills attainment and also fosters a sense of connection to the unit and the institution. Professional development is essential not only for student success in advising but also for the personal success of each advisor. During this session, presenters will share creative and effective use of budgets to support professional and networking opportunities. They will share the mentoring and continuing education program established for new staff. They will talk about award opportunities for staff recognition, certifications, the unit career ladder, and much more.
The Gold Standard: Daily Detox for Enhancing Advisor Performance
Adam Barnes & Sa’Mya Jones - University of South Alabama
Location: Room 203
Like any great Olympian, achieving peak performance in academic advising requires more than just skill and dedication; it demands a commitment to holistic well-being. Just as athletes integrate rigorous training and balanced nutrition into their routines, academic advisors must embrace daily detox strategies to prevent burnout and maintain their effectiveness. Adopting these practices sets a Gold Standard for personal and professional excellence. By prioritizing self-care and integrating wellness practices into their daily routines, advisors can ensure they are at their best, ready to support students and excel in their roles. Embracing a comprehensive approach to well-being enhances personal resilience and fosters a thriving, supportive environment for student success.
Enhancing Success: Academic Advising Strategies for Special Populations in Higher Education
Charity White & Nichole Evans - Coastal Alabama Community College
Location: Room 205
This presentation addresses the critical need for tailored academic advising strategies to support college students in special populations, including first-generation students, student-athletes, and students with disabilities. Participants will gain insights into the unique challenges these groups face and learn effective approaches to enhance their academic success and overall well-being. Key strategies will include early identification and outreach, customized academic plans, regular check-ins, mentorship programs, and access to essential resources. The session will also cover the importance of cultural competence and clear
communication in advising. This comprehensive session aims to equip academic advisors, faculty, and student affairs professionals with the tools to create a supportive and inclusive environment that fosters the success of students in
special populations. Objective: To provide academic advisors with effective strategies and best practices for supporting college students with special populations, ensuring their academic success and overall well-being.
Advising as a Team Produces Gold Medal Results
Dr. Eric Steward & Derik Wolfe - University of South Alabama
Location: Room 211
Advising can be considered a team sport that should not be done alone. At The University of South Alabama’s College of Engineering, the Advising team partners with faculty in other schools and colleges to help identify Engineering students needing assistance early into their courses, otherwise known as “Early Alerts.” Data tracked and collected shows Engineering students are more successful when contacted by College of Engineering Advisors early into the course(s) vs. waiting until midterms. In the presentation, successful strategies, data, and takeaways will be shared.
Concurrent Session 2 ~ 11:15 am - 12:00 pm
Empowering Success for Students through Data-Driven Initiatives
Brooke Ciolino, Beth Billy, Andrew DuPont, Ellie Meyer, Ryan Carpenter, & Jennifer Gauci - University of West Florida
Location: Terrace
This presentation will showcase the advancements made in tracking the progress of special populations at our university. We'll look into the innovative strategies implemented, cross-departmental collaboration, use of university technologies (Tableau), and how these efforts contribute to a data-driven advising framework for all students.
Triathlon of Support for a Student-Athlete’s Success
Brianna Adkins & Cassie Beth Gannaway - University of South Alabama
Location: Room 203
A student-athlete’s journey through college is unique and the ability to balance academics, career development, and their busy schedules with their sport is paramount to their success. Through holistic support from academic advising and career development, the student-athlete experience can be enhanced. We encourage student-athletes, while they are enjoying their involvement with their sports, to also be engaged with advisors to help reach their education and career goals. The presentation will focus on strategies for advising student-athletes in both their academic and career pathways. We will discuss planning and goal setting with their busy schedules, encouraging engagement with career development opportunities, and the transition to life after college.
The Career Consultant Model
Natalie Weston & Rylee Corliss - University of South Alabama
Location: Room 205
Our campus launched the LevelUp QEP (Quality Enhancement Plan) in the Fall of 2023. The overall mission of LevelUp is to prepare students for what comes next. In partnership with LevelUp and its faculty fellows, USA Career Development aims to increase students’ career readiness skills and awareness. Therefore, our office moved to a Career Consultant Model beginning in Spring 2024 to allow us to meet the needs of our students, faculty, educational partners, and the LevelUp QEP. The Career Consultant Model provides individualized support to assigned colleges, academic departments, and specific student populations. Each University of South Alabama student is on a unique career journey, and our Career Consultants are tasks to provide individualized support to their student caseload. This model has significantly increased student interactions, bolstered career readiness skill development, and enhanced campus partnerships and collaboration. Join us to learn how you can tailor your approach to meet the specific needs of your students and educational partners and improve overall career readiness and success.
The Making of a Manager - 10 Lessons in Leadership
Rachel Mars - University of South Alabama
Location: Room 211
Are you considering a move into management in the academic advising world? Or are you currently a manager in need of some rejuvenation of your management style? If so, join this session to discuss the book, The Making of a Manager by Julie Zhou. This session will review 10 lessons the presenter applied in her first year as the Director of Advising at her institution. The goal of the presenter is to empower advising leaders as they move forward into the world of supervision. Additionally, the presenter hopes to inspire commitment to the advising profession in order to retain professional and caring administrators for years to
come by creating a positive management experience for all stakeholders.
Empowering Success for Students through Data-Driven Initiatives
Brooke Ciolino, Beth Billy, Andrew DuPont, Ellie Meyer, Ryan Carpenter, & Jennifer Gauci - University of West Florida
Location: Terrace
This presentation will showcase the advancements made in tracking the progress of special populations at our university. We'll look into the innovative strategies implemented, cross-departmental collaboration, use of university technologies (Tableau), and how these efforts contribute to a data-driven advising framework for all students.
Triathlon of Support for a Student-Athlete’s Success
Brianna Adkins & Cassie Beth Gannaway - University of South Alabama
Location: Room 203
A student-athlete’s journey through college is unique and the ability to balance academics, career development, and their busy schedules with their sport is paramount to their success. Through holistic support from academic advising and career development, the student-athlete experience can be enhanced. We encourage student-athletes, while they are enjoying their involvement with their sports, to also be engaged with advisors to help reach their education and career goals. The presentation will focus on strategies for advising student-athletes in both their academic and career pathways. We will discuss planning and goal setting with their busy schedules, encouraging engagement with career development opportunities, and the transition to life after college.
The Career Consultant Model
Natalie Weston & Rylee Corliss - University of South Alabama
Location: Room 205
Our campus launched the LevelUp QEP (Quality Enhancement Plan) in the Fall of 2023. The overall mission of LevelUp is to prepare students for what comes next. In partnership with LevelUp and its faculty fellows, USA Career Development aims to increase students’ career readiness skills and awareness. Therefore, our office moved to a Career Consultant Model beginning in Spring 2024 to allow us to meet the needs of our students, faculty, educational partners, and the LevelUp QEP. The Career Consultant Model provides individualized support to assigned colleges, academic departments, and specific student populations. Each University of South Alabama student is on a unique career journey, and our Career Consultants are tasks to provide individualized support to their student caseload. This model has significantly increased student interactions, bolstered career readiness skill development, and enhanced campus partnerships and collaboration. Join us to learn how you can tailor your approach to meet the specific needs of your students and educational partners and improve overall career readiness and success.
The Making of a Manager - 10 Lessons in Leadership
Rachel Mars - University of South Alabama
Location: Room 211
Are you considering a move into management in the academic advising world? Or are you currently a manager in need of some rejuvenation of your management style? If so, join this session to discuss the book, The Making of a Manager by Julie Zhou. This session will review 10 lessons the presenter applied in her first year as the Director of Advising at her institution. The goal of the presenter is to empower advising leaders as they move forward into the world of supervision. Additionally, the presenter hopes to inspire commitment to the advising profession in order to retain professional and caring administrators for years to
come by creating a positive management experience for all stakeholders.
Concurrent Session 3 ~ 1:45 pm - 2:30 pm
Taxonomies Aren’t Taxing! Creating a Multi-Purpose Tool for Academic Advisor Training & Professional Development
Michele Fero & Kimberlee Glover - University of West Florida
Location: Terrace
As professional advisors, we devote much of our time to improving student outcomes and enriching their educational journeys. However, it's also important to consider our own educational experiences. How can individual advisors or advising centers develop learning plans that lead to thriving professionals? This presentation will explore Fink’s Taxonomy of Significant Learning as a framework for creating and evaluating training and professional development plans for individuals or groups. By viewing these plans as advising curricula, we can more easily organize objectives and competencies, maintain consistency, and
ensure comprehensive and meaningful professional growth. Presenters will share a recent Canvas project and provide opportunities for participants to apply the taxonomy to their own projects or individual goals.
Passing the Torch to Future Higher Education Professionals - Utilizing Graduate Assistants for Academic Advising
Kora Myers & Dallas Schmidt - University of South Alabama
Location: Room 203
Advising offices strive to provide total and effective services to their students. With increasing demands on advising offices, utilizing graduate assistants to assist with advising can be extremely beneficial for all parties involved. Graduate assistants are often looking for experiences in higher education and can be valuable for increasing efficiency and effectiveness for advising services. Incorporating Graduate Assistants into a college advising office is a strategic move that can enhance the office’s capacity, improve the quality of student support, and provide valuable professional development opportunities for future
higher education professionals. By thoughtfully implementing this approach, advising offices can better meet the needs of their students while also fostering the growth of the next generation of advisors.
Empowering Pre-Health Students: Best Practices & Strategies for Academic Success
Patty Davis & Carson Wood - University of South Alabama
Location: Room 205
This presentation focuses on effective advising strategies for pre-Health students, emphasizing the importance of personalized academic planning, holistic advising, and active communication. It outlines best practices, including teaching time management, guiding students in building strong applications, and preparing them through mock interviews and personal statement reviews. By implementing these strategies, advisors can support pre-Health students in navigating rigorous academic requirements and achieving their full potential in competitive health-related fields.
Taxonomies Aren’t Taxing! Creating a Multi-Purpose Tool for Academic Advisor Training & Professional Development
Michele Fero & Kimberlee Glover - University of West Florida
Location: Terrace
As professional advisors, we devote much of our time to improving student outcomes and enriching their educational journeys. However, it's also important to consider our own educational experiences. How can individual advisors or advising centers develop learning plans that lead to thriving professionals? This presentation will explore Fink’s Taxonomy of Significant Learning as a framework for creating and evaluating training and professional development plans for individuals or groups. By viewing these plans as advising curricula, we can more easily organize objectives and competencies, maintain consistency, and
ensure comprehensive and meaningful professional growth. Presenters will share a recent Canvas project and provide opportunities for participants to apply the taxonomy to their own projects or individual goals.
Passing the Torch to Future Higher Education Professionals - Utilizing Graduate Assistants for Academic Advising
Kora Myers & Dallas Schmidt - University of South Alabama
Location: Room 203
Advising offices strive to provide total and effective services to their students. With increasing demands on advising offices, utilizing graduate assistants to assist with advising can be extremely beneficial for all parties involved. Graduate assistants are often looking for experiences in higher education and can be valuable for increasing efficiency and effectiveness for advising services. Incorporating Graduate Assistants into a college advising office is a strategic move that can enhance the office’s capacity, improve the quality of student support, and provide valuable professional development opportunities for future
higher education professionals. By thoughtfully implementing this approach, advising offices can better meet the needs of their students while also fostering the growth of the next generation of advisors.
Empowering Pre-Health Students: Best Practices & Strategies for Academic Success
Patty Davis & Carson Wood - University of South Alabama
Location: Room 205
This presentation focuses on effective advising strategies for pre-Health students, emphasizing the importance of personalized academic planning, holistic advising, and active communication. It outlines best practices, including teaching time management, guiding students in building strong applications, and preparing them through mock interviews and personal statement reviews. By implementing these strategies, advisors can support pre-Health students in navigating rigorous academic requirements and achieving their full potential in competitive health-related fields.
