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Concurrent Session 1:
The Krewe That Brings Them Back: How Strategic Academic Advising Drives Re-Enrollment and Student Return
Presented by: Kylon Alford-Windfield & Dr. Galina Bennett, Innovare Strategic Enrollment Solutions
Re-enrollment is often viewed as a student choice, but in reality, institutional advising practices play a major role in whether students return. Presented on behalf of Innovare, this interactive session explores how proactive, intentional advising helps students re-engage after stop-out, academic challenges, or life disruptions.
Through real-world examples and practical frameworks, participants will examine how advisors move beyond course scheduling to address policies, academic standing, financial barriers, and personal re-engagement. Framed as a collaborative “Krewe,” advisors emerge as a coordinated support system guiding students back to confidence, clarity, and completion.
Join The Krewe: Helping Transfer & Non-Traditional Students Navigate the Pre-Health Parade Route
Presented by: Nani Perez Uribe, University of South AlabamaParticipants will be able to connect with the topics discussed (lack of belonging, feeling a sense of being behind) that we commonly hear from non-traditional students. They will be presented with a program in partnership with feeder 2-year schools and some additional ideas on how to break down the silos that are easily in place separating institutions. Participants will walk away with ideas on how to broaden resources and support for transfer and non-traditional students through other support offices such as Career Development.
You’re on Your Own Kid: Helping Students Speak Now and Step Into Their College Era
Presented by: Carson Wood & Maegan Booker, University of South Alabama
Participants will gain strategies for empowering students to step into their spotlight while navigating treacherous roadblocks. Interactive moments will include the opportunity to ask questions and have collaborative mastermind discussions with other advisors.
The Krewe That Brings Them Back: How Strategic Academic Advising Drives Re-Enrollment and Student Return
Presented by: Kylon Alford-Windfield & Dr. Galina Bennett, Innovare Strategic Enrollment Solutions
Re-enrollment is often viewed as a student choice, but in reality, institutional advising practices play a major role in whether students return. Presented on behalf of Innovare, this interactive session explores how proactive, intentional advising helps students re-engage after stop-out, academic challenges, or life disruptions.
Through real-world examples and practical frameworks, participants will examine how advisors move beyond course scheduling to address policies, academic standing, financial barriers, and personal re-engagement. Framed as a collaborative “Krewe,” advisors emerge as a coordinated support system guiding students back to confidence, clarity, and completion.
Join The Krewe: Helping Transfer & Non-Traditional Students Navigate the Pre-Health Parade Route
Presented by: Nani Perez Uribe, University of South AlabamaParticipants will be able to connect with the topics discussed (lack of belonging, feeling a sense of being behind) that we commonly hear from non-traditional students. They will be presented with a program in partnership with feeder 2-year schools and some additional ideas on how to break down the silos that are easily in place separating institutions. Participants will walk away with ideas on how to broaden resources and support for transfer and non-traditional students through other support offices such as Career Development.
You’re on Your Own Kid: Helping Students Speak Now and Step Into Their College Era
Presented by: Carson Wood & Maegan Booker, University of South Alabama
Participants will gain strategies for empowering students to step into their spotlight while navigating treacherous roadblocks. Interactive moments will include the opportunity to ask questions and have collaborative mastermind discussions with other advisors.
Concurrent Session 2:
Behind the Mask: How Advisors Communicate Care Without Saying a Word
Presented by: Rachael Treis, University of West FloridaThis session empowers advisors to focus on how students interpret their nonverbal communication. It emphasizes the intentional use of nonverbal communication to foster authenticity and trust. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn and practice practical skills and techniques.
Mask Off, Goals On: How Authentic Advising Conversations Help Students Turn Intentions into Academic Wins
Presented by: Bria Cox, University of South Alabama
Students often enter advising appointments with vague goals or rehearsed answers that mask what they truly need. Mask Off, Goals On explores how authentic advising conversations help students clarify their intentions and commit to meaningful academic goals. This interactive session equips attendees with practical strategies to unmask student needs, turn intentions into academic wins, and foster lasting commitment. Attendees will also be introduced to the Wall of Wins project, a reflective practice that promotes student engagement, accountability, and progress.
Beyond the Bot: Integrating AI in Career Services Without Losing the Human Touch
Presented by: Natalie Weston & Colton Cuevas, University of South Alabama
This presentation explores the ethical integration of AI in academic and career advising, moving beyond simple automation to focus on "High Tech for High Touch" student support. We demonstrate how custom AI "Gems" and automated workflows can be used to map Gen Ed competencies to career skills, create parallel academic plans, and refine professional branding while keeping a "Human-in-the-Loop." Attendees will learn how to leverage AI to reclaim time for transformational mentorship, increase the ROI of the student experience, and empower students with essential AI literacy. By centering ethical guardrails and personal connection, we show that AI doesn't replace the advisor’s wisdom, it amplifies it.
Behind the Mask: How Advisors Communicate Care Without Saying a Word
Presented by: Rachael Treis, University of West FloridaThis session empowers advisors to focus on how students interpret their nonverbal communication. It emphasizes the intentional use of nonverbal communication to foster authenticity and trust. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn and practice practical skills and techniques.
Mask Off, Goals On: How Authentic Advising Conversations Help Students Turn Intentions into Academic Wins
Presented by: Bria Cox, University of South Alabama
Students often enter advising appointments with vague goals or rehearsed answers that mask what they truly need. Mask Off, Goals On explores how authentic advising conversations help students clarify their intentions and commit to meaningful academic goals. This interactive session equips attendees with practical strategies to unmask student needs, turn intentions into academic wins, and foster lasting commitment. Attendees will also be introduced to the Wall of Wins project, a reflective practice that promotes student engagement, accountability, and progress.
Beyond the Bot: Integrating AI in Career Services Without Losing the Human Touch
Presented by: Natalie Weston & Colton Cuevas, University of South Alabama
This presentation explores the ethical integration of AI in academic and career advising, moving beyond simple automation to focus on "High Tech for High Touch" student support. We demonstrate how custom AI "Gems" and automated workflows can be used to map Gen Ed competencies to career skills, create parallel academic plans, and refine professional branding while keeping a "Human-in-the-Loop." Attendees will learn how to leverage AI to reclaim time for transformational mentorship, increase the ROI of the student experience, and empower students with essential AI literacy. By centering ethical guardrails and personal connection, we show that AI doesn't replace the advisor’s wisdom, it amplifies it.
Concurrent Session 3:
The Krewe That Brings Them Back: How Strategic Academic Advising Drives Re-Enrollment and Student Return
Presented by: Kylon Alford-Windfield & Dr. Galina Bennett, Innovare Strategic Enrollment SolutionsRe-enrollment is often viewed as a student choice, but in reality, institutional advising practices play a major role in whether students return. Presented on behalf of Innovare, this interactive session explores how proactive, intentional advising helps students re-engage after stop-out, academic challenges, or life disruptions.
Through real-world examples and practical frameworks, participants will examine how advisors move beyond course scheduling to address policies, academic standing, financial barriers, and personal re-engagement. Framed as a collaborative “Krewe,” advisors emerge as a coordinated support system guiding students back to confidence, clarity, and completion.
Acting Up in Advising: Using Improv Principles to Enhance Academic Coaching Effectiveness
Presented by: Josh Goldman, University of South Alabama
This interactive session explores how the foundational principles of improv such as deep listening, adaptability, and the "Yes, and" mindset can enhance the academic coaching relationship. Through live demonstrations and collaborative exercises, participants will learn to navigate unscripted student conversations with greater presence and empathy. By bridging performance art and pedagogy, advisors will gain practical strategies to co-create meaning with students, ensuring both voices "share the stage" in every appointment. Come prepared to participate, think on your feet, and embrace creativity as a pathway to human-centered coaching!
Age is Nothing But a Number: A Glimpse into Multi-Gen Advising Teams
Presented by: Rachel Mars, University of West Florida
Do you have a team of advisors who struggle to understand each other due to age gaps? Are you a manager who’s younger or older than most of your direct reports? Then come to this session where this millennial manager can empathize and share with you how to embrace the multigenerational workforce in an anti-ageist way creating opportunities for all generations to connect. The presenter will share stories from her first few years in the management of a multi-generational team of advisors, and the strategies and tools she used to create a cohesive team of advisors of all ages.
The Krewe That Brings Them Back: How Strategic Academic Advising Drives Re-Enrollment and Student Return
Presented by: Kylon Alford-Windfield & Dr. Galina Bennett, Innovare Strategic Enrollment SolutionsRe-enrollment is often viewed as a student choice, but in reality, institutional advising practices play a major role in whether students return. Presented on behalf of Innovare, this interactive session explores how proactive, intentional advising helps students re-engage after stop-out, academic challenges, or life disruptions.
Through real-world examples and practical frameworks, participants will examine how advisors move beyond course scheduling to address policies, academic standing, financial barriers, and personal re-engagement. Framed as a collaborative “Krewe,” advisors emerge as a coordinated support system guiding students back to confidence, clarity, and completion.
Acting Up in Advising: Using Improv Principles to Enhance Academic Coaching Effectiveness
Presented by: Josh Goldman, University of South Alabama
This interactive session explores how the foundational principles of improv such as deep listening, adaptability, and the "Yes, and" mindset can enhance the academic coaching relationship. Through live demonstrations and collaborative exercises, participants will learn to navigate unscripted student conversations with greater presence and empathy. By bridging performance art and pedagogy, advisors will gain practical strategies to co-create meaning with students, ensuring both voices "share the stage" in every appointment. Come prepared to participate, think on your feet, and embrace creativity as a pathway to human-centered coaching!
Age is Nothing But a Number: A Glimpse into Multi-Gen Advising Teams
Presented by: Rachel Mars, University of West Florida
Do you have a team of advisors who struggle to understand each other due to age gaps? Are you a manager who’s younger or older than most of your direct reports? Then come to this session where this millennial manager can empathize and share with you how to embrace the multigenerational workforce in an anti-ageist way creating opportunities for all generations to connect. The presenter will share stories from her first few years in the management of a multi-generational team of advisors, and the strategies and tools she used to create a cohesive team of advisors of all ages.
