Elizabeth Mauch is currently serving as the fifteenth president of Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. She previously served Bethany as Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College. In May and June 2019, Dr. Mauch served as a Fulbright Specialist in Poland. She taught... Read More →
Wednesday January 27, 2021 10:00am - 10:45am CST
Zoom 1
As a result of participating in this virtual educational session, participants will: 1. Compare and contrast collaborations and partnerships. 2. Identify at least 2 new campus partners to cultivate to support success of first-generation and Pell-eligible students. 3. Describe how partnership capital can be used to support success of first-generation and Pell-eligible students.
Dean of Student Engagement, Arkansas Tech University
Dr. Brett Bruner serves as the Dean of Student Engagement at Arkansas Tech University. In this role, he supports all units within the Division regarding assessment initiatives, directs first-generation student success and student financial wellbeing initiatives, advises the Student... Read More →
Academic Advisor, Kansas State University Polytechnic
Alyssa Wendel has served as an academic advisor at Kansas State Polytechnic for 5 years. She serves on the conference planning committee for KHEP and as the NASPA IV-West Membership Coordinator.
Many campuses provide support to student organizations, but often lack in the support for RSO advisors. COVID-19 has made this even more apparent, and has caused us to develop new and innovative ways to support RSO advisors, and keep them engaged. RSO advisors are often faculty and staff taking time out of their busy schedules to support and guide our student organizations, it is a true need to provide them with additional resources, materials and support to keep them engaged as advisors in order for the RSO’s to continue to succeed. In this presentation we will discuss best practices that I have developed to support and engage our advisors virtually, enabling them to feel heard, supported and engaged with their organizations; while also exploring through discussion best practices to implement at your institution.
Coordinator of Student Engagement, Fort Hays State University
My name is Heidi Pearson, the Coordinator of Student Engagement at Fort Hays State University. I have been at FHSU for almost 2 years, and am originally from upstate New York! In my role I oversee our student organizations, Engage platform, and planning Homecoming. I love planning... Read More →
Wednesday January 27, 2021 11:00am - 12:00pm CST
Zoom 3
This proposal titled, 'Determined to learn: Investigating the motivations of nontraditional female first generation college students (FGCS)' is presented on the online platform of Zoom, and is presented by two doctoral graduate students (ED.D) from Wichita State University: Nirupama Akella, and Miranda Stegman. The proposal presentation highlights the study rationale, problem, conceptualization, methodology, and contribution of the study to scholarship.The presentation starts on a personal note highlighting both researchers positionality which is a catalyst to the research study, and ends positively outlining why higher educational institutions should care about this research.
Miranda Stegman is a graduate student at Wichita State University pursuing a Doctorate in Education Leadership. She holds a Bachelors in Elementary Education and Masters in Curriculum Design. She was a teacher at Wichita Montessori School for 5 years and is a Montessori advocate... Read More →
Graduate Doctoral Student, Wichita State University
Hi,I am in my final semester of my doctoral coursework of my Educational Leadership doctoral program at Wichita State University, KS, and will be giving my comprehensive exams this Spring semester. Unfortunately, due to the deteriorating COVID situation I am not on campus, but stuck... Read More →
Wednesday January 27, 2021 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST
Zoom 2
Co-founders and directors of the EAT Initiative, which stands for Emporia at the Table: Ending Hunger in our Community share lessons learned from an interdisciplinary initiative started at Emporia State University to combat food insecurity among college students. In this panel, we share how to have open conversations around food and housing insecurity, a growing issue among college students, especially given the challenges that have come from the pandemic. Through research, education, and action, we share how to not only implement institutional change at the college and university level to better address basic needs insecurity but also how to spark open dialogue among students. Attendees will leave this presentation with a better understanding about how to navigate some of the unique needs of college students outside of the classroom setting.
Being a first-generation college student, graduate school was an untraveled journey for me. I went to graduate school 14 hours away from home, in a state I knew nobody, in a program with students I had no connections with to start. I didn’t know what questions to ask, opportunities to look for, or options available to me until sometimes it was too later. If students are experiencing this, I want to help be a resource to them. If students aren’t experiencing this but want a different viewpoint, I want to help be a resource to them. This will be an opportunity for students to hear different perspectives, ideas, and opportunities.
This panel will be an open Q&A where participants can ask current student affairs professionals any questions they might have about the field or how they got to where they are today. Panelists will also share suggestions on how to navigate graduate student's second year of grad school, resources to utilize, and areas of opportunities to consider. Our panel guests come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences within the region to give participants a diverse view of student affairs.
Dean of Student Engagement, Arkansas Tech University
Dr. Brett Bruner serves as the Dean of Student Engagement at Arkansas Tech University. In this role, he supports all units within the Division regarding assessment initiatives, directs first-generation student success and student financial wellbeing initiatives, advises the Student... Read More →
Assistant Dean of Students & Director of Student Life, Baker University
The Buhler, Kansas, native earned his bachelor of science in organizational leadership from Fort Hays State University, a master of science in higher education administration from the University of Kansas, and doctorate of education in leadership in higher education from Baker University... Read More →
Thursday January 28, 2021 11:00am - 12:00pm CST
Zoom 2
The mission of Big Red Resilience & Well-being at the University of Nebraska—Lincoln is to “empower students to live their best lives, now and in the future.” In doing so, Big Red Resilience & Well-being values student-focused initiatives that are inclusive and innovative. In the face of Covid-19, a staff member and a student completing a graduate practicum collaborated to adapt the structure of the Well-being Ambassadors programming, focusing on meaningful virtual interactions. These changes resulted in higher overall engagement from Ambassadors. Also, these changes presented new opportunities to engage student leaders in new ways. Internship opportunities were created and students were able to engage in their passion areas in multiple ways. These initiatives focused on helping students help us help students. Join us to learn about how a tiered leadership model can benefit a student-led organization, identify new opportunities for your students, and share creative programming ideas.
This is time set aside for you as a student to be paired with a professional staff member. Our hope is you’ll to either start the discussion of the journey to higher education or utilize the time to develop your resume or discuss the job search process. There are multiple sessions throughout the conference. You do not have to attend all sessions but we suggest utilizing this time during the conference to meet with your mentor.
Thursday January 28, 2021 11:00am - 12:00pm CST
Zoom 3
The purpose of this workshop is to support advisors of cultural- and identity-based student organizations by providing strategies grounded in student development theory that offer support and engage the student leaders of those organizations in a virtual environment.
Coordinator, Diversity and Inclusion, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis
Ryan Paige (she/her/hers) is the coordinator for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis, where she was nominated for the 2020 Staff Excellence Award. She has a demonstrated history of diversity, equity, and inclusion training... Read More →
Program Coordinator, Office of Diversity & Inclusion, Maryville University
Adaptability - Relator - Deliberative - Futuristic - ResponsibilityMaricella Reyes (she/her/hers/ella) began her higher education journey at Central Michigan University earning her Bachelor of Applied Arts in Recreation and Event Management in 2016, and her Master of Arts in Higher... Read More →
Thursday January 28, 2021 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST
Zoom 3
As a result of attending this session, participants will:
Compare and contrast the fundamental principles of student affairs and enrollment management.
Describe how the "old" model of one unit/division recruiting students and handing them off to another unit/division no longer meets the needs of today's college students and their parents/family members.
Identify at least 2 strategies they can use to work with the partners across the aisle (either student affairs or enrollment management) to more seamlessly coordinate services.
The U.S. Department of Education, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and the U.S. Department of Education recently joined together and reached out to college and university administrators across the country encouraging them to add collegiate recovery programs to support the lives of their students. More and more campuses are adding gathering places, peer and staff support, resiliency programming, social events and even special housing for students in recovery. In this session, University of Nebraska-Lincoln discusses challenges, celebrations, and progress in building a Collegiate Recovery Community at Nebraska.
I am a Graduate Assistant for the Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), where I teach a first-year academic success seminar and supervise peer mentors. I was an intern for the Collegiate Recovery Community am a well-being... Read More →
Thursday January 28, 2021 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST
Zoom 2
Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students, Kansas State University
Bringing more than 25 years of student life administration experience, Thomas Lane became vice presi-dent for student life and dean of students at Kansas State University in July 2019.Lane provides executive-level leadership, strategic planning, oversight and coordination of all units... Read More →
Friday January 29, 2021 10:00am - 10:45am CST
Zoom 1
The professional advising community has been stressing for years that academic advising is much more than just guiding a student through enrollment. At Emporia State University, the Student Advising Center Advisors help their students work towards success in a more holistic way with enrollment and much more. During this session, you will learn how these advisors are meeting their students where they are at, while also critically thinking through programs and initiatives continuously for best efficiency and effectiveness.
Higher Ed professional with 7+ years of experience meeting students where they are at. Using empathy & humor I get student to self-reflect and find their own path forward. I watch baseball religiously and eagerly await watching "The Office" all the way through for a tenth time.
Assistant Dean of Students & Director of Student Life, Baker University
The Buhler, Kansas, native earned his bachelor of science in organizational leadership from Fort Hays State University, a master of science in higher education administration from the University of Kansas, and doctorate of education in leadership in higher education from Baker University... Read More →
Dean of Student Engagement, Arkansas Tech University
Dr. Brett Bruner serves as the Dean of Student Engagement at Arkansas Tech University. In this role, he supports all units within the Division regarding assessment initiatives, directs first-generation student success and student financial wellbeing initiatives, advises the Student... Read More →
Friday January 29, 2021 11:00am - 12:00pm CST
Zoom 2
Promoting student success is a central goal for all institutions of higher learning and is arguably a more important concern now more than ever; with the global struggles and uncertainty our students are facing. Traditional approaches of identifying problems and trying to address them directly have shown limited success and fail to take in to account the full scope of strengths available to colleges through their communities, their workforce and their student bodies.
In this presentation, we will introduce a theoretical approach to organizational change and a goal of increasing student success in all aspects of the student’s life. This approach, called Positive Deviance, is based on the observation that in any collective there are individuals or groups that exhibit uncommon but successful behaviors that enable them to better overcome problems-despite facing similar challenges and having no extra resources or advantages than their peers.
Participants in this session will gain a deeper understanding of Positive Deviance, and how our organization plans to use it to recognize areas of excellence within our college and capitalize on successes by creating and applying proven strategies in other areas of the college. Overall enhancing student supports while improving retention and completion rates.
Jennifer has served as the Disability Services Specialist at WSU Tech for 3 years. Though this is her first position in Higher Ed, she has worked with individuals with disabilities in a variety of roles for over 10 years and loves the challenges and rewards it brings. Jennifer is... Read More →
Friday January 29, 2021 11:00am - 12:00pm CST
Zoom 3
Academic Advisor, Kansas State University Polytechnic
Alyssa Wendel has served as an academic advisor at Kansas State Polytechnic for 5 years. She serves on the conference planning committee for KHEP and as the NASPA IV-West Membership Coordinator.
Dean of Student Engagement, Arkansas Tech University
Dr. Brett Bruner serves as the Dean of Student Engagement at Arkansas Tech University. In this role, he supports all units within the Division regarding assessment initiatives, directs first-generation student success and student financial wellbeing initiatives, advises the Student... Read More →
Friday January 29, 2021 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST
Zoom 1
Integrating well-being into campus life continues to gain momentum as a way to promote mental health. University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Big Red Resilience and Well-Being (BRRWB) initiatives promote well-being, bouncing back, enhancing strengths, and approaching transitions with a growth mindset. This presentation discusses BRRWB initiatives with a particular focus on well-being coaching. Participants will share the ways they enhance student well-being through positioning nearly 100 student volunteers to bring about a culture of caring in a virtual environment.
This is time set aside for you as a student to be paired with a professional staff member. Our hope is you’ll to either start the discussion of the journey to higher education or utilize the time to develop your resume or discuss the job search process. There are multiple sessions throughout the conference. You do not have to attend all sessions but we suggest utilizing this time during the conference to meet with your mentor.
Friday January 29, 2021 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST
Zoom 3
