OAAA Annual Conference
Bend Together: Strengthening Oregon's Advising Communities
May 30, 2025

Printable PDF of Conference Program

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Conference Schedule

7:30-8:45am - Check in and Breakfast, In Person
8:45-9am Welcome - Hybrid Viewing
9-9:50am Keynote Speaker - Briselda Molina Ortega - Hybrid Viewing
Connection is a fundamental human need. In this keynote, Briselda leverages a decade of knowledge and personal experiences as a BIPOC student affairs professional to explore the concepts of community, connection, and resilience. She will present five practices aimed to identify unspoken connection barriers in the workplace, as well as restorative approaches to cultivate authentic relationships and promote self-care and compassion. Participants will gain practical tools to strengthen team dynamics and relationships with students that foster care and resilience in unprecedented times.

10-10:50 Breakout Session 1

In Person Track:
Professional Advisor: Building Collaborative Relationships with Faculty Advisors, 
Gary Preston. Academic Advisor & Retention Coordinator, Oregon Tech Institute
This presentation will focus on ways that I have developed collaborative working relationships with faculty advisors and their department chairs. This collaboration has led to greater trust and confidence between faculty and me, leading to more consistent advising, collaborative advising, leading to better service to our students

In Person Track:
​​Advisors Make the Difference for Successful Transfers
Linda Samek, Project Director, Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities
During our Teagle/Arthur Vining Davis grant funded project, “Oregon Transfer Pathways to the Liberal Arts,” we have learned that strong partnerships with community colleges are critical to building effective pathways for community college students to transfer to private liberal arts universities. This presentation focuses on the important role of advisors in connecting with students, sharing information, and supporting them as they navigate transfer processes.

Virtual Track:
Building Feelings of Mattering in Veteran Students: A Practical Approach
Anthony Whipple, Academic & Career Advisor, University of Oregon
Feelings of Mattering are an important resource for student resiliency. Veteran students typically have lower feelings of mattering and practical steps can be incorporated into advising to assist with building higher feelings.

11:-11:50 Breakout Session 2

In Person Track: 
Navigating Success for Online Students without Losing the Person
Aaron Worley, Student Success Navigator and Brandon Rodriguez, Student Success Coach, Oregon State University
Oregon State Ecampus is dedicated to supporting online learners through a suite of comprehensive services, including personalized success coaching, navigators, and dynamic engagement programs. This presentation will showcase how these resources empower students from onboarding to graduation, ensuring they have the tools, guidance, and accessible opportunities needed to excel academically and develop holistically. Join us to discover how our innovative approach can enhance student outcomes and support your institution's goals.

In Person Track:
Developing an Effective Advising Approach for Pre-Professional and Initial Teacher Preparation Education Students
Kylie Evans, McKayla Neal, Academic Advisors, Eastern Oregon University
Abstract Coming Soon

Virtual Track:
Empowering Advisors: Career Resources for Low Income and First-Generation Students
Michelle Strowbridge, Assistant Director of Career Development, Oregon State University
Advisors play a crucial role in guiding first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students toward academic and career success. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of career resources available to advisors, equipping them with the tools needed to support students’ career exploration, professional development, and job readiness.

12-1pm Lunch - Affinity Group Spaces Available In Person

1-1:50 Breakout Session 3

In Person Track:
Tough Talks, Real Support: Navigating Academic Standing Conversations with Empathy and Accountability
Courtney Garcia, Assistant Director - CAS Academic & Career Advising, University of Oregon
Advising conversations about academic standing are often challenging due to the sensitive nature of the topic and the complex, varied reasons students face academic difficulties. This session will explore how advisors can balance empathy and accountability, ask reflective questions that support honest dialogue, and recognize their own biases to create inclusive, student-centered conversations. Participants will leave with practical tools to foster deeper student reflection, challenge cognitive dissonance, and support holistic success.

In Person Track:
Generosity’s Role in Building Trust: Lessons from Research the Mid-Level Higher Education Professional’s Experience
Greg Brock, PhD, Academic Advisor, University of Oregon
Higher education is in transition and crisis. It is important for supervisors to have trust among those they lead and that trust can be built through generosity. Crises have a big impact on trust and that trust can be built with intentionality.

Virtual Track:
Oregon Trio Association Session
Abstract Coming Soon
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2-3pm Student Panel - Hybrid Viewing
3-3:30 Closing - Hybrid Viewing