OAAA Virtual Annual Conference
From Surviving to Thriving: Creating Connection and Belonging on our Campuses
May 30, 2024, 8:30-3:30pm
From Surviving to Thriving: Creating Connection and Belonging on our Campuses
May 30, 2024, 8:30-3:30pm
Conference Schedule
Access a PDF Version Here
8:30-8:50am
Welcome
8:50-9:50am
Keynote Speaker
Transforming How We Thrive: How being brave, kind, and curious creates connection and belonging
Niki Weight, Head Advisor for the College of Education, Oregon State University
How many times in the last few years, months, weeks, or even minutes have you asked yourself, how am I going to get through this? Chances are it’s more than one time. As members of a helping profession in an ever-changing field, the work we do can be exhausting. While navigating personal and systemic change, we need to center on the key factor that helps us to thrive instead of survive: our connections to ourselves and other people. In this keynote, we will discuss how to be brave, kind, and curious to transform the way we thrive. We will share strategies for developing your own self-awareness and vulnerability, ways to build transformational relationships and create spaces of belonging, and how to use these strategies to thrive during ongoing change.
10-10:50am
Concurrent Session #1
Oregon Transfer Pathways to the Liberal Arts: The Essential Role of Community College Advisors
Linda Samek, Project Director, Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities
Elizabeth Cox Brand, Executive Director, Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities
We are midway through a Transfer Pathways implementation grant funded by the Teagle and Arthur Vining Davis Foundations. This session will update our progress in designing pathways from community colleges to private liberal arts institutions with a focus on the essential role of community college advisors in informing, encouraging, and supporting students to consider multiple transfer options.
Advising in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Jennifer Edwards, Academic Advisor, Oregon State University
Andrew Edwards, Academic Advisor, Oregon State University
“I let ChatGPT do its thing and write my paper. It’s like having a personal ghostwriter! I still sprinkled in some ‘me’ to make it legit. That's not cheating right?" Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a growing presence in academia. While it can enhance learning experiences and act as a resource for both faculty and students, it also raises ethical concerns in academic integrity and how instructors evaluate effective student learning. Academic advisors are often at the forefront of these issues and play a crucial role in helping all parties navigate the challenges posed by this technology. This presentation will explore the impact of AI on students, faculty, and advising as well as some methods for avoiding potential AI pitfalls.
The Bridge Between Academic and Career Advising
Michelle Strowbridge, Assistant Director of Career Development, Oregon State University
Academic Advisors are often tasked with additional job duties related to career advising for students. This presentation aims to help academic advisors gain efficacy in how to help students and where to refer to a career advisor. Participants will have the opportunity to create a career "artefact" that can help them talk about careers in a different way with students.
11-11:50am
Concurrent Session #2
Supporting Transfer Through Change: Introduction of OSU's New General Education
Erin Bird, Associate Director of Transfer Pathways and Success, Oregon State University
Kristin Benson, Deputy Registrar/Associate Registrar-Compliance, Oregon State University
Oregon State University is updating our general education requirements after more than 3 decades and these new changes will begin in summer 2025! This session is an opportunity to learn more about the changes, the process, and how Core Education is designed to meet the needs of our 21st-century learners. OSU designed our new general education with students in mind - specifically our transfer students - embedding the Core Transfer Map into the new structure to better allow Oregon students to transfer in and out of OSU. Join us in discussing ways to support our shared students as they navigate these changes in general education.
Pathways to Progress: The Transformative Process of Peer to Peer Mentorship
Lacey Smyth, Head Learning Specialist - Assistant Director, Oregon State University
Hannah Hunicke, Learning Specialist (LS) & Mentor Program Coordinator, Oregon State University
Academics for Student-Athletes (ASA) supports 519 student-athletes at Oregon State University. Within ASA, the Academic Mentor Program supports student-athletes in their academic journeys, helping them develop and refine their skill sets and enhance their confidence as they navigate the demands of being a student-athlete at OSU. Through a peer-centered approach, the Mentor Program provides training and professional development opportunities to support mentors in serving their students, while also preparing them for success in their future careers. Presenters will discuss how the program has evolved, the successes and challenges it’s faced through the years, and give an overview of the responsibilities, outcomes, and future areas for growth. Advising teams and student support units can take these insights and adapt them to fit the needs of their units and student populations.
Make a (Rein)Statement: Building Connections Through Academic Success Workshops
Kennedy Schade, Tutoring Coordinator & Learning Specialist, Western Oregon University
Mika Hui, IDS & Degree Completion Advisor/Coordinator, Western Oregon University
Suspension from a university may be one of the most emotionally taxing events in a student's journey to completing college -- returning to school after that suspension shouldn't be. How do we create an environment that welcomes students back after such a challenging time while also providing skills to equip a student body that never left? Please join us to learn more about Western Oregon University's Academic Success Workshops; a series of lectures we've created to assist reinstated students.
12-1:00pm
Lunch
1-1:50pm
Concurrent Session #3
Parents Just Don't Understand: An Insider's Guide To Students Who Are Parents
Adrian Trujillo, Assistant Director for Trio Student Enrichment Program, Western Oregon University
Do you know any Parent Students, or students with dependents? Do you know how to support this population? Parent Students fall under the Non-Traditional umbrella, but what sets them apart is their grit and determination to juggle all of their responsibilities. Parent Students are excellent advocates for their children, but often not for themselves. How can advisors or professors provide support on an individual basis? Listening to their stories, validating their efforts, appreciating their journey and providing applicable support are all great strategies. Another is learning about the daily struggles they face and what actions can help keep them engaged and on track to graduate. In this presentation, I will describe the struggles of this population and different ways to support them.
The Kids May Not Be Alright: Teaching in the Post-Pandemic Bardo
Jana Svoboda, Mental Health Professional, Counselor/Advisor, Linn-Benton Community College
Students and teachers of every generation have had their struggles, but current research finds today's college students presenting with far more anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. We're not yet looking pre-pandemic and we're not fully post. What effects of this do you see in students, and how can we mitigate them?
2-3:00pm
Student Panel
Students from different universities/colleges in Oregon share their insights, perspectives, and experiences on their relation with academic advising. Join us and gain valuable information from the people we serve.
3-3:30pm
OAAA Next Steps & Closing Remarks
8:30-8:50am
Welcome
8:50-9:50am
Keynote Speaker
Transforming How We Thrive: How being brave, kind, and curious creates connection and belonging
Niki Weight, Head Advisor for the College of Education, Oregon State University
How many times in the last few years, months, weeks, or even minutes have you asked yourself, how am I going to get through this? Chances are it’s more than one time. As members of a helping profession in an ever-changing field, the work we do can be exhausting. While navigating personal and systemic change, we need to center on the key factor that helps us to thrive instead of survive: our connections to ourselves and other people. In this keynote, we will discuss how to be brave, kind, and curious to transform the way we thrive. We will share strategies for developing your own self-awareness and vulnerability, ways to build transformational relationships and create spaces of belonging, and how to use these strategies to thrive during ongoing change.
10-10:50am
Concurrent Session #1
Oregon Transfer Pathways to the Liberal Arts: The Essential Role of Community College Advisors
Linda Samek, Project Director, Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities
Elizabeth Cox Brand, Executive Director, Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities
We are midway through a Transfer Pathways implementation grant funded by the Teagle and Arthur Vining Davis Foundations. This session will update our progress in designing pathways from community colleges to private liberal arts institutions with a focus on the essential role of community college advisors in informing, encouraging, and supporting students to consider multiple transfer options.
Advising in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Jennifer Edwards, Academic Advisor, Oregon State University
Andrew Edwards, Academic Advisor, Oregon State University
“I let ChatGPT do its thing and write my paper. It’s like having a personal ghostwriter! I still sprinkled in some ‘me’ to make it legit. That's not cheating right?" Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a growing presence in academia. While it can enhance learning experiences and act as a resource for both faculty and students, it also raises ethical concerns in academic integrity and how instructors evaluate effective student learning. Academic advisors are often at the forefront of these issues and play a crucial role in helping all parties navigate the challenges posed by this technology. This presentation will explore the impact of AI on students, faculty, and advising as well as some methods for avoiding potential AI pitfalls.
The Bridge Between Academic and Career Advising
Michelle Strowbridge, Assistant Director of Career Development, Oregon State University
Academic Advisors are often tasked with additional job duties related to career advising for students. This presentation aims to help academic advisors gain efficacy in how to help students and where to refer to a career advisor. Participants will have the opportunity to create a career "artefact" that can help them talk about careers in a different way with students.
11-11:50am
Concurrent Session #2
Supporting Transfer Through Change: Introduction of OSU's New General Education
Erin Bird, Associate Director of Transfer Pathways and Success, Oregon State University
Kristin Benson, Deputy Registrar/Associate Registrar-Compliance, Oregon State University
Oregon State University is updating our general education requirements after more than 3 decades and these new changes will begin in summer 2025! This session is an opportunity to learn more about the changes, the process, and how Core Education is designed to meet the needs of our 21st-century learners. OSU designed our new general education with students in mind - specifically our transfer students - embedding the Core Transfer Map into the new structure to better allow Oregon students to transfer in and out of OSU. Join us in discussing ways to support our shared students as they navigate these changes in general education.
Pathways to Progress: The Transformative Process of Peer to Peer Mentorship
Lacey Smyth, Head Learning Specialist - Assistant Director, Oregon State University
Hannah Hunicke, Learning Specialist (LS) & Mentor Program Coordinator, Oregon State University
Academics for Student-Athletes (ASA) supports 519 student-athletes at Oregon State University. Within ASA, the Academic Mentor Program supports student-athletes in their academic journeys, helping them develop and refine their skill sets and enhance their confidence as they navigate the demands of being a student-athlete at OSU. Through a peer-centered approach, the Mentor Program provides training and professional development opportunities to support mentors in serving their students, while also preparing them for success in their future careers. Presenters will discuss how the program has evolved, the successes and challenges it’s faced through the years, and give an overview of the responsibilities, outcomes, and future areas for growth. Advising teams and student support units can take these insights and adapt them to fit the needs of their units and student populations.
Make a (Rein)Statement: Building Connections Through Academic Success Workshops
Kennedy Schade, Tutoring Coordinator & Learning Specialist, Western Oregon University
Mika Hui, IDS & Degree Completion Advisor/Coordinator, Western Oregon University
Suspension from a university may be one of the most emotionally taxing events in a student's journey to completing college -- returning to school after that suspension shouldn't be. How do we create an environment that welcomes students back after such a challenging time while also providing skills to equip a student body that never left? Please join us to learn more about Western Oregon University's Academic Success Workshops; a series of lectures we've created to assist reinstated students.
12-1:00pm
Lunch
1-1:50pm
Concurrent Session #3
Parents Just Don't Understand: An Insider's Guide To Students Who Are Parents
Adrian Trujillo, Assistant Director for Trio Student Enrichment Program, Western Oregon University
Do you know any Parent Students, or students with dependents? Do you know how to support this population? Parent Students fall under the Non-Traditional umbrella, but what sets them apart is their grit and determination to juggle all of their responsibilities. Parent Students are excellent advocates for their children, but often not for themselves. How can advisors or professors provide support on an individual basis? Listening to their stories, validating their efforts, appreciating their journey and providing applicable support are all great strategies. Another is learning about the daily struggles they face and what actions can help keep them engaged and on track to graduate. In this presentation, I will describe the struggles of this population and different ways to support them.
The Kids May Not Be Alright: Teaching in the Post-Pandemic Bardo
Jana Svoboda, Mental Health Professional, Counselor/Advisor, Linn-Benton Community College
Students and teachers of every generation have had their struggles, but current research finds today's college students presenting with far more anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. We're not yet looking pre-pandemic and we're not fully post. What effects of this do you see in students, and how can we mitigate them?
2-3:00pm
Student Panel
Students from different universities/colleges in Oregon share their insights, perspectives, and experiences on their relation with academic advising. Join us and gain valuable information from the people we serve.
3-3:30pm
OAAA Next Steps & Closing Remarks