Past Online Event Discussion Recordings: are located on NACADA's Advising Communities Division's homepage. Login to your NACADA member profile to view a full listing of past Advising Community online event recordings.

Creating a “Toolkit” of Resources for First Year, First Generation College Students
Friday, April 28, 2023, at 1:00 PM CT

Event Description: In collaboration with NACADA's First Generation College Students Advising Community - Join the First Year and First Gen advising communities as we come together to create a “toolkit” of information and resources that seek to meet the needs of First Year Generation College Students. The purpose of this event is to bring the Advising First Year Students and First Generation College Students Advising Communities together to discuss what resources are currently available to serve First Year, First-Generation College Students. During this event, we will share and discuss tools that institutions currently utilize to meet the needs of First Year, First Generation College Students during their first year of college. We will also work together to create a “toolkit” or document of resources that can be altered easily to meet the specific needs of First Year, First Generation College Students at each attendee’s institution. 

Facilitators:

• Sandra Avalos, Kansas State University
• Kelci Kosin, Columbia College Chicago
• Claude Taylor, Monmouth University, NJ
• Moises Olavarrieta, Pepperdine University
• Comfort Suminda, University of Hawai'i at Hilo
• Kasey Swanke, University of Notre Dame

Educating in STEM Post-Pandemic: Exploring the First Year Transition
Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at 1:00 PM CT

Event Description: In collaboration with NACADA's STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Advising Community -  First-year students entering higher education post-pandemic are encountering new challenges beyond their control. After attending over a year of high school online, their readiness for college coursework looks different than before. This difference is further exacerbated by the divergence of educational opportunities afforded to students in grade schools and high schools. As a result of such pipeline educational issues, first-year students pursuing degrees in STEM are testing into more preparatory math and science courses and are facing increasing difficulties in progressing through degree requirements. During this event, we will gather to share ideas and brainstorm strategies related to supporting diverse first-year students in completing STEM coursework and fostering an institutional environment that meets their current needs.

Facilitators:

• Lisa Brancato, SUNY Oswego
• Kelci Kosin, Columbia College Chicago
• Jessica Hoffmann, University of South Florida
• Dionne Gordon-Starks, Drexel University
• Jennifer Matthews, Drexel University
• Micalena Sallavanti, Drexel University

View the Key Takeaways

Utilizing Group Advising for First Year Students: Structure, Sessions Ideas, and More
Friday, September 16, 2022, at 1:00 PM CT

Event Description:  Join us this September as the AFYS community comes together to discuss group advising and how this practice could enhance a student’s first year experience. During this guided discussion, we will explore different structures and session ideas for hosting group advising events to serve first year students. We will also discuss the benefits and challenges of utilizing group advising. Whether you practice group advising or not, this is a great way to come together and discuss how this could be a practice worth considering for the benefit of students in their first year of school.

Facilitators:

• Kelci Kosin, Columbia College Chicago
• Charlene Zengeya, Chestnut Hill College
• Matthew Holsapple, Husson University
• Katie Robertson, University of Kentucky

Patching the STEM Pipeline: Lessons Learned in Higher Ed Post-Pandemic
Tuesday, August 2, 2022, at 1:00 PM CT

Event Description: During this event, we will gather to share ideas and brainstorm strategies related to supporting diverse first-year students in completing STEM coursework and fostering an institutional environment that meets their current needs. First-year students entering higher education post-pandemic are encountering new challenges beyond their control. After attending over a year of high school online, their readiness for college coursework looks different than before. This difference is further exacerbated by the divergence of educational opportunities afforded to students in grade schools and high schools. As a result of such pipeline educational issues, first-year students pursuing degrees in STEM are testing into more preparatory math and science courses and are facing increasing difficulties in progressing through degree requirements. During this event, we will gather to share ideas and brainstorm strategies related to supporting diverse first-year students in completing STEM coursework and fostering an institutional environment that meets their current needs.

Moderators:

• Dionne Gordon-Starks, Drexel University 
• Jennifer Matthews, Drexel University 
• Micalena Sallavanti, Drexel University

View the Key Takeaways
View the Slides
View the Patching the STEM Pipeline Ideas List

Publishing for NACADA: Academic Advising Today
Friday, April 15, 2022, at 1:00 PM CT

Event Description: To learn more about publishing for NACADA, the options in which NACADA advisors can pursue, and a closer look at publishing in Academic Advising Today, the AFYS Steering Committee would like to invite members of the community to join our discussion on publication. Leigh Cunningham, AAT Managing Editor, will be joining us to share tips and guidelines for submitting a publication proposal. During the second half of the event, the Steering Committee leadership will discuss opportunities to contribute to Best Practices AC Sponsored articles series.

Facilitators:

• Kelci Kosin, Columbia College Chicago
• Micalena Sallavanti, Drexel University
• Wendy Yoder, Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Special Guest:

• Leigh Cunningham, NACADA Executive Office

AFYS Community Gathering - Best Practices in Advising First Year Students: A Guided Discussion
Friday, February 18, 2022, at 1:00 PM CT

Event Description: As many of us in advising are settling into the spring semester, first year students across the globe are also settling into their second semester of college and their needs might be slightly different in this second semester. During this AFYS Community Gathering, the AFYS steering committee would like to invite you to come and join our discussion on best practices in advising first year students. During this guided discussion we, the AFYS AC, hope to share and discuss best practices in advising first year students by examining the needs of three different first year populations: At-Risk First Years Students (First Years students who have a GPA below 2.0), the "Murky Middle" (students with a GPA ranging from 2.0-3.0), and High Achieving First Year Students (students who have a GPA 3.0 or higher). Discussion prompts, provided by members of the steering committee, will allow us to question the needs of first year students, particularly during their second semester of college, while coming up with solutions on how we can best advise this population of students. This event will hopefully inspire the collective efforts to publish an AC sponsored article covering best practices.

Presenters:

• Kimberly Jones, Eastern Michigan University
• Micalena Sallavanti, Drexel University
• Kelci Kosin, Drexel University

First Year Students Advising Community Gathering: Meet, Greet, and Be Merry
Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at 1:00 PM CT

Event Description: Please join our Advising Community for an informal meet & greet + gathering! 

Moderators: 

• Kimberly Jones, Eastern Michigan University
• Kelci Kosin, Columbia College-Chicago

Professional Development Challenges and Support in Academic Advising...in the "new normal"
Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at 11:00 AM CT

Event Description: In collaboration with NACADA's Small Colleges and Universities - Four advising administrators at small colleges and universities will share current experiences leading advising teams and advising students (with an emphasis on first year's) during the past year. Topics will include changes to advising operations, what to expect in the new normal this fall semester, hiring and onboarding during a pandemic, and student expectations with new etiquettes. 

Presenters: 

• Alexandra Yanovski-Bowers, The University of Tampa
• Matthew Holsapple, Husson University
• Vanessa Freiman, Walsh University
• Joshua Morrison, University of Indianapolis
• Andrea Miller, Marymount University 
• Darryl Cherry, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

Best Practices in Advisor Training and Development
Monday, August 9, 2021, at 3:00 PM CT

Event Description: In collaboration with NACADA's Advisor Training and Development Advising Community - As academic advisors and advisor administrators there are various areas to our professional development that are needed for us to move forward as practitioners.  During this interactive discussion, the presenters will discuss the following topics within advisor training and development: (1) Skill Development - Technology and Data, (2) Training Models, (3) Career Pathways - Advising Career Ladders, (4) Advisor Evaluation and (5) NACADA Resources.  If you are looking to gain new insights about how you can grow as a professional or if you are seeking strategies for your advising team - join us!  
Engage, encourage, and empower!

Presenters: 

• Alexandra Yanovski-Bowers, The University of Tampa
• Gavin Farber, Temple University
• Darryl Cherry, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

Facilitator: 

• Kimberly Jones, Eastern Michigan University

Advancing your Efforts as a First-generation Student Ally
Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 12:00, PM CT

Event Description: In collaboration with NACADA's First-Generation College Students Advising Community - A team from the Center for First-generation Student Success will share resources and opportunities for advancing first-generation student experiences and outcomes through your role as advisors and allies. Learn more about the Center's programs and services, the First-gen Forward designation process, National First-Generation College Celebration, and insights on advising first-generation students.

Presenters: 

• Sarah Whitley, Center for First-Generation Students - NASPA Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and The Suder Foundation
• Deana Waintraub Stafford, Center for First-Generation Students - NASPA Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and The Suder Foundation
• Quentin Alexander, George Mason University
• Darryl Cherry, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

Casual Conversations - Happy Hour
Friday, May 7, 2021, at 4:00 PM CT

Event Description: Casual Conversations are opportunities for members of the Advising First-Year Students to informally share ideas and support each other in our advising roles.

Facilitator: 

• Erin Sanders, Northern Kentucky University
• Darryl Cherry, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

Casual Conversations - Chat & Chew
Friday, May 21, 2021, at 12:00 PM CT

Event Description: Casual Conversations are opportunities for members of the Advising First-Year Students to informally share ideas and support each other in our advising roles.

Facilitators: 

• Erin Sanders, Northern Kentucky University
• Darryl Cherry, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

Casual Conversations - Chat & Chew
Friday, April 16, 2021, at 12:00 PM CT

Event Description: Casual Conversations are opportunities for members of the Advising First-Year Students to informally share ideas and support each other in our advising roles.

Facilitators: 

• Erin Sanders, Northern Kentucky University
• Darryl Cherry, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

Best Practices in Orientation and Scheduling Advising - Success on the Orientation Express
Wednesday, March 10, 2021, at 12:00 PM CT

Event Description: Does the prospect of another summer of New Student Orientation send you running? In response to advisor burnout and student feedback, Northern Arizona University implemented an innovative hybrid group advising model that is more efficient and effective than traditional 1:1 advising at building advisor:advisee relationships, teaching academic information, and supporting student transition during Orientation. Session participants will learn about the difference between a 1:1 and hybrid group advising model. They will have the opportunity to hear about the development process, program details, training, lessons learned, and walk away with detailed information to begin implementing on their own campus. Join us and learn how to make advising at Orientation more meaningful for students and effective for your advising team.

Maureen Fray, M.Ed. joined the Northern Arizona University Advising team in 2009 and currently serves as the Director of Operations. She earned her Master’s in Education from NAU and as a trained teacher wholeheartedly embraces the notion that advising is teaching. Maureen has had the pleasure of working with first-year and upper-division students throughout her various advising roles at NAU and is passionate about improving advising processes and technology for students and advisors. Helen Hemmer, M.Ed. is a Coordinator for First Year and Exploratory Advising at Northern Arizona University.  She has a background in teaching and holds a Master's in Counseling Education and Student Affairs from Clemson University.  Helen embraces a student-centered, developmental approach to academic advising and is eager to connect with other advisors and administrators who focus on the First Year to share ideas, best practices, and improve the student experience. 

Presenters: 

• Maureen Fray, Northern Arizona University
• Helen Bailey Hemmer, Northern Arizona University
• Darryl Cherry, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

View the Slides

Engaging, Advising, Supporting, and Retaining First-Year Students During an Ongoing Pandemic
Thursday, January 21, 2021, at 12:00 PM CT 

Event Description: To share advising practices to support the AFYS advising community. As if advising first-year students is not already difficult enough, the COVID-19 pandemic has upended our assumptions, exposed systemic inequities, and altered our methods of academic advising.  While posing many new challenges, this difficult time has also provided many new opportunities to better engage, advise, and support first-year students.  Please join the Advising First-Year Students Steering Committee as we discuss best practices to improve student engagement, refine academic advising, transform student support, and strengthen student retention efforts. 

Presenters: 

• Wendy Yoder, Southwestern Oklahoma State University
• Alexandra Yanovski-Bowers, The University of Tampa
• Andrea Miller, Marymount University 
• Darryl Cherry, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

View the Slides

Developing and Using an Advising Syllabus
Thursday, November 19, 2020, at 2:00 PM CT

Event Description: Advisors strive to help students become successful in their classes and purposeful in their educational choices, but much of the rationale for the work that advisors do is unknown to students. An advising syllabus can help students understand (1) the tasks of the advisor-advisee relationship (2) its learning outcomes, and (3) a timeline for their work with their advisors.  This interactive session will cover the basics of using a syllabus and offer practical strategies and examples for developing, revising, and distributing a syllabus. 

Presenters: 

• Kasey Swanke, University of Notre Dame

View the Slides
Advising Syllabus Example #1 - Laura Flynn
Advising Syllabus Example #2 - Kasey Swanke
Advising Syllabus Example #3 - Cara Wetzel

Incorporating Coaching into the First-Year Experience Online Discussion
Wednesday, June 10, 2020, at 8:00 AM CT 

Event Description: Data shows that between 50% and 80% of college students change their major at least once during their college career.  UNC Greensboro's research has shown that 70% of the students in their program want help in deciding their major and/or career plans.  And due to COVID-19, 20% of students are considering cancelling their education plans and taking a gap year. How do we help students navigate this uncertainty?  This discussion will provide you with an example how Bill Johnson, in Life Planning and Personal Development at UNC Greensboro, used a group coaching format with first-year students to define their meaningful work to not only decide on a major, but to identify potential educational, experiential, and entrepreneurial endeavors that lead to academic and career success. 

Presenters: 

• Bill Johnson, UNC Greensboro

View the Recording
View the Slides
Syllabus Example #1
Syllabus Example #2
Snapshot of Life Design Catalyst Program
Life Design Catalyst Approach