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.
November 2023
First Gen Friday Series - National First-Gen Celebration Day Open Discussion
Friday, November 10, 2023, at 11:00 AM CT
Event Description: In recognition of November 8th: National First Generation Student Celebration Day, what are you doing on your college campus to be a wall breaker or a bridge builder? Attend an open discussion on ways first-gen advising professionals participate as bridge builders or wall breakers in an attempt to stop the systemic institutional gatekeeping issue academic advisors witness on college campuses today. First-gen advising professionals are encouraged to discuss and share ways their office and campus community celebrate this day and inspire ideas for others to consider during next year’s celebration. Register here.
Facilitators:
- Sandra Avalos, Kansas State University
- Wanda Reyes-Dawes, Manchester Community College
- Zach Desjardins, University of Albany SUNY
- Shannon Sousa, Massachusetts
- Kristen Caudle, University of Missouri
- Madeline Goldman, Virginia Commonwealth
- Jackie Thomas-Miller, Purdue University
- Wynter Green-Allen, Baruch College
- Dan Birch, University of Calgary
September 2023
First Gen Friday Series - Carrying the Weight: The True Cost of First-Gen Achievement Guilt
Friday, September 15, 2023, at 11:00 AM CT
Event Description: First-Generation College Students (FGCS) are the pioneers and trailblazers of higher education for their families. Higher education has its own unique culture, language and history which can be difficult for many first-generation college students to understand. Every semester FGCS travel through unknown territory, navigating the “hidden curriculum” while possibly carrying significant guilt for leaving their families and other responsibilities at home. This guilt manifests itself in low-retention and academic persistence rates, a poor sense of belonging both in the collegiate environment and at home with their family, and lack of engagement in the campus community. This presentation will draw on intersectionality, appreciative advising techniques, the role of advisors as cultural navigators, and personal anecdotes to uncover where this “guilt” comes from to illuminate how First-Gen Advising Professionals can help FGCS navigate the complexities of a “double life”. First-Gen Advising Professionals’ intentionality in addressing this pervasive guilt can help integrate first-generation college students into the culture of higher education and empower them to take greater agency in their own academic and personal journeys. With the support of inclusive institutional policies and First-Gen University Professionals, FGCS can graduate on-time, discover their true potential, and inspire and elevate the many generations to come. Register here.
Facilitators:
- Sandra Avalos, Kansas State University
- Zach Desjardins, SUNY Albany
- Shannon Sousa, Northeastern University
- Susan Aguiar, Emmanuel College
August 2023
First Gen Friday Series - Networking/Mixer for TRIO SSS & First-Gen Professionals
Friday, August 11, 2023, at 11:00 AM CT
Event Description: An advising and networking open discussion covering an overview of TRIO Student Support Services. Advising professionals will share approaches to serving first-gen students in TRIO SSS and other federally funded programs and identify student challenges and successes in these programs. Also, identify student challenges and successes in these programs. Register here.
Facilitators:
- Sandra Avalos, Kansas State University
- Anthony Webster, Eastern Michigan University
- Chimene Boone, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Apryl Scheffler-Martin, Kalamazoo Valley Community College
- Moises Olavarrieta, Pepperdine University
- Zachary Desjardins, University of Albany SUNY
May 2023
May the Wellness Be With You: Tips & Strategies to Avoid Burnout and Create a Wellness Advising Culture
Thursday, May 4, 2023, at 1:00 PM CT
Event Description: In collaboration with NACADA's Well-Being and Advisor Retention Advising Community - In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, we encourage academic advising professionals to attend an open discussion on common stressors that lead to advisor burnout. May the force be with you, as we reflect on the academic year and share practical wellness tips and strategies to promote a culture of wellness in our advising offices.
Facilitators:
- Sandra Avalos, Kansas State University
- Olivia Miller, University of Missouri-Kansas City
- Shannon Sousa, Northeastern University
- Wanda Reyes-Dawes, Manchester Community College
- Zach Desjardins, University of Albany, SUNY
- Moises Olaverrieta, Pepperdine University
- Chanda Walter, South Dakota State University
- Becky Helms, Troy University
- Melissa Cumbia, Virginia Tech
May 2023
May the Wellness Be With You: Tips & Strategies to Avoid Burnout and Create a Wellness Advising Culture
Thursday, May 4, 2023, at 1:00 PM CT
Event Description: In collaboration with NACADA's Well-Being and Advisor Retention Advising Community - In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, we encourage academic advising professionals to attend an open discussion on common stressors that lead to advisor burnout. May the force be with you, as we reflect on the academic year and share practical wellness tips and strategies to promote a culture of wellness in our advising offices.
Facilitators:
- Sandra Avalos, Kansas State University
- Olivia Miller, University of Missouri-Kansas City
- Shannon Sousa, Northeastern University
- Wanda Reyes-Dawes, Manchester Community College
- Zach Desjardins, University of Albany, SUNY
- Moises Olaverrieta, Pepperdine University
- Chanda Walter, South Dakota State University
- Becky Helms, Troy University
- Melissa Cumbia, Virginia Tech
April 2023
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-Year 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
- Wanda Reyes-Dawes, Manchester Community College