Annual Conference Highlights

CONFERENCE SERVICE PROJECT

The 2024 Annual Conference Committee has chosen The Pittsburgh Promise as our conference charity. Per their website, the mission of the Pittsburgh Promise is to promote “high educational aspirations among urban youth, fund scholarships for post-secondary access, and fuel a prepared and diverse regional workforce.”

Since their launch in 2008, they have provided college scholarships to over 12,000 urban youths in eligible Pittsburgh public high schools to attend four-year colleges and universities throughout the state of Pennsylvania. These scholarships also include comprehensive college and career guidance for each student. Over 70% of their scholars are low-income, and many are first generation. The Pittsburgh Promise is currently committed to raising resources to fund students through the high school graduating class of 2028, and your donations will go directly toward this cause.

Click here to make a tax-deductible donation to The Pittsburgh Promise.

TAKE A CRUISE ON PITTSBURGH’S #1 RIVERBOAT!

Join us Tuesday evening, October 29^th from 6-8 pm aboard the Gateway Clipper Princess Riverboat for a Pittsburgh river cruise! This private sightseeing tour open to NACADA conference participants only will provide a river tour of the city, highlighting significant buildings, landmarks, bridges, and lush landscape visible from the Three Rivers. Enjoy learning about these amazing sites as our captain and on-board narrator share fun and historic stories about life in Pittsburgh and on the rivers!  Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase. No cash, only credit or debit cards will be accepted for purchases. Capacity is limited, so sign-up today! The cost is $45 per ticket.

Register Here!

Boarding will begin at 5:30 pm at the David Lawrence convention center.  Drop-off at the conclusion of the tour will also be at the convention center.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS EVENTS

Urban Sketching in Pittsburgh! Fostering Creativity, Engagement & Connection

The Urban Sketching will take place on Sunday, October 27 from 10 am-12 pm. The cost is $20 per person; limited availability.

Engage in a hands-on creative adventure through the art of urban sketching, the communal experience of drawing on location to capture the story of the world around us. Attendees will create a drawing to chronicle their experience in Pittsburgh with guidance and tips from artists in the advising profession. While developing their sketches, attendees will be encouraged to share their artistic thought processes and what connections those may have to their advising practices. As both artists and advisors, the presenters will share how the observational and artistic concepts involved in urban sketching influence their academic advising practices, mindfulness, self-care, focus, flexibility, and engagement with students and colleagues. The session will wrap up with an urban sketch throwdown, where attendees gather to share what they created in a large mosaic collage. Each sketch in the mosaic will highlight the diverse perspectives, choices, and observations that went into its creation. Together, the attendees and presenters will discuss their urban sketching experience focusing on how they see themselves using the concepts in their lives and advising practices. The final sketch can be displayed in their home, office, or social media as a reminder of their time at NACADA’s annual conference in Pittsburgh.

All skill levels are welcome. Art supplies and handouts with tips and tricks for sketching on location and other resources will be provided.

Registration Information: Add this to your cart when registering for the conference. If you have already registered for the conference and would like to add this activity, follow these steps. 

A Beautiful Run in the Neighborhood Mr. Rogers Themed Virtual Run/Walk/Roll

Are you interested in completing a virtual 5K/10K/Half Marathon fun run/walk/roll in your free time? The event packet includes a keepsake Mister Rogers bib, t-shirt, and Mister Rogers trolley medal that could be used to connect with other participants via photos in the NACADA App. Donation from every entry goes towards the Fred Rogers Institute, supporting the development of current and emerging academic leaders in the fields of early learning and children’s media. Use “nacada24” to get free shipping on your order.  The discount code is valid until November 1, 2024.

Lunch Drum Circle

The lunch drum circle will take place on Tuesday, October 29 from 11:30 am-1:30 pm in the lunch hall, level 2, DLCC. Besides simply being a fun activity, drum circles relieve stress, promote community and lower anxiety levels. Some studies even suggest that drum circles aid in healing bodily ailments. Drumming improves mood, fosters creativity and cultivates an overall sense of wellbeing.

By participating in NACADA health and wellness activities, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions of NACADA’s release of liability form for participants in voluntary recreational and fitness activities.

BEST OF REGION WINNERS

Congratulations to the Best of Region Winners from the 2024 Conferences. Be sure to check out these excellent presentations.

Region 1: Empowering Autonomy: Strategies to Break the Learned Helplessness Cycle Among College Students
Hope McMorran, Bryant University - Unable to Present at the Annual Conference

Region 2: Unmasking the Hidden Struggles: Supporting Students Who Say They Are Fine But Are Not
Karen Meister, Virginia Commonwealth University - Unable to Present at the Annual Conference

Region 3: Big Goals, Big Moves- Searching for Success through Self-Actualization
Allison Sigmon, University of North Carolina-Charlotte
Doris Munoz, Fayetteville Technical Community College

Region 4: Another Email That They Didn't Read: Bossing up on Communication
Ashlee Hill, Morehouse College

Region 5: Focusing on Gender Expansive Students
River Garrett, IUPUI

Region 6: Trust Me, I Have a Dog: Why trust matters in student services
Grant McCormack, University of Minnesota

Region 7: The Advising Wisdom of Ted Lasso
David Wellman, Texas A&M University

Region 8: From Transactional to Transformational: Effective referrals for student success
Niki Weight, Oregon State University

Region 9: Encouraging Radical Self-Care Through Academic Advising
Kenny Ka'aiakamanu-Quibilan and Richard Jay Ozoa-Aglugub, University of Hawaii-Manoa

Region 10: Adults Welcome: Using the power of play to improve advising and the daily routine!
Jared Wilcken, Southern Utah University