2024 Conference

This track focuses on strategies and initiatives to foster belonging among pre-college students, especially those from historically marginalized backgrounds (first-generation, LGBTQIA+, foster, rural, urban, multilingual, out-of-state, international, and more). Sessions may cover topics such as creating inclusive campus environments, building student organizations and affinity groups, implementing mentorship programs, addressing implicit bias, promoting cultural competence among staff, and leveraging student support services to enhance belongingness.

Potential session topics:

1. Cultivating a Culture of Inclusion: Best Practices for Creating Welcoming Spaces
2. Navigating Identity: Supporting Students in Finding Community
3. Mentorship Matters: Developing Effective Peer and Faculty Mentorship Programs
4. Addressing Microaggressions: Tools and Techniques for Challenging Bias in Everyday Interactions
5. Beyond Diversity: Moving Towards Equity and Belonging in Higher Education

This track empowers pre-college and college students to take ownership of their educational journey and career aspirations. Sessions may explore strategies for self-advocacy, goal setting, career exploration, and leadership development. Additionally, sessions may address the role of technology and digital platforms in supporting student agency and autonomy.

Potential session topics:

1. From Dream to Reality: Goal Setting and Action Planning for Pre-College Students
2. Career Exploration 101: Helping Students Discover Their Passions and Pathways
3. Leadership for All: Cultivating Leadership Skills in Diverse Student Populations
4. The Digital Advantage: Leveraging Technology to Support Student Empowerment
5. Student Voices: Amplifying Student Perspectives in Decision-Making Processes

This track supports professional development and skill enhancement for university staff engaged in pre-college outreach efforts. Sessions may cover leadership and career development, effective communication strategies, data-driven outreach planning, building partnerships with K-12 schools and community organizations, evaluation and data visualization, and navigating challenges in outreach work.

Potential session topics:

1. The Art of Outreach: Effective Communication Strategies for Engaging Pre-College Students
2. Data-Driven Decision Making: Using Analytics to Inform Outreach Strategies
3. Building Bridges: Establishing and Maintaining Partnerships with K-12 Schools and Community Organizations through Compassion fatigue 
4. Overcoming Obstacles: Strategies for Addressing Barriers to Pre-College Engagement
5. Self-Care for Outreach Professionals: Managing Stress and Avoiding Burnout in High-Impact Roles

This track focuses on proactive strategies for developing and maintaining trust with pre-college students, their families, and their schools before they arrive on a college campus. Sessions may address effective communication techniques, cultural competence in engaging diverse stakeholders, building rapport and empathy, and navigating challenging conversations.

Potential session topics:

1. Trust-Building 101: Establishing Authentic Connections with Pre-College Students and Families by Showcasing Empowerment Resources Available 
2. Cultural Competence in Outreach: Understanding and Respecting Diverse Perspectives
3. From Conflict to Collaboration: Navigating Difficult Conversations with Diplomacy and Respect
4. Beyond the Campus Walls: Extending Trust and Partnership to K-12 Educators and Administrators
5. Walking the Talk: Aligning Outreach Practices with Institutional Values of Equity and Inclusion
6. When Trust is Broken: What to Do and How to Repair