Review our previous events including sessions, presenters and more.

2023

Program
Session TitleTimeLocationPresenter(s)
Pre-conference Activities10:00-11:00 a.m.
-Yoga and Sound HealingMudd Field (Rain location: Sumers Recreation Center)Meghann Feely, Athletics & Recreation, Student Affairs
Permission to Pause: Resources for Rest, Reflection & Feeling like a Person AgainSimon Hall Courtyard (Rain location: Simon Hall, room 23)Callista Isabelle, Office of Religious, Spiritual and Ethical Life, Student Affairs
Puppies and PastriesDanforth University Center (Rain location: Simon Hall, room 21)WashU PD: Bear and Brookie
Grab and Go Lunch11:15-12:15Pick up lunch in
Simon Hall, main floor lobby
Participate in our social media contest: Cool Places to Eat on Campus! Use the hashtag #WashUCommunity and set your account to public.
Welcome and PlenaryInsights from the Boyer Report on Advancing Excellence, Student Success and Equity12:20-1:10 p.m.Simon Hall, room 1-May AuditoriumWelcome: Anna “Dr. G” Gonzalez, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Plenary Talk: Kevin Kruger, President and CEO of NASPA plus Q&A
Student Affairs Staff Awards1:10-1:20 p.m.Simon Hall, room 1-May AuditoriumRob Wild, Associate Vice Chancellor, Dean of Students and Chief of Staff, Student Affairs
Breakout Session 11:30-2:20 p.m.
-CAREER: Tips for Internal Development at the UniversitySimon Hall, room 106Kris Campa, Office of Scholar Programs; Ally Schipma, Residential Life; and Ivory Woodhouse, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
-HEALTHY EXCELLENCE: Stressed is Desserts Spelled BackwardSimon Hall, room 113Jodi Seals, Habif Health and Wellness Center, Student Affairs
– JEDI: Universal Design for Student AffairsSimon Hall, room 1-May AuditoriumKatharine Pei, Student Transitions & Family Programs; Renaldo Luna Gacad, Student Transitions & Family Programs, Student Affairs
 LEADERSHIP: Cultivating Skills to Grow as an Informal LeaderSimon Hall, room 103Monica Black Robinson, Office of Human Resources
SENSE OF BELONGING: Making New Staff a Part of Your Team!Simon Hall, room 112Aaron Keen; Jim Conlon; Vanessa Walby, Athletics & Recreation, Student Affairs
Breakout Session 22:30-3:20 p.m.
-CAREER: Strengths Based Career DevelopmentSimon Hall, room 106Mandy Curtis, Campus Life; Nat Hilterbrand, Center for Diversity and Inclusion, Student Affairs
-HEALTHY EXCELLENCE: Leading with Staff Wellness in MindSimon Hall, room 113Brittany McDaniel, PhD, Residential Life, Student Affairs
-JEDI: Responding to HierarchiesSimon Hall, room 105Jacqueline Carter, Olin School of Business and Saint Rice, EdD, Olin School of Business
LEADERSHIP: Adaptation, Transition, and FlexibilitySimon Hall, room 103Julia Macias, Office of Scholar Programs, Student Affairs
-SENSE OF BELONGING: Finding Your Sense of Belonging in STLSimon Hall, room 112Trevor Sangrey, Arts & Sciences, Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies
Closing Plenary and ReceptionFireside Chat on a Personal Journey of Unity Through Community3:30-4:30 p.m.Umrath Hall, Lounge-main floorClosing Plenary Talk: Rochelle Smith, St. Louis University

Moderator: Ally Schipma, Residential Life

An accessible entrance to Simon Hall can be found at the entrance located between Simon and the DUC, facing Wallace Drive. An elevator is located to the right as soon as you enter the building from that entrance.

Session Descriptions

Tips for Internal Development at the University

Kris Campa, Director, John B. Ervin Scholars Program, Office of Scholar Programs, Division of Student Affairs; Ally Schipma, Manager, Residential Life Conduct and Interim Assistant Director, Student Conduct and Community Standards, Division of Student Affairs; and Ivory Woodhouse, Manager, HR Operations, Division of Student Affairs

In this session, three current Student Affairs employees discuss their experiences managing their personal internal movement at WashU.  They will provide information and respond to questions on how they were able to advance within the University.

Adaptation, Transition and Flexibility

Julia Macias, Associate Dean, Office of Scholar Programs, Division of Student Affairs

The workshop explores social class and status’s impact on students, teams, and peers – and strategies for creating equitable spaces that increase the department’s equity, effectiveness, and sense of belonging.

CAREER: Strengths Based Career Development

Mandy Curtis, Campus Life

Please join Mandy Curtis as she guides you through activities and conversations designed to help you leverage your Clifton Strengths within your work. This session is not intended to be an introduction to Clifton Strengths, but a deeper dive for people who have already taken and have a basic understanding of their strengths.

Please be sure to bring your top 5 strengths with you!

Cultivating Skills to Grow as an Informal Leader

Monica Robinson, Career Center, Division of Student Affairs

Many people are looking to grow as leaders even if they aren’t officially part of the management team. Informal leadership is all about credibility and influence that is valued and can be developed over time. We will start from where you are and assess your informal leadership strengths and areas for improvement. Then we’ll discuss how to Boost Your Reputation and Brand. Finally, we will also look at the formula 5=2+1+1 to become that Extraordinary Informal Leader that’s ready for the next leadership opportunity!

HEALTHY EXCELLENCE: Stressed is Desserts Spelled Backwards

Jodi Seals, Habif Health and Wellness Center

Get ready to relax! Start the journey by learning healthy vs unhealthy stressors, focusing on strategies to decrease the negative impacts of our stress! Then don your sleep mask and get your zen on! Finish with a dose of gratitude before you head out!

JEDI: Universal Design Student Affairs

Katharine Pei, Student Transitions & Family Programs; Renaldo Luna Gacad, Student Transitions & Family Programs.

Universal Design (UD) calls for an environment that can be accessed,
understood, and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their
age, size, ability, or disability. At its core, the purpose of student affairs is to educate, to create environments where students can learn about themselves and others, and
provide the resources and supports for students to thrive in postsecondary education.
UD can, and should be, applied to student affairs. As a result of this session,
participants will define UD, outline the principles and guidelines for UD, understand the value and purpose of UD for student affairs, and be able to describe the eight steps for implementing UD into their work.

Leading with Staff Wellness in Mind

Brittany McDaniel, PhD, Associate Director, Residential Education, Residential Life, Division of Student Affairs

This session draws on research studying the workplace well-being experiences of residence life staff, but the findings of the study can be applied broadly across functional areas. Join this session to learn tangible ways you can support your team’s well-being within the workplace and create an action plan on how you will begin to evolve your approach to supporting employee well-being in your area!

Making New Staff a Part of Your Team!

Aaron Keen, Head Football Coach, Athletics and Recreation; Jim Conlon, Head Soccer Coach, Athletics and Recreation; Vanessa Walby, Head Volleyball Coach, Athletics and Recreation, Division of Student Affairs

In this session our coaches will discuss how they recruit and integrate new members of the campus community into their teams.

Permission to Pause: Resources for Rest, Reflection & Feeling Like a Person Again

Callista Isabelle, Director, Religious, Spiritual & Ethical Life, Student Affairs

Ready for a pause? Drop by this session for a few minutes or the whole hour to learn strategies for rest, reflection and rejuvenation. Connect with colleagues as we name why pausing is difficult and explore ways to incorporate pauses into our busy schedules. This is your permission to pause (with fun giveaways)!

Responding to Hierarchies

Jacqueline Carter, Equity, Diversity Manager, Olin School of Business and Saint Rice, EdD, Assistant Dean for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion & Director of Faculty, Staff, and Community Engagement, Olin School of Business

This workshop explores social class and status’s impact on students, teams, and peers – and strategies for creating equitable spaces that increase the department’s equity, effectiveness, and sense of belonging.

Planning Committee

Kim Webb, Director, RSVP Center & Planning Committee Chair

Committee Members

Jamaica Cannon, Athletics and Recreation
Nat Hilterbrand, Center for Diversity and Inclusions
Phyllis Jackson, Campus Life
Chris Peacock, Athletics and Recreation
Michele Ralston, Career Center
Ally Schipma, Residential Life
Ivory Woodhouse, Office of the Vice Chancellor

Support Team

Kathy Atnip, Marketing & Communications
Kelly Cannon, Office of the Vice Chancellor
Ladona Goodin, RSVP Center
Chelsea Petersen, Marketing & Communications
Jenny Sinamon, Marketing & Communications

Session Presenters
Kevin Kruger

President, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)

Rochelle Smith

Vice President of the Division for Diversity and Innovative Community Engagement, Saint Louis University

Anna Gonzalez

she/her

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Rob Wild

he/him

Associate Vice Chancellor, and Dean of Students

Bear and Brookie

WashU Police Department

Kris Campa

Director, John B. Ervin Scholars Program, Office of Scholar Programs, Division of Student Affairs

Jacqueline Carter

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Program Manager, Olin School of Business

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Program Manager, Olin School of Business

Meghann Feely

Athletics & Recreation

2022

Program
Session TitleTimeLocationPresenter(s)
Breakfast8:30-9:00 a.m.Wrighton Hall, Rettner Gallery
Welcome and KeynoteEducational Equality in St. Louis from K-12 Education to the University Setting9-9:30 a.m.Wrighton Hall 300Keynote Address: Dr. Karen L Hall, SLU School of Education
Morning Breakout Session 19:45-10:30 a.m.
 Universal Design for Student AffairsWrighton Hall 301Dacoda Scarlett, Student Transitions & Family Programs and Katharine E. Pei, Student Transitions & Family Programs
– Restoring Relationships Through ConflictWrighton Hall 201Ally Schipma, Residential Life
The Holistic HustleWrighton Hall 250Meghann Feely, Athletics & Recreation
Morning Breakout Session 210:45-11:30 a.m.
Bridging the Gap-Connecting Faculty and Staff to Students and their Social Justice ExperienceWrighton Hall 301Beth Doores, Campus Life; Travis Tucker, Jr., Center for Diversity and Inclusion; and Dr. Aeryel Williams, Center for Diversity and Inclusion
Writing for Professional Publication: You Can Do It!Wrighton Hall 201Dr. Anna Gonzalez, Student Affairs and Dr. Tim Bono, Student Affairs
Lunch and Staff Awards11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.Danforth University Center, Tisch Commons
Afternoon Breakout Session 11:00-1:45 p.m.
Setting and Meeting a Bold Goal/InitiativeWrighton Hall 201Randi Henderson, Head Women’s Basketball Coach; Pat Juckem, Head Men’s Basketball Coach; and Aaron Keen, Head Football Coach, Athletics & Recreation
Nutrition and Dietary WellnessWrighton Hall 301Rebecca Miller, Nutrition and Dietary Wellness
Creating Equitable and Decolonized Campus SpacesWrighton Hall 250Dr. Mark Kamimura-Jiménez, Division of Student Affairs
Afternoon Breakout Session 22:15-3:00 p.m
Mind over Mat(ter)Sumers Recreation Center, Sumers StudioMeghann Feely, Athletics & Recreation
-Yes, and…: Fun Improv Games!Athletic Complex, Athletics Team ClassroomNancy Nigh, Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Ice Cream Reception3:15-4:15 p.m.Danforth University Center, Edison Courtyard (Rain location: Tisch Commons)

Session Descriptions

Universal Design for Student Affairs
Dacoda Scarlett, Student Transitions & Family Programs and Katharine E. Pei, Student Transitions & Family Programs

Universal Design (UD) calls for an environment that can be accessed, understood, and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age, size, ability, or disability. At its core, the purpose of student affairs is to educate, to create environments where students can learn about themselves and others, and provide the resources and supports for students to thrive in postsecondary education.UD can, and should be, applied to student affairs. As a result of this session, participants will define UD, outline the principles and guidelines for UD, understand the value and purpose of UD for student affairs, and be able to describe the eight steps for implementing UD into their work.

Restoring Relationships Through Conflict

Ally Schipma, Residential Life

Have you heard the term restorative justice and wondered what it’s all about? Do you want to strengthen your relationships with coworkers? Then this is the session for you! In this session, participants will learn the core principles and foundations of restorative justice and how we utilize these practices in higher education through our student conduct process. Participants in this session will also have the opportunity to learn about their conflict styles and how they can use that knowledge to have restorative conversations with in the workplace!

The Holistic Hustle

Meghann Feeley, Athletics & Recreation

In this session we are going to take a look at what are our Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivations are in order to purse achievement and the cost it can have.  We use the past to learn, the future to prepare and the present to live.  When our only focus is on the future goals, we lose the present, we lose our lives and postpone our sense of joy.  We will look at how we can start to break out of the never ending spiral of focusing on the extrinsic achievement and learning how to connect our work and home life with our intrinsic achievement.  In other words, how can we enjoy the “Hustle”.  We will work on how to define or find our character and create a unique “scorecard” that focuses on a more fulfilling kind of achievement.

Bridging the Gap–Connecting Faculty and Staff to Students and their Social Justice Experience

Beth Doores, Campus Life; Travis Tucker, Jr., Center for Diversity and Inclusion: and Dr. Aeryel Williams, Center for Diversity and Inclusion

This workshop is designed to educate faculty and staff about the current social justice issues students are facing during their WashU experience. Attendees can expect an overview of the co-curricular advisory board (CAB), its purpose, and how it addresses oppressive systems within our co-curricular community. Additionally, we will cover Bias Report and Support System (BRSS) statistical data as well as overall student experiences with bias inside and outside of the classroom. Last, attendees will be provided with strategies to connect students with an understanding of advocacy and allyship with the goal of fostering a trauma-informed and inclusive community.

Writing for Professional Publication: You Can Do It!
Dr. Anna Gonzalez, Student Affairs and Tim Bono, Student Affairs

Setting and Meeting a Bold Goal/Initiative
Randi Henderson, Head Women’s Basketball Coach; Pat Juckem, Head Men’s Basketball Coach; and Aaron Keen, Head Football Coach, Athletics & Recreation

Nutrition and Dietary Wellness
Join Rebecca Miller, WashU’s on-campus Registered Dietitian and Assistant Director for Nutrition & Dietary Wellness, to discuss her nutrition philosophy on campus and how to incorporate a more flexible and intuitive approach to nutrition into your lifestyle. Through open discussion and personal reflection, develop your own personal definition of healthy and learn ways to improve your health without restriction.

Mind over Mat(ter)
Meghann Feeley, Athletics & Recreation

This session will be a gentle flow/stretch class where we would spend time with breath work and mindfulness/meditation.

Yes, and…Fun Improv Games!
Nancy Nigh, Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Join Nancy Nigh from the Skandalaris Center for a low-key, fun session of improv games where we will explore three main concepts of improv and how to use them in the workplace. In this session we will focus on the improv concepts of: Saying “Yes, and…”, making your team members look insanely good, and trusting your gut. Don’t worry, you won’t be required to perform in front of the group -unless you volunteer to! You WILL be required to let loose and laugh a little. No improv experience necessary!

CAREER: Strengths Based Career Development
Mandy Curtis, Campus Life

Please join Mandy Curtis as she guides you through activities and conversations designed to help you leverage your Clifton Strengths within your work. This session is not intended to be an introduction to Clifton Strengths, but a deeper dive for people who have already taken and have a basic understanding of their strengths.

Please be sure to bring your top 5 strengths with you!

Educational Equality in St. Louis from K-12 Education to the University Setting
Dr. Karen L. Hall, St. Louis University School of Education

Session description coming soon!

Bridging the Gap–Connecting Faculty and Staff to Students and their Social Justice Experience
Beth Doores, Campus Life; Travis Tucker, Jr., Center for Diversity and Inclusion: and Dr. Aeryel Williams, Center for Diversity and Inclusion

This workshop is designed to educate faculty and staff about the current social justice issues students are facing during their WashU experience. Attendees can expect an overview of the co-curricular advisory board (CAB), its purpose, and how it addresses oppressive systems within our co-curricular community. Additionally, we will cover Bias Report and Support System (BRSS) statistical data as well as overall student experiences with bias inside and outside of the classroom. Last, attendees will be provided with strategies to connect students with an understanding of advocacy and allyship with the goal of fostering a trauma-informed and inclusive community.

Creating Equitable and Decolonized Campus Spaces
Mark Kamimura-Jiménez, Division of Student Affairs

This session will use case studies at various institutions to facilitate a discussion on the way campus spaces, and the campus as a space reflect equity and decolonization.

Setting and Meeting a Bold Goal/Initiative
Randi Henderson, Head Women’s Basketball Coach; Pat Juckem, Head Men’s Basketball Coach; and Aaron Keen, Head Football Coach, Athletics & Recreation

Planning Committee

Kirk Dougher, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Support
and Well-being & Planning Committee Chair

Communications, Marketing and Web

  • Chelsea Petersen
  • Kathy Atnip

Food
Joyce Markowski
Kelly Cannon

Rooms
Kelly Cannon

Keynote
Ally Schipma
Carol Moakley
John Mitchell Benton

Morning Breakouts
Ariel Carpenter
Brad Kinnear
Kathy Lewis

Lunch
Lisa Muxo
Harvey Fields
Camillia Williams

Afternoon Breakouts
Chris Peacock
Kim Webb
Phyllis Jackson

Reception
Sandy Graham
Bryan Lenz

Presenters
Karen L.  Hall

Assistant Professor, Saint Louis University School of Education

Session Title: Educational Equity in St. Louis from K-12 Education to the University Setting

Anna Gonzalez

she/her

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Tim Bono

he/him

Associate Dean and Director of Research & Analytics

Mark Kamimura-Jiménez

he/him

Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Campus Life

Session Title: Bridging the Gap–Connecting Faculty and Staff to Students and their Social Justice Experience

Meghann Feely

Athletics & Recreation

Athletics & Recreation

Session Title: Setting and Meeting a Bold Goal/Initiative

Head Football Coach, Athletics and Recreation, Divison of Student Affairs

Nutrition and Dietary Wellness

Session Title: Nutrition and Dietary Wellness

Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Session Title: Yes, and…: Fun Improv Games!

 Katharine Pei

Director, Student Transitions & Family Programs, Division of Student Affairs

Student Transitions & Family Programs

Session Title: Universal Design for Student Affairs