Trailblazing Frontiers Symposium

By the end of the symposium, participants will be able to:

• Identify emerging and effective practices in student affairs that support student engagement, persistence, wellbeing, and success
  
  
• Apply leadership and change-oriented strategies to strengthen programs, teams, and services on their campuses
  
  
• Strengthen interpersonal and cross-functional collaboration skills to improve cohesive delivery of services
  
  
• Deepen understanding of ethical standards and professional competencies in student affairs to grow professionally
  
  
• Engage in reflective practice and lifelong learning to sustain professional growth

By the end of the symposium, participants will be able to:

• Learn how to use evidence-based practices to inform continuous improvement and resource allocation
  
  
• Enhance the ability to design effective programs to foster student engagement and persistence 

By the end of the symposium, participants will be able to:

• Expand professional networks and build practical takeaways that can be implemented within current roles
  
  
• Use collaboration and cross-functional partnerships to address complex student needs

The focus:

• How do we work across roles, departments, and divisions so students experience their support as connected, consistent, and easy to navigate?

Guiding questions:

• Where do students experience clear, connected support across campus, and where do they experience breakdowns or confusion?
• How do we currently coordinate between Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, and Enrollment Management? Where does that coordination stop short?
• What does continuity of care look like for a student moving between offices, services, or points in their journey?
• How do we ensure students are not left to navigate complex systems on their own?
• In what ways are we sharing responsibility for student success, rather than operating in separate lanes?
• How can we strengthen communication and follow-through, so students feel known and supported, not redirected?

Common discussion areas:

• student wellness and counseling
• residence life and housing
• first-year and transition programs
• faculty engagement in student support
• enrollment management transitions from recruitment to retention
• peer mentoring and coaching models
• case management and student care teams
• advising and academic support
• tutoring and learning support services
• connecting unique populations to appropriate services
• communication practices across offices

In this space, participants will:

• Identify where their campus systems support students well and where students experience gaps
• Strengthen their ability to collaborate across functional areas to provide more connected support
• Share and learn practical approaches for improving coordination, communication, and follow-through
• Explore ways to create smoother transitions for students as they move between services and offices
• Reflect on how their individual role contributes to a larger, shared effort to support student success

The focus:

• How do we reach more students in timely ways without losing the personal connection that builds trust?

Guiding questions:

• What kinds of outreach actually lead to student response and engagement?
• Where does technology help us show up for students more consistently?
• Where does it create distance or feel impersonal?
• How can we balance efficiency with care in our communication?

Common discussion areas:

• outreach supported by technology
• timely reminders and nudges
• peer mentoring
• communication practices
• using technology in ways that still feel human
• offering support that feels personal, even at larger scale

In this space, participants will:

• Enhance their ability to design programs and outreach that support engagement and persistence
• Learn how to use evidence and data to guide decisions and improve practice
• Apply strategies that expand reach while maintaining trust and connection with students

The focus:

• What kinds of leadership and team practices help us sustain this work over time?

Guiding questions:

• What does it look like to lead beyond your specific office or role?
• How do we support staff who are doing high-touch, high-demand work?
• What team practices help maintain consistency in how students are supported?
• How do we grow future leaders within our divisions?

Common discussion areas:

• divisional and departmental leadership
• supervision and staff development
• building strong team cultures
• supporting staff well-being and resilience
• thinking beyond individual offices to the bigger picture

In this space, participants will:

• Apply leadership and change-oriented strategies to strengthen teams and services
• Deepen understanding of professional competencies and ethical practice in Student Affairs
• Engage in reflection and ongoing learning to support professional growth
• Reconnect with purpose and motivation in serving students