Critical Conversations Drive-In Conference

On behalf of NASPA Region IV-West and the Arkansas Student Affairs Association, we are excited to invite you to attend the Spring Critical Conversations Drive-In Conference on First-Generation Student Success on Friday, April 25 at NorthWest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville, Arkansas. This day-long professional development conference will start with the opening session and keynote speaker beginning at 9:15 a.m. and will conclude at 3 p.m. Alejandra Campoverdi, a nationally recognized women’s health advocate and bestselling author of FIRST GEN: A Memoir, will be the keynote speaker.

In addition to the keynote speaker, we have curated outstanding educational session content from across the states of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, with sessions being presented on the following topics:

• Advising Reimagined: Avila’s Journey to a Centralized Model – presented by Paige Illum, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs & Student Success, and Brian Ramirez, Academic Advisor – Avila University
• Beyond the Classroom: Leveraging Partnerships for First Gen Career Readiness – presented by Megan Elsen, Associate Director of Academic Support & Mentoring; Davlon Miller, Director of Career Services; and JaVon Hill, Director of Men of Color Academy – University of Missouri-Kansas City
• Celebrating First-Generation Students & Families – presented by Cierra Collins, Director of Student Life – NorthWest Arkansas Community College
• Creating Faculty & Staff Communities of Practice to Positively Influence the First-Generation Student Experience – presented by Brett Bruner, Assistant Vice President for Student Success & Persistence – Wichita State University
• Engaging Parents & Supporters of First-Generation Students to Aid in Their Success – presented by Jordan Frederking, Associate Director of Parent & Family Programs – University of Arkansas
• First-Gen Round Up: Exploring Oklahoma State’s Holistic Approach to First-Gen Student Support – presented by Matt Williams, Assistant Director of Student Support, and Nichole Stevenson, Director of McNair Scholars, Access, & Community Impact – Oklahoma State University
• From Deficit to Diligence: Empowering First-Gen Success Through Coaching, Community, & Campus Support – presented by Nadia Eslinger, Director of Bear Life Program, and Julia Winden Fey, Director of Student Success – University of Central Arkansas
• From Stigma to Strength: Building a Culture of First-Gen Pride – presented by Zackery Tucker, Dean of Students, and Danita Hayes, Assistant Director of TRIO Programs – Arkansas State University-Beebe
• Getting to First Gen Students Early: Why Career Services Plays a Role in Retention – presented by Mark Hays, Director of Career & Retention Programs, and Lindsey Jensen, Employment & Internship Specialist – Tulsa Community College
• JumpStarting First-Gen Jayhawks: Building Campus Community with Early Interventions – presented by Alex Jordan, Senior Coordinator of Hawk Link, and Melissa Peterson, Director of Hawk Link – University of Kansas
• Prioritizing First-Generation Student Success: A Student-Centered Podcast Recording – presented by Zackary Tucker, Dean of Students – Arkansas State University-Beebe
• Setting Up First-Generation Student Committees to Thrive & Succeed – presented by Brett Bruner, Assistant Vice President for Student Success & Persistence – Wichita State University
• Study Elsewhere – presented by Stephanie Raymond, Director of TRIO, and Selena Meints, Coordinator of First-Generation Initiatives – University of Missouri