VPSA & AVP Colleague Conversation: Being Strategic with Fiscal Resources & Developing Alternative Revenue Streams

VPSA & AVP Colleague Conversation: Being Strategic with Fiscal Resources & Developing Alternative Revenue Streams 
Thursday, May 16, 2024 | 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET

Across higher education, many VPSAs & AVPs are being faced with directives to reduce costs and/or increase revenue to support the fiscal health of the institution. In response, some leaders are proactively exploring alternative revenue streams and strategic partnerships that can be led at the institutional level by Student Affairs. Join us for this VPSA & AVP Colleague Conversation as leaders in our field share how they are translating these directives into practice. Presenters will share examples and processes they have used to reduce costs and rethink revenue drivers.  

Managing Campus Protests and Encampments - May 3, 2024 - Join VPSA and AVP/DOS colleagues for this supplementary Colleague Conversation program about managing campus protests and encampments, media coverage, and potential disruptions to Commencement events. 

Not a Moment Too Soon: Practical Approaches to Reclaiming the (Seemingly) Lost Art of Constructive Dialogue - April 18, 2024 - How do we help students learn and develop skills to bridge the gap of ideological stalemates? Along with fostering campus environments that support free expression AND students’ sense of belonging, this question of practical approaches to skill-building is heavily on our minds as we move steadily toward what is shaping up to be another contentious election season. Join us for this VPSA & AVP Colleague Conversation as leaders in our field share how they are translating lessons from NASPA’s collaboration with the Constructive Dialogue Institute for their campuses. Presenters will share models for classroom and co-curricular implementation that teach skills and shape culture for students, faculty and staff.

Envisioning and Leading the Future of Student Affairs in an AI-enhanced Educational Landscape - February 15, 2024 -This timely conversation will delve into the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the landscape of higher education, particularly in enhancing student affairs programs and services. This conversation will explore compelling real-world scenarios, strategies for guiding staff teams through the AI adoption process, and cultivating an AI-savvy culture. We will also examine the ethical dimensions of AI, including addressing data privacy concerns, confronting the challenges of algorithmic bias, and acknowledging the moral responsibilities involved in implementing AI on campus. This conversation is designed to empower leaders, equipping them with some of the necessary tools and knowledge to harness the extraordinary potential of AI in their roles as institutional leaders.

Free Speech on Campus: What Are the Costs and Who Pays the Bill? - January 18, 2024 - Institutions of higher learning in the United States have traditionally been places where divergent views are not just tolerated but encouraged. The free and open expression of ideas is an important part of higher education’s foundation. However, there are moments when tensions, indeed conflicts, arise related to free speech. This tension could not be more visible than it is today as campuses (and their administrators) are embroiled in the profound disruption at many institutions stemming from the divergent perspectives related to the Israel-Hamas War. During this special VPSA & AVP Colleague Conversation, we’ll hear in a panel discussion format from three experts their observations and best advice regarding how institutional leaders can effectively, albeit imperfectly, manage the complexities and related costs of free speech on campus.

Navigating the Political Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities for Student Affairs Leaders - November 16, 2023 - In an era defined by constantly shifting political dynamics, we are confronted with a distinct set of challenges in preparing our campuses for the approaching election cycle. This discussion aims to delve into the multifaceted issues we confront and offer insights on harnessing opportunities to facilitate positive change. This includes enhancing our campus initiatives to encourage constructive and civil discourse, effectively managing election-related events and activities, and promoting inclusivity in the midst of political disagreements. Attendees will have the chance to learn from colleagues who have successfully navigated the challenges of the previous election cycle, particularly in states characterized by intense political divisions.

Coloring Inside the Lines: Exploring Approaches to Student Diversity and Inclusion - October 19, 2023 - In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision banning overt considerations of race and ethnicity in the admissions process, many student affairs leaders are wondering how to continue the work of advancing diversity, equity and inclusion goals while staying inside the new legal boundaries. We have a lot to learn from colleagues in the nine states that had already banned racial preferences. In this session we will hear from colleagues who have experience navigating these waters. They will share what they learned, how they worked through new guidelines, and what advice they would give themselves if they had to do it all again.

Mindful Maneuvers: Navigating Responsibilities for DEIB in Today's Fraught Landscape - May 18, 2023 - This conversation explored how we continue to provide needed support to students with marginalized identities, lead our campuses through the tensions between free expression and cultures of belonging, and respond in an era of continual political intrusion and influence. This session also explored the tensions and conflicts that can arise when student affairs and DEIB are structurally separated as well as the synergies that can be gained.

Mindful Maneuvers: Navigating the Student Success Paradigm at Your Institution - April 20, 2023 - This conversation explored the emergence of student success as a paradigm aimed at supporting students more holistically and how student affairs must remain agile and explore ways to navigate and maneuver their connections and expertise about how to serve students.

Social Work and Student Affairs: Preparation for Student Affairs Professionals - February 16, 2023 - This conversation explored how student affairs divisions are leveraging the skills of social workers to address the ever-expanding mental health needs of students.

Advancing Student Success with Integrated Administrative Systems - January 19, 2023 - During this conversation Administratively Adrift author, Scott Bass, joined NASPA President Kevin Kruger in a brief discussion and then conversation with VPSAs and AVPs regarding his focus on the need for a well-managed, integrated administrative system to support student success.

Connecting Passion and Purpose: Strategies for Cultivating Philanthropic Opportunities in Student Affairs - December 15, 2022 - This conversation explored strategies to build relationships with donors, examples of matching donor passion to organizational initiatives, and approaches to building fundraising acumen in student affairs staff.

Workforce Wins and Woes: Strategies for Navigating the Evolving Dynamics of the Higher Education Workplace - November 17, 2022 - This conversation explored how to address challenges related to our realigned workforce and strategies and models being employed by some institutions to help them keep a competitive employer environment and a student-centered service edge.

Student Recruiting: The Role of Student Affairs in Effective Enrollment Strategies & Collaborations - Thursday, October 20, 2022 - This conversation explored ways that student affairs can collaborate with enrollment management and outlined the role of student affairs in developing effective enrollment strategies.

Promoting Civil Campus Discourse and Student Voting - Thursday, September 15, 2022 - This conversation focused on strategies to encourage civil campus discourse and student voting in the context of the upcoming anticipated contentious midterm elections.

Where Did the Summer Go? Making Time for Renewal? - Thursday, June 16, 2022 - This conversation focused on strategies and practices to attend to your professional and personal renewal and to support your team members in theirs as well.

Presidential Reflections and Advice for Student Affairs Leaders- Thursday, May 19, 2022 - Reflections and advice on how to steer leadership in a prosperous direction.

Staff Perspectives and Senior Leaders - Thursday, April 21 2022 - Perceptions of early-career student affairs professionals views of advancing in the field, their prospects of staying in student affairs roles, and their suggestions for senior leaders on supporting early-career professionals

Crisis Management to Strategic Thinking For the Future - Thursday, February 17, 2022 - Shifting from the “urgent” task of real-time crisis management to the “important” tasks like critical strategic thinking and planning for the future.

What the Heck Is Really Going on in the Higher Ed Labor Market? - Thursday, January 13, 2022- Insights about higher ed labor market challenges, implications for student affairs staffing, and strategies to mitigate the labor shortage many institutions are experiencing.

Self-Care for the SSAO - Thursday, December 16, 2021 -Tips and strategies for self care while serving in high-demand and high-pressure leadership roles.

The Student Mental Health Crisis - Thursday, November 18, 2021 - Addressing the need, meeting the demand, and keeping students safe.

The Great Resignation - Thursday, October 21, 2021 - Addressing challenges in the rise of staff resignations, labor shortages, and filling vacancies.

Same Pandemic, New Challenges -Thursday, September 23, 2021 - The evolution of policies, practices, and strategies in response to vaccine heistancy and virus variants.

The Evolving Role of Live-in Staff - Thursday, May 20, 2021 - The evolving roles of live-in and other student affairs staff members.

Revitalizing Staff - Thursday, April 15, 2021 - Understanding and acknowleding staff burnout; showing appreciation and empathy to staff; rejuvinating staff and sustaining momentum as we move into a post-pandemic phase.

Planning for Financial Uncertainty - Thursday, February 18, 2021 - Fiscal impacts of COVID19; managing budget constraints.

Revitalizing leaders - Thursday, December 17, 2020 - Dealing with change and crisis management fatigue; stress from months of constant change; self care and leading when you’re exhausted; modeling the way for other staff and leading through crisis.

Recalibrating the Profession - Thursday, November 19, 2020 - Managing rapid change; reduction in staff, services and resources; Reduced staff and services--how to prioritize and align with academic priorities.

Reframing the Culture - Thursday, October 15, 2020 - Responding to campus and community activism and engagement related to racism, white supremacy, equity and inclusion; campus safety and relations with law enforcement agencies.

Re-envisioning the Campus - Thursday, September 17, 2020 - Re-opening, restructuring, reclosing, preparing for compliance issues; physical and mental health and safety; staff redeployment for crisis; budget cuts.