2024 NASPA Region III/SACSA New Professionals Institute

About the Institute:

NPI - New Professionals Institute is the preeminent professional development opportunity for new student affairs professionals in the south (we consider ‘new professionals’ anyone with five years or fewer of full-time experience in Student Affairs). Co-sponsored by NASPA Region III and SACSA, NPI is an intensive, interactive week of learning, sharing, networking and professional and personal development. This unique opportunity allows new professionals to draw on their first years of experience to improve their effectiveness and to learn from others. It is a time of professional and personal renewal and assists new professionals in the development of their careers. NPI requires a commitment by the new professional to work intensively over five days with other new professionals and a team of more-seasoned faculty members.

To assure that new professionals' participation in the Institute is fully endorsed by the current senior student affairs officer at his/her institution, registrants must have a letter of support submitted by the senior student affairs officer at the institution. Generally, there is a limit of two participants per institution. Many institutions have used this Institute not only as a training ground for rising stars in the profession, but as a form of recognition for outstanding new professionals on their campus. Participants come from all areas of student affairs: student activities, orientation, career services, residential life, recreation, student conduct, accessibility services admissions, fraternity and sorority life, counseling, international services, and more!

Potential NPI Topics:

Career and Life Planning | Leadership | Diversity and Inclusion | Budgeting | Professional Standards | Navigating the Politics of Higher Education | Professional Associations and Engagement | Critical and Current Issues in the Profession | Leadership Panels | Emerging Research and Theories | Effective Goal Setting | Collaborative Environments | Transitioning to Supervisory/Administrative Roles

Other Components of the NPI Experience:

Regular meetings with small mentoring groups facilitated by your faculty mentor
Individual consultations with seasoned professionals networking and social opportunities

The Application Process:

1.     Each applicant must fill out an online application and include a high-resolution headshot. 

2.     Each applicant must have an online letter of support completed by their senior student affairs officer. This step is to assure that the new professional's participation in the Institute is fully endorsed by their current administration.

3.    Application deadline is TBD. 

4.    Once selected, submit payment by TBD. Fees will apply for late payments. (Tentative)

Note: All participants are expected to stay through the remainder of the Institute.

Registration fee and additional costs*:

The cost of NPI registration is TBD for SACSA and NASPA Region III members. 

Cost is TBD for non-members.

Travel Arrangements:

Participants must report their travel arrangements to the NPI Program Coordinator. Specific instructions on how to report travel arrangements will be provided.

Pre-Conference:

New Student Affairs professionals who have not been trained through a student affairs graduate preparation program may consider a pre-institute experience that will provide context for the profession. Subject matter will include (student affairs history, seminal student development literature, and tips for navigating the field.) Participants will be charged a fee to cover the cost of lunch and materials. You must arrive to campus early to participate.  If this affects your travel plans and requires you to arrive a day early, you will incur an additional fee for lodging for that one extra night. 

Example Conference Schedule*:

Friday	Pre-Conference participants may check in to residence halls	4:00 p.m.
Saturday	Pre-Conference session Participants begin checking into the residence halls	11:00 - 3:00 p.m    9:00 a.m.
Saturday	NPI Opening Session	6:00 p.m.
Sunday-Wednesday	Regular Sessions	8:00 a.m.-5:00 pm
Wednesday	NPI Closing Session	7:00-9:00 p.m.
Thursday	Participant residence hall check-out	10:00 a.m

*Dates and times are subject to change. Accepted participants will receive the final schedule in order to plan their travel. 

Contact Information:

Dr. Marc | NPI Director | [email protected]

Dr. Kat Yoffie | NPI Program Coordinator | [email protected]

Perspectives from Past Participants:

Jamyia Barrett

I thoroughly enjoyed NPI as it was an opportunity for myself, as a new professional, to be able to gain more insight into the profession via fellow new and veteran student affairs professionals. The sessions that were presented, the one on one meetings with administrators, and the chance to further learn how to better my skillsets were all invaluable. The cohort model also allowed me to build relationships with other NPI attendees so that I would have resources in other practitioners in various areas.

Trevor Basehart

NPI is an amazing and life changing experience for new professionals. Each day I learned new skills that I continue to incorporate in my daily life, inside and outside of Student Affairs. The relationships and mentors that you gain throughout the experience are irreplaceable. NPI is the best professional development experience.

Jenna Gonzalez

NPI changed my entire professional outlook. I went into that week not knowing where my place was within higher education. I left that week renewed and overjoyed to be within Student Affairs. It was truly the best professional development experience I have ever had throughout my career.

Ashley Kautz

Attending NPI was an invaluable experience as a new professional. I was not only able to connect with others who were new to the field, but also veteran student affairs professionals. The opportunity to work so closely with administrators from across the region offered differing perspectives and career trajectories that allowed me to consider different avenues for professional growth. I frequently look back on presentations from NPI and still keep in touch and work with colleagues I met at NPI.