2026 NASPA Region III/SACSA New Professionals Institute (NPI)

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 the current senior student affairs officer fully endorses new professionals' participation in the Institute 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

 

Pre-Conference:

Whether you came into student affairs through a nontraditional route or by a higher education master’s program, NPI’s Student Affairs 101 pairs new professionals with two highly respected scholar practitioners in our field for a day of learning. Over the course of the program, Student Affairs 101 establishes a firm background on the fundamentals of student affairs practice with specific attention paid to the history of our profession, professional competencies that will advance your career, seeking your next degree, and managing your personal career and professional development. Student Affairs 101 blends lecture-based presentations with opportunities for facilitated discussions that challenge what you know about the past, present, and future of student affairs.

Participants must arrive by 9:00 am on Saturday, June 6, 2026 for the event. Lunch and materials are covered in the cost of $50. If your travel plans dictate that you arrive the night before the institute begins, we can accommodate you for only $50. This can be combined with the pre-conference for a total package of $100. However, you may also choose to come to campus one day prior to the institute without attending the pre-conference.

The University of Texas at Arlington

The University of Texas at Arlington is a vibrant, forward-focused institution where academic and professional ambitions come to life every day. From collaborative study spaces to dynamic student leadership and engagement opportunities, UTA has a strong history of preparing students to lead with purpose and impact.

 

UTA is a public research university located in Arlington, Texas, and is a key institution within the University of Texas System. Situated on a nearly 420-acre campus in the heart of the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex, the university serves one of the most diverse student populations in the nation and is deeply connected to the economic, cultural, and professional opportunities of North Texas.