Professional Development Day 2024
Presentation descriptions
Professional Developmental Day 2024 features presentations from staff exploring topics such as academic and career purpose, community, and wellness.
Session 1 | 9 – 9:50 a.m.
Student Advocacy – Gateway or Gatekeeper
Presenter
Scout Miller, Campus Living
Abstract
As leaders in higher education and student affairs, we are working toward student success, 100% career readiness, student retention efforts, and a variety of other university, divisional, or department goals. When working toward goals and student support, advocacy and resources are often required. Student affairs professionals must examine barriers, understand expectations, and evaluate exceptions for a holistic balance of the student experience.
In this presentation, we will dive into advocacy for students as student affairs professionals to move from gatekeepers of knowledge to gateways for our students. Participants will actively engage in conversation, share strategies, and leave with some learned tools and understanding for inclusive student support.
Learning outcomes
- Evaluate student advocacy from the lens of unconscious bias, gatekeeping, and values-based leadership.
- Discuss if/when policies and procedures should adjust for inclusive student support.
- Understand how to support students in other offices without providing favors or making exceptions.
- Determine how to work collaboratively as a division to promote a gateway to student success.
Location: Fremont Room
College Mental Health: Crisis or Conundrum?
Presenters
Melissa Griffin, Health Promotion
Carl Dindo, Counseling Services
Heather Nash, Employee Assistance and Wellness
Abstract
In this interactive session, presenters will provide an update on the “state of the state“ of student mental health, including current trends and existing resources. We’ll also discuss the importance of employee well-being as part of a comprehensive approach to campus mental health. Participants will leave with strategies, resources, and actions they can use in their daily work to support students.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the connection between employee and student mental health.
- Examine current trends and benchmark comparisons in college student mental health.
- Define important terminology and constructs related to mental health.
- Learn about a comprehensive approach to support student mental health from prevention to treatment and maintenance.
- Identify tangible strategies and resources to support student mental health in your work as a SA professional.
Location: Abineau Room
First-Generation Catalyst: Understanding and Supporting First-Generation Students
Presenters
Alexandra Hoyungowa, First-Generation Programs
Melissa Westover, College of Education: First Year Seminar
T Mark Montoya, PhD, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Abstract
With NAU’s record-breaking incoming class this year, members of the NAU community should create innovative strategies and inclusive practices for all students. Join members of the First-Generation Learning Community for an engaging and interactive presentation that delves into the multifaceted world of first-generation college students, exploring their strengths, challenges, and the intersectionality that shapes their experiences. We will unpack the definition of first-generation college students, shedding light on their journey through higher education and the diverse backgrounds that contribute to their identities.
Participants will gain insights into the complexities these students face while working toward degree attainment, as they strive to navigate the uncharted territory of higher education. This session will explore data-driven practical strategies, mentorship programs, and community-building initiatives that contribute to academic achievement and holistic well-being.
Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with a critical topic in higher education and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on supporting the success of first-generation college students; this presentation applies to all student populations on NAU’s campus. Together, let’s navigate the “New NAU” to support NAU’s mission of Elevating Excellence to create a bold and boundless future for all.
Learning outcomes
- Participants will be able to articulate the challenges and experiences associated with being a first-generation college student and develop an understanding of the unique obstacles faced by this student population.
- Participants will develop the ability to identify and forge collaborative partnerships within the university community that contribute to the creation of a supportive environment for first-generation college students.
- Participants will possess a toolkit of effective strategies to enhance student academic performance and engagement, tailored to first-generation students at NAU.
- Participants will be able to critically evaluate and discuss established practices that support the academic and personal success of first-generation college students, resulting in creating an environment where students can thrive.
Location: Doyle Room
Reel Success: Casting a Positive Campus Culture Using the Fish! Philosophy
Presenter
Karlee Moxley, Career Development
Abstract
Explore the transformative impact of the Fish! Philosophy that all started at Pike’s Fish Market in Seattle! Dive into the philosophy’s principles of “Choose Your Attitude, Play, Make Their Day, and Be There” and their role in fostering a positive work culture, enhancing staff retention, and creating a vibrant, collaborative university environment at every level during this informative and interactive training.
Learning outcomes
- Articulate the four Fish! Philosophy principles.
- Identify how the four philosophies are being lived out currently.
- Create a practice plan to implement principles into your work.
- Associate NAU partners and current resources to support in the execution of the principles.
Location: Rees Room
Session 2 | 10 – 10:50 a.m.
Free Speech, Your Students, and You!
Presenter
Dylan Rose, Campus Living
Abstract
Every campus experiences visits from controversial speakers whose statements often provoke strong reactions, leaving students feeling upset, bewildered, and ready to act. Student Affairs staff often get many questions on students’ minds: Why can they say these things on campus? Why isn’t anyone stopping them? What can I do about it? In Free Speech, Your Students, and You, we will discuss the boundaries and liberties of free speech on campus, free speech event impacts on students and staff, and guidance on how Student Affairs professionals can effectively support students and build a strong community through these challenges.
Learning outcomes
- Participants will understand the basics of free speech on campus.
- Participants will discuss the experiences of students and staff with free speech events.
- Participants will recognize ways to educate and advocate for their students.
Location: Fremont Room
Social Determinants of Health – Redefining Well-being from a Systems Lens
Presenter
Jermaine Barkley, Health Promotion
Abstract
The presentation will outline the primary Social Determinants of Health, focusing on systems, policies, and environmental factors that significantly influence health outcomes, including chronic diseases and mortality. This session will also detail the links between factors like transportation, housing, income, and food security and how those directly correlate to risk of disease, and likelihood of chronic disease. In this session, participants will engage in a process of identifying what Student Affairs is currently doing to support health by bolstering these social determinants, as well as outline opportunities to continue to advance wellbeing for our most at risk students (e.g. students of color, students experiencing poverty, etc.). Join us for a discussion on how NAU can create a model for community wellbeing by integrating principles of health equity into its environment.
Learning outcomes
- Learn what social determinants of health are as defined by Healthy People 2030 and how they translate to health outcomes.
- Understand how outcomes differ based on identity and the systems that contribute to that.
- Identify how NAU currently addresses Social Determinants of Health and opportunities to advance health equity in its systems.
Location: Abineau Room
“I Didn’t Know That Was a Thing!”: Putting Pleasure into Praxis
Presenter
Bryan Bove, Office of Inclusion: Multicultural and LGBTQIA+ Student Services
Abstract
In this presentation, I aim to facilitate an interactive discussion about the methods student affairs professionals can utilize to set students on an academic or career path that makes space for the activities that give them pleasure. The session begins with an examination of my higher education journey and makes connections between seemingly disparate school/work experiences to highlight the importance of mentorship. Using selected works from my comics studies scholarship, I illustrate how mentors guided me to the realization that my personal passions could intersect with my professional interests. After this, attendees will get the chance to self-reflect through an activity that encourages them to think of the ways their own passions intersect with their career and provides a template they can use to help others do the same.
Learning outcomes
- Tools and tips people can use to help a student determine how their personal and professional interests intersect
- Fresh perspectives on the benefits of a liberal arts education
- How to envision the interconnectedness and translational skills of our experiences
Location: Doyle Room
Providing Constructive Feedback to Supervisees: It’s More Than the Sandwich Method
Presenters
Christopher Margeson, Campus Health Services – Counseling Services
Kathryn Murdaugh, Campus Health Services – Counseling Services
Abstract
Providing constructive feedback can be difficult. Research has shown that the supervisory relationship is connected to retention and job satisfaction. Our goal is to review best practices on how to provide and receive feedback while understanding the person’s brain-based response. We will discuss specific steps to create a culture that welcomes feedback that promotes professional community growth. This presentation is for anybody who provides supervision to other staff members, including GA’s and student staff.
Learning outcomes
- To better understand best practices when providing feedback
- How to promote a culture within your department that welcomes constructive feedback
- Understand the brain-based responses to receiving constructive feedback
- Learn a step-by-step approach to providing and receiving feedback
- Small-group/dyad discussions to facilitate and consolidate learning outcomes
Location: Rees Room
Session 3 | 11 – 11:50 a.m.
Community Engagement through Axe of Service: Building Community One Volunteer at a Time
Presenters
Russ Dickerson, Center for Service and Volunteerism
Brianna Goldberg, Center for Service and Volunteerism
Abstract
This interactive workshop will provide an overview of the current volunteer climate on campus and in Flagstaff, the Center for Service and Volunteerism’s efforts to enhance and support meaningful community engagement, and how the Student Affairs staff can get involved to expand their sense of community, well-being, and professional development as well as support NAU’s students through impactful engagement opportunities.
Learning outcomes
- Know how to engage with local volunteer opportunities.
- Understand current (post-pandemic) trends in volunteerism.
- Understand the specific volunteer practices and needs of NAU students, staff, faculty, and community organizations.
- Understand how volunteerism builds community and influences health outcomes.
Location: Fremont Room
Putting on My Mask First: the Crucial Role of Self-Care in Inclusion Work
Presenter
Crystal Lay, PhD, Campus Living
Abstract
Inclusion is a key component when working with humans. The very nature of our work requires us to engage with diverse viewpoints, lived experiences, and perspectives related to social identity. This can be exciting, challenging, and exhausting, especially for someone passionate about creating diverse and inclusive workspaces. If you are looking for an engaging session that explores the critical link between self-care practices and impactful Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts, look no further! In this session, participants will embark on a journey to assess existing support systems within their workplace and community, gaining valuable insights into creating a nurturing environment for DEI initiatives. Attendees will leave with a personalized toolkit of effective self-care practices, empowering them to navigate the complexities of DEI endeavors with resilience and authenticity. This session is designed to not only enhance personal well-being but also to strengthen the collective capacity for fostering inclusive department and workplace environments.
Learning outcomes
- Identify and develop personalized self-care strategies that are directly applicable to their DEI efforts.
- Gain insight into the importance of self-care practices as a person who is committed to DEI advocacy.
- Assess the existing support systems within their workplace and community to foster a more inclusive environment.
Location: Abineau Room
Student Development Through a Critical Ecological Perspective
Presenter
Raumilya Smith, First Year Experience
Abstract
Bronfenbrenner’s seminal work on the ecological model of human development (1979) marked a pivotal moment in developmental theory by emphasizing the crucial role of an individual’s context in their growth and evolution. This framework has been extensively utilized by researchers, particularly in the realm of college student development, to uncover contextual factors that foster or hinder student success. Although Bronfenbrenner’s model provided a more holistic lens for understanding how development occurs, recent scholarship has rightly criticized its oversight of systems of injustice and oppression. In response to these critiques, scholars have proposed updated models that place macrosystems at the forefront of the model, shifting the focus from the individual to the broader societal structures that exert influence. This reframing reflects how various systems intricately shape every facet of human development, illuminating the pervasive impact of cultural, societal, and institutional forces. By centering macrosystems, this updated model not only prompts critical social reflection but also offers a more accurate portrayal of human development, emphasizing narratives of cultural strength and resilience rather than perpetuating deficit-focused perspectives. This presentation will discuss how this new model empowers us to be better storytellers and how we can adapt a cultural strength-based approach when supporting students and evaluating our programs.
Learning outcomes
- Understand how context at varying ecological levels affects student development and how these levels have a transactional relationship with each other.
- Recognize how centering macrosystem processes reframes our thinking about student development, program assessment, and strategic planning.
- Identify ways we can adapt a cultural strength-based approach when supporting students.
Location: Doyle Room
Activating Gen Z: Empowering Students to Lead Their Educational Journey
Presenters
Amanda Tomchick, Student Rights and Responsibilities
Alyssa Chavez, University Advising
Abstract
Unleash the potential of Gen Z by delving into dynamic approaches that propel them into the driver’s seat of their education. By drawing upon real-world success stories of students overcoming challenges, this session will equip participants with innovative ideas for better serving their student populations. Join us for collaborative brainstorming aligned with the Division of Student Affairs’ goal of fostering a community-driven educational landscape.
Learning outcomes
- Examine the key factors influencing Gen Z students’ motivation and activation in steering their educational journey, identifying specific techniques for inspiration.
- Identify practical techniques to inspire and activate Gen Z students in leading their educational journey.
- Explore successful strategies for addressing challenges faced by struggling students, enhancing their academic experience.
Location: Rees Room
Lunch & Keynote Address | 11:50 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Keynote Speaker
Gavin Henning, PhD, Scholar | Author | Consultant
Abstract
We all want to feel like we belong. Belonging impacts numerous student success outcomes, including GPA, retention, and graduation. Belonging also impacts staff morale, retention, and effectiveness. But feelings of belonging do not necessarily happen organically. We need to be intentional to create the community where we as staff feel as though we belong and, in turn, play an active role in helping ALL students feel that they belong on campus. This session will include an overview of belonging, its impact, and the factors that influence it.
Location: Humphreys Room