Dr. Terrell L. Strayhorn, PhD, Professor of Education and Psychology at Virginia Union University, where he also works as Director of Research in the Center for the Study of Historically Black Colleges and Universities(HBCUs), Associate Provost for Faculty Development, and Principal Investigator of The Belonging Matters Lab

Student belonging doesn’t happen in one office—it's fueled by how we connect across campus. Drawing on research and real-world examples, Dr. Strayhorn, one of the foremost authorities on belonging in learning and work spaces, will show how cross-functional collaboration—between advisors, faculty, counselors, and beyond—creates the conditions where students thrive and feel they belong. This keynote will inspire a shift from transactional advising to transformational partnerships. Let’s UNleash our collective potential to ensure all students' success.

Aubrey Martin, Academic Advisor, Biology, VCU School of Life Sciences and Sustainability
Catherine Leary, Academic Advisor, Biology, VCU School of Life Sciences and Sustainability

As advisors, we utilize many tools, but how do we use these tools without losing that human connection? We will present early alert data from 2024 and 2025 that shows that personalized student outreach can yield a higher rate of response compared to automated messaging outreach. Personalizing outreach for a large caseload can be time-intensive, but we will present digital tools that help personalize student outreach and degree planning to make this personalization more manageable

Emily Thompson, Academic Advisor, VCU Honors College

This session explores the power of campus collaboration to create successful student-centered events. Instead of stopping at campus referrals, consider partnering with campus colleagues, students, and faculty to host events for students in your department. Highlighting examples from the Honors College, such as study skills sessions, an activities fair, a first-gen mixer, career services workshops, and a pre-law meet-and-greet, this session will provide practical ideas for advisors looking to plan impactful events for their students that can be accomplished with limited resources.

Panelists Include: 

• Jasmine Bates, M.Ed, Education Specialist, Henrico County Public Schools, PhD Student, Virginia Commonwealth University
• Dr. Mark Fowler, Adjunct Professor, Teaching and Learning, HPED - VCU School of Education
• Meredith Byrd
• Caetlin McFadden
• Dr. Kendra Johnson, Ph.D.

Review the latest research on engagement, instructional styles, expectations, and the environment high school students experience. Hear from a panel of current high school teachers, administrators, secondary instructional and support specialists, school counselors, and faculty who can speak to the challenges older adolescents face and their socio-emotional development. From here, we will open a dialogue about strategies to use with first—and second-year university students to address their unique needs beyond academic advising and bridge the gap between what they experienced in high school and what is now expected of them in college.

Lubna N. Zia-Uddin, M.A., Academic Advisor, Undergraduate Education; Office of Academic Advising, George Mason University

This workshop session has been designed for advisors and support staff who seek to enhance their skills in guiding students through the challenging experience of grief and loss. Participants in this session will explore effective strategies for creating a compassionate and empathetic environment that fosters open dialogue and support for students. By the end of this workshop session, participants will be equipped with essential tools and strategies to support grieving students effectively, helping them navigate their loss with empathy and understanding. Together, we can create a more compassionate campus community.

Sylvia Lee, M.Ed., MBA, Academic Advisor Coordinator, Undergraduate Education, George Mason University

Academic advisors play a crucial role in student success, yet many hesitate to pursue recognition for their work. Advocating for yourself can feel uncomfortable, often perceived as bragging; however, in a professional landscape where recognition and awards can significantly impact your career trajectory, it's essential to champion your own achievements. In this session, I will share my experiences as an awards coordinator, and we'll explore practical strategies to overcome the discomfort associated with self-promotion.

Casey Carlton, M.A., Academic Advisor, VCU School of Business

Do you bring preconceived notions and stereotypes to your advising appointments? This highly interactive presentation will highlight how the natural ways we think about and make sense of the world inevitably lead to preconceived notions and expectations. These automatic cognitive tendencies can lead to biased judgments and stereotypes. By recognizing these tendencies, advisors can make a conscious effort to avoid stereotypes and approach advising situations with an open mind, focusing on students’ individual characteristics.

Antonio Stewart, MSW, Assistant Director, Office of Academic Advising, George Mason University

Student engagement is a consistent challenge in academic advising. One of the most common barriers academic advisors experience is the lack of effective interaction with their students.  This presentation will explore vital issues such as students not scheduling meetings, missing appointments, and disregarding outreach efforts through emails, texts, and phone calls. In addition, it will address the low participation rates in academic advising events and activities.  The presenter will examine why students fail to engage with proactive advising strategies and offer practical solutions to foster stronger advisor and student connections. If you’re seeking effective ways to improve student engagement in your advising practices, this session is for you

Maggie Hasselbach, M.Div., Academic Advisor, History Department
Nicolette LeBlanc Zbell, Senior Advisor, Humanities & Social Sciences Generalist, VCU College of Humanities and Sciences

We often hear that one of the most powerful aspects of advising is the advising relationship itself. How do we let students know that they are welcome in our spaces and that we are available to build a meaningful bond with them, especially in uncertain times? Join us for an interactive session with practical suggestions and meaningful dialogue with like-minded advisors on how to help students feel seen and heard in our offices.

PK Koziol, M.A., Academic Advisor, VCU University Academic Advising
Emmily Eccles, M.A., Academic Advisor, VCU University Academic Advising 

Have you ever worked with a student who felt like their world was ending when things didn't go as planned? Whether it’s a C on an exam or dismissal from their major, the uncomfortable feeling of failure leads to diminished motivation, preventing forward progress. With advisor intervention, students can learn to change their mindset and discover new ways to persist. We will discuss ways that failure is defined by students and key considerations of reframing.

• Jan Shea, MSW, Program Coordinator, ACE-IT in College, VCU School of Education - Center on Transition Innovations
• Staci Carr, PhD, Technical Assistance Coordinator, VCU School of Education - Center on Transition Innovations (CTI), Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC)
• Dr. Megan Reynolds, OTD, Postsecondary Technical Assistance Associate, VCU School of Education - Center on Transition Innovations (CTI), Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC)

Join us to learn about inclusive higher education (IHE) for students with intellectual disability, highlighting best practices from Think College. Attendees will learn the foundational knowledge of IHE programs and the transformative power of collaborative advising to advance equity and improve employment outcomes. Presenters will use the ACE-IT In College program at Virginia Commonwealth University (Virginia's first fully accredited IHE program) to exemplify how campus engagement and collaboration foster competitive integrated employment and self-determined futures.

Sarah Carrier, Associate Director of Global Learning, Global Education Office
Amy Leap, Assistant Director of Global Learning, Global Education Office

Panelists Include: 

• Sarah Briland, MFA, Senior Academic Advisor, VCU School of the Arts
• Alvin R. Bryant, Ed.D., Associate Director of Undergraduate Advising, Department of Biology, VCU School of Life Sciences and Sustainability
• Shay Lumpkin, Director, Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, VCU TRiO Program
• Tanya Wineland, M.S., Senior Academic Advisor, VCU School of Business

Academic advisors play a crucial role in shaping students’ educational journeys– including encouraging global learning.  This panel highlights advisors who have gone above and beyond in their roles as academic advisors to integrate study abroad into their advising practices.  Panelists will share strategies such as excellence in advising, developing/refining study abroad major advising sheets, conducting site visits, collaborating with GEO on events, embedding global experiences into academic planning, and more.  Attendees will gain practical ideas to become stronger global learning advocates in their own advising roles and to gain professional development in global education for themselves.

Asha Sneed, MA, Exploratory Academic Advisor, Undergraduate Education, George Mason University

This presentation explores the vital role of help-seeking behaviors in the persistence and major selection of undecided and exploratory college students. By addressing the challenges students face in seeking support, we offer strategies to inspire confidence, encourage proactive help-seeking, and empower students to embrace their academic journey. With the right guidance, students gain clarity in their major selection, build self-assurance, and feel more satisfied with their major selection, ultimately paving the way for lasting success and persistence in higher education.