The NASPA Virtual Conference is the premier student affairs professional development event.
With over 7,000 student affairs educators, the NASPA Virtual Conference is the largest event of its kind. With featured speakers who engage participants in thoughtful reflection on the field, hundreds of educational sessions presented by student affairs educators, and networking events that both engage and inspire us to do our work on campus, this event is one not to be missed!
The 2021 NASPA Annual Conference is going virtual! We are excited for you to experience all the fun and engaging activities our committee has planned for you.
Here is your first-gen session guide to #NASPA21.
*Registration fees are dependent on member status.
If you transferred your 2020 NASPA Annual Conference registration to 2021, be sure to review your email for details.
Pre-Conference Workshops are full-day (4 hours) or half-day (2 hours) learning sessions that will take place on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday before the conference (March 17-19, 2021). Similar to the conference, these will be virtual sessions with interactive components.
While registering be sure to add Funding First-generation Efforts through Success Narratives and University Advancement, taking place on Thursday, March 18, and Friday, March 19 from 1:30 pm - 5:00 pm ET, and learn how to build a dynamic relationship with your University Advancement team as well as develop your own skills as a compelling fundraiser.
The Call for Programs is closed!
Be on the lookout for the published schedule.
The 2021 Conference Leadership Committee seeks conference proposals focusing on the four core content areas, (Re)Constructing the Community Climate, Supporting the Professional Life Cycle, Responding to Students' Changing Needs, and Prioritizing an Innovative and Sustainable Future. Expand the headers below to read more about the framing questions for each of these content areas.
The contemporary socio-political and organizational climate has (re)disrupted trust in systems and processes, including in higher education and student affairs. College campuses have a responsibility and opportunity to (re)construct trust, and to better support students and their collegiate experiences. The possibility exists for communities where relationships, systems, and processes are productive and relevant. The 2021 Conference encourages proposals that will help us move toward possibilities motivated to (re)construct trust:
The student affairs field represents an expansive professional life-cycle including undergraduate student, graduate student, emerging/new, mid-level, director-level, senior leadership, student affairs-related support roles, etc. We advocate for life-long learning and professional development throughout this life-cycle. In a field that champions student development, success, and persistence towards graduation, we must also prioritize supporting today’s student affairs professional to thrive throughout their career. This focus area includes creating accessible mentorship pipelines, applying and evaluating competencies to practice, and building communities that support and inform practice and development.
Student affairs educators play a pivotal role in the holistic development and success of all students. Leaders in institutions of higher education are stewards of student success and have a responsibility/duty to contribute and influence retention and degree completion efforts. As a result, we must champion inclusive excellence and initiate intentional efforts to address the unique and changing needs of various student populations.
As student affairs professionals, we cannot thrive if we do not succeed personally, professionally, and within our institutions. And at the same time, the reality of “doing more with less” while the higher education industry expects all programs and services to meet students’ needs first. We must be proactive versus reactive in a time of budget constraints, by prioritizing innovative, forward-thinking, and sustainable practices through technology by mining and using the data we already possess. Currently, internal and external funding climates are challenging and unpredictable. Many organizations have understaffed resources and limited professional development funding, but they still possess a continued need to commit to life-long learning as the higher ed environment and students' needs constantly evolve. The following questions should guide your presentations in this focus area for 2021:
