Serving entering students: What are the components of a comprehensive approach to serving entering students? Participants will learn of coordinated approaches to serving entering students with programming beginning before formal entry into the college and extending through the first years of college enrollment. What are the programs and structures to enhance student academic success and achievement? There is increased attention to guided pathways to enhance student success, and the participants will learn about the essential elements of a guided pathway and consider applications of best principles and practices for their institutions.

Universal Design for Learning is a framework for designing flexible and personalized learning environments that account for the variability of all learners from the start. Technology can make the implementation of UDL easier by allowing educators to choose from a richer palette of tools to meet the needs of their diverse learners. In this session, you will learn about a number of free- and low-cost tools for providing access to the curriculum for all, starting with the universal design features that are already built into the iPad. You will also learn about a framework for advising learners in the appropriate selection of apps to meet their academic needs.

Higher education institutions are under increasing pressure from students, parents, administrators and outside constituents to do more, better and faster. Students and parents expect support services to facilitate the successful transition into and through higher education. Academic advisors serve as institutional agents helping students navigate the complexities of higher education. To meet the needs of our students in a fast paced global market academic advisors must develop their own skills and knowledge. Advising and student development theories give advisors the framework with which to hang our daily practice of advising. Theory, grounded in research, allows advisors to make meaning of our interactions with students. This interactive and workshop will give advisors overviews of different theories they can use immediately in their advising practices.

As a first time attendee or a new member of NACADA, you probably have many questions you want answered: Where do I start? What are those things called “interest groups” and “commissions”? How can I get involved beyond attending this conference? What resources are available to me through NACADA?

In this session, you will be introduced, through both activity and discussion, to the many membership benefits available to you in the world of NACADA. You will 1) learn about the structure of the Association and opportunities for involvement at both the global and regional levels; 2) learn about the myriad resources available through the NACADA website; 3) hear about NACADA’s publications and how to become an author; 4) begin developing a network of advising colleagues that will help you both personally and professionally; 5) learn how to engage in discussion with academic advisors from around the globe; and 6) have the opportunity to ask questions of the past and present NACADA leaders who are facilitating the session. Please join us for this preview of the wonderful global community of academic advising. Your participation can be the beginning of the first chapter in your NACADA story!