Graduate Student Encounter
In a partnership between The Northeast Greek Leadership Association and ForCollegeForLife, if you're a graduate student attending the 2024 NGLA Annual Conference, this program is designed for you!
It is easy to get lost in the sorority and fraternity world. There are so many exciting adventures and opportunities. Sorority and fraternity work is complex, which means there are the decisions that we make with ease and there are the decisions that give us headaches. There are professionals who have come before us and created pathways, walkways, and trails, and we are eager to create roads, bridges, and ladders for those who come after us. It is essential that new practitioners have clarity around who they are, what they believe, what they are passionate about, and what they want to teach others. New practitioners must create their own plan for success and define what failure looks like for themselves.
To participate in the Graduate Student Encounter, register for the 2024 NGLA Annual Conference.
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Please direct questions to [email protected].
What will the experience look like?
The Graduate Student Encounter, comprised of five 60-minute educational sessions, is best experienced by attending all sessions (but participants are welcome to join the sessions that work for them). The education team from ForCollegeForLife has collaborated with NGLA to offer five programs on Friday, February 23 and Saturday, February 24 as part of this experience:
- Ethical Leadership: Why Doing the “Right Thing” Isn’t Always Enough presented by Casey J. Cornelius
- Creating Authentic Space on Campus presented by Chris Molina
- Owning Your Voice: Breaking Up with the Fear of Public Speaking presented by Jasmine C. Williams and Jay Harris
- Belonging and Inclusion's Impact on Member Engagement presented by Dr. Mari Ann Callais
- Set Your Boundaries! Relationship Building through Direct Communication presented by Carlos J. Malave
Ethical Leadership: Why Doing the “Right Thing” Isn’t Always Enough presented by Casey J. Cornelius
Friday, February 23 from 10:30am - 11:30am ET during Education Block 1
Most would say that the best way to avoid ethical dolinas is just to “do the right thing” in any given situation.
But what if there isn’t a clear “right” choice? What if all choices seem right? Or wrong?
In this scenario-based program, Casey will lead attendees through a process of truly understanding the nature of ethical dilemmas, how to respond in such situations, and ways in which they might be presented in a professional career. Based on his professional experiences as a campus-based professional, student affairs leader, and external partner and consultant, he is confident that the ability to prepare for inevitable ethical challenges is what sets extraordinary leaders apart from all others.
But first, we have to practice!
Audience members will…
- Explore the concepts of ethics and value-alignment
- Consider ways in which ethical dilemmas can be experienced in professional leadership
- Practice scenarios student affairs professionals might experience in order to process how they can/should/will respond
Creating Authentic Space on Campus presented by Chris Molina
Friday, February 23 from 11:45am - 12:45pm ET during Education Block 2
Over the past several years, Chris Molina has spoken about Code-Switching and authentic self-expression across the country. Whether at universities, colleges, undergrad, grad, conferences, large corporations, or intimate workshops, Chris has noticed something missing.
Through team building activities, affinity spaces, mandatory training, etc., leaders assume their actions are creating spaces where everyone can feel safe expressing themselves. Based on quantitative research from numerous organizations, and qualitative feedback from Chris' Code-Switching sessions, it's clear that leaders are missing the mark.
Many students don't feel comfortable bringing their authentic selves to campus. This session is designed to help you to create spaces for them, and yourselves, to be who you authentically are.
Audience members will…
- Engage in high-level dialogue around cultivating spaces for authentic expression
- Explore how each of us “code-switch” in our personal and professional lives
- Consider the power of creating communities in which individuals can be who they truly are, on campus and beyond
Owning Your Voice: Breaking Up with the Fear of Public Speaking presented by Jasmine C. Williams and Jay Harris
Friday, February 23 from 2:30pm - 3:30pm ET during Education Block 3
If you ask Americans to list their greatest fears, you don’t have to go very far to land on speaking in public. In fact, three out of every four people have a fear of public speaking.
Whether we like it or not, public speaking is a crucial career skill for the classroom or board room and overcoming that fear can set you apartment from everyone else. Jasmine and Jay know—both have reached the highest levels of their careers focused in the art and science of
public speaking and effectively sharing a message. Through the process, they have developed a proven mindset and strategy to ensure their voice never gets silenced by fear.
In this session, they are ready to help you own your voice, embolden your message, and prepare to be heard!
Audience members will…
- Consider the importance of public speaking and its application in any career field
- Discuss how to craft content for any audience using a proven, three-step method
- Apply simple strategies to improve their speaking skills, such as how to stop using “like” or “um”
Belonging and Inclusion's Impact on Member Engagement presented by Dr. Mari Ann Callais
Saturday, February 24 from 10:45am - 11:45am ET during Education Block 4
Belonging is more than a fundamental need; it's the heart of thriving businesses and organizations. A strong sense of belonging nurtures engagement and loyalty among organizational members. It's where individuals truly invest themselves, sparking engagement and investment in whatever they are involved with. Inclusive organizations that prioritize belonging embrace diverse perspectives, igniting creativity and adaptability in an ever-evolving world. A culture of belonging enhances retention rates. Valued and included members are more likely to stay. Belonging positively impacts relationships. It draws members to organizations that share their values and practice inclusivity, creating a loyal member base and enhancing the member experience. Belonging is more than just a concept; it's a vital force that drives engagement, innovation, retention, and consumer loyalty, ensuring long-term success.
Let's come together and discuss how understanding belonging and inclusion creates diverse spaces where members feel like they can make a difference and grow and develop. As Graduate students, you are learning theory, philosophies, and how the world of higher education is evolving. Let's discuss how you put this theory of belonging and inclusion into practice to impact the students you work with today and in the future to have positive and life-changing experiences.
Audience members will…
- Discuss the relationship between belonging and inclusion and how each helps student to develop and grow
- Connect how development theory and belonging practices are related
- Consider how this perspective can influence how you work with students now and in your future professional career
Set Your Boundaries! Relationship Building through Direct Communication presented by Carlos J. Malave
Saturday, February 24 from 1:15pm - 2:15pm ET during Education Block 5
Do people honor your feelings while acknowledging and accepting your emotions?
Understanding how to set personal limits is essential for building and maintaining healthy relationships. We all want to have good personal boundaries in our friendships and relationships but how do we go about creating and maintaining them?
As a relationship builder, Carlos has developed strategies on how to identify personal limits and execute defining and communicating them to friends and loved ones. The most important ingredient to healthy boundaries is the ability to say “NO”, so let’s put ourselves first.
Audience members will…
- Identify needs and want in relationships
- Investigate and address boundaries
- Develop purposeful strategies to put themselves first
Who Should Attend?
Graduate students attending the 2024 NGLA Annual Conference are welcome.
How Much Is It?
This program is free for anyone registered for the 2024 NGLA Annual Conference.
Where and When Is It?
The Graduate Student Encounter, exclusively for participants of the 2024 NGLA Annual Conference, is a five-hour series spanning two days:
- Friday, February 23 from 10:30am - 11:30am ET during Education Block 1
- Friday, February 23 from 11:45am - 12:45pm ET during Education Block 2
- Friday, February 23 from 2:30pm - 3:30pm ET during Education Block 3
- Saturday, February 24 from 10:45am - 11:45am ET during Education Block 4
- Saturday, February 24 from 1:15pm - 2:15pm ET during Education Block 5
Participants will engage in live sessions in Hartford, CT as part of the 2024 NGLA Annual Conference.
Who is Presenting?
ForCollegeForLife is the host of the Graduate Student Encounter at the 2024 NGLA Annual Conference.
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