2023 NASPA Institute for New Vice Presidents for Student Affairs

Utilizing Bill George’s Authentic Leadership model as a guide, participants will explore the intersectionality between the five qualities and their identities and how they show-up inside and outside of the workplace. Participants will develop a leadership creed that is reflective of their personal and professional experiences.

Quickly respond to that urgent email from campus, but hurry to lunch. It’s plated! Also, why not sit with someone you haven’t met yet?

As a senior leader in higher education, serving as a vice president for student affairs will require new skills and the ability to be nimble to meet the expanding demands of the role. While you can build on past successes, your mindset for your VPSA responsibilities will need to evolve. Additionally, working in a pandemic has changed the context of our work and your leadership will require a new level of ongoing learning and strategic thinking to thrive in your new position.

Dozens of new colleagues, tasty hors d’oeuvres, and a friendly bartender…what could be better at the end of the day? The immediately following no-host dinner groups will launch from the mixer.

It’s been a long day, and you’re tired. You’re thinking, “I do not want to have dinner with people I barely know.” Yes, you do! Don’t miss this opportunity to continue to build your network and to continue the big conversations that began earlier. Connect with your group during the institute mixer in the F. Scott Fitzgerald Ballroom Foyer by 6:30 p.m. sharp to stroll to a nearby restaurant for your 6:45 p.m. reservation. (Please click into your profile in the "Attendees" section of the institute app to view your designated group and restaurant; dinner will be at your own expense.)

Fuel up for another intense day with a hot breakfast with fellow institute participants. Consider joining one of the pre-determined table discussions.

Exemplary vice presidents accomplish things by building trust and creating strong relationships with members of their institution’s leadership team. Known as the “first team,” this includes vice presidents and other senior leaders outside of student affairs across campus. During this session, the faculty will present real-life scenarios that allow you to practice this important leadership advantage under the best and the worst circumstances. Are you prepared to make the leap from team builder to team contributor? We will explore ways to demonstrate to yourself – and your colleagues – that you are ready to play.

You've been meaning to follow-up with a faculty member about something they shared during an earlier session. Seize this opportunity!

Forces of change are converging that are shaking the foundations of higher education institutions and threatening the very existence of student affairs as an independent function. No matter a college or university’s size, student body, affiliation, or type, every campus is facing increasingly complex challenges: budget deficits, public health concerns, and weary faculty and staff who are continuously doing much more with less. Higher education is clearly at a critical inflection point – and we will need new, innovative, bold, forward-thinking, and compassionate leadership that focuses on the systems, structures, and cultural norms that are the heart of our most challenging societal problems and that are spilling over into higher education. Senior student affairs officers are uniquely positioned to turn these threats into opportunities if they make the best use of their positions to lead innovation and change.

This session aims to offer participants the opportunity to think about change in a favorable way, acknowledging that change is inevitable (planned or unexpected) and may occur on a daily basis. Participants will consider establishing a framework for addressing change from the perspective of a newly-minted senior leader. This implies identifying a change model that will result in successful change management in the student affairs divisions of higher education institutions and a model that should help student affairs practitioners to approach change appropriately.

Grab some lunch in the F. Scott Fitzgerald Ballroom Foyer and then join your coaching team for some more great discussion and insights. See Monday, 5:00 p.m. for locations.

Take a few moments to connect with campus and be sure to change into comfortablle clothes (and shoes!) before gathering in the hotel lobby at 2:00 p.m. to travel by Metrorail to Washington, D.C. Don't forget the SmarTrip card we provided to you when you checked in for the institute.

This afternoon, you’ll have a break to explore some of what Washington, D.C. has to offer. When you checked in for the Institute, you were provided with a SmarTrip card, which will support your Metrorail ride to Washington, DC and back to Arlington. See the "Wednesday Afternoon Outing" section of the institute app for infomation about outing options and directions. If you will join a group outing, please meet in the hotel lobby at 2:00 p.m. sharp.

The hotel check-out time is 12:00 p.m. You should check out before breakfast (or request a late check-out time). You may leave your luggage with the bell desk or in our meeting space.

Serving as the architect of the student experience and number one student advocate can be rewarding; however, one must prioritize one's health and well-being to sustain oneself in this work. This session will help participants identify strategies and techniques to help them thrive and remain centered, not only in this work but also in their personal endeavors. This session will conclude with a self-reflective activity to remind participants of their "why."

Make sure you take this final opportunity during the Institute to connect with people you may have missed until now.