2025 Educational Sessions
Tuesday, November 18
Ed. Session Block 1: 10:40-11:30 AM
Building Institutional Systems of Support for Parents and Families of Today’s College Students
Presented by: Dr. Judy Marquez Kiyama, Casandra Harper, and Christopher Kandus
An interactive panel featuring authors from the soon-to-be released book: Building Institutional Systems
of Support for Parents and Families of Today’s College Students—a book for practitioners, written by
practitioners—describes innovations in practice that support the needs of parents, family, and key
supporters of today’s college students, with particular attention to the experiences, programming
supports, and needs assessment of first-generation, low-income, and families and students of color at a
variety of institutions.
Location: Poinsettia/Quince
Mission: Possible – Creating a Cohesive, Impactful Family Orientation Program
Presented by: Marisa Canarick, Jonathan Moss, and Ty Hollowell
What does it take to create a family orientation experience that’s both logistically smooth and deeply
meaningful? This session offers a behind-the-scenes look at building a structured, intentional family
orientation track that doesn't feel like an afterthought. From staffing and scheduling to communication
flow and session content, attendees will learn how one institution reimagined its family orientation from
scattered touchpoints into a dynamic, mission-driven experience. Through detailed logistics,
collaborative planning strategies, and family-centered messaging, this session will equip attendees to
create a program that reflects their institutional values, promotes equity and inclusion, and fosters a
lasting connection between families and the university.
Location: Narcissus/Orange
Stop Campus Hazing Act - Communicating with Families
Presented by: Lady Cox, Rickie Huffman, and Kate Butler Denhart
The Stop Campus Hazing Act was enacted in January 2025. There are several requirements of the
new act, including required reporting and education for all campuses. This session will inform parent
and family professionals on these changes and discuss how to communicate these changes to
students’ families. Included in this session are policy information, implementation strategies, and
easy-to-use tools.
Location: Camellia/Dogwood
Training for Connection: A Storytelling-Informed Model for Student Worker Development &
Family Engagement
Presented by: Raven Baugh
This session highlights a student worker training model designed to prepare orientation leaders for
engaging families and supporters. Grounded in research and best practices from AHEPPP and NODA,
the session shares strategies, institutional programming from Michigan State University, and a
storytelling-based activity used to deepen student understanding. Attendees will participate in key
activities from the training and leave with adaptable tools to better prepare their own student staff for
family and supporter engagement.
Location: Crystal
Ed. Session Block 2: 11:40 AM-12:30 PM
Is Another Degree For Me? Navigating Educational Decisions in Higher Education Careers
Presented by: Elizabeth Sanchez
In today’s evolving higher education landscape, the decision to pursue an additional degree can be
both compelling and complex. This panel invites parent and family engagement professionals to
explore the value, impact, and considerations of further academic study at various levels. Featuring
professionals from across the field with a range of educational backgrounds—from bachelor’s to
doctoral degrees—this session will offer firsthand insights into how different academic paths have
shaped their careers. Whether you are seeking advancement, responding to shifting job market
demands, or simply reflecting on your professional growth, this session provides a space to ask
questions, hear lived experiences, and thoughtfully evaluate whether further education aligns with your
goals.
Location: Poinsettia/Quince
Not Just for Admissions: Reimagining Slate for Family Outreach and Event Success
Presented by: Kerri Fowler, Monica Herrera, & Sarah-Davis Cagle
As family engagement professionals, identifying resources that offer scalable, data-driven measures is
essential to support institutional efforts with parents and families. This session will demonstrate how
parent and family programs leveraged campus partners to implement Technolutions Slate as a tool for
family engagement beyond enrollment. Attend for practical applications, workflow design, and lessons
learned from a collaboration that broke down silos and created synergy in family engagement.
Location: Narcissus/Orange
Data-Driven Communication: Turning Insight into Action
Presented by: Whitley Varnick
With each communication sent, we have the opportunity to capture families’ attention to inform,
engage, and connect. Regardless of communication methods, valuable insights are present in the data.
By analyzing communications data, we can identify successes, enhance strategies, and build trust with
parents, campus partners, and university leadership. This session explores how to begin building out
thoughtful data analysis to strengthen engagement and maximize the return on your efforts.
Location: Camellia/Dogwood
How To Be in Three Places at the Same Time: Volunteer Engagement in Parent and Family
Programs
Presented by: Mary Ann Schrum and Marisa Felice
This session explores how engaging parent, staff and alumni volunteers in New Parent and Family
Orientation, Homecoming and Family Weekend, and Send Off events enhances parent and family
programming and strengthens community ties. Participants will learn practical strategies for recruiting,
training, and sustaining volunteers while promoting collaboration and shared responsibility. Attendees
will leave with actionable tools and a framework for creating inclusive, volunteer-supported events that
reflect AHEPPP’s core values and foster a deeper sense of connection among families, alumni, and the
institution.
Location: Crystal
Ed. Session Block 3: 2-2:50 PM
Small but Mighty: Managing Part-Time Family Programs with Full-Time Impact
Presented by: Jessica Combess and Kendra Hossain-Morehead
Part-time role, full-time expectations? This session is for you. We’ll dive into the real-world balancing
act of managing family programs alongside other responsibilities—sharing time management tips,
calendar planning strategies, and ideas for increasing program efficiency. Learn how to stretch limited
resources, build partnerships, and empower volunteers while navigating the ever-present gap between
expectations and reality. Walk away with tools, templates, and a supportive community that gets it.
Location: Poinsettia/Quince
Tracking with Purpose: Leveraging Maxient to Transform Family Communication into
Institutional Impact
Presented by: Caitlin Borges, Whitney White, and Dy'Mand Montgomery
Family communications are more than questions—they’re critical data points. This session explores
how the University of Cincinnati transitioned from a homegrown system to using Maxient to track,
analyze, and advocate for resources using family inquiry data. Learn how to embed communication
tracking in institutional workflows, engage partners, and use your findings to enhance family support
and student success their institutional values, promotes equity and inclusion, and fosters a lasting
connection between families and the university.
Location: Narcissus/Orange
Honoring Deceased Students and Embracing the Families Who Mourn Them
Presented by: Adam Specht
Student deaths are an unfortunate inevitability at higher education institutions. The Ohio State
University's Parent and Family Relations team will share how they have collaborated with university
partners and institutional leadership on their annual Student Remembrance Ceremony, which
welcomes families of the deceased and honors the impact they have had during their time at Ohio
State.
Location: Camellia/Dogwood
From Helicopter to Helper: Using a Family Syllabus to Support Parent/Family Transition
Presented by: Connie Watson and Bryanna Valdivia
Families – especially those “new” to college are hungry for clarity. This session introduces the Family
Syllabus, a practical, approachable tool that helps first-time college families understand their role in the
transition to higher education. Inspired by the academic syllabus, this resource provides families with
just-in-time guidance in the first year, reinforcing student independence while ensuring adequate
support. Attendees will leave with examples, strategies, and a customizable framework to take back to
their own campuses.
Location: Crystal
Ed. Session Block 4: 3-3:50 PM
From Wishes to Wins: Growing Partnerships and Sponsorships That Deliver
Presented by: Amy McManus, Amy Swank, and Dani Walker
Whether you’re beginning to explore sponsorships or seeking to elevate them, this session will provide
practical strategies for creating mutually beneficial partnerships. Through examples and tools shared by
advancement and family engagement professionals, participants will explore how to develop, diversify,
and sustain sponsorships. Clear distinctions between gifts, sponsorships, and donor recognition will be
discussed to demystify common fundraising terms and expectations. Attendees will leave with
adaptable templates and an action plan tailored to their goals.
Location: Camellia/Dogwood
More than Family Weekend: Innovative Initiatives to Engage Families Year-Round
Presented by: Lindsay Davis
Want to shake up your family programming? Join us to explore fresh ways to engage families beyond
the traditional events. We’ll share lessons from UT Knoxville’s creative initiatives and help you
brainstorm how to refresh your own programs using campus traditions, community partners, and a little
imagination. Walk away with practical tips, real examples, and new ideas to make your family
experience dynamic, personalized, and unforgettable. Let’s rethink what the family experience can be!
Location: Narcissus/Orange
Managing Microstressors and Making Confident Decisions in Family Engagement Work
Presented by: Nicki Jenkins
Higher education professionals supporting students and families face constant, subtle stressors that
can erode well-being and decision-making over time. Grounded in The Microstress Effect by Rob Cross
and Karen Dillon, this session explores how microstress impacts daily work and offers tools to respond
with clarity and resilience. Attendees will gain strategies to recognize microstress, reduce its effects,
and make values-driven decisions in emotionally charged or high-stakes situations.
Location: Camellia/Dogwood
Family First: Engaging Parenting Students and K-12 Families at ASU
Presented by: Anjielyn Chang
This session explores the efforts of ASU Family with a focus on advancing support for parenting
students and K-12 Families at Arizona State University. It will highlight how ASU Family has expanded
its efforts to better serve families through newsletters, tailored resources, inclusive events, and strategic
partnerships. By creating these resources and opportunities, ASU aims to grow engagement, deepen
commitment, and increase the impact of programming for parenting students and the entire Sun Devil
Family.
Location: Crystal
Ed. Session Block 5: 4-4:50 PM
A Whole New World: Rethinking How We Reach Families
Presented by: Alex Hersperger
After a few failed webinars with low attendance, Texas A&M’s Parent and Family Programs team set
out to rethink how we communicate with families. Two years later, we’ve launched a resource-first
website, developed short seasonal checklists, created faculty/staff resources for working with families,
partnered with campus offices to create videos on key student issues, and begun automating
informational content tailored to each stage of their student's journey. This session will share our
missteps, lessons learned, and practical strategies for reimagining family communication with intention
and greater responsiveness.
Location: Poinsettia/Quince
It's a Small Store After All: Big Impact Through Experiential Student-First Engagement
Presented by: Heather Deere and Taylor Slaven
Looking to expand your family programs, but your budget just won't budge? At William & Mary we’ve
taken a t-shirt and turned it into a small gear shop that fosters family engagement year-round. Unique
class year t-shirts, care packages, move-in kits and more create experiential student-first opportunities
that also boost our operating budget. Learn how the W&M Family Gear Shop highlights both revenue
and relationships, creating a big impact on both the program's budget and family connections
throughout the year.
Location: Narcissus/Orange
The Power of Mentorship: Building Meaningful Professional Relationships in Higher Education
Presented by: Ben Trapanick and Mark Myers
Mentorship is a key element of professional development, offering support and growth for both mentors
and mentees. This session explores the presenters' organically developed mentoring relationship,
supported by research on mentorship's impact on job satisfaction, retention, and engagement.
Attendees will reflect on their own experiences, gain practical strategies for building strong mentoring
connections, and learn how AHEPPP's Mentor Program can enhance professional growth through
structured, one-on-one relationships within the higher education parent and family community.
Location: Camellia/Dogwood
From Day One to Graduation Day: Building a Year-Round Family Communication Strategy
Presented by: Kelsey Nyman & Stephen Dolan
At Montclair State University, family communication is more than just a welcome email, it’s a year-round
strategy rooted in clarity, targeting, and trust. This session will walk attendees through the full lifecycle
of our family communications plan, beginning with prospective student outreach and culminating in
commencement. We’ll share how we build trust early, personalize messaging using CampusESP and
Slate integrations, and leverage data to engage families of all backgrounds whether their student is a
commuter, a first-gen, or a senior preparing to graduate.
You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at our tactical approach: orientation checklists, dynamic
newsletters, targeted messaging (including in Spanish), and real-time event communications. We’ll also
dive into how we ensure accessibility, avoid information overload, and close the loop with celebrations
like Family Weekend and Commencement. Come away with adaptable strategies and templates to help
you elevate your own communications calendar and foster long-term engagement with families from
day one.
Location: Crystal
Wednesday, November 19
Ed. Session Block 6: 9-9:50 AM
Empowering Families To Support Holistic Student Success: UAlbany’s Innovative First-Year
Experience For Supporters
Presented by: Linda Krzykowski, Fred Scott
Today’s college students often rely on their families as key partners in navigating the transition to higher
education. To support this, the University at Albany developed a semester-long, asynchronous
First-Year Experience (FYE) course for families, designed to mirror the structure of a student’s first
semester. Weekly modules, videos, and open office hours provide families with practical strategies to
foster student resilience and independence while encouraging use of vital campus resources such as
tutoring, office hours, and mental health support. This innovative program not only demystifies college
life but also equips families to serve as informed, supportive guides. Attendees will learn about the
program’s design, communication strategies, and assessment methods, as well as initial outcomes on
retention and success. The session will highlight how structured family engagement can be a powerful
tool for enhancing student persistence, academic achievement, and overall well-being.
Location: Poinsettia/Quince
What Parents Say Matters: Turning Feedback into Action
Presented by: Briana Wilson
This session will equip higher education practitioners with the tools and strategies necessary to
effectively gather, interpret, and apply qualitative data to enhance parent and family engagement
initiatives. Participants will learn practical methods for assessing parent feedback and translating those
insights into actionable improvements that strengthen campus partnerships and support student
success. Emphasis will be placed on using assessment practices to elevate parent voices and foster
more meaningful involvement within the college or university community.
Location: Narcissus/Orange
Transforming Your Institutional Strategy Toward a New Era of Student Success
Presented by: Ty Hollowell
NODA’s philosophy toward orientation, transition, and retention is to blur the traditional independent
fields known more specifically to orientation-transition is the continuous process leading toward
orientation and retention. Practitioners must recognize the intersectionality of orientation, transition, and
retention to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to successfully support students.
Institutions must adapt and be prepared for demographic shifts among students within the United
States. Standard approaches to orientation, transition, and retention will likely not be as effective if
institutions do not take a better data-informed approach that addresses the unique and individualized
needs of their students.
Location: Camellia/Dogwood
Designing a Magical Family Experience: Enhancing Engagement with CampusESP
Presented by: Amy McManus
This session explores strategies for enhancing family engagement through CampusESP. Learn how to
build a dynamic orientation hub, boost engagement rates, and leverage campus partners. Data-driven
insights, practical tools, and tested approaches will be shared to help streamline outreach and improve
engagement. Whether your institution is using CampusESP or not, you’ll gain adaptable ideas to
strengthen family communication.
Location: Crystal
Ed. Session Block 7: 10-10:50 AM
You Are Not Alone: Advocating for Your Magical Moment
Presented by: James Wright
We always check in on our families, but who checks in on us? Advocating for yourself in the workplace
is essential for career growth, well-being, and professional fulfillment. This session will provide
attendees with practical strategies to communicate their needs, set boundaries, and negotiate for better
opportunities. Participants will learn how to identify workplace challenges, develop confidence in
self-advocacy, and build a supportive network that fosters professional success. Through interactive
discussions and real-world scenarios, this session empowers individuals to take charge of their careers
while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Location: Poinsettia/Quince
Teach Me How to Supervise: Lessons from the Field
Presented by: Gavin Grivna
This isn't your average session—you are the expert! In this interactive, conversation-driven workshop,
participants will reflect on the real challenges and wins of supervising student staff. Through engaging
prompts, storytelling, and collaborative lessons learned, we'll crowdsource supervision wisdom from the
room. Whether you’re new to supervising or a seasoned vet, come ready to teach, learn, laugh, and
maybe even cringe a little together.
Location: Narcissus/Orange
Cultivate. Communicate. Steward. The Blueprint for Family Philanthropy That Works
Presented by: Amy Swank and Jamie Lundergreen
Family philanthropy is no longer optional—it's essential. As families become increasingly invested in
their students' experiences, institutions have an opportunity to cultivate lasting donor relationships
through intentional communication, meaningful stewardship, and visible leadership opportunities. But
how do you move from general engagement to strategic, sustained giving?
Location: Camellia/Dogwood
Gentelligence at Work: Bridging Generations in Family Engagement and Higher Education
Presented by: Dani Walker and Jennifer Valdez
Today’s campus professionals are navigating increasingly intergenerational teams and family
populations. Based on Gentelligence by Dr. Megan Gerhardt, this session introduces strategies to
bridge generational divides, reduce bias, and leverage generational diversity. Attendees will explore
how to enhance collaboration across generations within professional teams and parent/family
populations, fostering more inclusive and effective engagement across the higher ed landscape.
Location: Crystal
Ed. Session Block 8: 11-11:50 AM
Unreasonable Hospitality: Creating Extraordinary Experiences for Families
Presented by: Cyndy Hill
“Start with what you want to achieve, instead of limiting yourself to what’s realistic or sustainable,” Will
Guidara. Using the book Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More
Than They Expect by Will Guidara as a guide, this session will introduce the concept of unreasonable
hospitality and how applying some strategies can increase the positive impact we have with families
and support student success and how we can find the magic in the work we do.
Location: Poinsettia/Quince
Big Blue Nation Meets the Bluegrass: Integrating Kentucky Tourism into Family Weekend
Presented by: Kate Bauman
Take your Family Weekend beyond your campus gates by weaving local tourism into your
programming! This session will explore how the University of Kentucky collaborates with convention
and visitor bureaus, local businesses, and campus partners to craft a vibrant, community connected
Family Weekend experience. Learn how tourism integration enhances family engagement, supports
economic partnerships, and creates memorable moments for students and their supporters.
Location: Narcissus/Orange
Working with the Whole Family: Communicating with the Families of First-Generation Students
Presented by: Lindsey Bray and Kerri Fowler
This session explores strategies for communicating with families of first-generation college students. As
family engagement in higher education increases, institutions must adapt communication approaches
to support these families. We'll discuss the challenges in engaging first-generation families, the benefits
of their involvement, and practical techniques for inclusive communication. The presentation offers
insights for creating supportive environments that enhance first-generation student success through
strategic family communication.
Location: Narcissus/Orange
Beyond the T-Shirt: Creative Strategies to Fund Family Engagement Giveaways
Presented by: Gabriel Aragon Espino and Carol Galladian
Orientation and Family Programs is committed to supporting student success by engaging the families
of our students. Family members are often overlooked when it comes to campus giveaways, we take
an intentional approach to include them in the campus experience. Through strategic interdepartmental
collaborations, creative merchandise sales, and partnerships with local sponsors, we secure funding
and in-kind donations to provide free or low-cost giveaways that help families feel welcomed, valued,
and connected to campus life.
Location: Crystal
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