Professional Conferences

I have attended numerous conferences during both my undergraduate years and graduate years.  I have been a participant, a volunteer, and a presenter. 

Wittenberg University

National Association for Campus Activities (NACA)

As a member of Union Board at Wittenberg I had the opportunity to attend three national and three regional NACA conferences.  It was at NACA that we took advantage of the block booking option through co-op buying to put the majority of our yearly programming schedule together.  My experience with NACA taught me how to negotiate contracts, improved my skills as a campus programmer, and I met so many people I would never otherwise have the chance to meet.  I also learned a lot about going into the Student Affairs field. 

Penn State University

Association for College Unions International (ACUI)

My first experience with ACUI was during my first semester as a graduate student.  I attended the Region 4 Conference in Baltimore, MD.  I learned a great deal about the behind the scenes issue of running a student union. 

 

I later participated in the ACUI Recreation Tournament, which includes a billiards and table tennis tournament and a College Bowl Championship.  In the Fall of 2003, Penn State was the campus host for the Region 4 tournament.  I served as a volunteer and judge for the College Bowl Championship.

 

In the Fall of 2004 I attended the Region 4 Conference again, however this time I went as a presenter with my supervisor.  We presented on working with union student employees and the issues and challenges that go along with it. 

American College Personnel Association (ACPA)

My first ACPA conference was in the Spring of 2004 at the national conference in Philadelphia, PA.  This was certainly a very comprehensive source of information on the current issues facing Student Affairs.  While I was there I served as a volunteer in the Placement Center to get an idea of what it is like, considering I will be a candidate at this year's conference (Candidate #3036).  I really find ACPA to be one the most valuable resources as a graduate student in Student Affairs.

 

Pennsylvania College Personnel Association (PCPA)

In the Fall of 2004 I attended the PCPA conference in Harrisburg, PA where I presented with one the Vice President's of Student Affairs at Penn State, Dr. Phillip Burlingame.  Our topic was the importance of Staff Professional Development and we outlined the results from the surveys taken at Penn State assessing Penn State's Student Affairs Professional Development program.  This was a very valuable experience not only because it was my first time presenting at a professional conference, but I had the opportunity to network with other schools in the Pennsylvania area.  It was interesting getting the perspective of other types of institutions in other regions of the state.