Conference brings together academic, student affairs

Worcester, MA - The Consortium brought together academic affairs and student affairs professionals from across the region at an October 9 conference at the College of the Holy Cross entitled "Fostering Student Success: Critical Collaborations between Academic Affairs and Student Affairs on Campus." Attendees represented all Consortium institutions as well as 25 external institutions.

The keynote speaker was Richard J. Light, professor in the Graduate School of Education and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University who spoke on "Helping Students ‘Make the Most' of their College Years: Eight Concrete, Low-Cost/No-Cost Suggestions for Your Campus."

In addition to the keynote address, afternoon breakout sessions were presented on the following topics:

• Connecting faculty and students through athletics  
• The role of a Students at Risk committee
• Engaging first-year students
• Transitioning to college life
• Advising students on academic probation
• Supporting students with disabilities
• UMass Medical School's Worcester Pipeline Collaborative
• Bridging the gap between student and academic affairs
• Encouraging lifetime learning and portfolio development for first-year students