Day Five: Jillian

The end of the first day of the 
NACADA International Conference

Today our group attended the first day of the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) international conference at the University College Dublin. It has been really great to step out of one’s everyday work environment and engage with individuals from numerous institutions which allows for a more diverse range of knowledge to be had. Not only is this knowledge from various institutions in America, it is also international knowledge! NACADA has given me an understanding that it will always be beneficial to engage in professional development opportunities.  

So many session options inside!
A special thanks to
University College Dublin
for hosting this event. 

Specifically, today’s conference allowed me to reflect on a time in 2016 when I was a University Assistant in the Advising Center at Eastern Connecticut State University. I primarily worked with undergraduate students who were academically at risk of failing out of the institution. I attended a session today that discussed this population of students. While most of the information was very familiar, I did gain a new tool that could be used in the future. The initiative was that when academically at-risk students attempt to register for classes, they will have a hold on their student account known as the “probation hold” until there is confirmation that they have met with their assigned academic advisor. I believe this strategy is useful in that it forces at-risk students to meet with their advisors before registering for their next semester classes. This appeared to be a great way to ensure student success is attained in a collaborative manner. Ultimately, I feel it is through these many small instances that knowledge is gained, and I am truly looking forward to our next few days at the NACADA conference.