8:00 am – 10:00 am

The Y at TCC
Building 9, gym

Registration Open

Grab your namebadge and swag bag, sip a cup of coffee (courtesy of Tulsa Community College), grab a snack, and meet your new best friends!

Opening Session

Start the day off right!  Meet the 2024 OACADA Steering Committee and attend the annual business meeting before concurrent sessions begin.

10:00 am – 10:45 am

Varies

Concurrent Session #1

Time to learn!  Pick a session and engage!

Session #1A

SEC 9101
Auditorium

Building 9

Still Here – Indigenous Student Development and Identity

Colton Holmes
Oklahoma State University, Tulsa

Indigenous students (American Indian, Native American, First Nations, First Americans) are one of the most underrepresented groups in higher education. Reasons for this underrepresentation include the lack of unique support, understanding, and visibility they require. When support resources reflect Indigenous culture and ideologies it increases Indigenous student success and visibility within the institution. This session will provide a base foundation on how those support resources can take shape while giving participants an education on the history of Indigenous people in Oklahoma, the development of Indigenous student identity, and the relationship between Indigenous people and educational institutions.

Session #1B

SEC 9100
Chatroom

Building 9

Session #1C

SEC 7114
Building 7

Taming Unconscious Bias for Student Success

Beverly (B.J.) Glover
Oklahoma Baptist University

This workshop will equip college advisers with an understanding of how unconscious bias can influence their advising decisions, affect their interactions with students, and impact student outcomes and experiences. Participants can engage with the material through private self-assessment, interactive discussions and case studies with the aim of developing stronger awareness and skills to foster a more inclusive and equitable advising environment. Advisers will be reminded of the powerful role of advising in the life and future of the student.

Session #1D

SEC 7112
Building 7

Getting Connected: Making Changes to Improve Student Outcomes

Haley Hoyt
East Central University

During the 22-23 academic year, the Academic Success Center at ECU completed the “Excellence in Academic Advising” project through the Gardner Institute. We implemented several changes as a result of this work, along with a shift to more intrusive and targeted advising. This session will discuss what worked and what didn’t, along with suggestions for approaching change.

11:00 am – 11:45 am

Varies

Concurrent Session #2

Let’s get educated!

Session #2A

SEC 9101
Auditorium

Building 9

Session #2B

SEC 9100
Chatroom

Building 9

Brewing the Perfect Advising Elixer: Crafting your unique approaches and mission

Joey Oneal
Tulsa Community College

Lee Longhorn
Tulsa Community College

In this magical session, attendees will master the art of academic advising approaches into their unique advisory potions. Attendees will learn and gain a further understanding of common and not-so common academic advising approaches. Through a brief overview and reflective activities, attendees will reflect on their top advising approaches and how to utilize them into their work. Attendees will then be encouraged to articulate the “why” and “how” of their advising style (“their elixir”) and create a foundation for their own Academic Advising mission statement that resonates most with their advising philosophy. Thus, brewing your perfect advising elixir.

Session #2C

SEC 7114
Building 7

A Practical Guide to Neurodiversity

Laura Blackstone
University of Oklahoma

As Academic Advisors, we encounter a wide range of neurodiversity. Neurodivergent individuals may have different communication needs than a neurotypical person. In this presentation, we will discuss terminology related to neurodiversity and explain some important practical concepts, including why accommodating different communication needs is important and what NOT to say to a neurodivergent individual. We will also discuss specific communication strategies to make emails, conversations, and presentations more neurodivergent accessible. Attendees will leave this presentation with more skills and a greater understanding of how to work within a neurodiverse environment.

Session #2D

SEC 7112
Building 7

Session #2E

SEC 7110
Building 7

Share the Advising Love

Lucy Donley
Stephanie Terrazas
University of Oklahoma

We understand the importance that time management has for academic advisors amidst our numerous responsibilities. During our session, we will discuss how our advisors organized an event, where colleagues exchanged tools and resources to enhance advising accuracy and standardization, both of which can help improve time management thus allowing advisors greater ability to provide additional support to their students. This event provided practical tools and fostered a collaborative environment that helped build a stronger community among academic advisors within our college. Our college allows advisors the freedom to create their own templates and forms, promoting a rich exchange of resources. Attendees will gain insights into how we organized this event and will also be able to view examples of the resources shared, including practical resources ready for immediate implementation.

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm

The Y at TCC
Building 9, gym

Lunch, Election, and OACADA Awards

Join us for a Chuy’s Nacho Bar, meet the candidates for the 2025 Steering Committee, and celebrate the winners of the 2024 OACADA Awards!

1:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Varies

Micro-Sesssion #3

Back to the books!

Session #3A

SEC 9101
Auditorium

Building 9

Professional Development: How Getting Involved Empowers You

Olivia Miller
Kansas State University

As advisors we encourage our students to get involved on campus to build community, develop leadership skills and making connections to find their space and place. Advisors ourselves should be encouraged to do the same for their professional development – whether at the local campus level, state, region, or large scale through associations such as OACADA and NACADA. This micro session will discuss the benefits of professional development for advisor well-being and retention but remind advisors that just like our students – being too involved can hinder rather than help us.

Let’s debunk the study abroad myths. Study abroad and study away advising made easy.

Mary Daniels
Judy Parrott
Oklahoma State University

Have you ever heard a student say, “I want to study abroad but have no idea how?” Let us help you get started! Hear about the opportunities that are available for students, whether they go “abroad” for an international experience or decide to study “away” at another location in the United States (or US territories). Studies show that either format provides the same life-changing benefits for students. Common myths about studying abroad will be debunked, such as financing and flexibility toward degrees. Helpful advising tips will also be shared.

Session #3C

SEC 7114
Building 7

How appreciative advising can help combat the narrative that a degree is not useful, especially for underrepresented students.

Meredith Beyl
Twambi Kerstetter
Oklahoma State University

With the increasing narrative, especially among underrepresented students, that a college degree may not be useful in today’s job market, this presentation will explore how appreciative advising can assist advisors in combating this perception. The appreciative advising framework uses the principles of positive psychology to increase student success (Bloom, Hutson, & He, 2008). In this presentation, we will discuss how to implement this framework in an inclusive and culturally competent manner, with a primary focus on diverse student populations. We will emphasize the importance of choosing a degree path that aligns with their goals and aspirations.

Session #3D

SEC 7112
Building 7

Assessments in Advising

Jessica Masterson
Lauren Ledbetter
University of Oklahoma

College is a time of constant decision-making, a skill that many students are still learning and many advisors are short on time to help teach. Students frequently come to advisors overwhelmed with the unknown nature of their future and are often still in the process of developing their sense of self, direction, and overall approach to college and their academics. Assessments can aid students in gaining more self-understanding, which can help them become more autonomous and confident in their ability to make decisions and succeed in college. Assessments are also a beneficial tool for advisors to help expedite and focus the important conversations taking place with students. This presentation will introduce a variety of assessments—and how to incorporate them into advising session​s—​that aid students in the process of self-understanding, decision-making, identifying values, and more. We will also discuss outcomes for utilizing these assessments to increase major confidence, self-awareness, retention, and overall student success.

Session #3E

SEC 7110
Building 7

2:15 pm – 2:45 pm

Varies

Micro-Sesssion #4

Last breakouts of the day!  Choose wisely!

Beyond the Game: A Holistic Academic Advising Model for Student-Athletes

Carla Robison
Monique Bruner
Rose State College

Rose State College, a two-year community college in Midwest City, OK, employs a holistic model to advise college student-athletes through its Campus Resource Center. The model features a one-on-one academic advisement approach and includes intervention strategies like early-alert systems, specialized student success workshops, and grade monitoring to maintain athletic eligibility. Mentoring, along with career counseling services such as resume building and interview preparation, are integral components. The presentation will highlight personal testimonials from student-athletes who have benefited from the support systems in place. Additionally, we will discuss potential areas for improvement and future developments to further enhance the holistic advisement model. Audience members have the opportunity to learn best practices for implementing similar strategies at their own institutions and fostering an environment where student-athletes can thrive academically and athletically.

Advising in Prison

Chris Tsotsoros
Tulsa Community College

According to the Department of Justice, over 80% of people released from prison are rearrested. Many factors play a role in the recidivism rate. Reducing this rate is something that benefits the public and their safety and benefits the people who have been released from prison. Many programs are utilized to help reduce this rate, offering college courses inside correctional facilities is one of those tools. This session will focus on the successes and challenges of academic advising within a correctional facility. Tulsa Community College has been offering academic advising within the Dick Conner Correctional Facility for medium and minimum security offenders. The goal is to offer the students the same academic experience within the facility as they would get outside of it.

Session #4C

SEC 7114
Building 7

Utilizing Multiculturalism

Chisom Anunobi
Twambi Kerstetter
Oklahoma State University

We will explore effective ways to inquire about multiculturalism during an advising session by examining case studies and scenarios. Understanding how to approach the topic of multiculturalism is crucial for advisors to create an inclusive and supportive environment. By using real-world examples, advisors can learn to recognize cultural differences and engage students in meaningful conversations about their backgrounds and experiences. Through this exploration, advisors can gain insights into various communication strategies that respect and acknowledge cultural diversity. They will learn how to ask questions that encourage open dialogue and help students feel comfortable sharing their perspectives. Additionally, this session will highlight the importance of cultural awareness in building trust and rapport with students from diverse backgrounds, ultimately enhancing the overall advising experience.

Session #4D

SEC 7112
Building 7

Creating Community: Growing with our Concurrent Population

Kensey Garrison
Cameron University

The presentation will analyze what High School Liaisons at Cameron University are doing to grow with a rapidly expanding number of concurrent students. Discussion will include past and current models for the advising and enrollment of concurrent students at Cameron University, and how this has affected enrollment trends. Newly developed resources and outreach methods for the continued support and retention of this student population will be explored.

2:45 pm – 3:15 pm

The Y at TCC
Building 9, gym

Popcorn Bar!!!

Grab a snack before the closing session, courtesy of The Corn Popper!

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

The Y at TCC
Building 9, gym

Keynote and Closing Session

OACADA is proud to welcome this year’s keynote, Olivia Miller!  Olivia currently serves as an Exploratory Studies Advisor for undecided students at Kansas State University.  Olivia has served as an advisor for 8 years, having held positions at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Kansas and University of Missouri-Kansas City having advised at both the undergraduate and graduate level. She is an active member and leader in NACADA focusing on areas of member engagement, advisor retention and advisor well-being. She is currently serving as the Chair for the Well-Being and Advisor Retention Advising Community and is an elected Cluster Representative for the Advising Community division and will begin this role in October. Olivia most recently won the Advising Community Division Service Award – 2024.  She has held positions on the Region 6 and 7 Steering Committees, been involved with various NACADA mentoring programs, and engages in scholarly activity focusing on advisor well-being and retention.

Olivia’s keynote is titled “The Power of Advisor Wellness“:

“You can’t pour from an empty cup” – a common mantra for many in helping professions. This keynote will highlight the importance of taking care of yourself and your advising colleagues in order to help our students.

After the keynote, stick around for door prizes, election announcements, and the awarding of the Best in Oklahoma!