Heartland 2009 Conference

Conference Programming

We all have areas we can improve on or have great ideas we want to share! The RA/SA role has many aspects, so there are many different areas if interest for programming. We have put together different programming tracks pertaining to different areas you may want to focus on. Below are explanations of each track.

ME (as a student and a person)

All student staff members have two things in common: we are all human beings, and we are all students! Student staff members must be able to balance their personal lives, their role as students and their jobs in Residential Life. This programming track is designed to help each individual find the perfect balance for all these roles. Health, wellness, time management and handling relationships will be the focus on this track.

YOU (as an RA/SA/CA)

While some policies differ between colleges and universities, some areas of the RA/SA/CA role are universal. This programming track will help you learn ways to become a better student staff member and how to use what you learn as an RA/SA/CA in other areas of your life. Topic areas will include leadership skills, communication, confrontation, maintaining professionalism, and how to make student affairs your future career.

THEM (pertaining to our residents)

As student staff members we are responsible for our residents. We go out of our way to ensure the welfare of our students, from safety concerns to making sure they feel connected to the school. This track is designed to help RA/SA/CA's build their skills in programming, community building, diversity and any other area focusing on helping our residents become better citizens.

ADVISORS

This track will focus on the Advisors. As professional staff members, we still need to build community, but in different ways. These programs will help both new and seasoned professionals learn more about student affairs, the art of advising, the difficulties in supervising student staff members, judicial problems, and any other topic of interest to student affairs professionals.

Top Programs to be Recognized at Conference

People attending your session will have a chance to review its quality and how well it prepared them to go back to their campus with new ideas. The top five programs, based upon the ratings, will be asked to present again in the final programming session. We hope to see you presenting in that final session!