EDUCATIONAL SESSION TRACKS

First – Gen: How to College From Scratch

Christine Gibble, Associate Director of Undergraduate Admission, Neumann University

How many times have you asked a student if they are First Gen, and they just stare back at you blankly? Do they understand the term? Are they ashamed of the distinction? No matter the reason, it's important to understand the challenges that a First-Generation student faces when working through the college search process. The reality for First-Gen students is that there are no parents who have experienced the college search process to be there for them as a resource This session seeks to define the full meaning of being FirstGeneration college student, understand how we can celebrate a student’s difference while recruiting, targeted event programming, and how to meet First-Gen students where they are throughout the admission cycle.

Good Neighbor Culture: Creating a Welcoming Environment by Embracing Differences and Tough Conversations

Shira Kerce, Assistant Director of Events and Visitor Experience, & Kinsey Stout, Director,

Enrollment Engagement and Experiential Marketing, Berry College

What does it mean to be a good neighbor? And how can a good neighbor culture lead to a more welcoming and inclusive office and college campus? At Berry College, our campuswide Good Neighbor Challenge is inviting students, faculty and staff to explore what it means to be a good neighbor, how we can better understand one another and work together to create a campus culture that embraces diversity and doesn't shy away from tough conversations In this session, we'll discuss how the professional staff and ambassadors in our office have embraced the Good Neighbor Challenge, how the challenge has impacted our office culture, and how it has informed our admissions events and larger recruitment goals. We'll also share how our Civic Conversations have led to better understanding and stronger teams, and how elements of our Good Neighbor Challenge can be incorporated into other offices and institutions.