Developing the First-Year Experience
October 14–15, 2025
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, North Campus, Salisbury, N.C. 28146
Hosted by:
Sponsored by:
Welcome!
We are delighted to welcome you to the 2025 First-Year Experience and ACA Conference. Over the next two days, we invite you to connect, collaborate, and share ideas that strengthen the success of first-year students across North Carolina. Our team has worked to ensure your visit is both enjoyable and productive.
If you need assistance at any time, please visit the registration table in Building N106 or ask a conference team member for help.
We are excited to have you with us and look forward to a meaningful and inspiring conference experience!
Campus Address:
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, North Campus 1333 Jake Alexander Blvd. S. Salisbury, N.C. 28146
Parking Information:
Please park in the North Campus N106 parking lot, located at the end of the service road between Arby’s and the College. Enter the conference through Building N106. Signs and volunteers will be available to help direct you to parking, check-in, and session locations.
Share your ACA 122 course content with the statewide repository by emailing files to aca122@rccc.edu.
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
9 a.m. | Coffee & Networking - Light Breakfast Served
BuildingN106, Atrium
9:30 a.m. | Welcome & Kickoff
Dr. Joel D. Welch ( Western Piedmont CC ) & Dr. Carol S. Spalding (RowanCabarrus CC )
BuildingN105,StudentCenter
10 a.m. | Keynote Presentation: Transforming the First - Year Experience: Lessons for Student and Institutional Success
Dr. Drew Koch, Chief Executive Officer of the Gardner Institute
BuildingN105,StudentCenter
Drawing on more than 25 years of experience with over 700 colleges and universities across the United States, the presenter will share what the Gardner Institute has learned about designing comprehensive, intentional first-year experiences that help all students and the institutions that serve them thrive. The session will highlight how first-year seminars and related practices can and should be integrated into a holistic approach that ensures students receive a strong start for long-term success.
12 p.m. | Lunch
BuildingN105,StudentCenter
Catering by Grate
1:30 p.m. | Presentation of Revised ACA 122 Curriculum & Statewide Resources
Dr. Michael Quillen & Jenn Gardner Selby, ACA 122 Faculty Resource Team
BuildingN105,StudentCenter
This session features a presentation of the revised ACA 122 course title, description, and competencies, along with resources collected and presented by the faculty resource team. Presenters will highlight the changes between the previous and current versions of the course and provide an opportunity for attendees to ask questions and discuss challenges.
2: 45 p.m. | Networking Break
3 p.m. | Feedback Session on ACA 122 Statewide Resources
ACA 122 Faculty Resource Team
BuildingN105,StudentCenter
This session provides an opportunity for stakeholders to share feedback and suggestions prior to the last phase of the project repository and modularization.
3 p.m. | FYE - Planning for the Future
Roundtable led by Dr. Cindy Davies (Western Piedmont CC)
BuildingN106,Room101
A roundtable discussion focused on planning future FYE conferences and identifying next steps and priorities.
4 p.m. | Adjourn
5:30 p.m. | Reception for
Conference Attendees
Sponsored by Top Hat
SouthMainBookCompany, 110 South Main Street, Salisbury,N.C. 28144
Join your statewide colleagues for an evening reception and enjoy networking in downtown Salisbury. Afterward, explore one of the many nearby restaurants for dinner on your own.
Wedne sday, October 1 5 , 2025
9:30 a.m. | Coffee & Networking - Light Breakfast Served
BuildingN106, Atrium
10 a.m. | Keynote Presentation: From Course to Campus Culture: The Evolution and Impact of the First - Year Experience
Dr. Kate Lehmen, Executive Director of the National Resource Center for the First - Year Experience and Students in Transition at the University of South Carolina
BuildingN105,StudentCenter
This session will trace the First-Year Experience from the pioneering work at the University of South Carolina to its expansion to a comprehensive, global movement. It highlights the role of the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition in shaping this evolution and supporting institutions through research, publications, and professional development. Attendees will explore how strong, collaborative FYE programs engage faculty, staff, and student services to drive student success and retention.
11 a.m. | Conference Breakout Sessions:
- ACA 122 Across the College
Karen Bochnovic (Carteret CC), Karen Spratt (Isothermal CC), & Del Williams (Durham Tech CC)
BuildingN106,Room103
This session presents case studies from community colleges that have implemented ACA 122 across all, or most, programs of study.
- Customizing Your Course Solutions for ACA 122 with Top Hat
Danielle Holzmann , Top Hat Director of Sales
BuildingN106,Room112
This session will demonstrate how the interactive engagement platform Top Hat can make ACA 122 content more engaging and fun for students. Learn about how you can curate and design your course using this cutting-edge technology and meet other ACA 122 faculty.
- Using Self - Service for Academic Planning to promote FYE success
Chuck Bowling (McDowell Tech CC) & Christine Nicodemus (Edgecombe CC)
BuildingN106,Room101
This demonstration showcases how to use Academic Planning in Self-Service to support student success as part of a broader FYE initiative.
- World of Work: Kickstart Employability from Day One
Robin Ross (Catawba Valley CC) & Aden Cranford (Catawba Valley CC)
BuildingN106,Room104
Join this session to discover simple and engaging ways to integrate employability skills into your curriculum. From communication to career readiness, this session will explore how a curriculum redesign of WBL 110 as a common first-year course in technical programs has empowered students with the confidence and soft skills they need to thrive in the workplace.
12 p.m. | Lunch
BuildingN105,StudentCenter
Catering by Grate
1 p.m. | Conference Breakout Sessions :
- ACA 122 Course Tours
Kelly Dorman (Central Carolina CC) & Julia Payne (Central Piedmont CC)
BuildingN106,Room112
Interested in seeing ACA 122 courses from other community colleges? Join us for a tour of courses across the state during this session.
- Faculty - Advisor Collaboration Models
Melissa Recknor (Surry CC) & Amy Ball Braswell (Forsyth Technical CC)
BuildingN106,Room104
A collaborative presentation on advising models that emphasize partnership between faculty and advisors to better support students.
- FYE Networking Session
BuildingN106,Room103
Is your college working on an FYE program? Meet colleagues from across this state in this informal space. Share ideas, resources, and questions.
- Power up the First Year: Positive Psychology + Clifton Strengths = Success
Rusty Harrison (Western Piedmont CC)
BuildingN106,Room101
This energizing, evidence-based session explores how integrating Positive Psychology and Clifton Strengths into first-year seminars can supercharge student engagement, well-being, and academic success. Grounded in the science of human flourishing and Gallup's research on strengths-based development, this session equips educators with practical tools to help students thrive not just survive the transition into college life.
2 p.m. | Where Do We Go From Here ?
Dr. Cindy Davies (Western Piedmont CC) & Dr. Michael Quillen (RowanCabarrus CC)
BuildingN105,StudentCenter
This session outlines emerging themes, identifies next steps, and highlights remaining needs as the conference concludes.
2:30 p.m. | Adjourn
Dr. Cindy Davies (Western Piedmont CC) & Dr. Michael Quillen (RowanCabarrus CC)
BuildingN105,StudentCenter
