Q&A with Keynote Speaker Rey Junco

Q&A: Amy Korthank and Keynote Speaker Rey Junco, originally uploaded by NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising.

After a great opening keynote session last night, NACADA member Amy Korthank had an opportunity to ask some follow up questions with Rey Junco. Don't forget to check out Rey's blog and follow him on twitter.com/reyjunco to continue the conversation on social media and student engagement.

Highlights for Monday

The 1st day of sessions is about to kick off. Don't forget about the following events today...

• Today is school spirit day, I hope you're wearing your shirt and connecting with advisors from other universities.
• The Commission and Interest Group Fair occurs 12:15-1:45 p.m. in Veracruz A/B.
• The Silent Auction starts today in the Veracruz Exhibit Hall along with various exhibitors, be sure to stop by!
• Don't forget about the Common Reading Event tonight from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in Coronado S/T.

I hope all NACADA attendees have a great 1st day, we'll be posting a video follow up to Rey Junco's keynote this afternoon!

NACADA Members Check In!

Jennifer Bloom, University of South Carolina, originally uploaded by NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising.

Click here to check out other quick videos from NACADA members as they arrive in Orlando on Sunday afternoon and share their stories.

The day has arrived - welcome to Orlando

We are officially kicking off the Annual Conference tonight with the Opening General Session on Sunday, October 3 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. in the Coronado Ballroom. You will hear from NACADA leadership and the plenary speaker, Rey Junco.

Here’s a formal welcome from Conference Chair Jose Rodriguez, thanks Jose…

Welcome to Orlando! Thanks for joining us this year; we are very excited to have you as our guests. On behalf of this year’s planning committee, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to all our new and returning attendees. I’d also like to extend a special welcome to all our international attendees.

I encourage you to meet with others, discuss issues, exchange numbers and e-mails. This conference is more than just about attending sessions, but also about getting connected with colleagues from around the nation and the world.

I hope you will also participate in our online endeavors. This year, NACADA has got social media covered. We are tweeting, blogging, facebooking (yes, it’s a verb), and flickering. I encourage you to add to the online discussion and community. Our online endeavors are meant to be an extension of the face-to-face experience. Regardless of your level of expertise with online media, I encourage you to share your NACADA stories with us, your pictures, and to see what others are chatting about.

On behalf of the conference committee, Region 4, and the NACADA family, welcome again to your national conference!

Last minute tips

Can you believe in just a few short days over 2,800 NACADA members will be in Orlando for the Annual Conference? Whether this is your 1st time attending or you were in Burlington, VT in 1977, I'm sure you are excited!

I wanted to share some last minute tips:

• Don’t forget to check out information on transportation to the conference. You might be feeling confident, but it can't hurt to double check.
• Bring apparel to represent your University – Monday is School Spirit Day!
• Comfortable shoes are a must! There is a lot of walking, but you can utilize the shuttle as well.
• Disney Downtown is easy to get to via shuttle and has some great restaurants, if you want off Disney property then visit the Hospitality Desk for some great ideas and approximate cost for a taxi ride. The Annual Conference Program Committee created a great Orlando Guide.
• Find your niche! Look for a commission or interest group related to your interest in advising and attend their meeting. If you like what you see, volunteer to get involved. You can also view sessions by topics/tracks.
• Wear your name tag! They must be worn to enter Veracruz A/B (meal functions) and other events. Plus, you want people to see who you are and where you're from.
• Bring your business cards - great to network and keep in touch after conference (especially important if you’re presenting).
• You will love the choir! Join them on Monday at 5:30 p.m. - make new friends with whom to network and be a part of this tradition.

If you’re presenting, please make sure you check out the reccomendations.

For those of you attending your 1st NACADA Annual Conference, take a few minutes to read some advice from NACADA Executive Charlie Nutt and don’t forget to attend the New Member & 1st Time Attendee Orientation from 8:45-9:45 a.m. on Monday.

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone in Orlando! If you have any questions as you prepare for your trip, don't hesitate to post them below as a comment.

Special thanks to Glenn Kepic from the University of Florida for collaborating on this post and sharing his tips.

Safe travels!

More than just sessions

With just 12 days remaining until we kick things off in Orlando, I wanted to share information on a few bonus opportunities NACADA offers at the Annual Conference. Of course, be sure to put the finishing touches on your presentation, finalize your travel plans, check out the interactive schedule planner, etc. But don't forget about the following events...

Common Reading Event

• Join your colleagues at NACADA’s Common Reading Event to discuss research on how first-generation students experience higher education. The discussion will focus on issues presented by Peter Collier and David Morgan, Higher Education 55, 425-446.
• Regardless of your experience, gain a perspective on the value of research and analysis in the field of academic advising. You can even read the piece en route to Orlando!
• Start off the conference by meeting other NACADA members at the Common Reading Event on Monday, October 4 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in Coronado S/T.

Silent Auction

• The 3rd Annual Silent Auction will begin with bids on Sunday, October 3 at 8:30 p.m. and bidding ends on Tuesday, October 5 at noon. Please visit the Silent Auction schedule for more information.
• The 2010 bidding items are plentiful, including a complete set of NACADA journals, a keynote address and/or workshop from several NACADA leaders, various gift bags, and more.
• All proceeds from the auction will be used to fund graduate student scholarships for attending NACADA's events.

Exhibitors

• Throughout the conference you will have the opportunity to speak with representatives from other universities, professional organizations, private companies, etc. about what they can offer you and your institution - check out the full list of registered exhibitors.
• Stop by exhibit area in Veracruz C on the following dates: Sunday, October 3 from 8:30 a.m-10:00 p.m., Monday, October 4 from 8:30 a.m.-noon and 1:30-4:30 p.m., and Tuesday, October 5 from 8:30 a.m.-noon and 1:30-3:00 p.m.
• NACADA members have the chance to earn a DOOR PRIZE when they enter the exhibit area - prizes include Amazon and Barnes and Noble gift cards, an iPod Nano, NACADA monographs, DVDs, books, and many others!

Annual Conference Social Media Guide

Blog

• Serves as the hub for all social media during the conference in Orlando.
• NACADA members can find links for Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr from the blog; all updates from social media sources can be found on this blog.
• Be sure to follow along with the blog during the conference for quick recaps, highlights for major events, updated pictures, and links for additional information and happenings.
• NACADA members are encouraged to comment on each post to share their experience/opinion (try it now and comment on this post!).

Twitter

• Find frequent 140 character updates via the Twitter account: twitter.com/nacada.
• Tweeting about conference cancellations, schedule changes, and reminders.
• This is another opportunity to digitally interact with other NACADA members. Just use hashtag #nacada10 and share a message, picture or more on Twitter.
• You do NOT need a Twitter account to view the NACADA Twitter account, but we highly encourage you to get involved – it’s simple:


Step 1: Sign up for a Twitter account and learn Twitter 101.
Step 2: Take your laptop, smartphone or Twitter-ready mobile to Orlando.
Step 3: Post updates or retweet on Twitter about the conference: session pointers, take-aways, best practices, key issues, and any Tweetups (advisor happenings).
Step 4: In every 140 character post, include #nacada10.

Virtual followers:

Step 1: Follow the virtual conference action via a Twitter search for #nacada10.
Step 2: Repeat step 1.

Flickr

• Features photos and albums before, during, and after the annual conference on the blog and Flickr page for all to view.
• NACADA members can upload their photos to Flickr via the NACADA10 group:


Step 1: Visit Flickr and start an account (you can use an existing yahoo account).
Step 2: Add NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising as your new contact.
Step 3: Find and join the NACADA10 Flickr Group.
Step 4: Add photos to the NACADA10 Group Pool of photos.

Facebook

• Take a second to find NACADA on Facebook.
• Be sure to give us the thumbs up by clicking “Like.”
• Periodic updates will be posted to the NACADA Facebook page during the conference and after you leave Orlando.

During registration in Orlando, NACADA members will receive a Social Media Guide with this information as well. Start today and get involved in social media with NACADA - tweet, comment, upload, post, like! These opportunities will further connect you to the global community for academic advising.

Special thanks to Laura Pasquini from the University of North Texas for all of her contributions to NACADA's social media, be sure to check out her blog.