ADVISING & STUDENT SUCCESS CONFERENCE 20 26
READY FOR 2030 DESIGNING THE NEXT ERA OF ADVISING & STUDENT SUCCESS
7:45 am
Check-In
8:15 - 9:00 am
Light Breakfast
9:00 - 10:00 am
Welcome Address & Keynote Introduction - Dr. Amber Williams
Student Union, Rm 272 - Pilot Ballroom
Student Union, Rm 272 - Pilot Ballroom Food Options • Build your own yogurt parfait • Breakfast breads w/whipped cream cheese
Student Union, Rm 272 - Pilot Ballroom
Opening Keynote - Dr. Fai Howard Student Union, Rm 272 - Pilot Ballroom
10:10 - 11:00 am
Concurrent Sessions 1
11:10 am - 12:00 pm
Concurrent Sessions 2
12:00 - 1:05 pm
Lunch + Fireside Chat
Various Locations
Various Locations
Dr. Amber Williams & Dr. Bernie Savarese
Student Union, Rm 272 - Pilot Ballroom Food Options • Build your own taco bar • Cheesecake egg rolls w/chocolate and caramel sauces
1:20 - 2:10 pm
Concurrent Sessions 3
2:20 - 3:10 pm
Concurrent Sessions 4
3:15 - 3:35 pm
Closing Keynote Dr. Melissa Irvin
Various Locations
Various Locations
Student Union, Rm 272 - Pilot Ballroom
3:35 - 4:15 pm
Networking & Social Engagement Student Union, Rm 272 - Pilot Ballroom
The 2026 Advising & Student Success Conference will feature two interconnected tracks designed to support both focused exploration and cross-track learning. Participants may follow a single track for deeper engagement or move between tracks to build a broader, more integrated perspective on the future of advising and student success.
Track 1: Designing the Future of Our Practice •
Focus: Student and staff experience, informed analytics, holistic support, emerging trends, generational shifts, assessment, and day-to-day practice
•
Description: This track centers the evolving higher education landscape as student needs, expectations, service delivery, and pathways become more complex. Sessions will explore how advising and student success practices must adapt to be proactive, relational, student-centered, and relevant now and in the near future.
Track 2: Building Future-Ready Systems & Structures •
Focus: Strategy, tools, tech integration, policies, models and frameworks, alignment, and change management
•
Description: This track focuses on the systems, structures, and infrastructure that enable effective advising and student success at scale. Sessions will examine how institutions and units can design sustainable, data-informed, and collaborative structures that support long-term student success.
New Advisor Experience SU 362A
Tuesday, September 8 | 9:30 - 11:30 am
The New Advisor Experience welcomes new advisors into UT’s advising community through connections with TennACADA, fellow new hires, and the broader advising community. Attendees explore opportunities for professional engagement, membership, committee involvement, and resources while building connections through interactive activities and facilitated conversation.
Opening Keynote Imagine What’s Possible, Create What’s Next: The Future of Advising & Student Success SU 272 - Pilot Ballroom
9:00 am
Dr. Fai Howard Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies, University of South Florida Discover the strategic framework for the conference by exploring how institutions must evolve to serve the next generation of learners while maintaining student-centered missions.
Session 1 1.
If There’s A Problem, Maybe You Can Solve It. Don’t Jump To The Fix - First Let’s Evolve It. SU 362A
10:10 am
Track 2
Lauren Belasco Senior CRM Analyst, UT Digital Learning Every day, advisors and student success professionals identify opportunities to improve the student experience, but how do you know which ideas are worth pursuing? This session introduces a practical framework for evaluating ideas and challenges, distinguishing quick fixes from larger initiatives, and turning observations into well-defined opportunities. Participants will leave with simple, reusable tools to assess ideas, frame meaningful projects, and communicate them effectively to supervisors, leadership, or campus partners.
THEMES:
AUDIENCES:
Technology & Innovation; Academic Support & Interventions
All Attendees
2.
Data-Informed Advisor Training SU 362C
10:10 am
Track 2
John Mooneyham Coordinator for Academic Advising, Department of Online Interdisciplinary Programs, College of Arts & Sciences Brittany Hunt-Woods Assistant Director of Advising Services, College of Arts & Sciences Gina Ondercin Advisor II, College of Arts & Sciences Tony Schnadelbach Recruitment Coordinator, College of Arts & Sciences Amanda Lueck Advisor II, College of Arts & Sciences The purpose of the session is to share the process for and benefits of implementing an advising assessment as you onboard new advising staff. Framed through the Conceptual and Informational NACADA Core Competencies, presenters will provide a background and rationale for developing and implementing a data-informed approach to advisor onboarding and training. Methods for developing an assessment tool utilizing software and services available through many institutions will be shared. Examples of data retrieved from previous onboarding cycles will be visualized and interpreted, and presenters will discuss how these findings influenced training and onboarding efforts. Attendees will learn more about utilizing such tools for sustainable mentorship and additional collaborative structures by exploring the experiences of individuals who participated in the assessments through supervisor, mentor, and mentee perspectives. Finally, the panel will field questions from attendees to further understanding and provide suggestions for improving long-term student success.
THEMES:
AUDIENCES:
Training & Assessment
Mid-Level Professionals; Senior Leadership
SESSION 1
3.
A Changing Population: Rethinking Support for Student Veterans and Military-Affiliated Students SU 362B
10:30 am
Track 1
Erica Quin Associate Director of Student Engagement, Veterans Success Center Kianna Z. Smith Senior Veteran Academic Coach, Veterans Success Center Today’s student veterans and military-affiliated students are more integrated and less interested in being siloed from the broader campus community. As higher education prepares for 2030, advising models must evolve to reflect these changing identities and expectations. This session explores how these populations differ from those of five years ago and what that means for advising and student success in the future. Drawing on innovative practices from the University of Tennessee’s Veterans Success Center, including the Veteran Impact Program (VIP), programming, & veteran academic coaching, presenters will highlight holistic, preventative, and community-based approaches that foster belonging, purpose, and engagement. The session will also address the growing needs of militaryconnected dependents and the importance of intentional programming designed specifically for their engagement and success. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to design inclusive, future-focused advising models that support veterans, military-affiliated students, and dependents effectively.
THEMES:
AUDIENCES:
Academic Support & Interventions; Building Community & Belonging
Early Career Professionals; Mid-Level Professionals
4.
We Read It for You: Leadership Lessons Without the Homework SU 262A/B
10:10 am
Track 1
Dr. Krystyne Savarese Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director, Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration Dr. Bernie Savarese Vice President for Academic Affairs, Research and Student Success, University of Tennessee System We are all busy people! This session is for leaders who want the key takeaways from a variety of books . . . without adding to their reading list. Drawing on texts ranging from Thinking, Fast and Slow and The Undoing Project, to The Power of Wonder and The Velveteen Principles, we will share the big ideas that have challenged our assumptions, strengthened our leadership practice, and sparked new approaches to innovation. This session will move beyond summary to application, connecting each text to real questions about decision-making, team culture, curiosity, authenticity, and future-focused leadership. Participants will explore how insights from these books can translate into practical strategies for leading change, building trust, and creating more thoughtful, imaginative organizations. Attendees will leave with both new ideas and actionable lessons they can bring back to their campuses, teams, and professional practice.
THEMES: Leadership & Supervision; Theories/Approaches of Practice & Assessment
AUDIENCES: Mid-Level Professionals; Senior Leadership; AALG
SESSION 1
5.
Connecting Students to the World: How Student Success Professionals Support Study Abroad SU 262C
10:10 am
Track 1
Kirsten Sheppard Assistant Director, Programs Abroad Kate Scott Director, Division of Global Engagement Jess Simmons Senior Coordinator, Programs Abroad At the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, study abroad is a key strategy for advancing student success, workforce readiness, and equitable access to high-impact learning. Academic coaches and advisors are often the first professionals students turn to when exploring opportunities that shape their academic journey. This session explores how advisors can expand access to global experiences by helping students navigate common barriers, connect study abroad to their academic and career goals, and identify programs that fit their needs. Participants will learn practical advising strategies, a student-centered conversation framework developed at UT, and effective referral practices that help more students see education abroad as an achievable part of their degree. Attendees will leave with tools they can immediately apply to support student success through global learning.
THEMES: Building Community & Belonging
AUDIENCES: All
Session 2 1.
Ready to Go Pro: Supporting the Next Generation through Pre-Health and Pre-Law Advising SU 362A
11:10 am
Track 1
Madeline Anderson Academic Advising Coordinator, College of Arts & Sciences, Central Advising Team Nick Grant Senior Academic Advisor II, College of Arts & Sciences, Central Advising Team Raini Sizemore Senior Academic Advisor I, College of Arts and Sciences, Central Advising Team Christopher Treece Senior Academic Advisor I, College of Arts and Sciences, Central Advising Team Have you ever been in an appointment with a student who mentions wanting to pursue a career in healthcare or law and you’re not quite sure what to say next? If so, this session is for you! Pre-health and pre-law students are found in almost every college and major at UT, and student success staff play a vital role in helping students plan their unique path. This session, led by pre-professional advisors in the College of Arts and Sciences, will help you understand what “pre-professional” really means, what services and resources are available, and how to be proactive in referring your students. We’ll cover common misconceptions, competitive application factors, and practical tools to help you confidently support students interested in fields such as dentistry, medical laboratory sciences, physician assistant, physical and occupational therapy, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, law and more—from their first year through graduation and beyond!
THEMES:
AUDIENCES:
Academic Support and Interventions; Career & Experiential Engagement
New Professionals; Early Career Professionals
SESSION 2
2.
From Checklists to Connection: PERMA as a Tool for Student Engagement SU 262A/B
11:10 am
Track 2
Juan Cabrera Assistant Director of Signature Events, Division of Student Success Brooke Squires Manager, Training & Development, Division of Student Success Strategic Initiatives Student success professionals are often called to support students through moments of transition, uncertainty, and growth. This session explores how the PERMA framework—Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment—can be used as a practical tool for creating more meaningful student interactions. Participants will examine how PERMA can move student success work beyond transactional support and toward intentional, strengths-based engagement. Through reflection, discussion, and applied examples, attendees will identify ways to integrate PERMA into advising conversations, coaching sessions, outreach efforts, and campus programming. Participants will leave with actionable strategies to help students feel seen, connected, motivated, and empowered in their academic journey.
THEMES: Building Community and Belonging; Theories/Approaches of Practice & Assessment
AUDIENCES: New Professionals; Early Career Professionals
3.
From Bottlenecks to Buy-In: Streamlining Change of Major at UT Through Salesforce SU 362C
11:10 am
Track 2
Carly Norman Advising and Enrollment Specialist, Undergraduate Programs, Haslam College of Business Internal Change of Major processes are often complex, manual, and difficult for students and advisors to navigate across departments. This presentation will demonstrate how our team in the Haslam College of Business transformed a highly manual, email-and spreadsheet-driven process of changing students’ major to business, into a centralized, streamlined system using Salesforce. I will highlight key challenges in the previous process— including administrative burden, communication gaps, and process bottlenecks—and demonstrate how our Salesforce pilot program uses a case-management approach to improve efficiency, transparency, and collaboration. Through a live walkthrough and guided discussion, attendees will explore strategies for reducing process friction, leveraging CRM technology, and creating more student-centered systems. The session will also provide space for participants to reflect on their own departmental processes and share ideas for improvement.
THEMES: Technology & Innovation; Academic Support and Interventions
AUDIENCES: Mid-Level Professionals; Senior Leadership
SESSION 2
4. From Optional to Expected: Embedding Career Readiness Across the College Experience SU 362B
11:10 am
Track 1
Whitney Prescott Director of Career Coaching and Education, Center for Career Development and Academic Exploration Doug Porter Associate Director for Strategic Initiatives, Center for Career Development and Academic Exploration As expectations around the value of higher education continue to evolve, students and families increasingly expect colleges to prepare students not only academically, but also for careers and life after graduation. Yet career readiness learning and development often remain siloed across campus experiences, offices, and programs. This session explores how institutions can move career readiness from optional to expected by embedding career readiness more intentionally throughout the college experience. Participants will examine how career readiness is already being developed through coursework, student employment, advising, mentoring, experiential learning, and co-curricular involvement, often without being explicitly recognized or connected. Through practical examples, guided reflection, and collaborative discussion, attendees will explore scalable and adaptable strategies for creating more embedded approaches to career readiness across campus environments while strengthening shared ownership, student engagement, and institutional alignment.
THEMES: Career & Experiential Engagement; Persistence, Retention & Graduation Initiatives
AUDIENCES: All
5. Developing Your Professional Growth Narrative with NACADA Academic Advising Core Competencies SU 262C
11:10 am
Track 1
Steven Taylor Director of Student Success, Recruitment & Career Transition, Coastal Carolina University Unlock the potential of your professional growth narrative through the utilization of the NACADA Academic Advising Core Competencies in this enlightening presentation. Discover invaluable strategies and practical techniques for effectively showcasing your skills and experiences in the realm of academic advising. By harnessing these insights, you will be empowered to take significant strides in your career development and personal growth. Gain a deeper understanding of how to craft a compelling narrative that highlights your expertise and aligns with the core competencies outlined by NACADA. This presentation will equip you with the tools and knowledge necessary to present yourself as a competent and accomplished academic advisor. Embrace this opportunity to enhance your professional journey and unlock new possibilities for advancement and success.
THEMES: Well-Being & Staff Retention; Theories/Approaches of Practice & Assessment
AUDIENCES: Early Career Professionals; Mid-Level Professionals
SESSION 2
6. UTK Advising Model 2030* SU 229
11:10 am
Dr. Melissa Irvin Senior Associate Vice Provost for Student Success UT’s advising model has been the underpinning of the campus’ historic undergraduate advising reform for almost a decade. This discussion brings together advising leaders to reflect on the model’s continuing value, identifying the core elements to preserve and explore how the model and learning outcomes should evolve to reflect today’s students and the modern-day advising profession.
*AALG ONLY
Fireside Lunch Chat The Evolving Landscape of Student Success at the Modern Land-Grant Institution SU 272 - Pilot Ballroom
12:00 pm
Moderator
Raini Sizemore, Senior Advisor, College of Arts & Sciences, TennACADA President
Special Guests
Dr. Amber Williams, Senior Vice Provost for Student Success Dr. Bernie Savarese, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Research and Student Success
Session 3 1.
From No-Show to Insights: Leveraging Salesforce to Identify Advising Appointment Attendance Trends SU 262C
1:20 pm
Track 2
Dr. Jennifer Davis Assistant Director, Online Degree Programs, Haslam College of Business McFadden Hall Advisor I, Haslam College of Business Sam Mosca Advisor I, Haslam College of Business
As advisors, it’s easy to make assumptions about the reason our advisees no-show appointments, but the data tells a more complicated story. While there is no perfect fix for no-show appointments, this session will focus on leveraging data available in Salesforce to reframe expectations and make informed decisions about appointment availability. In a review of nearly 12,000 appointment records from the Haslam College of Business, we will explore no-show factors including appointment start times, scheduling lead times, and modality. Participants will also learn how data was collected, best practices for tracking and reporting using Salesforce, and tangible recommendations to improve the advisor experience.
THEMES: Technology & Innovation
AUDIENCES: Mid-Level Professionals; Senior Leadership; AALG
SESSION 3
2.
Responding to Changing Admission Demographics: Advising and Supporting Transfer Students SU 362A
1:20 pm
Track 1
Cameron Hatcher Academic Advisor I, College of Arts and Sciences
As the student population of the UT System continues to grow, one point of emphasis has been the admittance of transfer students. This can look a variety of ways, from students who have completed one semester at another institutions, to students who have completed an associates degree, to students who have almost completed a degree entirely. Transfer students are not one size fits all, and neither is their needed support. Join me as we discuss ways to support and affirm transfer students through transfer specific resources, academic petitions, and more!
THEMES: Academic Support & Interventions; Persistence, Retention, and Graduation Initiatives
AUDIENCES: New Professionals; Early Career Professionals
3.
What Are You Going to Do With That? Using Data to Drive Real Change in Student Success SU 362C
1:20 pm
Track 1
Dr. Noelia Pacheco-Diaz Associate Director of Academic Initiatives, Academic Success Center Jenny Boucher Associate Director of Academic Coaching, Academic Success Center This session explores how student support professionals can move beyond simply collecting data and start using it to make smarter, more proactive decisions. Research suggests that a proactive approach to student success, grounded in intentional outreach rather than waiting for students to seek help, contrasts with reactive models that are insufficient to meet the needs of today’s college students (Varney, 2012). Presenters will share how the Academic Success Center uses meaningful data to better understand student engagement, reshape coaching caseloads and schedules, and improve day-to-day student interactions. Attendees will learn how starting with the right questions can make data more usable and impactful. Through interactive discussion and hands-on scenarios, participants will practice turning information into action and explore how even small data insights can lead to meaningful change. This session is ideal for professionals looking to create more intentional, student-centered workflows while building a stronger culture of data-informed decision-making (Vallecillo, 2023).
THEMES: Academic Support & Interventions
AUDIENCES: Early Career Professionals; Mid-Level Professionals
SESSION 3
4. “Industry at the Intersection”: Building a Coordinated Employer Ecosystem for Career Readiness and Workforce Alignment 362B
1:20 pm
Track 2
Katie Wiley Director of Employee Development, Career Development and Academic Exploration Carlton Seward Assistant Director of Employee Development, Career Development and Academic Exploration As universities face growing scrutiny over the return on investment of a college degree, career readiness has never been more critical. This session explores how career services staff, campus partners, and employers can collaborate to build an effective career readiness ecosystem; an interconnected network of opportunities that helps students develop career competencies, gain practical experience, and enter the workforce with confidence. Attendees will receive a brief overview of the national perception of higher education and where career services fits into that conversation. A panel of employer relations professionals will then share insights on workforce readiness, common gaps in new graduates, and successful university partnerships. The session will close with an interactive discussion on expanding and better integrating existing resources to ensure equitable access for all students.
THEMES: Career & Experiential Engagement; Persistence, Retention, and Graduation Initiatives
AUDIENCES: New Professionals; Early Career Professionals
5. Putting Words to What We Do: How NACADA’s New Definition and Scope of Practice for Academic Advising Tells our Story SU 262A/B
1:20 pm
Track 1
Lisa Byrd Director of Advising, Tickle College of Engineering Melinda Crecelius-Lanham Director of Advising, Tickle College of Engineering
Prior to the launch of the Global Community for Academic Advising’s definition and scope of practice for academic advising, the work of advising was seen as important, and even “essential”, but it did not have a single definition that created a unifying “purpose, value, and scope.” Now, with a new definition and scope in hand, advisors can move forward with clarity about their profession and their role. It provides ways to leverage advisor knowledge and expertise as well as to create new points of synergy between advisors and other student success professionals. In this session, we will focus on the ways in which the advising community reflects the new definition and scope of advising as well as how this articulation can provide further vocabulary for shaping the story we tell about who we are as advisors and the work we do on behalf of student success.
THEMES: Theories/Approaches of Practice & Assessment
AUDIENCES: New Professionals; Early Career Professionals
Session 4 1.
“Are They Mad At Me?”: Communication In the Digital Age SU 362B
2:20 pm
Track 1
Annemarie Thomas Assistant Director for Employer Engagement, Center for Career Development and Academic Exploration Noel Bauer Career Coach, Agriculture & Environmental Studies Center for Career Development and Academic Exploration Emily Smilanich Career Educator, Center for Career Development and Academic Exploration
As Generation Z enters the workforce and Generation Alpha prepares for higher education, communication norms continue to evolve rapidly. Unlike millennials, Gen Z has grown up entirely in the digital age, bringing distinct preferences and expectations around communication. Join us to better understand cross generational communication, Gen Z’s digital fluency, rethink traditional standards of professionalism, and prepare for even greater generational shifts as Gen Alpha begins to emerge.
THEMES: Generational Leadership; Career & Experiential Engagement
AUDIENCES: Mid-Level Professionals; Senior Leadership
2.
Busting Silos, Building Bridges: Sustaining Mutually-Beneficial Relationships Across Campus SU 262C
2:20 pm
Track 2
Meredith Malburne-Wade Director, Undergraduate Research and Fellowships Kirsten Benson Herbert Family Executive Director, Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center Kathryn Powell Managing Director, Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center Ryan Lee Assistant Director of Fellowships, Undergraduate Research and Fellowships Although University of Tennessee, Knoxville, students have access to a robust web of resources that support their development as researchers and writers, they are not always aware of the full breadth and depth of those resources. Further, the units that support students often operate in silos, duplicating outreach and student support despite their best efforts. This session looks at ways in which two units, the Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center and the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships, are better serving shared student populations by creating long-term, embedded, intentional, and mutually beneficial collaborations. In this session, participants will gain an understanding of how to identify potential partnerships, approach unit-to-unit conversations as learning opportunities, locate key points of shared purpose, and develop systems that structure support around ongoing collaboration.
THEMES: Academic Support & Interventions; Persistence, Retention & Graduation Initiatives
AUDIENCES: Mid-Level Professionals; Senior Leadership
SESSION 4
3.
Beyond Tasks: Creating Transformative Student Employment Experiences SU 362A
2:20 pm
Track 1
Abraham Cervantes Senior Professional Academic Coach, Academic Success Center Courtney Pelzer Business Communication Studio Coordinator, Professional Development and Career Management
As institutions prepare for 2030, student employment represents one of the most scalable yet underleveraged opportunities for advancing student success. This session reframes on-campus work as a leadership development ecosystem where everyday employment experiences become intentional pathways for growth. Rather than focusing on task completion, participants will explore how strengths-based coaching and developmental conversations can build student confidence, resilience, self-awareness, and leadership identity. Grounded in leadership development and reflective practice, this interactive session challenges attendees to rethink supervision as a form of intentional student development. Participants will examine how routine interactions can be redesigned to connect work responsibilities to transferable skills and future career readiness. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for elevating student employment into a high-impact practice that supports holistic student success and prepares students for an evolving workforce where adaptability, purpose, and leadership are essential.
THEMES:
AUDIENCES:
Leadership & Supervision; Career & Experiential Engagement
Mid-Level Professionals; Senior Leadership
4. Stuck or Still? A Challenge for Higher Ed Professionals Who Want More SU 262A/B
2:20 pm
Track 1
Adam White Assistant Vice Provost, Transitions and Success,
You’ve been in your role for a few years...maybe more. You know the work, you do it well, and you’ve stopped being challenged by it. You tell yourself you’re ready for the next step, but you haven’t applied for anything that scares you. Or maybe you have, and you were told you’re missing something; you haven’t supervised anyone, you’ve never worked outside your current area, or you just don’t have enough experience yet. So, you stayed. This session is a direct, honest challenge to higher education professionals who feel stuck in their careers. Drawing from a non-linear career path, including demotions, pay cuts, lateral moves, and roles in functional areas with no prior experience; this session confronts the uncomfortable question: are you actually stuck, or have you just stopped moving? Attendees will leave with a framework for evaluating their own career trajectory and the courage to consider that the right next move might not be where you thought.
THEMES: Well-Being & Staff Retention; Leadership & Supervision
AUDIENCES: Early Career Professionals; Mid-Level Professionals
SESSION 4
5. Working With AI—Not Depending on It: Teaching Students to Use AI Ethically and Effectively SU 362C
2:20 pm
Track 1
Adam Lanagan, Senior Academic & Career Exploration Coach Center for Career Development and Academic Exploration,
Generative Artificial Intelligence has been met with a lot of fear and skepticism by students and staff alike, in part because it has developed faster than laws, policies, or other guardrails can be put in place. This fear and skepticism is not unfounded. There are many things to consider when it comes to AI use, and it is our job to be aware of these considerations so we can better help students navigate AI usage. In this session, we will talk about some AI tools we all use every day, some of the considerations when using AI, and a framework to use when discussing AI with students so they know how to use it ethically and effectively.
THEMES: Technology & Innovation; Academic Support and Interventions
AUDIENCES: New Professionals; Early Career Professionals
6. Strengthening Our Advising Teams Through Strengths* SU 229
2:20 pm
Brooke Squires, Manager, Training & Development, Division of Student Success Strategic Initiatives Explore how your team strengths and student strengths intersect to inform more intentional student success practices.
*AALG ONLY
Closing Keynote Designed for this Moment — The Future of Advising is Already Here SU 272 - Pilot Ballroom
3:15 pm
Dr. Melissa Irvin Senior Associate Vice Provost for Student Success
Higher education is navigating rapid change — evolving student expectations, emerging technology, and mounting pressure to demonstrate impact. Yet for academic advisors and student success professionals, this moment is not a crisis. It is an invitation to shine brighter than ever before. In this closing keynote, Dr. Melissa Irvin draws on key points from Tyton Partners’ Listening to Learners 2025, and recent milestones in the advising profession to make the case that we are better positioned than ever to transform student lives. Attendees will leave energized by the big picture, grounded in the evidence, and inspired to step boldly into the next era of advising and student success.
studentsuccess.utk.edu