VSU Hosts NACADA Georgia Drive-in Conference

VALDOSTA - Valdosta State University hosted the 2008 National Academic Advising Association Georgia Drive-in Conference on September 12, a first of its kind for the school.

Presenters and participants from all over Georgia, Alabama and Florida attended the one-day event, "Bloom Where You're Planted - Creativity and Innovation in Advising," which focused on innovative methods for improving existing programs.

Keynote speaker, Dr. Charlie Nutt, NACADA executive director, began the learning experience with a presentation titled "Enhancing Academic Advising: Changing the Culture of Our Institutions." Dr. Kathleen Smith of Florida State University spoke during lunch in the University Center Magnolia Room about assessment techniques for strengthening advising programs.

Breakout sessions included special speakers such as Gala Jackson of VSU who spoke about advising through residential Education; Jay Rickman of VSU, who spoke about e-programs and juggling heavy advising and class loads; Kent Moore of VSU, who spoke about guiding students in reaching GPA requirements. Other schools joined these VSU presenters in sharing valuable knowledge. John Raines and Karen Battye of Auburn University spoke about the effective use of technology in advising, and Laura Ralston and Dr. Jed Gillespie of Georgia Highlands College shared the importance of early bird advising.

"It was important for VSU to host this conference because it allowed us to highlight the new enhanced advising program we are implementing and we were able to strengthen our bond with NACADA," said Terence Sullivan, advisor in the Student Success Center at VSU. "It also allowed us to showcase our campus to colleagues from the Southeast U.S."

Sullivan said it was a great collaboration between all campus units. It effectively reached more than 140 participants through interesting workshops with valuable information. Call the Student Success Center at (229) 333-7570 for more information about advising at VSU.