2008 Region III Conference Presentations
Here is a list of sessions presented at the 2008 Region 3 conference at LCCC in Cheyenne, WY on March 1, 2008. Thank you to everyone who presented at this years conference.
The Amazing Balancing Act: Time Management for Involved Students
Presented by: Zach Mercurio, Colorado State University
When juggling all the demands of a college student, does it ever feel like one more responsibility will make you lose control? In this session we will explore how involved students can manage the academic, extracurricular, and personal aspects of their college experience. {Student Leaders}
Orientation Leader Hiring – All of the Essentials to a Fabulous Fiesta!
Presented by: Yevgeniya Kopeleva and Jessica Behl, University of Utah
How do you recruit and select Orientation Leaders? How do you reach out to different types of students to create a fun and dynamic team? From marketing, to interviewing, to selecting, this session will explore all the essentials the University of Utah implements to build its cohesive and extraordinary staff. {Professional Staff}
Creativity
Presented by: Tracy Knofla, High Impact Training
Utilizing whole brain theory, this fast paced and interactive session will help participants increase their creative thinking ability and help them tap into their creative potential. {All Participants}
Teambuilding Fiesta!
Presented by: Laura Valdez, Karla Figuroa, Margi Miranda, Samantha Romero, Univ. of New Mexico
Teambuilding is perhaps the most vital aspect of creating a successful orientation program. This program explores ways to create an awesome team of individuals that are focused on common goals and values. You’ll discover effective team building strategies that will result in a highly effective orientation team. {All Participants}
NODA Leadership Opportunities
Presented by: Kerry Wenzler NODA Executive Secretary/Treasurer & Paul Giberson Region 3 Coordinator
Becoming a leader in an international association can be a highlight of your professional career. This session will introduce you to the outstanding leadership opportunities available to you as a member of NODA. Roles, responsibilities, requirements and application timelines and procedures will be reviewed. Come and learn how you can take your NODA involvement to the next level! {Professional Staff}
Boxers vs. Briefs: A Reality Check
Presented by: Beth Rhoades, Weber State University
Each of us is the sum of our daily experiences. We all live our own individual reality, complete with insecurities, prejudices, apprehensions, and the effects of family, friends, and the media. Are we willing to come to grips with our own imperfections and venture into another person’s reality? Come explore ways to construct a new and improved inclusive environment for your students. {All Participants}
Public Speaking for Everyone
Presented by: Tracy Knofla, High Impact Training
Learn to speak with confidence in front of a group. Participants will practice some key concepts to help them convey their message effectively. {Student Leaders}
Beyond NSO: Setting the Hook
Presented by: Ron Jones and David Pekarcik, Brigham Young University
In addition to informing students of resources, opportunities and guidelines of university life; orientation is also used to promote retention. This interactive workshop is designed to teach others how to use new media (electronic media) and campus events to excite, entertain and retain students from New Student Orientation. {All Participants}
Ingredients to Spice Up Your Team
Presented by: Morgan Fischer and Brandon Patterson, University of Utah
Does your orientation staff have the flavor of success? Staff morale is an essential ingredient to a healthy, functioning, and positive team atmosphere. This session will stir in creativity and ideas to give your team that extra spice to create and sustain a successful orientation staff. {Student Leaders}
Using Evaluative Data to Create Formative Change in your Program
Presented by: Mary Aguayo and Pepper Six, University of Wyoming
Use the data you have to produce the orientation you want. Consider how the University of Wyoming mobilized the results from their 2007 evaluations and benchmarking project to make substantive alterations to their program requirements, schedule, and purpose for 2008. {Professional Staff}
Parent Orientation at a Community College: Evolution or Intelligent Design?
Presented by: Chrissy Renfro and Jenny Rigg, Laramie County Community College
At our college, parent orientation has grown in the past few years from a one-hour program to a four-hour program. Some of the changes we’ve made have just evolved naturally while others were decisions that we made consciously. We wanted to maintain a level of fun and education for parents, while giving them opportunities to meet each other and exchange information and support. We’ll present on our “evolution” but will also open the floor to a discussion of best practices in a community college parent orientation. {Professional Staff}
Involvement… The Party Awaits You!
Presented by: Erica Anderson, University of Utah
How do we make entering students aware of the amazing opportunities that surround them, while their thoughts are focused on registering for classes? Within any size institution of higher education, how will getting involved with something extracurricular enhance the education process? We will approach these issues from the perspectives of new students as well as Higher Education professionals, and share ideas through a group discussion. {Student Leaders}
How Much Does a Polar Bear Weigh?
Presented by: Zach Mercurio & Orientation Student Staff Members, Colorado State University
Enough to break the ice! Icebreakers are a crucial tool in bringing team members together, getting students connected and welcoming students to campus. Whether you’ve an old pro or are just starting, come and learn the art of facilitating icebreakers. Improve your facilitation skills, share your helpful hints with others schools, and leave this session with a “how-to” guide for facilitating some fun icebreakers and team-builders with your orientation program.
{Student Leaders/New Professionals}
Orientation: The Buy-In Pays Off
Presented by: John Patsey, University of Colorado at Denver
This presentation will explore how academic advisors at the University of Colorado Denver annually present with limited resources new student orientation for over 2000 new students and guests. The presentation will address the process and components involved in planning, and presenting a new student orientation. We will discuss how we bring faculty, students, upper administration, and other academic and student service units together to provide new freshmen with a welcoming sense of community and shared purpose. {Professional Staff}
Engaging Ice Breakers
Presented by: Sara Fleenor, Laramie County Community College and Seth & Lisa Heinert, Cross Anchor Presentations
Group ice breakers are a challenging art to master. How do you keep the audience engaged and interacting the entire time? Participants will leave with a solid understanding of how to select ice breakers that work, as well as a few tactics they can instantly use. {Student Leaders}
Orientation to the Office
Presented by: Cara Fearneyhough, Laramie County Community College
Recognizing how to take the many skills you have learned in your time as an orientation leader and transfer them to the world of work. How icebreakers, campus tours and teambuilding can score you the job of your dreams. {Student Leaders}
The Cool Card Presented by: John Kindle, University of Wyoming
When high school students are seniors, they are too cool for school. Learn how to connect with each and every one of your orientation participants in a meaningful way so that everyone gets the most out of their orientation experience.
{Student Leaders}
