Success@UMass Weekly Development Sessions
Supporting the success of UMass students is everyone’s business. By working together within a shared framework of the learning and development processes, we aim to advance the academic, interpersonal and co-curricular skill development of our students as they progress through the student lifecycle. The Success@UMass Development Series is for everyone and anyone working in the realm of student success! Engage with Success@UMass through the following professional development opportunities:
Join us virtually on Fridays from 9:30 - 10:30am to discuss and learn on a variety of topics related to student success.
All sessions can be accessed through this Zoom link: https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/99313640000
Friday, September 15 – Navigate
Presented by Alesia Brennan & Carley Paleologopoulos
In this session focused on Navigate, we’ll be covering the newly enabled text message appointment reminders feature, communicating with students in Navigate, and a refresher on how to use advanced search.
View the presentation here. If you'd like to view the recording, please email carley.paleo@umass.edu for a copy.
Friday, September 22 – Student Success with IPO
Presented by Emily Ostenson and Summer Cable
This session focuses on supporting student success for international students and students embarking on a study abroad experience. Learn about how the International Student Services and Education Abroad units in the International Programs Office guide students through administrative steps to study at an international university. Topics will include strategic planning with UMass academic advisors, adaptation to new educational environments, and how to support students in crisis. We will invite attendees to share practices from their departments supporting overseas students.
View the presentation, recording, and additional resources!
Friday, September 29* - Title IX Training
Presented by Jules Purnell
Join Title IX Training Specialist Jules Purnell for an info session on the ins and outs of Title IX as well as the role of responsible reporting parties on campus, including academic advisors. Strategies will be discussed for how to navigate the reporting process in a trauma-informed manner, as well as options for adaptive/restorative resolutions.
*This session will take place from 10:00am-11:00am on Zoom
View the presentation, recording, and Title IX & EOA Brochure here!
Friday, October 6 – Accessibility: It Takes a Campus
Presented by AnnMarie Thorpe & Rachel Adams
This session facilitated by Disability Services will cover:
- Disability Services foundations- who we are and what we do
- Information on how to register for accommodations
- Common academic/ classroom access barriers
- Tips for navigating disclosure and referrals from a social-cultural framework
- Broader access needs considerations to help promote greater campus inclusion and belonging
- Ways advisors and Disability Services can collaborate to support student success
Friday, October 13 – SPIRE Class Registration
Presented by Trish Amaral
Registration for Spring 2024 begins on Monday, November 6—join us this week for a review of class registration in SPIRE, where class search and other features will be demonstrated, followed by a chance for participants to ask questions.
Friday, October 20 – Schedule Builder
Presented by Amy Grieger
Schedule Builder is a user-friendly tool within SPIRE for helping students explore course options and create their schedules. In this session, we’ll review the basics, share tips and strategies, and have plenty of time for questions. Whether you’re just starting to explore Schedule Builder or have struggled with how to narrow a big list of schedule options, this is the session for you! Come learn more about how to utilize this resource as we work with students during course registration.
Friday, October 27* – Supporting Student Wellness (Part 2)
Presented by Diane Fedorchak
This one-hour in-person advisor development session will explore the role of academic advisors in supporting students' health and wellbeing, which is an essential factor in their academic and personal success. Utilizing Motivational Interviewing principles and techniques, participants will build upon existing communication skills to have caring, compassionate, and connecting conversations with students. If you did not attend Part 1 in Spring 2023, you can review the session recording here!
*This session will be held in person, in Bartlett 203
Friday, November 17* - In-Person Activity
Hosted by Alesia Brennan & Carley Paleologopoulos
RSVPs are required this week--we will host a social opportunity, in-person. Details will be announced to folks who RSVP. Event will likely be from 10:00am - 11:30am.
Friday, December 1 – First Generation Student Support
Presented by Adam Ortiz & Christian Milian-Santiago
First-generation students are among the first in their families to go to college. They bring unique strengths and often face initial challenges associated with transitioning to university life. Academic advisors play a critical role in supporting first-generation students and helping them to maximize their potential at UMass. In this presentation, we will address the following:
- Data about first-generation students at UMass
- The challenges often facing first-generation students
- The importance of approaching first-generation students through an assets lens
- Specific strategies for supporting first-generation students
- Resources available to academic advisors and first-generation students
Friday, December 8* – Social & Semester Reflection Activity
Hosted by Alesia Brennan & Carley Paleologopoulos
Join us in person this week to spend some time connecting with colleagues in person and reflecting on the fall semester. We’ll provide some snacks, some reflection prompts, and a space to gather!
*This session will be held in person, in Bartlett 203
