SALT Annual Conference

We are thrilled to have Provost Jackson open our 2024 SALT Conference! His biography is featured below.

Ethics of the Masters: A toolkit for fighting the cash-cow mentality | Golkin Room

Molly Sinderband, Master of Bioethics, Associate Director – Dept. of Medical Ethics and Health Policy

There is a trend in higher education to use master’s programs as revenue sources—students tend to pay more, take less time, and require fewer services than undergraduate or doctoral students. The worry is that master’s degrees can be exploitative if they exist to generate revenue. As student affairs professionals, how do we push back and make sure the student is at the center, given that we might not be part of strategic planning? This session will present admissions, policy, and advising practices from the Master of Bioethics program while encouraging participants to discuss the ethical issues they see in master’s education and strategies to address them. It is relevant for master’s students, those working in master’s programs, and anyone who enjoys discussing higher education ethics.

Identifying and Communicating Boundaries with Students | Class of ‘49

Facilitators:

Pablo Cerdera, Associate Director – Restorative Practices @ Penn

Imani Hester, Training and Partnerships Specialist – Restorative Practices @ Penn

Jenn Mirel, Facilitations Specialist – Restorative Practices @ Penn

Students ask a lot of us, especially when they are feeling stressed or in crisis. This session will be an opportunity to learn with RP@P about how to identify your own boundaries as a professional and how to communicate these effectively and compassionately with the students you work with. Participants will have the opportunity to get both theoretical and hands-on practice with communication and reflection skills. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so come work on your capacity to recognize and communicate your needs so you can be the most effective support to your students.

Tightrope Walking: Balancing Work and Personal Views Amidst Complex Issues on Campus | Bodek Lounge

Moderator: Karu Kozuma, Ed.D, Vice Provost for University Life

Panelists:

Katie Bonner, Executive Director – Office of Student Affairs

Dani Crowl, Deputy Director – Center for Community Standards and Accountability

Dr. Brian Petersen, Lecturer – Department of Africana Studies + Director – Makuu Black Cultural Center

Campus life often presents challenges that tug at our roles and personal beliefs. Navigating these issues can be complicated, especially when our viewpoints clash with our responsibilities. This panel offers a space to reflect on such conflicts, renew support for one another, and restore productive critical conversations. Whether it’s balancing personal values with professional duties or grappling with divisive issues, join us in navigating the complexities of our roles on campus.

Transformative Coaching: Leveraging Curiosity and Care to Empower Students | Ben Franklin Room

Facilitators:

Dr. Sharon Fleshman, Senior Associate Director – Nursing, Education, and SP2 in Career Services

Dr. Esther Ra, Associate Director – Nursing, Education, and SP2 in Career Services

Ms. Jackie Moriniere, Senior Associate Director of Employer Relations in Career Services

Coaching can be a framework for student affairs professionals to leverage curiosity and care to empower students and colleagues alike. The workshop presenters will discuss the value of coaching for empowerment and ways to apply it in student affairs. This session will include a breakout session with a case study that will allow participants to practice coaching techniques. There will be an opportunity for questions and answers at the end of the session.

Falling In-Between: Asian Students’ Struggle for Belonging at Penn | Bodek Lounge

Mei Long, Director – PAACH

Daniel Hoddinott, Associate Director – PAACH

Sara Mangat, Associate Director – Wharton Communication Program (Undergraduate)

Utsav Schurmans, Director – Research and Scholar Program, Wharton Undergraduate Division

Asian students often face challenges in achieving a sense of belonging and navigating their long-term professional development post-graduation. This session will delve into the findings of the Wharton Undergraduate Division’s Asian American Student Experience Committee, PAACH’s work with supporting AAPI students, and relevant research on AAPI belonging and career development in the U.S. Participants will share their own experiences and gain insights into the common challenges encountered by Asian students, as well as the unique obstacles faced by individuals from diverse Asian backgrounds. Participants will leave with and contribute to actionable strategies to enhance Asian and Asian American student’s experiences at Penn.

[SCHEDULE CHANGE] Atomic Habits | Class of ‘49

Julie Millisky, Associate Director, Penn Violence Prevention

Learn how to identify negative and positive habits in your routine as well as creative strategies to stay on track with your goals. Based on the bestselling book by James Clear, this workshop will show participants how seemingly small changes lead to big impact.

Staying Engaged: Strategies for Student Retention in an Online Learning Environment | Ben Franklin Room

Sunny Lin, Student Affairs Coordinator – MCIT, Penn Engineering

Kristopher Elmer, Academic Advisor – MCIT, Penn Engineering

Adrienne Yoder, Academic Advisor and Advising Manager – MCIT, Penn Engineering

Due to the uniqueness of student populations in an online learning environment, the challenges faced in student retention have called for crucial efforts to implement proactive support systems. These trends indicate underlying issues that require proactive and multifaceted solutions. This proposal outlines strategies and initiatives to address these challenges, emphasizing early semester interventions, proactive outreach efforts, and weekly performance management. The proactive supportive system is designed to ensure students receive supportive guidance and assistance before the issues become insurmountable.

Working Together to Support Online Students | Golkin Room

Q Quaye, Online Student Services Coordinator – Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Innovation

1 in 10 students at the University of Pennsylvania are enrolled in fully online degree programs, and these students have unique support needs. To ensure that online students have access to the resources necessary to succeed during their education, student affairs administrators must plan strategically to include online students. This session will be focused on exploring the Penn online student experience, the support needs they face, and how online degree programs and central student services offices can work together to create a seamless process for the provision of online student services. This session will also highlight resources the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Innovation (CETLI) offers to support online program teams in providing support for their students.

Professional Development Fair | Hall of Flags

The Professional Development Fair will offer a rich environment for career growth exploration, networking, and skill-building in diverse areas of student affairs and higher education. Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights and connections that can significantly enhance their professional journey. The Fair will feature several Penn schools showcasing degree-granting programs, campus departments offering engagement opportunities, and professional organizations highlighting their memberships.

Fair Participants:

• ASCA – Association for Student Conduct Administration

  • The Association for Student Conduct Administration (ASCA) is the leading voice for student conduct in higher education. ASCA and its members are dedicated to upholding the integrity of the student conduct process, resulting in the ability to build safer educational communities and positively impact the higher education experience.

• ACPA – College Student Educators International

  • ACPA – College Student Educators International, is one of the leading comprehensive academic affairs and student affairs associations in the world. Values-driven and volunteer-led, we are known for our intellectually rigorous professional development programs and partnerships with leading faculty to bring the most emergent research on college students and impactful practices to our membership. Our scholarship and practice-focused Commissions center discipline-specific opportunities, while Coalitions, Networks, and Communities of Practice offer folks space to engage through identity and experience-based lenses. Launched in 2016, our Strategic Imperative for Racial Justice and Decolonization guides our work, providing frameworks and applied examples for moving the profession toward a more just future. Come learn more about ACPA and enter to win a grab bag of giveaways for our 2025 Convention in Long Beach, California!

• College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS)

  • The College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS) at the University of Pennsylvania offers transformative educational experiences for students seeking new paths and possibilities. Each of our certificate, degree, and non-degree programs draws on Penn’s wealth of academic resources and global connections to help you reach your goals. Visit us online at https://www.lps.upenn.edu/ to learn more about our graduate and pre- professional programs.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

  • Mental health support is provided through the Penn Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and the behavioral health component of your health plan. All benefits-eligible faculty, staff, and postdocs have 24/7 access to trained clinicians through the EAP. EAP intake and in-network counseling are free for you and your eligible family members — including in-person, telehealth, and chat support. The Mindwell at Penn webpage provides an overview of support resources.

• Human Resources

  • Talent Development classes and programs. Brown bags, STEP-UP, PCN, EOM, AMP-UP, L@P, Tuition Benefits, PSLF.

• NASPA – Students Affairs Administrators in Higher Education

  • At Region II, we are dedicated to promoting the vocation of student affairs within our region and beyond by providing opportunities for professional development and training. We offer a regional annual conference each June, and other signature programs such as the Mid-Managers Institute, Careers in Student Affairs Month Programming, and other year-round webinars and networking opportunities.

• Ombuds Office

  • The Ombuds Office is a confidential, off the record resource for faculty, staff and students. Our purpose is to assist with the management of conflicts, resolution of disputes, and problem solving in relation to obstacles hindering a person’s full and successful participation as a member of the Penn community.

• Penn Career Services

  • Career Champions: Penn Career Services welcomes faculty and staff across campus to join our Career Champions Initiative. Being a career champion on campus means supporting students, postdocs, and alumni in any aspect of their professional and career development. Not everyone comes to Career Services for career advice, and we value our campus partners who share their perspectives and experiences to support the populations of students, postdocs, and alumni that we all serve in different ways. This initiative empowers you to make a direct impact on the success of our diverse community in unique and meaningful ways that align with your role at Penn.

    By participating in the Career Champions Initiative, you’ll become an integral part of our campus network, gaining access to resources, career programming highlights, and event updates that you can share with the populations you serve at Penn, enriching their professional and career journeys.

    You will also pick up career advice and resources that staff/faculty can use as well as you think about your own professional and career development. At this session, we can share more information about the initiative, and how you can receive our quarterly newsletter. We would also love to hear about the different ways that professional and career development are part of your experience at Penn as a staff member. And don’t forget, you will want to get your free professional headshot taken in our photo-booth!

• Penn Carey Law Master in Law Program

  • A world leader in legal education, the Penn Carey Law Master in Law (ML) Program provides a specialized curriculum and expertise in the legal issues that intersect with your professional or academic pursuits as a non-lawyer. Explore and understand how the U.S. legal system functions, focusing on the law in your area of interest. Advance your skillset around your current schedule. The flexible nature of the degree enables you to design unique and individualized study plans with convenient, relevant, and engaging evening courses. As Penn Faculty & Staff, The Master in Law (ML) Program offers you three ways to engage at Penn Carey Law: The ML degree program, the Certificate in Law program, and by experiencing ad-hoc coursework.

• Penn GSE Admissions and Financial Aid

  • At Penn GSE, students and faculty enjoy an Ivy League environment that supports both practical knowledge building and high-quality research. Our alumni are recognized as some of the world’s most influential education leaders, and our distinguished professors are pacesetters in their fields.

    Whether you want to become a teacher, advance your career in educational leadership, work in higher education administration, become a school counselor, work in education policy, study literacy or linguistics, teach English to speakers of other languages, apply entrepreneurial ideas in education, become a college president, improve your understanding of adult learning in medical and corporate fields, study human development, innovate with educational technologies, conduct statistical analysis, or study the sociological and political foundations of education, Penn GSE has a program for you.

• Penn SP2 Admissions

  • 5 degree programs (Master in Social Work, Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership, Master of Science in Social Policy, PhD in Social Welfare, Doctorate in Clinical Social Work.

• Penn Violence Prevention

  • Anti Violence Advocates (AVA) training is designed to educate Penn staff and faculty on the dynamics of relationship violence, sexual harassment, sexual violence, and stalking, and the resources available on campus, to better advise and support students. The training will include interactive sessions and presenters from campus resources. AVA intends to provide foundational knowledge about violence, build a supportive community, and collectively shift how we think about violence and harm.

• PPSA (Penn Professional Staff Assembly)

  • The Penn Professional Staff Assembly (PPSA) is a volunteer organization comprised of monthly-paid staff members whose positions enhance, facilitate, and serve the teaching, research, and service missions of the University of Pennsylvania. We are dedicated to serving the monthly paid staff* community at the University of Pennsylvania and providing a forum through which staff can engage in dialogue about issues facing the University and higher education. Our commitment is reflected in a multifaceted approach that includes facilitating relevant workshops, promoting University-wide initiatives, and organizing networking opportunities throughout the year. PPSA hosts a variety of workshops and programs throughout the year, ensuring that staff stays abreast of relevant developments and emerging trends. We actively promote University-wide initiatives, reflecting our dedication to fostering a thriving work environment. Networking opportunities are a cornerstone of our approach, creating spaces for meaningful connections and professional growth.

• Restorative Practices @ Penn

  • Restorative Practices @ Penn (RP@P) works with students, staff, and faculty at the University of Pennsylvania to promote healing, accountability, and community building. The work of Restorative Practices (RP) is informed by values and principles which emphasize the importance of involving those most affected in any given situation, the inherent worth of all individuals, and our interconnectedness. Drawing from a diverse web of roots, including practices of various Indigenous peoples of North America, Australia, and New Zealand RP@P works to promote right relationships between people. We are inspired by Indigenous models of relationality, reciprocity, and mutual obligation and seek to apply these in practices of RP.

• Warrior Canine Connection

  • Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) is a nonprofit that breeds, trains and places service dogs with disabled Veterans. Founded in 2011, WCC also provides an Animal Assisted Therapy program in which Veterans learn how to train service dogs for fellow Warriors. In doing so, Veterans receive therapeutic benefit through reduced stress, improved concentration and executive functioning, reduced irritability, and social reintegration.

    WCC’s work has been the focus of $7M of federal research and incorporated into PTSD/TBI treatment programs at VA and DoD hospitals. In 2020, WCC and the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine first began working to create a collaboration, bringing MBTR programming to the campus in support of Veteran area residents, students, staff and patients served through the vast PA medical system. This partnership between U Penn and WCC provides a tremendous opportunity to support thousands of Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey Veterans.

• Wellness at Penn/Student Health and Counseling

  • Tabling event to promote Wellness at Penn and the “i care” training, a training for students, faculty, and staff that builds a caring community with the skills and resources to intervene when someone is dealing with stress, distress, and crisis.

Fostering Authenticity in the Workplace and Beyond | Bodek Lounge

Malik Muhammad, Director of Inclusion Initiatives and Social Justice Education

Bringing your full authentic self to work can often times be an ongoing challenge. In a world where we are encouraged to live dual lives in the guise of professionalism, our multi-layered identities can feel stifled in the workplace which contributes to a lack of belonging. Codeswitching, imposter syndrome, and impeded self-disclosure permeate the work force. As we see our work environments continuously shift, it is crucial to foster spaces that embrace the holistic experience of who we are as individuals. Join Malik Muhammad, Director of Inclusion Initiatives and Social Justice Education, as he leads a facilitated dialogue to explore the barriers and opportunities to being fully uplifted in the workplace and beyond.

Introduction to Neurodiversity | Class of ‘49

Emmett Binkowski, Disability Specialist – Weingarten Center

What is neurodiversity? What does it mean to be neurodivergent? This session will provide an introduction to these terms, with a focus on neurodivergent identity as an aspect of campus diversity. We will discuss strategies for engaging neurodivergent students and recognizing neurodiversity in the workplace.

Prioritizing Care in the Workplace | Ben Franklin Room

Christina Rodriguez, Associate Director – Family Resource Center

Emmanuella Nwabufo, Coordinator – Family Resource Center

We find ourselves in a time where saying “good,” “fine,” or “alright” is the default when asked “how are you.” Has this turned the genuine question into a mere social script, a ritual we’ve accepted as the norm? Are you interested in shaking the paradigm of busyness to turn off autopilot? Cultivating an atmosphere of care is an intentional act; it involves consciousness in approach, being present during exchanges with co-workers and colleagues, and mindfulness in how we manage ourselves. Join us for a session that takes reflections to tangible next steps for shifting your state of mind and environment.

Radical Self-Care | Golkin Room

André Douglas, Program Manager – Wharton-AltFinance Institute

In this session, practitioners will learn the differences between self-care and radical self-care. We will dive into why both are needed and also explore a few radical self-care strategies and practice a couple. At the end of the session, each person will develop a plan with an accountability partner to ensure they follow through on their practices.

Empowering Canvas-Driven Success: Strategies for Student Retention and Achievement | Golkin Room

Jordan Cox, Academic Advisor – Penn Engineering Online

Tracy Staedule, Senior Academic Advisor – Penn Engineering Online

Holistic support from the beginning to the end of a student’s educational journey helps us as Student Affairs professionals achieve the ultimate goal of student retention and success, so how do we achieve this for our online student populations?

In our online graduate programs at Penn Engineering, we use an approach that involves equipping students with a comprehensive toolkit in Canvas, a widely used platform that is essential to the success of our online student population. Canvas facilitates the creation of both an Onboarding Course for new students and a Graduation Course for those completing their studies for over five different student populations. We have also worked out a model through Canvas to create our course with the “Parent-Child” model to minimize administrative burdens. Our courses were inspired by our Student Affairs peers at Penn, so we would love to have this be another opportunity to come together and share successes and effective strategies to prepare all of our students for success before their first semester begins and all the way through to graduation.

The Intercultural Development Inventory: What is it and how can it be used in higher education? | Class of ‘49

Sarvelia Peralta-Duran, Associate Director – Huntsman Program in International Studies & Business

Utsav Schurmans, Director – Research and Scholar Programs at Wharton Undergraduate Division

In this session, the presenters will share the process they followed to become Qualified Administrators for the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI). The IDI is an assessment that measures individuals’ and groups’ placement along the Intercultural Development Continuum (IDC). The presenters will share a brief overview of the IDI, their own experience with the IDI tool, describe the process involved in becoming Qualified Administrators, and share their ideas on the applicability of the IDI in higher education settings. This session will be conversational, open to questions from the participants and will also include a brainstorming session on possible IDI uses.

Introduction to the Undergraduate Emergency & Opportunity Fund | Ben Franklin Room

Sadia Abarry, Senior Financial Aid Counselor – Student Financial Aid

William Wright-El, Associate Director of Access and Retention and Case Management – Student Intervention Services

Enmanuel Martinez, Associate Director for Scholarly and Professional Development -Penn First Plus

Jodi Wagner, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Aid – Student Financial Aid

We invite you to participate in an interactive session led by members of Penn’s undergraduate Emergency and Opportunity Funding Committee. This engaging opportunity offers an overview of E&O Funding’s objectives, structural framework, and influential role within our university community. Attendees will gain a thorough understanding of this vital program, including insights into the collaborative partnerships and essential resources that underpin its operations. By the conclusion of the session, participants will be well-equipped to help students navigate the landscape of E&O Funding at Penn with confidence and proficiency. We eagerly anticipate your presence and active engagement in this enlightening discussion.

University Finances 101 – The Business of Penn | Bodek Lounge

Paul Richards, Director of Finance Administration & Communications

Mark Dingfield, Vice President of Finance and Treasurer

You’ve probably heard about Penn’s $21.0 billion endowment, but have you ever wondered how it works? You’re likely familiar with the tuition and fees students pay each semester, but did you know that only accounts for about 9% of Penn’s revenue in any given year? There’s a lot you may not know about Penn’s revenues and expenses! Join Penn’s Vice President for Finance and Treasurer for an overview of Penn’s finances. No financial experience required–this presentation is accessible for all backgrounds.