Proposal submission is closed.
Proposal submission for the 2025 conference will open summer 2025.
Possible Session Topics
- Improving and institutionalizing first-year seminars
- Using assessment to build better programs
- Researching the first college year
- Exploring first-year programs at community colleges
- Forging stronger partnerships between academic and student affairs
- Initiating and strengthening service-learning and community service initiatives
- Maintaining a commitment to a diverse student body
- Implementing vibrant learning communities
- Exploring student health issues
- Improving academic and career advising
- Encouraging critical thinking and holistic learning
- Incorporating active-learning strategies in the first-year classroom
- Expanding high-impact, first-year initiatives beyond the first semester
- Involving peer mentors in educational initiatives
- Designing and implementing common-reading programs
- Implementing early alert/early referral programs
- Exploring teaching tools and technology to enhance learning
- Developing partnerships with parents
- Bridging generational gaps
- Managing classroom and technology etiquette
- Improving faculty training and development
- Exploring the first year of postsecondary education in the international context
Session Types
Concurrent Sessions
These 60-minute sessions allow for 40 to 45 minutes of formal presentation and 15 to 20 minutes of discussion. This session type is best for those wishing to make formal presentations with questions and interaction. There are three types of concurrent sessions.
These sessions are appropriate for presentations of quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-method studies on first-year students' transition, learning, development, performance, retention, and other relevant issues.
Proposal Components
- Session Abstract to be used as the description for the session in the conference program, if accepted. (100-word limit)
- Detailed Description of the initiative and your rationale and purpose for adopting it. (300-word limit)
- Background and Rationale: Explain the background and rationale of the intentions of the research. (300-word limit)
- Research Design: Describe the methodology used for research to be presented. (250-word limit)
- Research Findings: Briefly describe the research findings and results that you will be sharing in the session. Preliminary findings should be included for studies in progress. (300-word limit)
- Implications of Research: Provide a summary of the implications of this research for practice, theory, and future research on issues regarding students in transition. (300-word limit)
Selection Criteria
- Relevance of topic to the First-Year Experience
- Potential contribution of the research findings
- Soundness of study design and analysis
- Reasonableness of interpretation and implications
These sessions are appropriate for presentations addressing and highlighting specific programs/initiatives that have been instituted, assessed, and shown to be successful on a particular campus.
Proposal Components
- Session Abstract to be used as the description for the session in the conference program, if accepted. (100-word limit)
- Detailed Description of the initiative and your rationale and purpose for adopting it. (300-word limit)
- Evidence of Assessment: Provide a brief description of assessment or evaluation of the initiative, including a description of the data collection methods, the sample, the analytical methods, and any documented outcomes. (250-word limit)
- Implications for Institutional Improvement or Advancement: Provide a brief summary of how the development, implementation, and assessment of this initiative advanced institutional programs or affected decisions made in the best interest of student learning, development, and success. (200-word limit)
Selection Criteria
- Relevance of topic to the First-Year Experience
- Appropriateness of initiative to institutional context
- Quality of the assessment design
- Implications for institutional improvement or advancement
These sessions are appropriate for presentations addressing emerging trends, current issues, and broad concepts. Examples include: college completion, characteristics and needs of special student populations, campus civility, global citizenship, teaching and learning, etc.
Proposal Components
- Session Abstract to be used as the description for the session in the conference program, if accepted. (100-word limit)
- Detailed Description of the initiative and your rationale and purpose for adopting it. (300-word limit)
- Summary of Relevant Literature: Provide a brief summary of how the current research or practice literature informs session content. (250-word limit)
- Implications/Applicability for Practice: Provide a summary of the effects and implications of this emerging issue and how it can inform practice or frame approaches to practice on college or university campuses, contribute to theory, and/or advance research in higher education and/or First-Year Experience and Students in Transition. (200-word limit)
Selection Criteria
- Relevance of topic to the First-Year Experience
- Command of literature base
- Importance of topic as a perennial/emerging trend or issue
- Implications/adaptability for practice
Facilitated Dialogues
These sessions are designed to promote open dialogue around a significant issue or theme. Rather than making a formal presentation, session facilitators will encourage and maintain substantive dialogue. Facilitated dialogues should not emphasize any one program or institutional initiative, but rather give all session attendees an opportunity to share ideas and learn from one another's experiences. This session type is best for those presenters wanting to share ideas and gain information from other conference participants in an open forum.
Proposal Components
- Session Abstract to be used as the description for the session in the conference program, if accepted. (100-word limit)
- Detailed Description of the initiative and your rationale and purpose for adopting it. (300-word limit)
- Learning Outcomes: List three to five desired learning outcomes for participants. (300-word limit)
Selection Criteria
- Relevance of topic to the First-Year Experience
- Appropriateness and potential value of learning outcomes
Vendor Presentations
These sessions provide vendors the opportunity to network with conference participants in a formal setting providing information on publications, products, or services. Presentations are scheduled in a 60-minute time slot during the conference. If selected, your company must register as a vendor in order to present.
Proposal Components
- Session Abstract to be used as the description for the session in the conference program, if accepted. (100-word limit)
- Detailed Description of the initiative and your rationale and purpose for adopting it. (300-word limit)
- Company Description: Submit a description about your company/organization or mission statement for inclusion in the program booklet. (50-word limit)
- Implications for Practice: Provide product or services history, potential for student success, and benefits to students in transition. (250-word limit)
Selection Criteria
- Relevance of topic to the First-Year Experience
- Implications/adaptability for practice