Register online • Download the Next Gen Application Form (PDF)

Download the Next Gen Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) here. (PDF)

The Next Generation Conference, simply referred to as Next Gen, will be held Saturday and Sunday, March 20-21, 2010 prior to the start of the ACPA Boston 2010 Convention.

Next Gen is a unique opportunity for approximately 100 undergraduates from across the nation to learn about careers in student affairs. Participants will meet and learn from current graduate students, graduate preparation program faculty, and seasoned student affairs professionals who work at a variety of colleges and universities across the country. This is a great way to explore the profession and gather information you need to plan your future.

The conference begins at noon Saturday and concludes early Sunday evening, just in time for the Convention's opening session. Sessions and highlights of this year's conference include:

• Welcome, Conference Overview, & Introductions
• Keynote Address from well-known person in higher education
• Opportunities to connect with ACPA Leadership
• Leadership through Service: Visions & Values of the Profession
• Current & Future Issues in Student Affairs
• Perspectives of Graduate Faculty and Current Graduate Students
• Graduate Preparation Program Displays
• Making the Transition: From Student Leader to Professional
• Interaction with the Convention Opening Speaker
• Participation in the Annual Convention Opening Session

The Next Generation Conference begins at noon on Saturday and concludes early Sunday evening, just in time for the Convention's opening event. Sessions and highlights of this year's conference include:

Saturday, March 20 (12-7 pm)
11:00 am - 12:30 pm Check-in/Registration

12:30-12:40 pm Welcome

12:40 - 1:00 pm Overview of Next Gen Conference

1:00 -1:45 pm Getting Started

1:45 - 2:00 pm ACPA - What's It All About?

2:00 - 3:00 pm Keynote: What Is This Field Called Student Affairs?

3:00 - 3:15 pm Break

3:15 - 4:00 pm Breakout Sessions
A) "What Am I Getting Into?" Self-assessment based on ACPA's competencies
B) "Is The Student Affairs Field A Fit For Me?"

4:00-4:50 pm Networking Skills / Developing Mentoring Relationships

5:00-6:30 pm Awards Banquet (Scholarship recipients should meet their sponsors at 4:50)

6:45-7:30 pm Travel to Boston University for dinner

7:30-9:30 pm Dinner & Small Group Work Things I've Always Wanted to Know (Questions for panel discussion)

Sunday, March 21 (8:30 am - 5 pm)
[Breakfast on your own]
8:00-8:30 am Making the most out of the ACPA Annual Convention (only for those staying through the entire ACPA Annual Convention)

8:30-9:15 am Overview of Day/MCPA Welcome

9:15-10:15 am Looking to the Future

10:15-11:00 am Breakout Sessions
A) Assuming New Roles: supervising, advising, mentoring, and leading
B) Making the Most Out of College Experiences

11:00 am-12:00 pm Small Group Discussions (10-12 groups; discussing pre-reading)

12:00-1:15 pm Lunch with Student Affairs Panel

1:15-2:15 pm Breakout Sessions
A) Making the most out of Graduate School (faculty panel)
B) Deciding on Student Affairs (student panel)

2:15-3:15 pm Breakout Sessions
A) Transitioning to Graduate School (student panel)
B) Grad School 101 - researching, selecting, applying, and deciding (faculty panel)

3:15-4:00 pm Tours
A) Career Central at Convention Tour
B) Graduate School Fair

4:00-4:15 pm Break

4:15-5:15 pm Conversation with John Quiñones (Opening Speaker)

5:15-5:45 pm Wrap-up & Evaluation

6:00-10:00 pm ACPA Annual Convention Opening Session & Reception

The cost to attend the Next Gen Conference is $100 USD if registration is postmarked by March 5, 2010. After March 5, 2010, the rate is $150 USD and accepted on space availability only.

The Annual Convention has created special rates for Next Gen participants who also stay and attend the Annual Convention. The registration rate for Next Gen and the convention is $ 200 USD if postmarked by March 5, 2010. After that date, the cost is $275 USD and accepted only if there is space availability at the Next Gen Conference.

All attendees of Next Gen are required to register for the conference. Registration includes: all conference sessions on March 20th and 21st; dinner on March 20th; lunch on March 21st; and admission to the Opening Session and Reception of the ACPA Annual Convention on Sunday, March 21st.

Scholarships for the 2010 Next Generation Conference are available to any participant who wishes to apply. Scholarships cover student registration and are sponsored by various ACPA Commissions, Standing Committees, and State/International Divisions. Applications must be completed and submitted by January 8, 2010.

Benefits:
• Scholarship of $100 (Next Generation Convention Registration) and/or $150 (ACPA Annual Convention Student Registration)

Qualified Applicants Must:
• Be a current full-time undergraduate student with an interest in pursuing a future career in Student Affairs.
• Be available to attend the Next Generation Convention on March 20-21, 2010.
• Submit a completed application by application deadline, January 8, 2010.
• Include one letter of recommendation from a student affairs professional.

Download Scholarship Application (pdf) here.

The hotels for the 2010 ACPA Boston Convention are the Marriott Copley Place and Sheraton Boston.

Roommate Matching Coming Soon! The Next Generation Planning Committee will provide a venue for conference attendees to find roommates for the conference in Boston (Massachusetts).

If you are even slightly entertaining the idea of going into student affairs, Next Generation is for you! The staff are enthusiastic and informative; you will come away with an incredible breadth of knowledge. Even if you know this is the field for you, resources are available to help you prepare for the transition. Seek out support for your attendance, and we'll hope to see you in Boston in 2010!

Colleen Hughbanks, Trinity University

The Next Generation Conference was a great eye-opening opportunity for me to learn more about student affairs. The other student participants made the weekend very easy to get through and showed me how other people like me are interested in the field. The faculty and staff members that led and directed the conference were extremely helpful; the wide array of information they provided me will be useful in my future and has certainly clarified some things about the student affairs profession.

Michael Noseh, Southern Vermont College

2009 was the first year that GW ever sent students to the Next Gen conference. It was an easy decision because of the location of this year's conference and I know that the students found the experience to be invaluable. We believe that one of our major roles at GW is to help our students find their passion and Next Gen helped over 10 of our students refine their future plans and goals. They were able to meet a range of professionals and an incredible sampling of the incredible undergraduate leaders from across the country. I would highly recommend that every institution put aside the funds to send at least one student to Next Gen every year to benefit the student, the institution, and the field of Higher Education.

Tim Miller, Executive Director, Student Activities, GWU

For lodging access needs, please inform the hotel when making your reservation. Please communicate all other accessibility needs to:

Deb Casey
Convention Access Coordinator
Dean of Student Services
Green River Community College
+1 253 833 3328
TTD: +1 253 288 3359
dcasey@greenriver.edu

Please contact: