“Best Of” Showcase

Thursday, September 4, 2025 @ 3 p.m. ET (US)

Have you ever thought to yourself…”well they don’t LOOK disabled?!”  Joint this interactive session to learn about non-apparent disabilities, explore how you may be perpetuating ableism, and create a plan for a more inclusive community in your own Residence hall!  By the end of this session, you should expect to be able to define ableism, identify types of non-apparent disabilities, and understand how ableism is perpetuated by systems and individuals.  You will leave this session with at least one action item you can take to create a more inclusive community for individuals with non-apparent disabilities.

Learning outcomes:

• By the end of this session, you should expect to be able to define ableism, identify different types of non-apparent disabilities, and understand how ableism is perpetuated by systems and individuals.
• You will leave this session with at least one action item you can take to create a more inclusive community for individuals with non-apparent disabilities.

Register here

Tuesday, September 9, 2025 @ 12 p.m. ET (US)

In today’s fast-paced and collaborative work environments, the tendency to “people please” often goes unnoticed. While it may initially seem like a positive trait—building relationships and maintaining harmony—people pleasing can undermine personal well-being, professional development, and even workplace productivity.  This presentation explores the psychological and social dynamics behind people pleasing in the workplace. It delves into how employees may compromise their own boundaries, workloads, and aspirations in an effort to gain approval or avoid conflict. Attendees will learn how these behaviors, while well-intentioned, can lead to burnout, missed opportunities, and strained team dynamics.

Learning outcomes:

• Insights into the root causes of people-pleasing tendencies.
• A framework for recognizing and overcoming these behaviors.
• Strategies for setting healthy boundaries and advocating for their own needs.
• Practical tools to foster self-confidence while maintaining positive workplace relationships.

Register here

Tuesday, September 9, 2025 @ 3 p.m. ET (US)

Supervising Generation Z requires understanding their unique characteristics, values, and expectations. The presenter will discuss accountability, relatability and supervision of entry level and graduate student staff. Presenter will provide strategies on how to develop, lead and manage a team of newly minted staff towards progress and excellence. Recognizing that the field is hiring staff with varying degrees this presentation will discuss how to amplify transferable skills for the success of staff.

Learning outcomes:

• Attendees will develop an understanding of the traits and values of Gen Z, such as their digital nativeness, desire for authenticity, and value of diversity and inclusion.
• Attendees will learn to identify opportunities for career development and provide resources and support for Gen Z employees to advance their skills and careers.
• Attendees will learn to align work assignments with Gen Z employees’ values and interests, making their work feel meaningful and impactful.

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Tuesday, September 16, 2025 @ 3 p.m. ET (US)

Breaking the Iceberg: Gamification for Residence Life Engagement” utilizes a Titanic-themed gamification framework to examine innovative strategies for enhancing student engagement in programming while fostering meaningful connections within student communities. Participants will receive a 1912-era “Titanic Boarding Pass” and embark on an interactive journey, collecting stamps by completing immersive tasks such as lifeboat drills, trivia challenges in the First-Class Lounge, and an iceberg alert escape-room activity. Each activity is meticulously designed to promote teamwork, inclusivity, and problem-solving, providing participants with actionable strategies to build stronger, more connected communities. The session will further explore how anticipating challenges aligns with effective problem-solving in-residence life. It will explore how gamification inspires teamwork and preparedness among staff and students and utilize the Titanic’s three-class system as a metaphor for creating inclusive and engaging experiences for diverse groups in residence life.

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September 19, 2025 @ 12 p.m. ET (US)

Improv games can be effective in bringing your student staff out of their shells and boosting collaboration between your team members. Improv is a form of theater where the story is being made up in the moment by the actors. The “actors” (aka student staff) are tasked with working together to build the story in the moment. We will review different interactive improv games and explain how you can use them with your student staff. We will practice an improv game (virtually!) and explain how to make them relevant for the work that our students are doing as residence life leaders. Finally, we will spend time discussing how you can infuse your special interests into the work that we do!

Learning outcomes:

• Participants will be able to facilitate engaging improv games that challenge their student staff to collaborate effectively.
• Participants will be able to articulate how these activities are tied to residence life and the work being done by their student staff.
• Participants will be able to participate in discussion around their special interests and how they can utilize them to boost collaboration.

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September 23, 2025 @ 3 p.m. ET (US)

This session is designed to provide effective and inclusive icebreakers tailored for introverts. This session will feature 10 icebreakers tailored to introverts, persons experiencing limited mobility, or persons experiencing social anxiety. Each participant will receive a link to the PowerPoint which includes 20 icebreakers, directions on how to facilitate them, and explanations of their suitability for different audiences.

Learning outcomes:

• Participants will learn effective icebreaker activities specifically designed for introverts, enabling them to foster a more inclusive and engaging environment in their programs.
• Attendees will gain practical skills in facilitating group activities that cater to diverse personality types, ensuring all participants feel comfortable and included.

Register here

September 25, 2025 @ 3 p.m. ET (US)

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