Have you ever craved time to develop an action plan for academic advising on your campus? Are you interested in an in-depth opportunity for an individual or campus team? You’re in luck! Summer 2023 the NACADA Summer Institute will be held in Madison, Wisconsin, June 23-30. I have been a part of the Summer Institute since 2016, when I had the privilege of attending in Norfolk, Virginia. This experience was truly transformational for me, personally and professionally, and I want to share the same opportunity with you. 

The Summer Institute is not your typical professional development opportunity or conference. Rather, it is an institute, and is designed for higher education professionals to come to learn and develop an action plan to bring back to their campus. The Summer Institute blends foundational and concurrent sessions, where participants learn about academic advising, with small work groups, lead by institute faculty, where each participant or team develops an action plan focused on academic advising. The action plan is chosen, developed, and directed by the participant or team, and is personalized to the needs of your campus. 

Faculty for the Summer Institute are professionals working in higher education and academic advising. They have experience attending the Summer Institute and implementing plans on their campuses. They have a wide range of knowledge to share, develop and present the content in the foundational and concurrent sessions, and lead work groups. 

Who should attend? Come as an individual, or bring a team from your institution. You can be a primary-role advisor, faculty advisor, advising administrator, vice president, provost, registrar, or other individual who works with students in an academic advising capacity. This event is perfect for newer and seasoned academic advisors. The institute is hard work, but also very rewarding. Past attendees have said more than once that this was the best professional development event they have ever attended. 

Concerned about funding? While the cost is not yet published for the event, you can apply for a NACADA Summer Institute scholarship (up to 4 are awarded annually) or a WACADA Professional Development grant. Be sure to watch the NACADA Next Week email updates for more information. Additionally, consider bringing a team from your institution, and applying for a grant or special funding.

by Ann Hintz, WACADA VP of Membership and NACADA Summer Institute Chair