As a first-time participant, Ms. Shontrea Hogans, an Assistant Director for Multicultural Student Engagement, attended the SACSA 2024 Conference in Charlotte, NC. While she is typically drawn to larger conferences, this was her first experience at a smaller, regional event. For her, it felt like a homecoming, offering a chance to reconnect with people she had met at the New Professional Institute (NPI). The conference provided a sense of community within her field, and SACSA marked the first time she felt truly at home, rather than just “a small fish in a big pond.”

It was also her first opportunity to both attend and present, which highlighted SACSA's commitment to fostering learning and giving everyone—regardless of their experience level—an opportunity to showcase their work. Throughout the event, Ms. Hogans appreciated the diverse range of topics explored, from self-care to student support and crisis management. There wasn't a single session block she missed, and she left the conference feeling professionally enriched and inspired.

Mr. Marc H. Shook, the president of NPI, was the one who first introduced Ms. Hogans to SACSA. Then, two professionals who attended NPI with her invited her to collaborate on a presentation proposal. Though she wasn't certain it would be accepted, once it was, she began preparing for the conference. It was a combination of the encouragement from NPI and the professionals who pushed her to submit the proposal with them that set things in motion. When she saw how many NPI participants would also be attending, she knew she had to join them and reconnect with her community.

The NPI community is a key reason why Ms. Hogans plans to return to the conference in the future. She credits the NPI experience for allowing her to connect with influential figures (giants) in the field and continue learning from them, whether in a relaxed setting or through informal conversations at the SACSA social. For her, attending presentations by the NPI faculty is truly iconic, and the relationships she's building both within her region and across state lines are part of what motivates her to keep coming back to the conference in the years ahead.

A key takeaway for Ms. Hogans from the conference was the importance of building relationships with colleagues in the field and recognizing that no matter how long you've been in the profession, it's always a space for growth, innovation, and creativity. She also noted the value of being surrounded by like-minded individuals who are dedicated to doing meaningful work and inspiring others to do the same. Additionally, presenting her own work, particularly the progress she's making with the mentoring program at her institution, gave her a sense of pride and perspective on the impact of her contributions. For her, the experience of conversing with others and presenting reinforced the significance of her work. For Ms. Hogans, the conference far exceeded her expectations and left her truly impressed. She walked away with a completely different perspective than when she arrived. She was amazed by the quality of the event, the ease with which people networked and connected—even with those they didn't know—and the intentionality behind every interaction.

Ms. Hogans' advice to first-time attendees is to approach the conference with the mindset that “you get out of the conference what you put into it.” She emphasizes the importance of engaging with new people, sharing resources, and embracing the chance to build relationships that will support you in the long run. She credits the valuable connections she's made, which have blossomed into strong working relationships—ones she can rely on whenever she faces challenges.

We would like to express our gratitude to Ms. Hogans for her valuable contributions and initiatives in the field. Your efforts are deeply appreciated and recognized. We look forward to seeing you at our next conference in Louisville, KY.