Pre-Conference Sessions are an excellent opportunity to jumpstart your conference experience by engaging in focused, hands-on learning with colleagues across the field. These interactive sessions create space to explore timely topics in depth, exchange ideas, and walk away with practical tools and strategies to support your professional growth. 

Pre-Conference Sessions will be held on Sunday, November 1, 2026, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm at the Hyatt Regency Greenville. Attendees must be registered to attend the 2026 SACSA conference to participate. Pre-Conference Sessions are $20.00 to attend.

How to Register: Select your preferred pre-conference session during your conference registration. You will receive a separate invoice for pre-conference attendance. If you have already registered and would like to still sign up for a pre-conference session, please contact John Hovell and Jo Minns, Conference Registration Co-Chairs, at registration@sacsa.org for assistance

Pre-Conference Session #1: A Toolkit for Aspiring and Current Supervisors

Presented by: Myles Surrett and Kate Radford

Abstract

This pre‑conference session frames effective supervision as a learned and continually refined skill central to Student Affairs practice. Participants will explore holistic and intentional approaches that integrate supervisory philosophy with practical application across the employee lifecycle, from recruitment to role transitions. Attendees will examine effective hiring, onboarding, and developmental supervision strategies that promote employee success, growth, and advancement. Best practices for supporting staff through role transitions - including promotions, evolving responsibilities, and departures- will also be explored. Through interactive activities, discussion, and reflection, participants will gain tools to navigate difficult conversations, foster accountability, and supervise with clarity, empathy, and confidence.

About the Presenters

Kate Radford serves as the Executive Director of the Center for Student Leadership & Engagement at Clemson University. Over her 15-year career in Student Affairs, Kate has supervised student employees, graduate assistants, and professional staff on a variety of teams, and is deeply committed to staff development, mentoring, and cultivating employee success and growth. Kate’s professional experience centers around leadership development and student engagement, and her current portfolio includes the new student experience, community engagement, leadership development, student organizations, campus traditions, student programs, and retention and belonging initiatives. Kate is a proud graduate of Elon University with a Bachelor's degree in Music and Communications and Clemson University with a Master's of Education in Counselor Education (Student Affairs). She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Educational Leadership at Clemson. 

Myles Surrett serves as the Associate Vice President for Career, Experiential Learning, Transition, and Accessibility at James Madison University. Prior to working at JMU, Myles served at Clemson University and The George Washington University. He holds degrees from Furman University, GW, and Clemson. Through his doctoral experience and subsequent publications, Myles researched attrition and morale in student affairs extensively. Relevant to this session, Myles has also supervised in the field for almost 15 years. 

Pre-Conference Session #2: Finally Over It: Holding It All Together at the Mid-Level Bridge

Presented by: Briana Welsh and Whitney Caldwell

Abstract

This pre-conference session centers the lived realities of mid-level student affairs professionals as critical “bridges” within higher education, navigating competing expectations, limited preparation, and misaligned resources. Grounded in trauma‑informed leadership and lived experience, the session names often-unspoken challenges such as burnout, emotional labor, and sustaining oneself while supporting others. Using the Over It, Still Over It, and Finally Over It framework, participants learn to identify leadership “red flags” and apply practical tools for trauma‑informed supervision, sustainable staff care, and self‑reflection.

About the Presenters

Briana Welsh is an Assistant Director for Student Activities at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she advises the Carolina Union Activities Board and leads large-scale campus programming and student engagement initiatives. With 10 years of experience in higher education, her professional background spans student activities, housing and residence life, inclusive excellence education, bias response, and leadership development. She has a strong foundation in designing intentional learning experiences for both students and staff, centering equity, reflection, and community-building in her approach. Briana’s professional interests include trauma-informed leadership, staff development, and creating sustainable practices that support the well-being of mid-level professionals in student affairs. She is passionate about fostering environments where both students and staff can thrive and brings a candid, reflective, and practice-driven perspective to her work.

Whitney Caldwell is the Assistant Director for Fraternity and Sorority Life at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she advises across the fraternity and sorority life community, serving as a key bridge between councils. With more than eight years of experience in student affairs, Whitney brings a student-centered and development-focused approach to her work. In her role, Whitney takes a hands-on approach to advising and collaborating with Greek letter organizations, supporting leadership development, organizational growth, and community impact. Her work emphasizes building strong, values-driven communities and equipping student leaders with the tools needed to navigate complex organizational dynamics. Beyond her advising responsibilities, Whitney contributes to ongoing conversations in higher education around student leadership, organizational culture, and the role of mid-level professionals in shaping student experiences. Her work is grounded in a commitment to fostering meaningful engagement and supporting students in creating impactful and sustainable communities.

Pre-Conference Session #3: Stepping Into Senior Leadership: The AVP/AVC Transition Experience

Presented by: Lakiesa Cantey Rawlinson

Abstract

This pre-conference experience is designed for professionals who are either newly serving in Assistant Vice Chancellor (AVC) or Assistant Vice President (AVP) roles, or aspiring to step into these positions within student affairs. The session will begin by addressing the unique challenges associated with transitioning into the role, including navigating shifting expectations, redefining professional identity, and leading at a broader institutional level. It will also focus on what truly differentiates director-level leadership from senior-level executive leadership, offering a clear and practical foundation for success in this critical transition.

Participants will engage in facilitated discussions and applied learning experiences centered on the competencies required for effectiveness at the AVP/AVC level. Topics will include executive decision-making, organizational alignment, supervision at scale, managing institutional risk, leading through complexity, and translating vision into coordinated action across units. The experience emphasizes both mindset and skillset, helping participants understand how expectations evolve when moving from operational leadership to executive integration.

The workshop will be led by Dr. Lakiesa Cantey Rawlinson, alongside a group of faculty presenters who also serve in senior leadership roles at their respective institutions, bringing practical insight and real-world application to the learning experience.

This experience begins as a pre-conference session and continues beyond the conference through a structured six-month cohort model. Participants will remain engaged in a professional learning community designed to reinforce key concepts, provide ongoing mentorship, and support real-time application of strategies within their home institutions.

Participant Requirements:

Within the first 18 months of serving in an AVP/AVC role, or

Currently serving in a director-level (or equivalent) role with at least five years of professional experience

This extended cohort-based experience is ideal for professionals who are ready to deepen their leadership capacity, refine their executive presence, and operate with greater clarity and confidence at the senior leadership level.

About the Presenter:

Lakiesa Cantey Rawlinson, Ph.D. serves as the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students at University of West Georgia. Dr. Rawlinson has over 17 years of progressive leadership experience striving to make a difference in and outside the classroom, helping students achieve their goals and navigating challenges. Prior to working at West Georgia, Dr. Rawlinson worked at Georgia Gwinnett College, Clayton State University, and Kennesaw State University. She completed her Master’s degree  in Counselor Education and Student Affairs Administration from Clemson University and her Doctorate in Counseling and Student Personnel Services from the University of Georgia.