So, what is FOSAS?

FOSAS is built around intentional engagement with professionals across experience levels. The summit brings together equal numbers of undergraduate and graduate students, emerging practitioners (1–4 years of full-time experience), and experienced professionals or faculty (4+ years of full-time experience). This balanced model creates meaningful dialogue, shared learning, and collaborative problem-solving across career stages.

Dr. Myles Surrett, Associate Vice President for Career, Experiential Learning, Transitions, and Accessibility at James Madison University, has led FOSAS at James Madison University for the past several years. He shared how the idea began three years ago:

“The idea for the Future of Student Affairs Summit (FOSAS) started in a classroom at James Madison University. I was sitting in a Future of Learning Course co-taught by my friend and colleague, Dr. Jonathan Stewart. Student Affairs was the client for the course that semester, as they were using design thinking to work on major university challenges. I was blown away by the process and its potential. It prompted me to think about how impactful this could be with a wide range of perspectives from student affairs professionals. Nested in my brain was also a faculty writing retreat that another friend and colleague, Dr. Michelle Boettcher, attended every year. The pacing of this retreat was deliberate. It was designed as a step away from daily rhythms and one that you could return to every year.”

He continued:

“With FOSAS, we attempted to marry the invigorating potential of design thinking with Michelle’s deliberate retreat model. We thought JMU’s campus in the mountains of Virginia would serve as a perfect backdrop. That has proven true for the past three years, and we’re proud of the learning experience we’ve been able to provide for professionals across the SACSA region.”

I also had the opportunity to speak with two previous participants about their experiences.

Molly Yonker

Molly is a second-year graduate student at Clemson University in the Student Affairs Program! She graduated from Central Michigan in 2024, where she was heavily involved (as most Student Affairs professionals are), specifically in the Volunteer Center. It was through her time working with Orientation and the Alternative Breaks Program that she found her love for Student Affairs. At Clemson, her assistantship is in the Center for Student Leadership & Engagement, where she has been able to continue working with community engagement initiatives and developing as a professional.

Charles Hawes

Charles is a Conduct Officer at Washington State University, recently of Clemson University, where he completed his M.Ed. He attended FOSAS while pursuing his degree and the summer after graduation as a facilitator.

When asked what motivated him to participate in FOSAS, Hawes shared:

“While we have so many conferences in our field, I feel like there are so few opportunities to really sit in the learning with others. This event focuses on providing not only the time for instruction, but also reflection and interpersonal connection, which often are cut for time in other pro devo settings.”

When reflecting on a particularly meaningful moment, Yonker shared:

“It was great to get to know Student Affairs practitioners in both a formal and informal setting! FOSAS provided several interactive sessions throughout the summit, including some more casual afternoon and evening events. Trivia was a blast after having a packed but fulfilling day of curriculum, and watching the sunset over the Blue Ridge Mountains on Skyline Drive was breathtaking. I'm sure both locations will have even more exciting social activities in store this upcoming year!”

When asked what he gained from participating in FOSAS, Hawes said:

“It really filled my cup for the work, as well as providing me with confidence in my strategies to approach the large, unwieldy, and sometimes impossible-seeming problems that are all over our field.”

Yonker also reflected on the summit’s personal and professional impact:

“I appreciated the different professional levels that were represented. Having attended as a graduate student, it was both interesting to hear about different challenges grads at other institutions were facing, but also comforting to know that we had overlap as well. Additionally, we participated in an activity that allowed each professional group to express things they'd like other levels to know about them, some misconceptions they encounter, and how they would like to be perceived, challenged, and supported by their professional counterparts. This was extremely insightful and gave space for participants to learn from others and share their own experiences.”

Lastly, both participants shared one piece of advice for incoming participants:

Yonker encouraged:

“Apply! This is a fantastic experience that I would encourage anyone to attend. If you can't go this year, try to go next year! I found FOSAS to be both informative and accessible. The individuals who facilitate the experience are top-notch. The participants, content that is taught, and overall growth that you will gain from attending make the Future of Student Affairs Summit one that you will not want to miss.”

Hawes added:

“I keep coming back every year I’m able. The fact that I’m willing to give a week of my summer speaks to how much I believe in the value of this experience.”

Overall, FOSAS is an incredible opportunity for professionals at every level to invest in themselves and in the field. When asked about his “why,” Dr. Surrett shared:

“Part of my purpose is to offer a different model of professional development for our field. We committed early on to leveraging existing institutional resources to make FOSAS as low-cost as possible. FOSAS has always only cost what it takes you to get here—we use campus resources to cover the rest. This opens possibilities for people throughout the region to access a powerful professional development experience, even if their institution can’t fully support it. That’s a key part of my ‘why,’ and I’m thrilled that the leadership at Mississippi State is expanding this opportunity this summer. Thanks to Drs. Regina Young Hyatt and Jeremy Baham for their support in making it possible.”

Looking ahead to FOSAS 2026, Dr. Surrett shared:

“The facilitation team truly brings FOSAS to life. We have an amazing group this summer, including returning facilitators Chloe Thompson, Dr. Rozana Carducci, Dr. Jonathan Stewart, Xavier Williams, Mandy Vitale, Allen Lollis, and Kate Radford. We’re also thrilled to welcome new facilitators this year: Trevis Belle, Carson Snider, Emily Teitelbaum, and Cat Novakovich.”

For more information, please contact Dr. Myles Surrett at fosas@sacsa.org. He serves as the SACSA point of contact and coordinates the facilitation team and planning process.

FOSAS 2026 Locations:

James Madison University: June 1–5 in Harrisonburg, Virginia

Mississippi State University: July 27–31 in Starkville, Mississippi