Saturday, June 7

This poster presentation highlights nearly a decade of experiential learning for nursing students at the University of New Brunswick, through partnerships with the Student Health Centre and Student Services. These collaborations have provided real-world experiences in health promotion, mental health, and primary care, enhancing clinical and interpersonal skills. The presentation will reflect on outcomes, lessons learned, and the importance of interdisciplinary partnerships for our future.

Terry-Lynne King is a nurse practitioner with 20 years experience working within student affairs and services, specifically student health at UNB, Saint John campus. She has dedicated her professional career not only in helping students who are seeking primary health care but also supporting baccalaureate and master’s prepared student learners in experiential learning in nursing. Terry-Lynne has been a member of AACUSS since 2005 and is a proud recipient of the Dr. Richard Papenhausen award for new professionals in 2008. Her mantra for living life is "Be the change you wish to see in the world." – Mahatma Ghandi

Autistic university students face unique challenges in higher education, these challenges stem from differences in communication styles, sensory sensitivities, and systemic stigma, contributing to adverse mental health outcomes and higher dropout rates. For this study, 20 self-identified autistic students will be recruited and assigned to participate in group music therapy  or be included in a no-intervention control group. Participants will complete questionnaires and interviews.

Erin Norris has a Bachelor of Music Therapy degree (2018) and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree (2020) both from Acadia University. Originally from Grimsby, ON, Erin is currently completing their Masters of Applied Health Services Research at Saint Mary’s University.

STEMM has a diversity problem, limiting belonging & cognitive innovation. The DSSLP addresses the leaky pipeline of underrepresented minority students through unique courses fostering community & mentorship. Using equity metrics developed with the UN Women-in-STEM Ambassador, a Likert survey showed significant gains in Academic Belongingness & Knowledge of the Hidden Curriculum. While meta-analysis with results from Dalhousie's Student Transition Survey showed improved Student-Faculty Dynamics

Eshan Arora is a first-year medical student and the President of Dalhousie Medical School's Class of 2028. Eshan is the Program Lead of the Dalhousie Science Scholars & Leaders Program (DSSLP) and Founder of the DSSL-Society—working to improve leadership skills, sense of belonging, and knowledge of the hidden curriculum for underrepresented minority students in STEMM within post-secondary education. Eshan is also the Student Representative on Dalhousie's Board of Governors & Senate and is a passionate advocate for individuals with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities.

Higher education in Atlantic Canada has long focused on on-campus, full-time students, but as institutions serve more adult and online learners, student services must evolve. This session explores Yorkville University’s disruptive model—fully online, flexible, and career-focused—to offer innovative strategies for engagement, retention, and support. Through discussions and case studies, participants will gain practical tools to rethink student services for the next era of higher education.

Presenter

• Samantha Friesen, Program Advisor, Yorkville University

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Using a community-based research-to-action approach, the Saint Mary’s University Sexual Violence Support Centre collaborated with Athletics to implement a Gender Based Violence Prevention Program. This session will provide an overview of the participatory development process, including a summary of literature on educational responses to campus sexual violence. Highlights and achievements of the Athletics Ambassador Program will be shared, along with strategies for successful collaboration across difference.

Presenter

• Dee Dooley, Sexual Violence Advisor, Saint Mary's University

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Neurodivergent students continue to experience less success at the postsecondary level. This workshop offers an overview of systemic gaps and possible solutions for the next era of student services. We will demonstrate how students with ADHD, ASD and Learning Disabilities would benefit from tailored accommodations and specialized academic coaching. Participants will be given case scenarios and asked to create personalized plans that include the strengths and challenges of each student.

Presenters

• Keith Gelhorn, Owner & Coach, ADDvocacy Learning Strategies
• Day MacKay

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This presentation will focus on how to create dynamic, engaging, and culturally meaningful events that go beyond logistics to provide impactful experiences.

Key Takeaways: Using Black Joy as a foundation to explain how incorporating Black culture and community experiences can help create vibrant and memorable events. This presentation aligns with the conference’s focus on student engagement, buy providing practical strategies for institutions to create impactful programming/events.

Presenter

• Matthew Thomas, Advisor, Dalhousie University

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Led by thought leaders in student services, reflects on 50 years of professional development, skills and strategies, and lessons learned in Atlantic Canada. Speakers will explore emerging trends shaping the next era of student support. A focus on students and student services practitioners’ diverse backgrounds and needs that are moving the field forward will be explored. Attendees will gain historical insights and approaches to adapt to evolving student communities and institutional priorities.

Presenters

• Dr. Donna Hardy Cox, Professor, Social Work and Education, Memorial University
• Dr. Christine Arnold, Associate Professor, Adult/Education/Post-Secondary Studies Program, Memorial University

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Over 25 years ago John Gardner and his colleagues (Gilbert et al., 1997) published a monograph describing FYE programs across Canada. We have conducted a new national survey of First Year Experience and Students In Transition programming in Canada, as well as collected descriptions from student affairs professionals on best practice programs (e.g., Indigenous, Black, 2SLGBTQIA+ programming). We will explore the innovative (and inclusive) nature of these programs and likely changes coming to institutions in the next decade.

Presenters

• Steven Smith, Professor of Psychology, Saint Mary's University
• Tom Brophy, Associate Vice President, Student Affairs and Services, Saint Mary's University
• Adam Daniels, Strategic Project Manager, Office of Student Experience, Acadia University
• Amy McEvoy, Manager, Student Success Centre, Saint Mary's University

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This workshop will delve into Dalhousie University's Student Leadership Program and the Emerging Leaders Staff Program, showcasing their innovative approaches to developing leadership skills among students and staff. Participants will engage in discussions to understand the objectives, key takeaways, and the impact of these programs on the university community. The workshop will provide practical insights into fostering leadership, engagement, and professional growth.

Presenters

• Quenta Adams, Assistant Vice-Provost, Student Engagement and Success, Dalhousie University
• Melissa MacKay, Assistant Vice-Provost, Campus Living and Student Wellbeing, Dalhousie University

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Data from the Canadian University Survey Consortium (CUSC), Maritime Provinces Higher Education Council (MPHEC), and the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) shows that career-related motivations are key in students’ decisions to pursue higher education. Students often make academic choices based on how they believe these decisions will impact their careers. Student affairs professionals can help by integrating career development principles to support students’ decision making; through discussion, case studies, and a pin-the-tail-on-the-career-development-principle activity, attendees will gain the know-how to do so!

Presenter

• Kaitlin Burek (she/her), Career Advisor, Dalhousie University

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Acadia’s Equity Book Club provides informal settings for dialogue and perspective sharing. Instrumental in supporting residence employees, these safer brave spaces allow participants to absorb material over a length of time, reflect on their ideas, pose questions and challenge biases. Through examples and an interactive format, attendees will leave with a blueprint of how to create their own social change book clubs on campus for educational development.

Presenters

• Polly Leonard, Director of Equity & Inclusive Communities, Acadia University
• Mechael "Mickey" Russell, Human Rights Education and Response Advocate, Acadia University

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Writers can face difficulties building community during the writing process and staying motivated to bring the project to fruition. The Dalhousie Writing Centre has daily timed writing (Pomodoro) sessions that allow students to build accountability and meet others facing similar challenges. Students learn to recognize writing as an ongoing practice and build confidence as writers. In this workshop, participants will explore ways this approach could be adapted to other Student Affairs contexts.

Presenters

• Janice Eddington, Writing Centre Coordinator/Writing Advisor, Dalhousie University
• Vanessa Lent, International Student Writing Advisor, Dalhousie University

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This workshop will explore effective strategies for engaging multilingual students in writing centre appointments using a strength-based approach. By focusing on students' existing skills, cultural assets, and strengths, participants will learn to foster student confidence, enhance writing development, and build empowering collaborative relationships. Attendees will leave with practical techniques for tailoring many kinds of support to students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

Presenter

• Vanessa Lent, International Student Writing Advisor, Dalhousie University

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The ADHD Support Group is a new program at Saint Mary's University that aims to help students learn about ADHD and manage it. The initiative is a collaboration between various Student Affairs departments (Counseling Centre, Student Success Centre, Student Accessibility and Careers). The group met weekly for 5 weeks in the Fall and again in Winter this year, covering topics such as procrastination, stress management, study skills, and more. The pilot had 25 participants and 30 waitlisted.

Presenters

• Amy McEvoy, Manager, Student Success Centre, Saint Mary's University
• Cindy Boland, Manager, Counselling Services, Saint Mary's University
• Bill Travis, Accessibility Advisor, Saint Mary's University

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At Dalhousie University, policy reviews in student affairs are guided by a collaborative and evidence-informed approach that ensures policies remain student-centered, equitable, and responsive to emerging needs. This panel will explore the structured review processes used to reimagine the Code of Student Conduct and the Accommodations policy, highlighting the role of interdisciplinary task forces, Council for the Advancement of Standards reviews, case study analyses, and community engagement.

Presenters

• Melissa MacKay, Assistant Vice-Provost, Campus Living and Student Wellbeing, Dalhousie University
• Rick Ezekiel, Vice-Provost, Student Affairs, Dalhousie University
• Quenta Adams, Assistant Vice-Provost, Student Engagement and Success, Dalhousie University
• Heather Doyle, Director of Research, Assessment and Planning, Student Affairs, Dalhousie University

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This presentation explores integration of mental health promotion into post-secondary curricula, emphasizing a proactive, universal prevention approach. In the face of rising psychological distress, Canadian institutions must innovate. Embedding mental health literacy and resilience-building content in first-year courses offers an innovative, effective way to enhance support, reduce stigma, and foster healthier campuses.

Presenter

• Matthew MacLean, Mental Health Strategist, University of New Brunswick

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This presentation addresses the unique challenges faced by Black and African Nova Scotian students within post-secondary education and comprehensive strategies to help address those challenges. The key takeaway is the necessity of a multifaceted approach to student support that includes financial assistance, mentorship, and alumni engagement. This presentation will highlight the importance of evolving student services for the next 50 years to better address the unique needs of diverse population.

Presenters

• Akua Amankwah-Poku, Black Student Advisor, St. Francis Xavier University
• Amelie Gero, African Nova Scotian Community Pathways Navigator, Mount Saint Vincent University

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