Delaware & Lehigh Valley
Student Advancement Collaborative™
Serving Higher Education Professionals since 1975
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COL·LAB·O·RA·TIVE
Co-laboring and working jointly with others on a shared goal
Where DLV/SAC Advisors meet to nurture and steer the future of the conference and community
WELCOME TO DLV/SAC!
Honoring DVSAC’s historic geographic roots to include the Lehigh Valley: Log College (1725), UPenn (1740), and Moravian (1741)
Evolving from student affairs to student advancement so as to encompass student success from orientation to graduation
Expanding beyond a typical conference to provide strategic networking and collaboration development
THE BEGINNING🔻
In the early 1970s, deans of students in the area decided to start regular meetings to capitalize on the number of institutions of Higher Learning in the Delaware and Lehigh Valleys. They began to recognize that similar patterns existed across institutions and many folks were struggling with the same issues. Deans met for lunch throughout the year to discuss relevant topics and how each campus was responding. In 1974, the members opened up the meetings to a variety of professionals in the region at various levels, and thus, the Delaware Valley Student Affairs Conference was born.
Each year, over 30 colleges and 150 higher education professionals attend the conference, making it one of the most anticipated events in the region.
THE TIPPING POINT🔻
On December 11th, 2024, the conference committee made a unilateral decision to dissolve the conference—ending a 50 year tradition "due to rising event rental costs and a decline in volunteer participation. PA-based nonprofit and DVSAC principal sponsor Collegiate Empowerment (CE) insisted that it had the capabilities, team, and resources to steward DVSAC and continue its rich legacy into its centennial year in 2074, but sadly those offers were ignored.
THE REINVENTION🔻
In May 2025 after an outpouring of requests from seasoned pros, past presenters, and long-time attendees, CE began inviting folks to the first of six DVSAC 2025 Founders Meetings, scheduled for Thursday, June 5th, 2025. These focus groups set the foundation for a continued tradition and a new beginning.
On Friday, November 14th, 2025, DVSAC relaunched at the first convening as DLV/SAC (and yes, we know it's alphabet soup). What began as a volunteer social organization that existed to help provide an affordable, convenient, and educational conference in the region is now blossoming again, helmed by CE, with guidance from DLV/SAC Advisors and managed by CE staff members.
50 YEARS DOWN, 50 YEARS TO GO!
WHAT'S WITH ALL THE LETTERS?
WHO THE HECK IS COLLEGIATE EMPOWERMENT?
DLV/SAC is sponsored and managed by The Collegiate Empowerment Company, Inc. with the full support of past DVSAC attendees.
Collegiate Empowerment (CE) is a PA-based 501c(3) educational nonprofit production company that provides training and coaching programs, certifications, and licenses to advance education. Since 1995, CE has empowered over 2.3 million students, parents, and professionals from over 3,200 colleges and organizations during 7,000+ events across all 50 states and 25 countries.
Through the DLV/SAC initiative, our shared purpose is to advance education that transforms lives by fostering professional development, community, and collaboration among colleges and universities throughout the Delaware and Lehigh Valley region.
All membership contributions are used solely to offset the direct costs—such as venue, materials, and meals—so that participation remains both accessible and sustainable. A CE staff member will manage the conference and community. All fees collected will go directly in trust for The DLV/SAC Fund at CE.
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