Concurrent Sessions

THURSDAY | April 13, 2023

9:45 AM - 11:00 AM

Big FAFSA Changes for 2024-2025

There are some BIG changes happening next year on the 2024-25 FAFSA. Learn what those changes are and how it could impact your students/families as well as the delivery of FAFSA assistance you provide to them.

Erick Danielson started with the ICAN at its inception in 1998. He supervises the day-to-day operations of the 8 ICAN locations throughout the state. Prior to working at ICAN, Erick was the Assistant Director of Admissions at William Penn College. He has served or currently serving on many educational organization boards including, the Iowa ACT State Organization, the Iowa School Counselor Association, Iowa Association of College Admission Counseling and Iowa Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. Erick works with many families each year, whether at presentations or one-on-one appointments, to navigate through the Career & College Planning and Financial Aid processes.

Building a Financial Literacy Program

Mandy Stasiek, advisor and financial literacy coach for SSS at UW-Stout, will share how intentional efforts to boost a financial wellness program for students can pay off a huge return on investment. Mandy will break-down how UW-Stout SSS implemented a successful financial wellness program. The key ideas to the financial wellness program include setting financial goals on an Individual Student Success Plan, creating a Financial Wellness Plan, creating a budget, building workshops, holding individual meetings, and providing financial tips and tricks that students may otherwise not know. TRIO staff can get several takeaways about how they can help students gain this lifelong valuable information to empower themselves and develop greater financial independence and freedom.

Mandy Stasiek (she/her) is an Advisor and Financial Literacy Coach in TRIO Student Support

Services at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She completed her undergraduate degree in

comparative religious studies at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. She completed her

master’s degree in student affairs administration at University of Wisconsin – La Crosse in 2019.

Professionally, she has served on several campus committees in the areas of campus financial

literacy efforts. Mandy is dedicated to removing financial barriers for students. She currently

serves as WAEOPP treasurer as well as on the Finance Committee. Outside of work, Mandy is a

parent to a college student and another very active son. She spends much of her free time in

bleachers with her partner watching him play football, basketball, track, and baseball. She also

enjoys DJing at her son’s home sports events. Personally, she enjoys working out, walking her

dogs, riding bike, theater shows, discovering new music, traveling, cooking, and reading.

TRIO Living Community: Working with Housing/Residence Life Partners

This session we'll talked about how UW-Stout TRIO SSS program was able to revive a living community for TRIO Students. This will cover historical context, what is currently being done at UW-Stout and for the future, and strategies to explore bringing a similar experience to your campus.

Danny Gissing, M.Ed (They/Them) is a TRIO Student Support Services advisor at UW-Stout. Danny has a professional background in housing and residential life, and student services. They are a person who is proud of their marginalized identities as a queer Deaf/HOH professional. Danny's passionate areas are around ADA issues, Autism support, LGBQTIA+ issues, and advocacy just to name a few. When Danny is not working on eliminating the barriers of systematic oppression, they enjoy judging speech and debate, being on the lake, traveling to national parks, and trying new things.

Individual Success Plan: Tailoring Student Academic Success and Encouraging Student Engagement

We implement Individual Success Plans (ISP's) using Google Classroom at the start of each semester that not only keeps our students active in our program but helps students to tailor their educational success while completing their education at our institution. We recently shared this ISP concept with a fellow SSS Program who plan to incorporate this fall and feel it could help more TRIO SSS programs. We would love to present this idea on how other institutions can create their own ISP structures.

Paula Sannes graduated from the University of Minnesota, Mankato with a double major in Marketing and Management. In August 1999, I accepted a full time position as the Administrative Assistant in the Academic Support Center at St. Olaf College. Upon the birth of my third child and wanting to work part time, I transitioned to TRIO Student Support Services in the Fall of 2000 as the Administrative Assistant. In 2015, I had an opportunity to take on a new role within SSS as an Academic Advisor. Now in my twenty third year with TRIO SSS, I am the Assistant Director of the program. In my spare time, I love DIY projects and spending time with my grandson while anxiously awaiting the birth of my granddaughter.

Sophia McComb graduated from St. Olaf College in 2007 and have a background in psychology, marriage & family therapy, childhood development and education. I was an early education and elementary teacher for 13 years before returning to St. Olaf College (my alma mater) as an academic advisor to the same SSS program I graduated from. Additionally, I am a current member of the MNTRIO MILE program. In my spare time, I like to go hiking, traveling and knitting (I have a small side business called Cozy Sage where I sell large cozy blankets).

Demystifying TRIO Advocacy

Advocacy by TRIO professionals is a cornerstone of the success of TRIO programs. However, we often lack the tools – and confidence – to become effective advocates. We might feel unease with the political process, or worry about breaking the lobbying rules for federal grant programs. Join this session to review advocacy definitions, learn about WAEOPP's work with the COE State Initiative Advocacy project, and discover how you can play a powerful role in ensuring the longevity of TRIO programs. This session will be discussion-based, and is designed to develop your confidence with advocacy work. From conversations with friends to the offices on Capitol Hill, meaningful advocacy can happen anywhere. We will deconstruct the advocacy process, learn about the various roles within advocacy work (there are roles for introverts!), and identify strategies for intentionally weaving allowable TRIO advocacy opportunities into your daily work.

Hannah Lammer (she/her) completed a B.A. in Political Science from the College of St. Benedict, MN and a M.A. in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University, OH. She is the Assistant Director of TRIO Student Support Services at the University of Wisconsin – Stout, where she has worked for 5 years. Prior to TRIO, her 12-year professional career has included working in a variety of student services areas including academic advising and international student services. Hannah has attended COE Policy Seminar 4 times and is a member of the WAEOPP Legislation & Education Committee, which organizes the Wisconsin delegation at Policy Seminar and spearheads the COE State Initiative advocacy work. As a systemic and intersectional thinker, Hannah’s approach to serving and advocating for students is trauma-informed and grounded in anti-oppression. She is also a Gallup-certified Strengths coach, and utilizes an interpersonal, strengths-based approach to help students and teams achieve their goals and improve quality of life.

11:15 AM - 12:30 PM

Redefining Professionalism: For Ourselves and Our Students

What does it mean to be a “professional”? Is it how you act, look, talk, or what degree you have? Traditional beliefs surrounding professionalism are rooted in discriminatory biases and practices. Embracing this type of professionalism promotes conformity and assimilation into white supremacy culture. This session explores how we, as TRIO professionals, can redefine professionalism in a way that dismantles harmful practices and allows us and our students to show up comfortably and safely as our authentic selves.

Kali Hickman (she/they) received their Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities and is currently an academic advisor for St.Olaf's TRIO Educational Talent Search Program. Her professional interests focus on student leadership, DEI work with students and colleagues, and public policy. In addition, Kali serves as a Co-Chair for MN TRIO's Legislation and Education Committee and as a Member at Large.

Juan A. Telles is the Director of St. Olaf TRIO Educational Talent Search. As an academic advisor, instructor, and now director, Juan has supported and empowered students and staff from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to clarify their goals, understand their strengths, and reach their potential. Juan enjoys mentoring students and supporting new professionals.

Incorporate Play in the Day to Day

As we get older it's easy to forget about or prioritize play. However, research has shown that play is an essential component in helping us develop our mental and physical health. Without it, we miss out on opportunities that not only better our well-being, but also help us to form stronger relationships.

In this workshop, you will gain new perspectives, the tools, games, and activities that can be incorporated in your classes, upcoming events, and even as part of your day-to-day and you’re guaranteed to have some fun in the process!!!

Pete K. Wong is a speaker, facilitator, mentor, and podcast host.

A two-time suicide survivor, he shares ways to overcome life’s difficult moments. Awarded as Metropolitan State University's 40 Alumni Who’ve Made a Difference, Pete speaks on how to utilize the techniques and principles found in boxing, martial arts, yoga, and meditation to develop a healthier mindset. He’s spoken to schools, organizations, corporations, and senior-assisted homes, spreading his core messages of radical vulnerability and healthy masculinity. You can listen in on topics about mental health and wellness with Pete and his guests on The Pete Wong Podcast.

Sharing Best Practices World Cafe

The World Cafe is an easy-to-use method for creating a living network of collaborative dialogue around questions that matter in service to real work. The World Café is built on

the assumption that people already have within them the wisdom and creativity to confront even the most difficult challenges, that the answers we need are available to us, and that we are wiser together than we are alone. In this session, you will connect with and learn from other TRIO professionals by sharing best practices through progressive rounds of conversation, each round focused on a different theme. Walk away with new ideas for improving your program and an easily adaptable method for engaging your participants in conversation.

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Talent Search - Making the Jump to Digital

Learn how to use technology to assist your Talent Search Program in making the jump to online forms. The pandemic removed the option for paper forms for many programs. See how Graceland University Talent Search utilizes Jot Form, Docusign, Google Classroom, Tango and more to serve students and streamline record keeping!

Julie Neas has been the Director of TRIO Talent Search at Graceland University for the past 4 years and was a Talent Search Advisor for 3 years prior to transitioning to Director.

Julie has a passion for enabling staff growth and success as well as finding new solutions for better serving students. She has transformed policies, processes and record keeping during her time as director using tools such as Student Access, One Note and Microsoft Teams.

Kaitlyn Parrott is a Talent Search Alumni and has been a Talent Search Advisor for 4 years. Kaitlyn strives to implement technology into every aspect of her job to make curriculum easily accessible for as many students as possible and keep students engaged. Kaitlyn’s favorite programs to use are Google Classroom, Jotform, and Quizziz.

BG Coffey is a Graceland University Graduate and has spent the last 14 years as a Talent Search Advisor. Prior to working for TRIO, she taught middle school in Memphis, Tennessee and Bethany, Missouri. She also worked for 9 years as the 7-12 counselor for South Harrison High School. BG has a passion for student events, team building and bringing fun to the curriculum. Some of her favorites include the Uber Game, Financial Aid Football and Shady Sam.

Christi Dickerson serves as the Office Manager for TRIO Talent Search at Graceland University. She worked as the Administrative Assistant to the Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students at Graceland University for 19 years prior to transitioning to TS in 2019. Christi’s specialties include process digitalization, record keeping innovation and report writing using DocuSign, Student Access and Microsoft Suite.

Your ROLES in Being Trauma Informed

This is a short-and-sweet version of the longer pre-conference Trauma Informed training. You will not earn a certificate, but you will learn the basics of your "ROLES" in being Trauma-Informed. Based on concepts from the Community Resilience Initiative.

Lexie is the Upward Bound Coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, a role she has held for 2 years. Before joining the TRIO Family, Lexie worked in various positions at the Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA) in Charlottesville, VA. It was in this role where her passion for navigating trauma began. Lexie earned her CRI certification in 2019 and has since taught classes in schools, jails, prisons, and rehab facilities. Lexie is currently working towards completing her Masters in Trauma Informed Education with Columbia College. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Millikin University (Decatur, IL). Lexie lives in Superior, WI with her wife of five years, Emily, and their three rescue hound dogs.

3:00 PM - 4:15 PM

Policy, Advocacy, & Data: Curating Data Analytics to Highlight TRIO Success

Are you interested in creating data reports to support legislative advocacy? Are you interested in leveraging public information and TRIO data to create a compelling story of TRIO success? This workshop and case study will examine the common types of data reports that can be created for use in advocacy and legislative efforts. This will include a case study of the Iowa TRIO Return-on-Investment report and how each state can build its own ROI report. Discussion will also highlight challenges in data analytics including data sourcing/collection, analysis, and presentation.

Tristan Schmidt is currently an Education Specialist with the TRIO Upward Bound program supporting high school students, working with a focus on 9th and 10th-grade students. A graduate of the University of Iowa, they received their B.A. in African American Studies along with a Certificate in Critical Cultural Competence in 2019. Tristan will be graduating from Indiana University this May with their M.P.A. focusing on Legislative Advocacy, Education Policy, Critical Consciousness Leadership, and Econometrics. Tristan is also a graduate student in the Quantitative Research & Methodological Inquiry program at Indiana University. In their free time, Tristan enjoys reading science fiction, playing board games with friends, and volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County.

In Every Job that Must be Done, There is an Element of Fun

We provide a lot of programming to our students, but grant requirements often make them feel dry and boring. You can still "check the boxes" for your students, but disguise learning objectives with fun activities. Part presentation and part brainstorming discussion, this session will help you think outside the box to make programming fun!

Lexie is the Upward Bound Coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, a role she has held for 2 years. Before joining the TRIO Family, Lexie worked in various positions at the Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA) in Charlottesville, VA. Lexie has taught classes in schools, jails, prisons, and rehab facilities, all environments where heavy topics needed to be presented with a “spoonful of sugar.” One of Lexie’s top two values is “fun,” so it is always her goal to make even the most heavy or mundane topics enjoyable. Lexie is currently working towards completing her Masters in Trauma Informed Education with Columbia College. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Millikin University (Decatur, IL). Lexie lives in Superior, WI with her wife of five years, Emily, and their three rescue hound dogs.

Developing a Career Exploration Project: What We've Learned Together So Far

Join Morgan and Jen to hear about their experience developing a 6-week career exploration project that can be adapted for pre-college and college students. Walk away ahead of the game with an initial playbook for the project, and the wise nuggets we learned (sometimes the hard way) as we implemented the program with both Upward Bound and Student Support Services participants.

My name is Morgan Bear and I work for SSS at Kirkwood Community College! I am from the Meskwaki Settlement located in Tama, IA, which is the only federally recognized tribe in Iowa. How did I end up in higher education? I come from a low-income, first-generation and single-mom household. I began my academic journey in 2014 at Kirkwood Community College, which is where I joined my first TRIO SSS program as a student. After receiving my two-year degree, I then transferred over to University of Northern Iowa where I majored in Social Work for my four-year degree. It was at UNI where I joined my second TRIO SSS program as a student. Through working and getting the help, guidance and support from my TRIO advisor (Nick Sullivan), was where I really found my passion of wanting to work for TRIO one day. After finishing at UNI, I attended graduate school at Iowa State University to obtain my Master’s degree in Post-Secondary Student Affairs. After finishing my Master’s program in May 2021, I ended back at the same place where it all started, Kirkwood TRIO SSS!

Helping First Gen Students Excel in STEM Courses

During this workshop, you’ll learn about common challenges of first-generation college students as they navigate the rigor of college-level STEM courses. You will also learn research-supported approaches for helping first-gen students excel in STEM-related majors. Attendees will leave the workshop with ideas, tools, and strategies they can take back to their programs and students.

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Succeeding at Failing - How to Model & Maintain Growth Mindset

Overcoming failure is an important part of the learning process for many college students. It is important that student affairs professionals maintain a safe learning environment for students to fail and model how to navigate adversity by learning into resilience to try again. This session will provide a space to discuss the facilitation of experiential learning opportunities and how they foster student development that is beneficial toward student growth and resilience. Using the University of Iowa’s TRIO SSS program as an exemplar, attendees will be able to adapt strategies and incorporate concepts of succeeding at failing at their own institutions - uplifting holistic support of TRIO students.

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