Thursday

7:00 am – 5:00 pm

Registration Open

Location: Pacific Foyer

7:00 am – 8:00 am

Wellness Event - Yoga

Location: Palm 5

*subject to change

7:30 am – 5:00 pm

Exhibit Hall Open

Location: Town & Country A

8:00 am – 9:15 am

Welcome Breakfast & Regional Updates

Location: Pacific A

9:15 am – 10:00 am

Networking Break: Regional Meetups - Connect with members from your region!

Location: Pacific A 

9:30 am – 10:45 am 

NACE Career Readiness Competency Research and the Career Readiness Inventory 

Speaker: Sean O'Keefe and Matthew Brink

Location: Palm Room 7 

Join us for "NACE Career Readiness Competency Research and Rubrics," where you’ll learn about the NACE career readiness competencies, dimensions, skill levels, and the 18-month research study that concluded earlier this year.. This session will equip you with practical tools to innovate and enhance your career services programs, aligning perfectly with the theme "Waves of Knowledge: Riding the Crest of Innovation."

10:00 am – 10:45 am

DEI Roundtable Discussion

Speaker: Brenda Mendez & DEI Committee Members

Location: Palm Room 8 

Join the DEI Roundtable to learn how you can contribute to fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment. Discover the exciting initiatives of the MPACE DEI Committee and the importance of working together to create a future where diversity, equity, and inclusion are celebrated and embraced. 

11:00 am – 12:15 pm

Breakout Sessions

1. Scholarship Recipient: Tides of Transformation: Creating Recovery-Friendly Workplaces for a Resilient Workforce

Speaker: Fred Palmer

Location: Palm Room 8 

This presentation explores the innovative Recovery-Friendly Workplace (RFW) movement, emphasizing its importance for students and employees in recovery from substance use disorders (SUD). Attendees will discover strategies for fostering recovery-supportive environments, advocate for RFWs within career services, and engage in interactive activities. The session highlights education and employment's vital role in long-term recovery and how employer relations teams can encourage partners to create inclusive, recovery-friendly cultures.

2. Careers in the Classroom: A Rising Tide to Uplift Every Student

Speakers: Spencer Atkinson, Elliott Johnson, and Leslie Peek

Location: Palm Room 7

In this session, you are invited to re-imagine a future where career development is fully embedded in the classroom experience of students. Learn how the UC Davis Career Center is working to realize this vision through a suite of for-credit courses, and how you can use these ideas to start a career course of your own. Participants will gain sample syllabi and assignments, as well as actionable goals to bring back to your own campus.

3. “The Great Experiment”: Using the Bridgerton Series as a Lens for Navigating Current Landscapes and DEI Innovation

Speaker: Jessica Rose

Location: Pacific Ballroom C

Dearest Gentle Reader,

This presenter shan’t speak of family crests, but rather, riding the crest of innovation amidst DEI dissent. In the face of such opposition, one might wonder: “How might we, with cunning and resolve, strategically continue this vital work?”

Fear not, for this discourse shall use Bridgerton as a lens to examine current landscapes and discuss continuing essential DEI endeavors, even when barriers seek to thwart progress.

Yours Truly, This MPACE Presenter

4. AI Allies: Tailoring Your GPT for Exceptional Career Guidance

Speaker: Angie Thompson

Location: Pacific Ballroom D

This session explores how to customize GPT models for career advising, focusing on support for all students, including underserved populations. Attendees will engage in interactive activities and live demonstrations, learning to tailor GPT models to meet diverse advising needs. The presentation provides actionable steps for integrating GPT features, empowering career professionals to enhance their services with innovative technology.

5. Strategic Alliances are the Future of Career Services: How to Empower Students to Build Social Capital Through Multi-University Collaboration

Speakers: Dylan Houle and David Chase

Location: Pacific Ballroom E

The session is intended for academic leaders to discover practical strategies that foster innovative new partnerships that go beyond their university bubble. We will use Santa Clara and Seattle University as a case study for how to implement an effective new model for career education that uses a multi-university model to empower students - particularly first-generation college students - to build social capital, feel more prepared for life after college, and access additional economic ecosystems.

6. Riding the Waves of Innovation: Collaboration Between Career Services and Disability Support for Employer Toolkits at San Diego Community College District

Speaker: Poppy Fitch, Leticica (Letty) Vavasour, and Amertah Perman

Location: Pacific Ballroom F/G 

When Disability Support Programs and Services (DSPS) team members joined the Districtwide Career Services & Job Placement Workgroup at San Diego Community College District (SDCCD), collaboration opportunities surfaced to support students with disabilities not enrolled in DSPS employment programs. Recognizing the pivotal role employers play in creating inclusive work environments, SDCCD DSPS crafted two comprehensive toolkits as resources for both employers and campus Career Services partners. In this case study session, explore toolkits offering best practices, resources, and guidance to support employers and colleagues in creating diverse, accessible workplaces, empowering students to navigate the professional landscape successfully. 

7. Harnessing our Collective Power: Radical Collaboration on a Decentralized Campus

Speakers: Stacy Ulery and Traci Beighle

Location: Pacific Ballroom H/I 

Much as the power of waves can be harnessed to channel energy for broader impact, learn how to harness the power of radical collaboration on your campus to amplify individual contributions, ignite innovation, shift institutional culture, and enhance student engagement. Learn how a Career Council - comprised of 30+ career and experiential learning practitioners across a centralized-decentralized campus - share, develop, and innovate together. Practice partnership-building strategies rooted in human-centered leadership principles. Finally, surface opportunities and creative solutions to streamline services and bring together career services staff at your own institution around a shared vision.

12:15 pm – 1:45 pm

Business Luncheon & Awards

Location: Pacific A

1:45 pm – 3:00 pm

Breakout Sessions

1. NACE Representative - State of the Profession: Navigating Trends in Student Success and Workforce Readiness

Speakers: Matthew Brink and Tim Harding

Location: Palm Room 8 

In today’s rapidly evolving world, the role of career services and college recruiting is more critical than ever to the future of higher education and the workforce. In this session, leaders from the National Association of Colleges and Employers will guide us through an exploration of the latest research and trends shaping the college-to-career pipeline and a discovery of actionable insights. As talent needs shift, and higher education adapts to new realities, dive into the data, become equipped to lead essential conversations, and learn to position your team as strategic partners in fostering student and talent success. We’ll cover everything from the latest in career readiness and internships benchmarks to evolving student attitudes and outcomes. Together, we are champions for student success, advocates for the critical value we provide, and forward-thinking leaders who shape better outcomes for the future.

2. Crafting Through Career Anxiety: Creating Cool Journals

Speaker: Evie Kriegbaum

Location: Palm Room 7

Discover how crafting can reduce career anxiety in our workshop series, "Crafting Through Career Anxiety." Focused on creating journals, this session integrates hands-on activities with career exploration topics. Learn how to help students uncover their VIIPS (values, interests, identity, personality, skills) and debunk career myths. This adaptable, stress-reducing approach fosters student engagement and is perfect for career centers with varying levels of resources. 

3. Riding the Wave of Campus Protests: Best Practices for Employer Engagement

Speakers: Sean Gil, Margaret Paulin, Ignacio Gallardo, Shannon Braun, and Heidi Cuthbertson

Location: Pacific Ballroom C

*Featured w/support from MPACE DEI committee

Join us for a dynamic panel discussion that explores innovative strategies for managing student protests during recruitment events. Learn from industry experts and experienced career center leaders about effective communication, de-escalation techniques, and building long-term relationships with students and employers. Equip yourself with the tools to foster a respectful and inclusive campus recruitment environment.

4. Making Waves in Student Employment: Collaborative Strategies for Success

Speakers: Jennifer Henriquez

Location: Pacific Ballroom D

Discover how to maximize student employment impact through cross-departmental collaboration. This session shares successful strategies from California State University Dominguez Hills, where the Career Center, Financial Aid, and Human Resources have partnered to create a robust student employment ecosystem. Learn how to build effective partnerships, develop comprehensive student employment programs, and enhance student engagement and career outcomes.

5. Who's First Destination?

Speaker: Homero Barragan

Location: Pacific Ballroom E

The First Destination Survey can be seen as the culmination of the work that is done in Career Services; it can also yield, however, disproportionate responses, simultaneously having over-representation and under-representation of certain student populations, majors, and colleges. How do we as career services professionals ensure we are representing the interest of all of our graduating students, and not just those who are walking away with a name brand first employer?

6. Integrating Generative AI into Career Development Practices

Speaker: John Gartin

Location: Pacific Ballroom F/G 

Dive into the world of AI and Generative AI to support our students and employees. Learn how to leverage tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini to revolutionize career development. Discover the INSPIRE methodology for crafting effective GenAI prompts, and discover practical applications in resume optimization, interview prep, industry research, and skill identification. Address ethical concerns, maintain human touch, and prepare for an AI-driven job market. Let’s surf the wave of GenAI innovation.

7. Gamifying the Career Development Process to Engage Seniors and Enhance Post-Grad Outcomes

Speaker: Janelle Farkas

Location: Pacific Ballroom H/I  

Chapman University’s Office of Career and Professional Development recently launched an innovative Career Passport Program which aims to address the classic challenge, “We have all these amazing services, why don’t students use them?!” The Career Passport Program is designed to increase student proficiency in the career development process and boost student usage of key career tools and platforms while enhancing post-graduation outcomes. Join us to learn more about creating a similar program on your campus.

3:00 pm – 3:45 pm

Networking Break & Prize Draw

Location: Town & Country A (Exhibit Hall)

3:45 pm – 5:00 pm

Breakout Sessions

1. Get Involved with MPACE

Speakers: Deseray Rivas, Kimberly Martin, and Jordan Doman 

Location: Palm Room 8   

Have you ever wondered how we all got involved with MPACE? Join us as we share about the different committees, meet some of the board members, and connect with current committee members who will share about their experiences. If you have the desire to make a greater impact, build stronger relationships, and help us continue building the organization, we invite you to learn more!

2. Navigating Career Currents: Innovative Career Labs for Gen Z

Speakers: Carrie Ozeran, Leslie Peek, and Jennifer Taylor-Grimes

Location: Palm Room 7  

Amidst rising college costs and social media pressures, UC Davis' Aggie Launch Initiative serves as a guiding beacon, integrating career development seamlessly into academic journeys. Their BioLaunch Fellows Program, tailored for the College of Biological Sciences, features Career Laboratories that immerse students in career exploration. These initiatives address underemployment challenges highlighted by the 2024 Strada report, emphasizing the impact of internships in career readiness. Join us in exploring these innovative practices and charting pathways to professional success.

3. Charting the Course for Career Services and University-Employer Partnerships: Leveraging Knowledge to Tackle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Challenges

Speakers: Gregg Simmons

Location: Pacific Ballroom C  

Creating a diverse and inclusive workplace requires non-traditional approaches and an asset-based perspective with college students. This session targets professionals involved in recruiting and supporting students seeking internships and employment. It highlights the need to adapt hiring practices to reflect today's diverse student populations, especially minority-serving institutions. Attendees will learn to incorporate culturally relevant pedagogy in recruitment, career advising, and fostering a more inclusive environment while preparing students for successful careers. 

4. Employee Engagement Strategies in a Post-COVID World

Speakers: Espie Santiago, Tracy Hill, Andy Rabitoy, KacieJo Brown, and Jeremy Hudson

Location: Pacific Ballroom D

Employees expect more from their employers than ever before, significantly influencing engagement and retention. The importance of employee well-being and work-life balance became well highlighted during the pandemic. Employee disengagement is notably high among those under 35, particularly Generation Z (Gallup, April 2024). Attend this presentation to discover best practices and resources to bring out the best in your employees. The ultimate goal is to support your efforts in attracting great talent and retaining them.

5. Preserving Your Values While Navigating Academic Capitalism in Career Services

Speaker: Amie Hammond

Location: Pacific Ballroom E

This session explores the concept of “academic capitalism” and how it is leading to a future of increased competition, accountability, and expectations of revenue generation and productivity in higher education and career services. Join this session to gain insights into the complexities of keeping our core values central amid this evolving landscape. Attendees will engage in meaningful dialogue and develop practical strategies for staying true to core values, such as diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

6. Recruiting Confidential: What Students Really Think About Recruiting

Speaker: Jinks Jervey

Location: Pacific Ballroom F/G

*Featured w/support from MPACE DEI committee

Uncover the true experiences of students in the recruiting process through the journey of 'Alex', a composite character representing real student challenges. This session delves into the challenges and opportunities students like Alex encounter, offering practical solutions for employers and career services professionals. Gain innovative perspectives, proven best practices, and actionable strategies to elevate university recruiting, foster collaboration, and promote DEI initiatives. Join us for an engaging presentation featuring student videos, student roadmaps, and a live Q&A session.

7. Finding Your Focus & Flow: Integrating Yoga Principles into Your Work

Speaker: Sammy O'Neill

Location: Pacific Ballroom H/I 

Join us for an interactive session where participants will learn how to incorporate yoga principles into career development, employer relations, and daily work routines creating a more mindful and harmonious workplace. Whether you are a seasoned yogi, new to the practice or don’t even know what yoga is, this session offers valuable insights and tools to help you find your focus and flow in the professional realm. Don’t worry…yoga pants are NOT required to attend this session! 

6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

MPACE at SeaWorld!

Join us for dinner and a D.J. from 6:30 to 9:30 pm, while exploring a frozen wonderland of ice and Arctic animals as you come face-to-face with extraordinary belugas, colossal walruses and shy harbor seals. Please note, this event is after hours and access to the park is limited to the Wild Arctic exhibit. Shuttles will run continuously from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. between the hotel and SeaWorld. Shuttles will be departing from the Town & Country Convention Center at the hotel to SeaWorld and back to the hotel.