Student Personnel Association addresses evolving world of higher ed

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Student Personnel Association is gearing up for a day of meaningful discussions and idea exchange during its 2014 conference.

The conference takes place on Thursday, Feb. 27 at UW–Madison’s Union South, 1308 W. Dayton St., from 8:45 a.m.-4:45 p.m.

Students and staff members at UW System schools are encouraged to attend, as well as those of other regional public and private institutions. The cost is $60 ($30 for undergraduate and graduate students), with breakfast, lunch and refreshments included. Registration will close at noon on Thursday, Feb. 20.

This year’s theme is “Enriching our Evolving World of Higher Education.” The conference features a keynote address by Kaleem Caire, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Madison.

The endnote address features Rich Halverson, associate professor in UW–Madison’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. He is also a co-founder of the Games Learning and Society research group at UW–Madison, a Fellow at the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, and an affiliate member of the UW–Madison departments of Curriculum & Instruction and Educational Psychology.

A full list of scheduled speakers and presentation information can be found online. Four sessions offer 19 presentations ranging from recreation and health for students to communications and career strategies for student affairs professionals.

Founded in 1956, the SPA exists to create cross-campus connections among people who work with students to support, enhance and reinforce the learning mission of UW–Madison.

The conference aims to enhance professional skills, provide networking opportunities, enable colleagues to present and share best practices – as well as rejuvenate and celebrate existing and new ideas in student personnel work.