Session I
Going For the Gold: What’s the Formula?
Room 145
Eric Agyemang Dua
Pole Vault
This program, at its root, focuses on effective and efficient problem solving. Through two TED
talks, a hands on activity, and engaging discussion, students will learn a better way at problem
solving, further helping them in their student leadership roles.
Vault Beyond Your Imagination
Room 147
Andre Strong
Pole Vault
This program is designed for goal setting. An individual will set a list of goals for a school year
and arrange their goals to height intervals. The task or objective for the individual is to find ways
to surpass the heights of each goal and in essence excel beyond the goal or standard that was
set forth.
Are You Really Listening?
Room 219
Jasmine Brown
Shot Put
A resident advisor carries diverse and sometimes ambiguous responsibilities. The position
requires a high level commitment of both time and effort. Few faculty or administrators will
have the opportunity to know/ engage as many students as the student staff member.
Professional staff rely heavily on the Resident Advisors knowledge in order to address student
needs. A huge component of addressing those needs is understanding how to effectively
communicate. Using "Are you Really Listening?: Keys to successful communication," I will
answer why it is important to listen. This presentation will provide techniques to become better
listeners and communicators.
DiversitiTEA Party
Room 232
Jessica Smith & Mason Smith
4x4 Relay
Promote awareness of stereotypes and increase positive communication skills through a fun and
interactive game.
Sustainable Living
Room 300
Katy Shepard
2 Mile
How to engage residents in a sustainable lifestyle in your residence hall. Includes example
programs from VT like Green Room Certification Program, Turn Down For Watt energy
competition, Sustainability Leaders at VT, Green RFP funding for residence hall projects, how to
sign up for Sustainable Care Packages (themed bulletin board packages pre-made for you!), and
more...! The goal is to help you engage your students by means of your own programming as
well as connecting you with the right faculty and staff at your own university to make a
sustainable difference. Every school has a means to obtain funding for programming and most
schools have sustainability staff, let's work together to find the means to get your green project
growing!
The Champion Inside of You
Room 341
Kristina Nguyen
Pole Vault
Everyone walks around dealing with different pressures; pressure from your parents, your
friends, your professors, even yourself. However, have you ever considered how the stereotypes
affect your life? People fight whether to conform to the stereotype or to break the stereotype,
but this still means that the stereotypes do exist. Find out who you are when the stereotypes
have been stripped, when you are the best you. Find the gold medal champion in yourself.
Ouch! How to Tear Down the Walls of Microaggressions and Stereotypes
Room 345
Megan Vazquez
4x4 Relay
What are microaggressions? What are we supposed to do about them? Let's explore this topic
and its relationship to race, sexuality, religion, and other marginalized identities. Through
interactive activities, we will engage in an open dialogue in effort to understand the importance
of impact versus intent and work toward creating safer, more inclusive communities..
Who’s On Your Team?
Building Community on Every Campus
Brush Mountain A
Mackenzie Earl
4x4 Relay
Learn to build community at your university through interdisciplinary projects, emphasizing
teamwork, and uplifting your teammates: Inspiring participation not only throughout your
Residence Halls, but across your campuses through inventive programming and inclusive
projects at every university.
Advisor Roundtable
Room 217
Lavon Davis
Advisor Program
Are you an hall council or RHA advisor? Come join other colleagues for an Advisor roundtable to
share ideas and challenges with advisors from around the state to develop solutions and support.
Session II
Mr. UMW: The Race For the Crown
Katey Matragano & Tekirah Britton
Room 145
Pole Vault
This program looks at the most popular event put on by the Association of Residence Halls at
the University of Mary Washington, Mr.UMW. our program goes through the planning process
for the event, including choosing competitors, t-shirt designing, and how the event planning is
laid out over the months prior to the competition.
Cookies and Condoms
Room 147
Ray Celeste Tanner & Mike Mogavero
Pole Vault
What sounds better than free?! Free cookies AND free condoms! Join UMW as we walk you
through our highly-successful Valentine's themed event. We'll show you how to make handing
out condoms fun for everyone!
Blocking the Stress
Room 219
Jared Bivens
Pole Vault
Using Volleyball lingo to analyze and manage your stress.
I’m Stressin’ and I know It!
Room 232
Chris Hovel
Pole Vault
Are you feeling pulled in to many directions? Do you wish you had more time in the day? Are
you stressin’ and you know it? Then come to this program may be exactly what you are looking
for. Topics that will be covered include identifying what stressors you have, learning how to
advocate for yourself when you’re feeling stressed and some appropriate ways to cope with
stress in your everyday life.
Developing Your Career Character
Room 300
Tamara CherryClarke
Pole Vault
Your character is something you can develop, regularly control, and must maintain constantly. It
can impact employment references, performance evaluations, and work relationships. In this
workshop we will learn how to adapt ourselves for our career goals and put forth the most
important characteristic of all, “motivated leader”.
Punch Your Weaknesses in the Face
Ashley Geiger & Melissa Draudt
Room 341
Pole Vault
Find out how to overcome your weaknesses by using your own strengths. Learn how to better
develop your inner strengths to crush your weaknesses with a hammer.
Pole Vault into Success – Mindfulness and Yoga
Room 345
Jean Wang & Jarett Castero
Pole Vault
What is the secret to professional pole vaulting? The answer is simple: daily practice of
mindfulness and yoga. Raise the bar on your self-esteem and surround yourself with positivity.
Prepare to push yourself mentally and physically by pushing up your glutes into the “downward
facing dog” yoga position. At this session, people will learn techniques to increase mindfulness
and self-confidence, which encourages individual growth, thus resulting in professional growth
as an effective leader (plus, yoga activities at the end).
Be Prepared: Dealing With Difficult Characters
Brush Mountain A
Caroline Green
Pole Vault
Odds are that you have encountered conflict during your time as a student staff member in
Residence Life. In this interactive session with a staff member from VT Student Conduct,
analyze Disney movies for their conflicts and strategize as a group how you would respond to
them. Through better understanding the types of conflicts that exist, you'll learn about your
conflict management style and effective ways of solving conflict. Just as Mushu helped Mulan
through her time at training camp, you'll leave this session well-equipped to empower your
residents as their navigate future conflicts.
ART Level 1: Diversity and Inclusion
217
Aliana Harrison
Advisor Program
As part of the Advisor Resource Training (ART) Initiative this Level 1 session will focus on
Inclusivity. As Advisors of various student leadership groups it is important to consider how we
and our respective groups provide equal access & opportunities to students on campus and
address Identity charged conflicts within a team through critical conversations.
Session III
Honoring Student Self-Governance Within the First Year Experience
Room 145
Andrew Burrill
Pole Vault
This program competes and delves into the intersections of the traditional notions that
surround the idea of which Resident Advisors are solely present to enforce rules and not engage
programing with the intention of nurturing and empowering leadership among First Years. This
program will aim to recognize the duties and responsibilities that are not always associated with
the Resident Advisor's role, but are necessary to create and support various and diverse
communities through programming.
Jump Into Leadership
Room 147
Andre Strong
Pole Vault
Jump, Jump, and Jump some more. This program is designed to force leaders to reach for
leadership qualities in a long jump format.
Cracking the Ice
Room 219
April Palmer & Billie Joe Wood
Pole Vault
Participants will learn how to engage with one another with fun icebreakers and team builders!
Creating Safe Spaces: What Does it Mean To Be an “Ally”?
Room 232
Megan Vazquez
Pole Vault
What does it mean to be an "ally" to the LGBTQ+ community? How can we facilitate safe spaces
where everyone feels included? Let's talk about it! We will address topics including: common
LGBTQ+ terms, the coming out process, sexual orientation, romantic orientation, gender
identity, gender expression, and how to create safe spaces in the collegiate community.
Books, Games, Music, and More
Room 300
Meredith Levine
Pole Vault
In this session we will explore and demonstrate ideas to incorporate your favorite childhood
activities into fun weekly traditions and programs. Learn some tricks to seamlessly blend them
into our hall programming and your own passion areas. We will also have time for you to offer
your own ideas to the group, so come prepared to share if you would like.
Mediation & Roommate Conflicts
Room 341
Jasmine Brown
Pole Vault
Mediation is an often-used approach by Resident Advisors, especially in resolving roommate
conflicts. It can be a satisfying and fulfilling way to reach resolution on some very sticky matters.
It can help the individuals involved become better communicators and be more prepared to
handle conflict in the future. It can also help restore a healthy community. Tips will be provided
to help student staff members mediate roommate conflicts.
#WHODUNIT
Room 345
Jemario Blackwell
Pole Vault
#WHODUNIT is bringing a dose of Criminal Minds to VACURH. It's time to think like a real
detective to solve these murders! So put on your thinking cap and challenge yourself because if
you don't the killer will roam free!
Facilities: How and Why Things Work and Don’t Work
Brush Mountain A
Todd Pignataro & Keith Fleming
Pole Vault
This program will introduce participants to the building systems and how and why they affect
the residential living experience.