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39th Annual Meeting of the Association of Deans and Directors of University Colleges and Undergraduate Studies

CALL FOR SESSION PROPOSALS

Conference Theme: "Student Success - A Team Sport"

Just as championship teams adapt strategies to leverage every player’s strengths, higher education must unite faculty, advisors, support staff, and institutional leaders as a dynamic team. Each role is critical to executing emerging playbooks that drive student success. The 2026 annual meeting will equip attendees to foster collaboration across internal and external partners, and help ensure students advance from enrollment to career readiness.

Whether refining ‘pre-game prep’ for first-year students, deploying AI-augmented ‘coaching,’ or building ‘league partnerships’ with industry, our focus is on transforming responsive strategies into winning outcomes where every role matters and no participant is left on the sidelines.

Join us to explore strategies for transforming responsive ideas into winning outcomes where every role matters.

Presenters are invited to submit proposals with one or more of the following suggested topics. 

Game Planning: Readiness & Engagement

  • Collaborative retention strategies for first-year, transfer, non-traditional, and adult learners.
  • Faculty/advising training programs.
  • Universal design in hybrid learning (including ADA compliance).

Play Calling: Real-Time Support

  • Predictive analytics and/or technology for student success.
  • AI-enhanced advising and proactive outreach.
  • Mental health, wellness, and basic needs support systems.

Comeback Strategies: Returners & Nontraditional Paths

  • Supporting stop-out/returning students. 
  • Industry-education partnerships (co-ops, microcredentials).
  • Peer-to-peer models that increase engagement and retention.

If you have questions or require additional information, please email the AD&D Office ([email protected]).

For your reference, you can find AD&D’s Session Proposal Guidelines HERE. 

Evaluation Criteria:
Proposals will be rated on the following criteria:

  • The proposal provides a clear picture of what to expect during the session, including how presenters will elicit dialogue with the audience about project relevance and implications.
  • The proposed learning objectives are realistic and achievable.
  • The proposal should represent diverse perspectives.
  • The proposal demonstrates presenters’ knowledge of and experience with the topic, including relevant methodologies, sources of evidence, and/or literature.
  • The proposal highlights specific findings and conclusions and their relevance to the university college environment.
  • All presenters should be confirmed by date of submission.

Session Proposal Guidelines:
We encourage the inclusion of substantial audience discussion within sessions. Although we expect that many presentations will fit well within traditional formats (e.g., breakout session, best practices session, or facilitated discussion), please feel free to propose alternative ways to communicate your work. We are especially looking for ways to involve participants through thought-provoking, reflective conversations related to key ideas and issues raised during your session. 

Read through the Guidelines; then CLICK HERE to submit your proposal. Please note that special formatting, such as bullets, is not transferred in the online form.

Deadline for Submission
Friday, August 8, 2025 – 5pm MT

 

SUBMIT PRESENTATION
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