2025 Themes & LEarning Outcomes

Reimagining Our Profession: Cultivating a Culture of Care for Community College Professionals

The theme "Reimagining Our Profession: Cultivating a Culture of Care for Community College Professionals" emphasizes the importance of nurturing a supportive and inclusive environment within Community Colleges and our profession. The learning outcomes associated with this theme focus on three key areas: Celebrate, Equip, and Transform. By celebrating the achievements of both past and present Community College Student Affairs professionals, we honor the rich legacy and impactful contributions of those who have shaped our professional landscape. Our goal is to foster a sense of community and shared purpose among attendees, inspiring them to carry forward the torch of excellence and dedication in their roles. Simultaneously, we seek to equip colleagues as we address the pressing need to empower new generations of higher-education professionals to create environments where they will thrive by growing professionally while positively impacting their campus communities. By identifying behaviors we can improve on and creating robust support systems, we will empower educators to advocate for policies that promote mental well-being and offer safe spaces for dialogue. Lastly, we seek to transform the profession by centering on bridging generational gaps, fostering inter-group conversations, and encouraging collaboration across different professional stages. By reimagining professional mentorship programs and facilitating the sharing of best practices, we seek to uplift the diverse experiences and insights of various generations to enrich the educational community as a whole. Doing so lays the groundwork for a more resilient, supportive, and dynamic higher education environment that prioritizes care and collaboration.

We are excited to have you join us in what will be a dynamic environment to share and celebrate ourselves and our best practices, identify growth opportunities, and reimagine our profession as we move into the next quarter of the century.

Learning Outcomes: 

Celebrate: Recognize and celebrate the achievements of past and present higher-education professionals while continuing their impactful work.

• Gain an understanding of the contributions and legacy of past educators and professionals.
• Highlight and appreciate the ongoing work and achievements of current professionals.
• Foster a sense of community and shared purpose among educators.
• Inspire participants to continue the legacy of excellence and dedication in their roles.
• Encourage professional development opportunities for both past and present leaders within each department.

Equip:  Understand how to protect the new generation of higher-education professionals from toxic environments, suppression, and trauma.

• Recognize and address toxic behaviors and environments in higher education.
• Develop and implement strategies to safeguard mental health and well-being.
• Establish robust support systems and resources for new professionals.
• Advocate for policies that protect against workplace suppression and trauma
• Enhance SAFE round table discussions around navigating higher education. 
• Establish effective peer-mentorship within institutions.

Transform: Master strategies for bridging inter-generational gaps and fostering effective cross-generational support in higher education.

• Facilitate inter-generational conversations and understanding between different generations of professionals.
• Develop mentorship and support programs that cater to cross-generational needs.
• Encourage collaborative learning and sharing of best practices across generations.
• Explore innovative approaches to education and support that incorporate insights from multiple generations.

To be announced

2025 CCI Planning Committee

• NASPA 2025 Community Colleges Institute Chair, Mayra Olivares-Urueta, Ph.D., Executive in Residence, Higher Education Program, Director, Bill J. Priest Center for Community College Education

• Will Bowlin, Ph.D., Political Science/History Instructor, Northeast Mississippi Community College

• Dantrayl Smith, Ed.D, Director of Student Development Services, Tarrant County College South Campus

• Candice P. Baldwin, Ph.D., Chief of Staff, Monroe Community College 

• Christopher Conzen, Ed.D., Executive Director, Secaucus Center and Early College Programs, Hudson County Community College

• Reyna Anaya Ph.D., Senior Student Affairs Officer & Dean of Student Success, Community College of Aurora

• Angelo Abreu, Director of Perth Amboy Center and New Brunswick Center, Middlesex College

• Kiantra Loza, Ed.D., Director- Admissions & Outreach, Onboarding, Campus Central & International Student Services, College of DuPage

• Andrea Gonzalez, Program Specialist, Student Equity, Mt. San Antonio College

• Ana Contreras Ed.D., Coordinator Office of Student Activities, Tarrant County College 

• Michelle Donahue, Dean of Students, Cabrillo College