Events

Events

Whether it’s the Annual Conference, New Professionals Retreat, or presenting at NASPA, or the College Student Values Conference, ACSD provides you with many opportunities for fellowship, learning, research presentations, and effective job search and placement.

The 2024 Conference will be held June 3-6, hosted by the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, in Belton, Texas. 

Approximately 600 members and guests attend the annual summer conference. 

Highlights of the annual conference include:

  • Distinguished keynote addresses from a distinctly Christian theological thought
  • Educational and engaging break-out sessions
  • Professional job interview and placement services
  • Pre-conference workshops
  • Corporate worship and prayer
  • Fellowship and networking opportunities

Past Conference Highlights

Previous slide
Next slide

Past Conference Hosts

FILTER
INSTITUTIONYEARTHEME
Anderson University (SC)2023Great Purpose
Indiana Wesleyan University2022This.
LeTourneau University (Virtual)2021Good Work 
LeTourneau University2020Postponed 
Wheaton College2019Remembering Forward
Biola University2018Design Matters
John Brown University2017Imagine!
Gordon College2016Come to the Table
Moody Bible Institute2015Repurpose
Bethel University2014So That…
Northwest Nazarene University2013Develop Different
Taylor University2012Cultivating Wisdom
Evangel University2011Diverse Callings Unified Purpose
Messiah College2010What’s Your Story?
LeTourneau University2009Canceled
Cedarville University2008It Begins with a Dream
Northwestern University (MN)2007The Big Picture
Indiana Wesleyan University2006Ordinary People, Extraordinary Leadership
George Fox University2005Beyond the Edges: Explore. Dream. Discover.
John Brown University2004Strength for the Journey

*In 1980, the Christian Association for Student Affairs (CASA) and the Christian Association of Deans of Women (CADW) merged to become ACSD.  From 1958 – 1978, CASA had been known as the Association of Christian Deans and Advisors of Men (ACDAM).

Hello ACSD Family!

We know this year has been unique for all of our campus communities, but we are praying for continued resilience, grit and trust in Christ as you remain faithful to where He has called you for such a time as this.

In recognition that many of our campuses participate in conferences for student leaders and with this year it may not be possible, we wanted to invite your student leaders to our first ever Christian Student Leadership Collective! This will be a virtual gathering on Saturday, January 23, 2021 from 12pm-3pm Pacific Standard Time. Our vision is for Christian college student leaders to come together virtually for these purposes:

     1. Connect with one another and experience the value of networking with colleagues across the country and around the world.

     2. Share practical ideas on how to impact college campuses for Christ in the leadership roles you represent

     3. Feel inspired and motivated to continue being effective leaders both on your campuses and in future roles beyond graduation.

Though we will kick off our time together with a keynote speaker, most of the allotted time will be dedicated to breakout sessions for you to connect with other student leaders. To help with that virtual fatigue we know you all face, we have added in a lot of breaks.

Tentative Schedule PST:

     12:00pm – Welcome & Speaker

     12:45pm – Offline Break

     1:00pm – Roundtable Discussion One 

     1:45pm – Offline Break

     2:00pm – Roundtable Discussion Two

     2:45pm – Closing Comments and Giveaways

     3:00pm – Offline Campus Debrief (if your campus so chooses)

Students (and staff) can register for this event NOW! Please click HERE . More information will follow via email once your registration is complete!  

Would you help us make this opportunity great for our students by sending this information on to your student leaders and other colleagues in your department to pass on to their student leaders? Attached you’ll find information to send on to them including an email with details, save the date card, social media posts, etc!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to cslc2021@gmail.com.  Thank you so much for partnering with us to make this a success!

Your Christian Student Leader Collective Team,

Martha Swift, Crown College
Larissa Lilly, Northwest University
Stephanie Maus, William Jessup University

Scroll to Top

Comfort Olugbuyi

University Placeholder, Title

Workshop: Title

Bio

Why are you excited to be a part of Elevate?
Placeholder

Shino Simmons

University Placeholder, Title

Workshop: Title

Bio

Why are you excited to be a part of Elevate?
Placeholder

Kevin Villegas

Baylor University, Dean of Intercultural Engagement and Division of Student Life Initiatives

Workshop: Starting with You: Self-awareness and Sustainability

Dr. Kevin Villegas serves as the Dean of Intercultural Engagement and Division of Student Life Initiatives. In his role, Dr. Villegas is responsible for leading a comprehensive approach to empower all students and Division of Student Life staff in the creation of a more vibrant, inclusive, and supportive campus environment as an expression of the Baylor University mission. He has more than two decades of demonstrated leadership experience in a variety of roles within higher- and secondary-education settings, which includes working in or overseeing areas such as campus ministries, student leadership development, new student orientation, student activities, international student programs, athletics coaching, and public relations. He has also led international service trips, co-led a cross-cultural course, and taught strategic leadership in higher education, and leadership and first-year seminar courses for undergraduate students. Dr. Villegas is an active member of the Association for Christians in Student Development (ACSD) and served for several years on the executive committee as the chair of the Diversity Leadership Team. He was a recipient of ACSD’s Jane Higa Multicultural Advancement Award in recognition of his significant contributions toward increased understanding and promotion of multiculturalism in ACSD and at Messiah University, where he worked for 17 years. 

 Beyond the realm of education, Dr. Villegas also worked in the entertainment industry and in pastoral ministry. 

A native of New York City, Dr. Villegas is a decorated veteran of the United States Marine Corps, having served on active duty for four years before going on to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree in communication from Messiah College, his Master of Arts degree in Christian Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary, and his Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership from Gwynedd Mercy University.

Why are you excited to be a part of Elevate?
I’m excited to be a part of Elevate because equipping our professional members to better serve and develop multicultural student populations on our respective campuses is vital work. In an increasingly diverse society, knowing how to navigate differences of all sorts with conviction and compassion is needed now more than ever.

Leah Fulton

Trinity Christian College – Palos Heights, IL, Vice President of Student Success

Workshop: Development: Institutional Partnerships and Operational Efficiency

Leah comes to Trinity with a B.A. from Ball State University, an M.A. in Intercultural Studies from Wheaton College, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education with a minor in African American Studies from the University of Minnesota. Leah’s research explores the historical and contemporary motivations and barriers facing African Americans in foreign missions, the history of Black women in doctoral education and the experiences of Black mother doctoral students. She also studies the experience of students and adjunct faculty of color in leadership education.

Leah has over a decade of higher education experience, primarily in student affairs, beginning at Wheaton College where she was a founding member of the Shalom House- a living learning community for students to explore racial reconciliation. She has served as Assistant Dean of Students for the University of St. Thomas and as Associate Dean for Intercultural Student Programs and Services at Bethel University where she launched the Act Six program and the Cultural Connection Center- a campus affinity space designed to cultivate understanding, friendship, and shalom in the way of Jesus. She is also the founder and principal consultant for Project 51, which serves leaders and not-for-profit organizations seeking to grow in their approach to justice, to belonging, to equity, and to diversity.

Why are you excited to be a part of Elevate?
Dr. Fulton is excited to be part of Elevate because of how important it is to support professionals of color in Christian higher education. She benefited from the wisdom and experience of professionals before her and is eager to invest in other professionals to support their ability to navigate the industry, care for students, be well, and effectively make lasting change.

Eric Fehr

Grove City College, Assistant Dean of Student Life

Workshop: From Ideation to a Workshop Proposal

Eric has worked in college student development/higher education since he graduated from Longwood University in 2010, and has been a member of ACSD since 2014. He has held positions overseeing student employment programs for dining service operations, commuter student life programming, student and campus activities, student recreation, student clubs and governance, career services, international student advising, and more. Eric has been married to his wonderful wife, Barbara, since 2011. They have four children: Liam, Benat, Raegan, and McKenzie. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Longwood University (2010), a Master of Science in Education in Student Affairs Administration from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (2014), and a Master of Arts in Religion in Discipleship and Church Administration from Liberty University (2018).  Eric is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Higher Education from Union University.

Why are you excited to be a part of Elevate?
I am excited to participate in sharing my experience and any knowledge/wisdom that the Lord has helped add to my life with others. I believe Elevate is a great opportunity to serve others and I can’t wait to help others prepare to propose workshops for ACSD 2025!

Nii Abrahams

Butler University, Director of the First-Year Experience

Workshop: Next Level Programming

Nii has a special passion for helping college students and young professionals discover and fulfill their God-given potential, whether it’s in ministry or the marketplace. While actively involved in church growing up, it wasn’t until he became a member of a dynamic college ministry at Missouri State University that his faith began to soar. He played an instrumental role in watching the ministry grow from 30 to over 200 people in a couple short years. Shortly after graduate school, he and a group of friends moved to the Indianapolis metro area, by faith, to plant Parkside Church—a young and vibrant faith community that meets at a YMCA, where he serves on the pastoral team as the Connections Pastor. He holds both his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Communication from MSU and is proud to be the inaugural Director of the First-Year Experience at Butler University. In his downtime, you can find him hanging out with his wife and daughter, playing Monopoly Deal, and searching for the best donut shops in Indianapolis. 

Why are you excited to be a part of Elevate?
As a Ghanaian-American, I uniquely understand the weight multicultural practitioners carry cultivating belonging on campus. It’s an honor to help develop and encourage leaders who are making an impact across the country! 

MORE FAq's

Elevate is a year-long certification from June 2024 through June 2025. It begins during the June 2024 ACSD Conference and ends during the June 2025 ACSD Conference.

Elevate is geared toward higher education professionals serving in a student-facing, multicultural role and are either (or both) a department of one or are early in their higher education career. Those in positions of directors, coordinators, specialists, or similar titles should consider applying and participating.

ELEVATE is aimed at professionals who are student-facing and oversee programming. We want to equip our student development professionals who are working to make a more welcoming compass experience for students.

To provide an intentional space for cohort participants to foster genuine connections and grow their network, the cohort size is 10 participants.

Participants will have 10 total hours of workshop instruction. Additionally, participants should anticipate 5-8 hours of workshop preparation over the year of the certification. Participants are also required to attend the Elevate retreat which is the weekend before (days before) the 2024 ACSD Conference.

Elevate applications will be reviewed by the ACSD Diversity Leadership Team and participants will be selected based on the following criteria:

  • Applicant is eager for new learning and support (department of one, early career professional in this field)
  • Applicant is interested in learning more about best practices within multicultural (higher ed) work
  • Applicant currently serves in student facing multicultural role (part time or full time)
  • Applicants have the support and institutional backing to participate in 2 ASCD conferences, all Elevate workshops, and to eventually use their learning to strengthen the impact of their department/role/institution.
  • Applicant will document how they will contribute to the cohort and shared learning experience

 

Applicants will be notified of their acceptance status the first week of March 2024.

The Elevate Certification is $300, including all fees for the retreat at the 2024 ACSD Conference and the full-year certification program.

Additional related costs to consider:

    • $100 annual ACSD membership fee
    • $350 (early bird) ACSD Conference registration 
    • Cost of travel to the conference for 2024 and 2025

The Diversity Leadership Team will award 2 Elevate scholarships that cover the cost of the Elevate Certification (value of $300). To be considered for an Elevate Scholarship, indicate your interest in the Elevate application and complete the short answer question about financial need.

Yes, Elevate applicants and/or participants are eligible for both the ACSD Multicultural Scholarship and the Elevate Scholarship. The ACSD Multicultural Conference Scholarship covers the amount of the annual conference registration fee.

Yes, either a supervisor or a senior colleague must complete a professional reference form confirming their support of your participation in Elevate and a desire for you to return with lessons (ideas, practices, policies, programs, etc.) that will positively influence your department and work.

No. A supervisor or senior colleague approval is required to ensure that participants have departmental support to implement what they are learning (ideas, practices, policies, programs, etc.) in their department and/or role as a multicultural practitioner.

Participants will continue networking and fostering relationships with their Elevate cohort members in addition to receiving continued support from the ACSD Multicultural Collaborative and the Diversity Leadership Team. 

Elevate participants will be asked to participate in recruitment videos, photos, and provide written testimonials sharing their experience with Elevate.

Those interested in Elevate should only apply if they are certain they can attend the 2024 and 2025 ACSD Conferences.

The Diversity Leadership Team understands department budgets or personal changes may occur between conferences and will work with you to ensure attendance is possible for both conferences.

Yes. The Diversity Leadership Team understands professional changes happen and they will work with you to continue towards completion of the certification.