NCSL Workshop Tracks

To make it easier for participants to choose workshops that will best serve their individual leadership needs, NCSL has created four programming tracks. All of the conference workshops will fit within these four tracks.

The four tracks are as follows:

Community Development Track

This track is designed to help participants learn more about their involvement on-campus, in their local community, and their global community and how their actions impact those communities. Workshops will address topics such as: relationships, conflict resolution, social justice, diversity, events and programming, community building, organizational management, organizational issues, service-based leadership, team development, civility, and successful campus programs or activities.
Who should attend the Community Development Track workshops? Students focused on addressing campus issues, those interested in broad-range leadership, and those interested in organizational leadership development.

Community Development Track Learning Outcomes

Following participation in this track, attendees should be able to fulfill one or more of the following:

1. Know, describe and apply various theories and models regarding organizational behavior, social psychology, community development, systems management and other areas which address human interactions and human relationships;
2. Define and practice skills which enhance effective, meaningful, and culturally competent communication and connection between individuals, between organizations and between societies;
3. List and define values which ought to guide actions, behaviors and communications within the higher education and broader community;
4. Compare and contrast various model campus-based and community-based programs designed to build community, foster connection and enhance engagement; and
5. Identify and implement strategies that leverage awareness and understanding about identity, diversity, multiculturalism and social justice to improve both the campus community and the community beyond the campus

Comprehensive Development Track

This track allows established student leaders the opportunity to dive deeper into individual leadership training. Example topics include: meeting management, organizational transition issues, managing campus administrators, broadening program development, membership apathy, diversity and social justice issues, and emerging leadership theory.
Who should attend the Comprehensive Development Track workshops? Students who have been in leadership roles for at least 1 year, those looking to further their already established leadership abilities, and those in multiple leadership roles.

Comprehensive Development Track Learning Outcomes

Following participation in this track, attendees should be able to fulfill one or more of the following:

1. Describe the unique opportunities and challenges engendered by student leadership in higher education and beyond;
2. Know, practice and appropriately apply information, skills, capacities and values in the effective, efficient administrative operations of a student government, student committee, student organization or other student living/learning/working group;
3. Identify barriers and facilitators to the success of student government, student organizations or other student affiliation groups; and
4. Identity areas of personal fears, anxieties, hopes and confidences with regard to the practice of leadership and develop a personal plan for improvement.

Individual Development Track

This track is designed to help participants develop individual leadership skills. Workshops will address various topics such as: time and stress management, communication style, life strategies, career planning, social justice and diversity issues, personal health and safety, and overall personal growth.
Who should attend the Individual Development Track workshops? Students in new leadership roles, those attending NCSL for the first time, or those looking to develop their personal leadership skills.

Individual Development Track Learning Outcomes

Following participation in this track, attendees should be able to fulfill one or more of the following:

1. List, describe and differentiate various theories and models about leadership and the application of leadership practice within higher education and beyond;
2. Identify areas of personal leadership strength and areas for personal leadership enhancement;
3. Analyze and deconstruct the conscious and unconscious impact of personal background, identity, experience of privilege/oppression, etc. on one’s everyday practice of leadership; and
4. Define and apply strategies for enhancing personal wellbeing and increasing/enhancing individual capacity to be an effective leader.

Professional Development Track

This track offers opportunities for professional growth to professional staff. Workshops will be facilitated in a manner that respects the experience of seasoned professionals and honors new professionals. Workshops will address various topics such as: current and emerging issues faced by student affairs staff, diversity and social justice education, best practice programming models, and open dialogue about campus specific issues.

Who should attend the Professional Development Track workshops? Professional staff, organization advisors, graduate assistants, and administrators.

Professional Development Track Learning Outcomes

Following participation in this track, attendees should be able to fulfill one or more of the following:

1. List and describe their areas of administrative/professional strength and areas for needed growth;
2. Define a plan of action for improving administrative/professional knowledge, competencies, abilities, skills, etc.;
3. Compare and contrast different work challenges engendered by a variety of institutional cultures, systems, values, etc.;
4. Know and summarize the most up-to-date scholarship and research on effective, impactful practices and interventions in the student development field;
5. Identify and describe the emerging issues/needs in the student affairs field; and/or
6. Develop and utilize a network of colleagues for support and personal growth.

Social Justice

NCSL is committed to infusing social justice workshops throughout our workshop tracks. Workshops with a social justice emphasis will be designated as such in the conference program.