🎓Keynote Speakers
Carrie Welton
Carrie Welton of Trellis Strategies will speak on the shifting role of state postsecondary entities amidst federal program shut-downs and education department dismantling. Carrie brings deep personal and professional experience advancing public policy at the state and national levels to support postsecondary education and training for economic mobility and shared prosperity.
Dr. Kristin Austin
Dr. Kristin Austin, Vice President of Mission Engagement & Social Impact at Rewriting the Code, will speak on why meeting students’ basic needs is not an act of support, but a strategy for retention, reframing student success through belonging, access, and stability for first-generation and financially disempowered students. Kristin brings over 22 years of experience as a student affairs leader, faculty member, and student development expert, helping institutions build systems where belonging is expected, not earned.
🎓PA Statewide Basic Needs Survey Data with Students' Expertise
For the first time, review results from the statewide students' basic needs survey, and hear from students' directly about their experience. The Hope Center will share PA data gathered over the last two years within PA, regional and national contexts. Pennsylvania student leaders will then lend their personal insights and expertise with actionable advice for postsecondary leaders.
🎓Agenda and Breakout Sessions
🎓Exhibitors
Visit exhibitors offering services for student success such as educational programming; public benefits navigation; peer-mental health interventions; fundraising for emergency grants; voter and civil rights programming, and more…
The Collegiate Empowerment® Company, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) Pennsylvania-based non-profit educational collaborative chartered with the purpose to grant individuals and organizations the authority to advance education and the power to transform lives.
Keystone Scholars provides a $100 scholarship to all children born to PA residents in 2019 and after. This scholarship can be used for your child’s post-high school training and education expenses.
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency
PHEAA was created by the PA General Assembly in 1963 to provide affordable access to higher education for PA students and families. Over the years, PHEAA has become one of the nation's leading providers of student financial aid services.
Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission
The PHRC enforces state laws that prohibit discrimination. In general, PA law prohibits discrimination based on race; color; religious creed; ancestry; age (40 and over); sex; national origin; familial status (only in housing); disability; the use, handling, or training of support or guide animals for disability; or retaliation. The PHRC can help you file discrimination complaints in education, employment, housing & commercial property, and public accommodation.
Reflect is a national mental wellness nonprofit that aims to transform campus culture through student development. Our team trains student Peer Facilitators to coordinate Reflect's on-campus programs.
Resilient Students Network: Where We Begin Storytelling Project
Resilient Students Network helps under-resourced college and trade students meet basic needs to reach their academic goals and improve life outcomes. We meet our mission through thoughtful food, housing and other need programs.
Respect Together, through our divisions in the National Sexual Violence Resource Center and the Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect, will create lasting change by mobilizing advocates, service providers, leaders, and communities to support survivors, advance victims’ rights, and prevent sexual abuse, assault, and harassment.
Mental health support now: Immediate teletherapy appointments and crisis conversations complemented by wellness programming – all tailored to your preferences.
If you have any questions about the convening, please email RA-EDPAEMPOWERU@pa.gov.
Come to learn from state and national colleagues, share best practices, advance solutions and be inspired by the collective power of this work for students' success and PA empowered futures!