WKU News

Alexis Shaffer and Chloe Snow, graduate students in the Student Affairs in Higher Education program, presented at the 2025 Southern Association for College Student Affairs (SACSA) conference in Louisville, Kentucky, on Monday, November 3. Their session, Start Strong, Stay Strong: Counseling-Informed Strategies for First-Year Student Transitions, focused on how student affairs professionals can better support students during one of the most critical periods in their college experience.

Framing the first year as a make-or-break time for student persistence, Shaffer and Snow led an interactive session aimed at academic advisors, student success coaches, and other practitioners. They shared counseling-informed helping skills that can be integrated into day-to-day interactions, such as advising meetings, orientation sessions, and campus engagement efforts.

Their approach emphasized the importance of moving beyond transactional support to build trust, connection, and resilience in first-year students. By applying these techniques, institutions can help students feel a stronger sense of belonging and ultimately improve retention outcomes.

Their presentation was well-received and reflects the Student Affairs in Higher Education graduate program’s commitment to preparing thoughtful, practice-ready professionals who are equipped to meet the evolving needs of today’s students.

You can learn more about the Master of Arts in Education in Student Affairs program at wku.edu/csa/sa.