ACSD 2026 Pre-Conference Retreats
Professional Retreats provided by ACSD are designed to balance a presentation style format that includes large group discussions, opportunities for space and reflection, small group interactions, and mentoring by the facilitators. These retreats attempt to provide a variety of settings that help facilitate learning for participants with a variety of learning styles for individuals who consider themselves introverts or extroverts.
You can register for the retreat as you sign up for the conference.
Cost: $220
Dates: May 30-31 (Lodging from May 29-June 1 are included in the retreat cost)
Objectives
- Process professional and personal experiences in the field through a faith-based lens
- Encourage participants to increase their support systems by building relationships with fellow attendees
- Facilitate conversations around navigating both personal and professional life.
Participants
The NPR is designed to cultivate an intentional learning experience for professionals within ACSD who:
- Have been in the field of student affairs for approximately 0-2 years and are focused on preparing to step into this profession; or
- Currently serving as a graduate assistant at their institution; or
- Are interested in developing their understanding the landscape of higher education
Learning Outcomes
The NPR seeks to develop professionals by providing an experience that embodies the following learning outcomes:
Personal Development
- Help participants understand healthy boundaries and self-care and seek them out in their roles
Professional Development
- Developing rapport with a supervisor
- Understanding University culture
- Leadership Development
- Networking
- Supervision of paraprofessional staff
Diversity and Equity Competency
- Educate participants about diversity and multiculturalism and its importance within Christian Higher Education
- Broad understanding of DEI work related to higher education, and specifically related to Christian higher education
- How to develop DEI competencies as a new professional
You can register for the retreat as you sign up for the conference.
Cost: $220
Dates: May 30-31 (Lodging from May 29-June 1 are included in the retreat cost)
Objectives
- Process professional and personal experiences in the field through a faith-based lens
- To develop a personalized Leadership Development Plan
- Encourage participants to increase their support systems by identifying professional mentors or sponsors.
- Encourage participants to building relationships with fellow attendees
- Facilitate conversations around navigating both personal and professional life.
Participants
The EPR is designed to cultivate an intentional learning experience for professionals within ACSD who:
- Have been in the field of student affairs for approximately 3-7 years
- Focused on growing in their current role or are preparing to move into a position with more responsibility; or
- Previously attended NPR and desire to continue their professional learning and growth; or
- Are interested in growing their leadership presence
Learning Outcomes
All EPR participants will have an opportunity to develop their own Leadership Development Plan by focusing on the following themes during their time:
Spiritual Development
- Identify spiritual practices to remain grounded through various stages of leadership development
- Understand how to practice healthy boundaries and self-care as a way of living a life of harmony, including modeling this to others
Professional Development
- Develop rapport and communication with a supervisor
- Understand university culture and how to become a mission-driven employee
- Increase your network and professional connections
- Supervision of professional and paraprofessional staff
- Understand emergent best practices
- Building up your professional image
Diversity and Equity Competency Development
- Gain knowledge through education about cultural competency and the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion within Christian Higher Education
- Understanding how to navigate supporting diversity initiatives on campus
- Learning your competency in diversity and integrating it into your work
- If there are no diversity/equity initiatives at your institution, learn how to begin thinking about starting these initiatives on campus
You can register for the retreat as you sign up for the conference.
Cost: $220
Dates: May 30-31 (Lodging from May 29-June 1 are included in the retreat cost)
Objectives
- Process professional and personal experiences in the field through a faith-based lens
- Encourage participants to building relationships with fellow attendees
- Facilitate conversations around navigating both personal and professional life.
Participants
The MPR is designed to cultivate an intentional learning experience for professionals within ACSD who:
- Have been in the field of student affairs for approximately 8+ years
- Supervises full-time staff who are at the associate or director level
- Focused on preparing to move into an executive position with more responsibility
- Interested in growing their leadership presence and their ability to cultivate a campus wide climate to impact their institution.
Learning Outcomes
- Explore the challenges of leading from the middle – managing up and down.
- Restore or rejuvenate the “why” or reasons of staying in the student affairs field after a length of time.
- Connect and build relationships with professionals with experienced professionals.
- Develop and implement ways of spiritual, physical, and emotional self-care
- Learning to provide safe spaces for spiritual and emotional support within the supervision structure
You can register for the retreat as you sign up for the conference.
Cost: $170
Dates: May 31-June 1 (Lodging from May 30-June 1 are included in the retreat cost)
Serving as the senior level student development leader in today’s higher education climate can be a daunting task, one filled with demands coming from those you supervise, those who supervise you and those external persons you are called to interact with on a regular basis. This retreat is for all those who fill senior positions, either Vice Presidents or Deans, and need either a reminder of why you said yes to this post or if your new and would like to glean some wisdom from those who have been at it for a while.
Objectives
- Discussion on how to navigate the pressing issues facing Christian higher education as a campus leader with both internal and external facing responsibilities
- Fellowship and build relationships with others who are filling similar roles at other institutions.
- Discuss strategies for maintaining work life balance
Participants
All senior level administrators that provide oversite to student life divisions and interact with university presidents and other senior level staff at their institution.
Possible Discussion Topics
- Working with Presidents
- Navigating Presidential Transitions
- Working with Boards and Board Members
- Institutional Mission and Gatekeeping
- Strategic Planning
- Policy Writing
- Supervision
You can register for the retreat as you sign up for the conference.
Cost: $$220
Dates: May 30-31 (Lodging from May 29-June 1 are included in the retreat cost)
The Student Government Summit (Summit) brings together outgoing and newly-elected student body presidents, vice presidents and student government advisors, providing a substantive opportunity to not only engage in thoughtful transition planning but also to gather with other leaders, share resources, learn from each other and hear from experts on best practices in influencing their campus well. Participants will be equipped through this gathering which is deliberately prepared around three key themes: leading as a Christian in a pluralistic world, leadership in times of conflict and change, and the project of reconciliation.
Additionally, student government advisors will not only have a chance to get an early start working with their incoming presidents and vice presidents, but will have opportunities to network, share best practices, and have dedicated professional development together.
You can register for the retreat as you sign up for the conference.
Cost: $220
Dates: May 30-31 (Lodging from May 29-June 1 are included in the retreat cost)
The Elevate ACSD certificate is a year-long professional development opportunity for ACSD members who serve in a student-facing, multicultural role at their institution. For more information on applying for the Elevate Cohort, visit the ACSD website.
Accepted applicants will be invited to attend this pre-conference retreat.
Pre-Conference Workshops
Facilitated by: Dr. Hennie Schoon, Ed.D., MSW
Type: Training with certification
Duration: 7.5 hours
Day: Monday, June 1
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Cost: $120 Early Bird; $140 Standard
Capacity: 30
This training equips participants to utilize early intervention skills and supportive responses for youth who may be experiencing mental health challenges. Topics such as adolescent development, reducing stigma, and responding to mental health crises are reviewed. Successful completion of this evidence-based training program will result in a 3-year certification.
Facilitated by: Amy Bell, M.Ed.
Type: Classroom Training
Duration: 3 hours
Day: Monday, June 1
Time: 1-4 p.m.
Cost: $60 Early Bird, $80 Standard
Capacity: 40
Exploring the truth that each student is made in the image of a living God, join the conversation about neurodivergence in the college and university space. The workshop will highlight practical steps higher education professionals can take to make campuses more inclusive and supportive to learners of all types. Strategies introduced will set the stage for authentic connection with students who need engagement and desire community. Operational practices will be introduced to attendees for implementation within advising, residence life, and other student support spaces.
Facilitated by: Rev. Sarah VerMerris
Type: Guided introduction and debrief in an off-campus retreat space
Duration: 8 hours
Day: Monday, June 1
Time: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Cost: $60 Early Bird, $80 Standard
Capacity: 11
Step away from the noise and demands of daily work to rest, reflect, and recenter through a guided silent retreat. This pre-conference experience will transport participants to a beautiful off-campus location, creating intentional space for prayer, quiet awareness, and gentle prompts designed to cultivate attentiveness to God. Participants will be guided into shared silence and supported through a thoughtful introduction and closing reflection.
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me, and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me, and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)
Facilitated by: Tom Hartzel, MA
Type: Interactive Workshop at the Calvin Nature Preserve
Day: Monday, June 1
Time: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Duration: 3-hours
Cost: $60 Early Bird, $80 Standard
Capacity: 16
In order to be well-rooted and reaching toward flourishing, we would benefit from two gardening practices: weeding and planting. In this interactive pre-conference workshop, we'll consider both what must be removed and what ought to be incorporated into our hearts, lives, and communities. Bridging the contemplative and the practical, this workshop will include spiritual practices of visio divina in nature, reflective journaling, discussion, and prayer, as well as hands-on service work in Calvin's unique Ecosystem Preserve and Native Gardens. Come ready to get your hands dirty and dress for outdoor activities!
Post-Conference Workshops
Provided: Dedicated Meeting Room (agenda not provided)
Day: Thursday, June 4
Duration: 2-6 hours
Cost: $50/room
For teams hoping to carry the work of the conference forward with clarity and intention, we’re offering a dedicated space for institutional groups to gather, process, and discern next steps together. Reserve a private meeting room where your team can reflect on what you’ve learned, name emerging insights, listen together for how God may be leading your shared work, and identify next-steps. Team leaders who register will receive a designated meeting space to help your group linger, connect, and plan without rush.
Provided: In-person overview and guide distribution and private space for self-guided reflection
Day: Thursday, June 4
Duration: 30 min. in person overview and 2-5 hours of self-guided reflection in private space.
Cost: $10/person
After days filled with conversation, learning, and connection, you’re invited to step into a quieter rhythm. This self-guided solo retreat offers space to listen for God’s gentle voice, to integrate what you’ve encountered, and to rest your spirit before returning home. Thoughtfully crafted prompts and practices will guide you at your own pace as you pray, reflect, and settle into stillness. A private retreat space will be provided for all who register, allowing you to meet with God without hurry or distraction.
Facilitated by: Joel Perez
Type: Interactive Workshop
Day: Thursday, June 4
Duration: 3 hours
Cost: $75/person (team pricing for 3 or more: $50/person)
This interactive workshop uses LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® to help teams enhance collaboration, creativity, and strategic thinking. Participants will engage in hands-on activities that unlock new perspectives, build stronger connections, and foster open communication. By constructing tangible models, teams can explore complex challenges and co-create actionable solutions aligned with their goals. The workshop provides a dynamic environment for teams to break through barriers, enhance trust, and approach problem-solving with a fresh, innovative mindset.