Spring Forward Into Student Success: NOSS-NJ's Return to In-Person Networking

On Friday, April 22, NOSS-NJ hosted our spring conference. The simulcast event, held at NJCU’s beautiful new Ft. Monmouth campus provided a welcome return to in-person professional development while retaining the flexibility and accessibility provided by the remote option.

The theme of the conference, Spring Forward into Student Success, motivated participants to consider new approaches to meeting students’ needs and featured recent research conducted in the state. Sheenah Hartigan, Executive Director of Enrollment Services at Ocean County College, delivered the keynote address.

The talk featured OCC’s AI-powered and budget-conscious approach to on-boarding students, responding to students’ needs online and in real-time, and in supporting student retention. Significantly, Hartigan pointed out that Gen Z digital natives are accustomed to consuming recommended content: whether streaming entertainment or making online purchases, their needs are addressed before they even know what to ask for. Hartigan presented a similar approach to anticipating students’ next needs both in person-to-person and chatbot-facilitated interactions.

The breakout sessions that followed the keynote included Michael Sparrow and Robert Hammond’s research on combatting stereotype threat through pre-placement test interventions; Maureen Reidenauer’s discussion of online course design and delivery and related success perceptions; a preview of Kristen Wilson’s doctoral study on the impact of trauma on community college students’ retention; and Natalie Diaz’s examination of the relationship between instructional time and high school mathematical achievement.

With opportunities to network and discuss throughout the program, the afternoon event provided a welcome jump start into a new season of learning and growing together. Join NOSS-NJ for our next event: a best practices virtual conference tentatively scheduled for July 27th. More details to follow.