Conference Resources

Positive Student Development Theory: A New Lens for the Field

ACPA, March 2010

Presented by Dr. Eileen Hulme

Positive Student Development Theory provides an alternative approach to the conceptualization of student development by studying the strengths of character that lead to student success.  This session introduces five character strengths (hope, curiosity, zest, altruistic love, and self-regulation) as the theoretical foundation for Positive Student Development Theory.  Practical suggestions on how to assess and develop these strengths are also discussed.  Download PDF file of powerpoint presentation.

The Commons: The Campus of the Future

ACPA, March, 2010

Presented by Dr. Eileen Hulme

To meet the developmental needs of a technologically-astute generation, student affairs professionals must create and employ innovative online measures to encourage student growth.  This session demonstrates the range of technological advances available to student affairs participants and present a new online campus developed to address the developmental needs of college students.  Download PDF file of powerpoint presentation.

Positive Student Development Theory: A New Lens for the Field

NASPA Pre-conference, March 2010

Presented by Dr. Eileen Hulme, Karin Klinger and Dr. Frank Shushok

Positive Student Development Theory provides an alternative approach to the conceptualization of student development by studying the strengths of character that lead to student success.  This session introduces five character strengths (hope, curiosity, zest, altruistic love, and self-regulation) as the theoretical foundation for Positive Student Development Theory.  Practical suggestions on how to assess and develop these strengths are also discussed.  Download PDF file of powerpoint presentation.

Strategic Expectations: Developing Hope in College Students

NASPA, March, 2010

Presented by Dr. Eileen Hulme and Ray Rood

In our fast-paced world, student affairs professionals and college students find themselves reacting to their present circumstances as opposed to inventing their futures.  This tyranny of the urgent can lead to decreased levels of hope, an essential characteristic that leads to student success.  This presentation explores the practical application of Strategic Expectations, a facilitated process that enables college students to discover meaningful, vision-driven goals and develope the necessary motivation to achieve their goals.  Download PDF file of powerpoint presentation.

Bringing Out Their Best: A New Approach to FYE Courses

NASPA, March, 2010

Presented by Dr. Eileen Hulme and Karin Klinger

This presentation encourages institutions to refresh their approaches to new student programming through the use of positive psychology and emerging technologies.  This session highlights a new online campus approach to positive student development for first-year students.  Download PDF file of powerpoint presentation.

The Commons: The Campus of the Future

NASPA, March, 2010

Presented by Dr. Eileen Hulme, Josh Hibbard, and Karin Klinger

To meet the developmental needs of a technologically astute generation, student affairs professionals must create and employ innovative online measures to encourage student growth.  This session demonstrates the range of technological advances available to student affairs participants and present a new online campus developed to address the developmental needs of college students.  Download PDF file of powerpoint presentation.

Helping Our Students Lead Extraordinary Lives

Keynote Address
NASPA Region V & VI Conference, November, 2009

Presented by Dr. Eileen Hulme

This presentation provides a conceptual and practical overview of positive student development theory. The presentation provides a brief look at the theory behind hope, curiosity, zest, altruistic love, and self-regulation. Practical examples of how to develop these constructs and the most recent assessment measures are included.  Download PDF file of powerpoint presentation.

Conference on the First-Year Experience (FYE) 2010

MySky Cafe: Taking a Strengths-Approach to the First Year to a Deeper Level

Conference on the First-Year Experience, February 2010

Presented by Dr. Eileen Hulme

Over one hundred universities utilize a strengths-approach to the first-year experience.  By identifying a student's strengths, FYE programs have engendered an increase in students' self-efficacy and sense of academic control.  Recent research has indicated that the most effective strengths programs move students from strengths identification to development.  This interactive program will review the latest strengths-oriented research and introduce MySky Cafe, an innovative e-learning program designed to develop a student's individual strengths.  Download PDF file of powerpoint presentation.

Positive Student Development: A New Approach to Helping First-Year Students Experience Success

Conference on the First-Year Experience Session, February, 2010

Presented by Dr. Eileen Hulme and Karin Klinger

Positive Student Development Theory provides an alternative framework for the conceptualization of first-year programs by introducing strengths of character that lead to student success.  This session introduces five strengths (hope, zest, curiosity, self-regulation, and gratitude) and discusses their relationship to academic success and retention.  Practical suggestions on how to assess and develop these strengths through first-year experience programming are reviewed.  Download PDF file of powerpoint presentation