Conference gathering

Annual Conference

Thanks for a great virtual conference!

The WACADA 2021 Annual Conference was hosted virtually by
Fox Valley Technical College on September 23, 2021!

Attendees will receive access to recordings and materials soon.

  • Overview

    WACADA’s Annual Conference is hosted by a different university each year across the state. We try to have a different geographical presence to accommodate our vast and wonderful institutions. Last year, as a result of Covid-19, the University of Wisconsin-Superior hosted the 2020 WACADA Annual Conference virtually! In 2021, thanks to our peers in Northeastern Wisconsin, Fox Valley Technical College will be hosting the Annual Conference virtually! We hope you are excited as we are!

  • 2021 Conference

    We are eager to announce the call for proposals for the 2021 WACADA annual conference is now open! This year’s conference will be hosted virtually via Microsoft Teams by Fox Valley Technical College on Thursday, September 23rd. The conference theme is “Building a World of Opportunity: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Advising.” We are looking forward to an enriching conference and are requesting session proposals that will take place during the virtual event. While all advising topics are eligible for concurrent sessions and/or hot topics tables, we are especially seeking proposals focused on diversity, equity, and inclusivity in higher education.

    Please read the submission instructions and submit your proposal using this ONLINE FORM!

    Eligibility: We encourage novice and experienced presenters that are involved in advising. WACADA membership is required.

    If you have questions, please contact Ryan Drazkowski, conference proposal lead for the 2021 WACADA conference, at drazkows@fvtc.edu. We hope to finalize proposal selections by July 31st, 2021. Submission contacts will be notified via email at that time.

    Conference registration will open on July 1st, 2021. 

    We look forward to seeing you in September!

  • Presentations

    2021 Conference Agenda

    We are hoping to offer engaging sessions focused on Inclusivity and Equity in higher ed. We encourage members to submit presentation proposals HERE.

  • Keynote Speaker

    2021 Keynote Speaker – Rayon Brown

    Rayon Brown currently serves as Executive Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Chief Diversity Officer at Fox Valley Technical College.

    Brown joined FVTC in 2004. Before being named Chief Diversity Officer in July 2020, he held various positions at the College including Director of Diversity & Inclusion, Manager of Multicultural Student Services, Intercollegiate Athletics/Student Life Coordinator, and Student Life Recreation Assistant. In 2014, he served as the Director of the Brother-to-Brother program, an initiative designed to increase retention rates of students of color at FVTC.

    Brown earned an Associate Degree in Marketing from FVTC and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee. He earned his Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership & Administration from Concordia University in Mequon, and is working toward a Doctoral Degree in Leadership in Innovation and Continuous Improvement.

  • “Get Involved! Present, ask questions, apply for grants...it can lead to so many opportunities in the future.”
    Melissa Lantta
    Student Pathways Coordinator at Blackhawk Technical College
  • “I chose to become involved in WACADA to further connect and engage in discussions on recent trends and research.”
    Jennifer M. Ball-Sharpe
    Associate Director of Student Services Online at Herzing University
  • “Being connected to advisors with vast arrays of experience and knowledge across the state is a wonderful thing.”
    Blake Bishop
    Academic Success Coach at UW-Flexible Option
  • “It's wonderful to be able to attend events with like-minded colleagues who all "get" advising...”
    Holly Radke
    Academic Advisor at Cardinal Stritch University