Educational Sessions

The Disability Landscape on College Campuses and Housing Accommodations

Sarah Walther, Allegheny

Galleria S

Recommended for: Advisers, Collegiate and House Board

Kappa is committed to supporting its members with disabilities and making the chapter environment more accessible. Learn the process for housing accommodations within Kappa and get a better understanding of ways to create a more accessible space for all members.

Inclusive Leadership and Language

Alex Dudek, (Bowling Green)

Grand Salon A

Recommended for: Advisers, Alumnae, Collegians and House Board

Kappa wants to make sure that every member feels included and understood. Walk through what inclusive leadership means, identify the traits that make up an inclusive leader, and understand how to be an inclusive leader in your chapter and community.

It’s OK Not to Be OK: Recognizing and Supporting Individuals With Mental Health Concerns

Kate Roessler, Illinois Wesleyan

Cathedral

Recommended for: Advisers, Alumnae, Collegians and House Board

One of the hottest topics in today’s news, on college campuses and in our communities today is mental health, and it can be a difficult topic to navigate. In this program, participants will address stigmas surrounding mental health and learn how to identify mental health concerns in others. This program with help participants develop strategies for addressing mental health concerns in others in a way that promotes support. Additionally, participants will learn how to locate and utilize campus and community resources available to help those experiencing mental health concerns.

Twenty-Something Finance

Maria Brown, Valparaiso

Galleria N

Recommended for: Collegians

Are you within a few years of graduation? Soon, you’ll be facing some big financial decisions, managing a personal budget, tackling debt, and learning about retirement savings plans. Equip yourself with the basic tools that every young woman needs to manage her money with confidence.

Risky Business: Playing The Hand You’re Dealt

Jordan Conway, Georgia Southern

Estate Salon III

Recommended for: Collegians and Advisers

Risks can come in all shapes and sizes. It applies to all aspects of chapter operations, from social events to educational programming. This interactive session will examine real-life risky situations, assess the impact and probability of risk, and facilitate action planning to develop a risk survival guide.

Fostering Successful Sisters

Amy Benbow Riccardi, North Texas

Vidal

Recommended for: Advisers, Alumnae, Collegians and House Board

Participants will be spend this time analyzing the characteristics of an excellent manager and the characteristics of an excellent leader. This distinction will allow members to identify the role they are best suited for and how this plays in to different approaches of expressing support towards others in the organization.

Understand Generational Differences to Maximize Your Membership

Allie DeFries, Denison

Grand Salon B

Recommended for: Alumnae

One of the most rewarding parts of the alumnae experience is the intergenerational aspect of our alumnae groups. Learn more about the differences and similarities throughout the generations and how you can utilize this to benefit the membership in your alumnae group. We will brainstorm communications strategies, programming opportunities and other ways to engage over generations. This interactive session will help remind us about the power of our sisterhood throughout the years

Moving Toward Inclusion: Understanding Racial Identity Development and Privilege

Brittany Henderson, Puget Sound

Addison W

Recommended for: Advisers, Alumnae, Collegians and House Board

Join us to learn about the stages of racial identity development, unpack personal privilege, build a vocabulary that includes anti-bias language and is cognizant of microaggressions, and reflect on our own personal and organizational positions regarding difference and inclusion.

(Trail)Blaze Your Way Through Difficult Conversations

Angela DiSalvo Eigner, Iowa

Mizner

Recommended for: Advisers, Alumnae, Collegians and House Board

Learn to put yourself in the forefront of change by gaining an understanding on the importance of having honest and courageous conversations. Participants will discuss why planning is an important piece of successfully handling those hard-to-have talks and will walk away with a framework that they can use to conduct conversations that aren’t always on the top of our list of things we want to do. Using relatable situations, members will acquire a skill set that they can bring back and present to their organization, so as to share the best techniques when approaching a potentially uncomfortable conversation.

History as Her Story

Mary Osborne

Museum Room

Recommended for: Advisers, Alumnae, Collegians and House Board

For 150 years, Kappa has inspired women to do the extraordinary. In this session, you’ll discover the stories of Mary Kingsbury Simkhovitch, Boston; Mary M. Crawford, Cornell; and Nora Waln, Swarthmore. Additionally, learn how to preserve your family’s stories with oral history techniques.

Trailblazing Leaders: Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity Presidents Panel

Beth Black- Moderator, Illinois Wesleyan

Valencia

Recommended for: Advisers, Alumnae, Collegians and House Board

Did you ever wonder what it would be like to serve in the role of Fraternity President? What was it like to lead an organization and be a trailblazing leader in the 1960’s, 1980’s and beyond? Learn about the time in history when they led, the culture and landscape of college campuses and our organization. Discover their successes and unique challenges related to their time in Kappa’s 150 years of history.

Omegafi Workshop

Bassford

Recommended for: Alumnae

Bylaws and Standing Rules Forum

Meredith Perlman, Emory

Addison E

Recommended for: Advisers, Alumnae, Collegians and House Board

Join us to discuss and ask questions about the proposed amendments to the Fraternity Bylaws and Standing Rules.

When You Take the Pain Away

Abby Ford, Florida State

Grand Salon D

Recommended for: Advisers, Alumnae, Collegians and House Board

Delve in to the world of prescription drug abuse and the severity of its nationwide sweep. During this program, you will learn ways to approach the difficult and taboo subject of the opioid crisis and understand its prevalence in your area. Participants will work to identify effective ways of assisting someone who may be experiencing this lonely and shameful road. This program also focuses heavily on the prevention of prescription drug abuse and ways to intervene before the disease of addiction takes over entirely.

Hitting Your Breaking Point: Coping with Generalized Anxiety and Learning to Manage Stress

Barb Goettelman, Syracuse and Marla Williams, (Western Washington University)

Grand Salon C

Recommended for: Advisers, Alumnae, Collegians and House Board

There is no doubt that stress comes in waves, at different times and in different amounts. Kappa is dedicated to supporting the positive mindset and mental health well-being of its members. Participants will learn that they are not alone in their struggles. This program will address sleep inconsistencies and steps to take to improve sleep habits, minimize stress levels, and provide distractions from situations that cause us to become riddled with anxiety. This program will also touch on the ever popular “study drugs” such as Adderall and Vyvanse, and the alarming ease at which students have access to these prescription pills.

We've Got Your Back: Building a Culture of Care and Support

Katherine Cianciotto, Denison, Grace Conley, Ohio State, and Caroline Stevens, Centre

Grand Salon A

Recommended for: Collegians

Acquire a skill set that will teach you to orchestrate a chapter that puts an emphasis on supporting one another. These skills are designed to help you not only provide support to your peers, but to ask for the same support in return. Participants will gain insight regarding the most effective ways to approach courageous, and often critical, conversations. Understand how the opportunity to learn from people from different and diverse backgrounds and knowledge leads to a stronger and more unified organization.

Leading With Integrity: Motivating Others to Step Up

Rebecca Ann Cullen, Central Florida

Galleria N

Recommended for: Advisers, Alumnae, Collegians and House Board

Identify leadership qualities to scout within your membership and in potential members and learn to utilize growth mindset terminology to bring back to your chapter and inspire others. Understand how to apply delegation skills to encourage a broad range of participation from the membership.

Mentoring for Advisers

Alex Dudak, (Bowling Green)

Vidal

Recommended for: Advisers

Advising a collegian chapter is one of the most rewarding experiences as an alumnae. This role is also one of the most challenging which can lead to burnout. In this session, you will learn what resiliency is and looks like as an adviser, how to build your own resiliency, brainstorming your action plan and learn how to be a mentor and coach rather than doer.

Fostering a Safe and Supportive Environment in the Chapter

Sarah Gipe, Ohio Wesleyan and Sarah Walther, Alleghany

Addison E

Recommended for: Advisers, Alumnae, Collegians and House Board

Understand the expectations at play when it comes to communal living and how that looks for Kappa facilities. Attendees will learn to prioritize safety and security within the chapter facility and how that looks when it is carried out correctly. Participants will also dive deeper into the discussion of each person’s individual role in creating a supportive community for all members.

Rainbow is the New Black

Kate Roessler, Illinois Wesleyan

Valencia

Recommended for: Collegians

Participants will leave the program with feeling confident in their ability to identify implicitly exclusive recruitment practices that deter students on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum and prevent an inclusive recruitment. You will get the opportunity to develop an action plan that challenges heteronormative practices and incorporate meaningful change in Panhellenic recruitment practices. Ultimately, this program is designed so that the participants will feel comfortable discussing and addressing social issues, especially those related to sexual orientation and gender identity, within their chapter and community at large.

The (Kappa) Keys to Success

Amy Benbow Riccardi, North Texas

Grand Salon B

Recommended for: Advisers, Alumnae, Collegians and House Board

Understand the difference between leadership and management and why knowing the difference is important. Discuss steps to take and the critical competencies necessary to becoming a successful leader in your chapter, community, and beyond. This program will teach participants what employees and other organizations consider to be desirable qualities for a successful individual to possess.

Aligning Chapter and House Board Finances

Heather Root, (Ohio State) and Courtney Kochanski, (University of Wisconsin-Whitewater)

Estate Salon III

Recommended for: Advisers, Collegians and House Board

Understand the importance of chapter officers, with the assistance of their advisers, working together with House Board officers to set budgets and explore the chapter’s budget. Learn to navigate Billhighway with ease and discover the most effective and efficient ways to budget for your chapter.

Moving Toward Inclusion: Understanding Racial Identity Development and Privilege

Brittany Henderson, Puget Sound

Addison W

Recommended for: Advisers, Alumnae, Collegians and House Board

In this session we will talk directly about power and privilege, share information and provide definitions of concepts such as "white privilege" and "white fragility", and reflect on our own personal and organizational positions regarding difference and inclusion.

Let’s Get Engaged!

Allie DeFries, Denison

Mizner

Recommended for: Advisers, Alumnae and Collegians

Learn ways to engage with Kappa during your years as a collegiate and after graduation. Discuss what Kappa has done for you and identify what you can do for Kappa. If you are already actively engaged in the Fraternity at large, discover new ways to stay involved or how you can further enrich your current volunteer position. We encourage you to stay engaged in the organization throughout your life, and this program is a reminder that Kappa truly is more than just 4 years. Find out what you can do to strengthen your connections with other Kappas and with the organization as a whole.

Swipe Right: Exploring Healthy Relationships

Jordan Conway, Georgia Southern

Cathedral

Recommended for: Advisers, Alumnae, Collegians and House Board

This session will call to attention the use of social media dating sites and apps that require little to no background checks to be performed.While the majority of the time these sites are light-hearted and fun, this program will explore the instances in which playful becomes foul play. Understand that an unhealthy relationship can stem from any form of set up and is not exclusive to internet dating sites. Identify warning signs that a friend may be in a relationship causing them mental, physical, or emotional harm and how to appropriately address your concerns. Learn to navigate through social platforms in order to keep yourself safe. Lastly, work towards building healthy relationships and recognize what these look like for you personally.

Bold and Brilliant: 150 Years of Defining Kappa Moments

Kylie Smith, Simpson

Museum Room

Recommended for: Advisers, Alumnae, Collegians and House Board

Take a tour of Kappa’s museum room. Learn about major events, defining moments in our history, bold leaders and changes that have occurred during the past 150 years.


Hitting Your Breaking Point: Coping with Generalized Anxiety and Learning to Manage Stress

Barb Goettlemen, Syracuse and Marla Williams, (Western Washington University)

Grand Salon C

Recommended for: Advisers, Alumnae, Collegians and House Board

There is no doubt that stress comes in waves, at different times and in different amounts. Kappa is dedicated to supporting the positive mindset and mental health well-being of its members. Participants will learn that they are not alone in their struggles. This program will address sleep inconsistencies and steps to take to improve sleep habits, minimize stress levels, and provide distractions from situations that cause us to become riddled with anxiety. This program will also touch on the ever popular “study drugs” such as Adderall and Vyvanse, and the alarming ease at which students have access to these prescription pills.

From Kappa to Career

TBD

Galleria S

Recommended for: Advisers, Alumnae, Collegians and House Board

Ever wonder how to take your Kappa experience and translate it into a winning resume? Join us to explore how to create a blended resume, use numbers to impress, convert nonprofit or volunteer language into corporate speak, and make your resume stand out in a crowd. As a member of Kappa Kappa Kappa Gamma, your success is not only possible, but inevitable.