HongKongDoll

Presenter: Rebecca Baker, ReUp Education
Format: Interactive Workshop

What does your institution look like through the eyes of a nontraditional student? Participants will examine three important touchpoints¡ªthe website, orientation, and the first term¡ªand consider where institutional practices may create unnecessary friction. Attendees will leave with practical ideas for creating more responsive experiences and supporting student persistence.

Presenter: Steve Brantley, Professor and Head of Research, Engagement and Scholarship, Mary J. Booth Library 
Eastern Illinois University
Format: Presentation

Services and spaces in academic libraries have long been built around the residential, traditional-age undergraduate, whose needs, competencies, and social-emotional capacities are well understood. Nontraditional students (working adults, parents and caregivers, veterans, transfer and returning students, and those learning primarily online) bring different schedules, responsibilities, and expectations. The contemporary university library develops resources, spaces, services, and capacities that account for these adult learners and often cater to nontraditional students directly. This session will explore the creative ways academic libraries have responded, from flexible and remote research support to welcoming physical spaces and targeted outreach, and will discuss how these supports can improve outcomes for academic success, persistence, and achievement. Our principal example will showcase the efforts of an Illinois regional university library, sharing what has worked, what challenges remain, and the potential for growth and assessment. Participants will leave with practical ideas they can adapt to support nontraditional learners at their own institutions. 

Presenter: Hannah Oganeku, ReUp Education

Format: Interactive Workshop

Stopout learners represent one of the biggest untapped non-traditional student opportunities in higher education. This session makes the case that a career-first approach to re-enrollment is a win on three levels: it gives students a clearer, faster path to economic advancement; it gives institutions stronger outcomes from enrollment to graduation; and it gives states a larger, more competitive skilled workforce. Attendees will see real institutional examples ¡ª including Passaic County Community College's paid micro-internship program ¡ª and leave with concrete
strategies to embed career connection earlier in the adult learner journey.

Presenter: Lynn F. Bailey, Spalding University

Format: Presentation

Amy Christopherson is the Director of the CSI Mini-Cassia Center located in Burley, Idaho. She has served in that role since 2012. Previously, she was an Adjunct Biology instructor for the College of Southern Idaho and an adjunct Education instructor for Idaho State University. Teaching, working, and serving in the Mini-Cassia community has been an important part of her life. Currently, Amy is serving as Board Chair on the Intermountain Health Community Advisory Board for Cassia Regional Hospital.

As Director, Amy has worked with wonderful co-workers, passionate instructors, and community partners to keep the Mini-Cassia Center an accessible option for postsecondary pathways. Nontraditional students make up a majority of the student body at the Mini-Cassia Center, and Amy and her team work tirelessly to advocate for their needs and validate their experiences.

Amy is back in the classroom herself as a Doctoral candidate in the Higher Education Administration EdD program at Idaho State University

Dr. Brett L. Petersen-Bruner serves as the Associate Vice Provost for Student Success & Persistence in the Office of Academic Programs in the Division of Academic Affairs at Wichita State University. In this role, he provides leadership to the student success and persistence portfolio, including the areas of the Media Resources Center, Office of Instructional Resources, Office of Hispanic Serving Initiatives, Office of Student Success, Office of First Year Programs, Shocker Learning Center, Math Lab, Writing Center, Physics Help Desk, Chemistry Help Room, Philosophy Logic Clinic, Office of Online & Adult Learning, OneStop Student Services, WSU campus at McConnell Air Force Base, Retention Faculty Fellows, F1RST Generation Faculty & Staff Fellows, First-Year Seminars Program, Shocker Pre-Season Program, Navigate360, Shocker Teaching Community of Practice, and university-wide advising strategy. He chairs the university's Student Success & Persistence Coalition, Student Success Leadership Team, Advising Council, Faculty Advising Team, Transfer Student Working Group, Shocker Peer Mentoring Group, and Student Early Alert System Review Committee.

He spent two years serving as the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management/Dean of Students at Missouri Western State University, where he provided leadership to the campus's health promotion and wellbeing initiatives, including serving as MWSU's primary liaison to the Missouri Partners in Prevention Coalition. He provided leadership to the student affairs portfolio, including the areas of the Counseling Center, Center for Academic Support, Career Development Center, Campus Cupboard, Blum Student Union, Student Government Association, Center
for Student Involvement, Center for Diversity & Inclusion, Commuter & Non-Traditional Student Center, Dean of Students Office, PurposeFirst Peer Connections Center, and Department of Housing & Residential Life. He spent three years serving as the Dean of Student Engagement at Arkansas Tech University, where he provided leadership to the student engagement portfolio, including the areas of the Office Campus Recreation & Esports, Arkansas Tech Student Union, Office of Events, Office of Veterans Services, Doc Bryan Student Services Center, Department of Residence Life, Department of International Student Services & Recruitment, Department of Diversity & Inclusion, Office of First-Generation Student Experience, Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life, Office of Student Leadership Development & Civic/Community Engagement, Office of Student Transitions & Family Programs, Office of the Dean of Student Engagement, Student Government Association, and Department of Campus Life.

He spent ten years working directly with new student and adult learner orientation and transition programming, including six years as the Director of Transition & Student Conduct at Fort Hays State University and four years as the Director of Student Life at Baker University (where he also led student health education initiatives for the university). He holds an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Baker University, an M.S. in College Student Personnel Administration from the University of Central Missouri, and a B.S. in Business Administration from Emporia State University. He has previously presented at the 2023 NASPA Strategies Conference on "Connecting Parents & Families of College Students to Campus Wellness Initiatives" as well as having presented extensively at the Missouri Partners in Prevention Meeting of the Minds Conference.

Mr. Lynn Bailey is a higher education professional with experience in college system-wide academic advising, student success, and workforce development. Skilled in supporting diverse student populations through career coaching, goal setting, and navigating institutional resources. Proven ability to manage student caseloads, monitor academic progress, and implement retention-focused strategies that promote persistence and completion. Experienced with student information systems, including Slate, Starfish, Student Self Service, and PeopleSoft, to track outcomes and support
data-informed decision-making. Knowledgeable with 35 certifications and skills, which can be utilized to assist various types of diverse students from various backgrounds, identities, and socioeconomic statuses.

Education/ College Degrees
BA Journalism, Indiana University Southeast, 2016
Master of Education, Higher Education, Student Affairs, Liberty University, Spring 2027