LSAC Academic Assistance Training Workshop St. Louis June 3-6, 2009

As those of you on the Academic Support listserv know, Kent Lollis from LSAC posted a "heads up" regarding this year's St. Louis meeting.  Once the official announcement and registration materials come out in April, this website will post more information.

However, for the benefit of new ASP staff members who may not be on the listserv or who may not know about this bi-annual meeting, I wanted to mention it here.  You may need the lead-time to talk with your budget folks about monies to attend.

The bi-annual LSAC AATW is THE national conference for ASP folks.  The conference is always outstanding!!!!  Not only are the sessions superbly presented, but the materials that you receive are fabulous. 

ASP folks are the kindest, most generous, most innovative, and helpful folks in the world in my viewpoint.  For those of you who are new, this opportunity to meet other ASPers is invaluable.  You will make lots of connections with other professionals who will become your friends and mentors.  Conversations during the breaks often lead to swapping of additional materials and sharing of tips.

Questions can be sent to the planning committee members listed here or to Kent Lollis and his staff (klollis@LSAC.org).  The Planning Committee includes: Paul Bateman, Southwestern (Chair); Joyce Savio Herleth, St. Louis; Jennifer S. Kamita, Loyola Marymount; Paula J. Manning, Whittier; Russell McClain, Maryland; and Jannell Lundy Roberts, Loyola Marymount (and Chair of the Diversity Committee).

I have included a few of the points that Kent included in his e-mail below for those of you who do not know the drill:

• Registration materials will be made available in April.  
• The conference begins with reception/dinner on Wednesday evening and ends Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
• Registration will initially be limited to one person per law school.
• Registration will be $100.  LSAC will pay hotel.
• The topics include according to Kent's e-mail:
  • Introduction to the new LSAC Academic Assistance Website
  • Counseling students with disabilities
  • Working with students from different racial and cultural backgrounds
  • Basic elements in building an academic support program
  • Building a thriving academic support team
  • Basics of bar exam support
  • FERPA issues for the academic support professional
  • Deans’ perspectives on academic support and resource allocation
  • Securing resources for your program
  • Learning and technology
  • Creating a positive learning environment
  • Providing students with positive feedback
  • Supporting students in academic difficulty
  • Program evaluation tools

I hope to see many of you at the conference.  You will not be disappointed by this event.  (Amy Jarmon)