
Igniting your Why: Celebrating 40 Years of Purpose, Passion, and Perseverance
March 6, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Coffman Memorial Union (CMU)
300 Washington Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
Welcome to the 2025 Professional Development Conference and 38th Annual John Tate Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising Ceremony. This event brings together faculty, administrators, professional advising staff, career counselors, and other members of the extended University community interested in academic advising.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Academic Advising Network (AAN)! AAN was established in 1985 when a group of advisors came together to implement programming, foster community, and share best practices among colleagues on campus. At the 2025 Tate Conference, we will honor their work and the contributions of their predecessors over the past 40 years.
Check in, Breakfast, and Networking
Session Time: 8:30 a.m - 9:30 a.m.
Location: Great Hall
Join us as we kick-off the 2025 Tate Conference!
Welcome and Opening Session
Session Time: 9:30 a.m - 9:55 a.m.
Location: Great Hall
This opening session will include welcome messages from the AAN Board.
Presentation Materials and Recording
Keynote Speaker
Session Time: 9:55 a.m - 10:50 a.m.
Location: Great Hall in Coffman & Live Streaming
Presenter: Mariann Johnson
Mindful Approaches for Cultivating Personal Wellbeing and Renewal
Keynote Session Description:
It’s been a challenging few years, and this experiential session will invite participants to reflect on practical approaches for enhancing their own wellbeing, while supporting the wellbeing of those they serve.
Following a brief overview of the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing and its six-dimensional wellbeing model, mindfulness and self-compassion practices will be presented as evidence-based resources for strengthening wellbeing and mitigating the physical and mental health impacts of ongoing stress. Participants will be invited to practice a short mindfulness meditation and will leave the session with everyday tips for bringing moments of renewal into their daily lives, and the lives of the students they serve.
More information about the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing and the services and the resources they provide can be found here: https://csh.umn.edu.

Keynote Presenter Bio:
Mariann Johnson is a wellbeing and mindfulness instructor for the University of Minnesota’s Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing. She has studied and practiced mindfulness meditation for over 25 years and is a certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction instructor through Brown University’s Mindfulness Center. Before dedicating her professional life to teaching mindfulness, Mariann served as an organization development consultant and mediator, working with leaders of Fortune 500 companies, government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Her writings on mindful leadership have appeared in the Huffington Post and Mindful Magazine.
Learn more about Mariann on the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing website.
Breakout Session 1
Session Time: 11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
Choose one of the following sessions to attend.
Finding Calm Between Appointments
Presenters: Rita Richardson, Senior Academic Advisor, University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development; and Marjorie Grevious, Senior Academic Advisor, University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development (Rita and Marjorie are also trained yoga instructors and wellness specialists.)
This interactive session breaks down mindfulness into simple, short techniques you can integrate into your work day especially during high volume times of the year. You will leave the session with tangible and realistic ways to cultivate calm in yourself, enhance your relationship with students/staff, and energize your advising/coaching stamina.
Intended audience: Academic Advisors, Career Professionals, Faculty Advisors
Location: CMU Mississippi Room (3rd-321) & Live Streaming
Presentation Materials and Recording
Not Just White: Identity Development of White-Assumed, Multiracial College Students (2023 Tate Conference Showcase Session Winner)
Presenter: Shelby LaFreniere, Dentistry Graduate and Advanced Education Coordinator, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry
Multiracial college students who are assumed to be White are a growing, but largely invisible group. This talk will share the experiences of White-assumed, Multiracial college students in higher education as well as recommendations for student affairs professionals to support their racial identity development.
Intended audience: Academic Advisors, Career Professionals
Location: CMU Room 303
Intentional Indecision: A Planned Happenstance Approach to Guiding the Undecided
Presenters: Abby Wilfert, Graduate Assistant, University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development; Victor Massaglia, Director of the Career & Professional Development Center, University of Minnesota School of Public Health; Dr. Michael J. Stebleton, Professor of Higher Education, University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development, Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development
Exploring the potential benefits of career indecision, this presentation offers strategies for counselors assisting undecided individuals. Incorporating group role play, reflective writing, and discussions, participants will acquire a comprehensive understanding of relevant theories and practical techniques to tackle career indecision effectively.
Intended audience: Career Professionals
Location: CMU 323
A First Look Into the Experiences of First-Generation International Students
Presenters: Jane Sitter, Senior International Career Consultant, University of Minnesota Career Services; and Mai Xiong, Career Coach, University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management Student Life & Career Design
Movements to increase awareness of first-generation students have expanded. The presenters have noticed more students holding “first-gen” and “international” identities. This intersection is not often discussed in detail. This presentation will explore SERU data from international first-gen respondents and available literature, followed by a Q&A with international first-gen students.
Intended audience: Academic Advisors, Career Professionals, Faculty Advisors
Location: CMU 324
The Most Human of Feelings: Addressing Loneliness Among College Students
Presenters: Lisa Clark, Senior Academic Advisor, University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts; and Kate Gernes, Senior Academic Advisor, University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts
Join our workshop as we explore the pressing issue of loneliness among college students. Attendees will learn insights from the latest research, participate in case studies, and engage in dynamic group discussion. Together we will identify advising strategies and best practices that empower students to create meaningful connections.
Intended audience: Academic Advisors, Career Professionals, Faculty Advisors
Location: CMU 325
Modeling, Celebrating, and Enabling Curiosity (and Then Accidentally Fostering Wellbeing)
Presenter: Sarah Keene, Instructor for PubH 1001: Success Over Stress, University of Minnesota School of Public Health
This session is intended to introduce attendees to some of the research behind curiosity: what is it, how is it measured, what can it do for us? How might being curious help us grow, adapt, improve our workplaces, and connect with others?
Intended audience: Academic Advisors, Career Professionals, Faculty Advisors
Location: CMU 326
Lunch & Awards Ceremony
Session Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:50 p.m.; awards ceremony beings at 12:30 p.m.
Location: Great Hall
Join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of this year’s recipients of the 2025 John Tate Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising: Jacquelyn Burt, Saje Mathieu, Bavi Weston, and Keni Zenner. Learn more about this year’s recipients and view past winners on the Tate website. We will also celebrate this year’s AAN Award Winners.
Presentation Materials and Recording
Breakout Session 2 & Tate Talks
Session Time: 2:00 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.
Choose one of the following sessions to attend.
What it Actually Means to be Anti-Racist in Career Services and Advising
Presenters: Denise Felder, Associate Director of CEHD Career Services, University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development; Carolyn Vue, Senior Career Coach, University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development; Nick Goffard, Senior Career Coach, University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development; Katie Niznik, Career Coach, University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development; and Tina Zillhart, Employer Relations Coordinator, University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development
Sustainable change is often hard to implement in higher education. Join the Career Services team from the College of Education and Human Development as we share our steps to implementing anti-racist practices into our strategic plan and daily operations, and how your team can do it, too.
Intended audience: Academic Advisors, Career Professionals, Faculty Advisors
Location: CMU Mississippi Room (3rd-321) & Live Streaming
Presentation Materials and Recording
Empathy to Empowerment: Rethinking Success on Academic Probation
Presenters: Kay Glasgow, Academic Advisor, University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences; Marissa Caskey, Academic Advisor, University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences; and Bory Chhunn, Academic Advisor, University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences
Being placed on academic probation can be discouraging for students. Advisors need to re-evaluate the following when working with students on academic probation: language associated with the experience, student personal challenges, and barriers students face. This will adjust the conversations and re-motivate students to take back control of their futures.
Intended audience: Academic Advisors, Career Professionals, Faculty Advisors
Location: CMU 303
How the Graduate School Diversity Office Serves UMN Students
Presenters: Tammy McNish, Assistant Director of Diversity Outreach & Recruitment, University of Minnesota Graduate School Diversity Office; Dr. Cori Bazemore-James, Assistant Vice Provost, University of Minnesota Graduate School Diversity Office; Dr. Majia Brown, Assistant Director of Transition & Retention, University of Minnesota Graduate School Diversity Office; Trae Larson, Coordinator of Transition & Fellowships, University of Minnesota Graduate School Diversity Office; Linda Lee, Coordinator of Recruitment & COSP, University of Minnesota Graduate School Diversity Office
The UMN Graduate School Diversity Office centers intersectional experiences of traditionally marginalized graduate students by offering resources that support their educational aspirations. In this session, participants will learn the intricacies of the GSDO mission, and how undergraduate and graduate staff can work together to help students reach their educational goals.
Intended audience: Academic Advisors, Faculty Advisors, Career Professionals
Location: CMU 323
Navigating the Path to Graduation: Supporting International Students
Presenters: Daniel Morales, Interim Assistant Director of Inclusive Classroom Climate, University of Minnesota Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence; Marina Uehara, Director For Student Engagement, University of Minnesota International Student and Scholar Services; Kelly Collins, Director of Education, University of Minnesota Office of Equity and Diversity; LeeAnne Godfrey, Teaching Specialist & Faculty/Staff Liaison, University of Minnesota College of Continuing & Professional Studies and Minnesota English Language Program; Ann Smith, International Student Academic Integration (ISAI) Program Director, University of Minnesota Global Programs and Strategy Alliance; Satomi Mitani, Graduate Student, University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development
This workshop provides insights for educators working with international students, emphasizing the need to understand how the US higher education system impacts their academic, social and emotional adjustment. Recommendations and resources include community-building activities, support provided by academic advisors, and PD opportunities, including a webinar focused on racialization and xenophobia.
Intended audience: Academic Advisors, Career Professionals, Faculty Advisors
Location: CMU 324
The Value of Knowledge: How to Utilize the Experiences and Perspectives of Advisors Who Have Worked at Multiple Colleges
Presenters: Lisa Folch, Senior Academic Advisor, University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management; and Phuong Geiger, Senior Academic Advisor, University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development
Advisors that have worked at multiple colleges have a unique knowledge base, having approached advising processes from varying perspectives and methods. Using a panel discussion, this session will explore what we can learn from advisors that have worked for multiple colleges and how we can better utilize this insight.
Intended audience: Academic Advisors
Location: CMU 325
Tate Talks in CMU 326
2:00 p.m. - 2:20 p.m.
Tate Talk 1: Supporting Student-Athletes in the NIL & Transfer Era: An Overview of the Lindahl Academic Center
Presenters: Kyle Quagliana, Associate Director, University of Minnesota Lindahl Academic Center; and Laura Claydon, Learning Specialist, University of Minnesota Lindahl Academic Center
This presentation overviews the Lindahl Academic Center and the impacts of recent NCAA rules changes. Our academic support model includes services such as academic counseling, learning support services and tutoring services. We work collectively with campus constituents and athletics department staff to empower student-athletes as they pursue their academic goals.
Intended audience: Academic Advisors, Career Professionals, Faculty Advisors
Location: CMU 326
2:30 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.
Tate Talk 2: Not Just for Honors Students: Competitive Scholarships and Academic Advice
Presenter: Timothy Jones, Associate Director, University of Minnesota Honors Program
Nationally competitive scholarships can help students acquire experience and develop skills that will allow them to explore and succeed academically and professionally. Advisors who attend this talk will learn about some specific programs that can provide students with opportunities to build on their undergraduate experience at the University of Minnesota.
Intended audience: Academic Advisors, Faculty Advisors
Location: CMU 326
Breakout Session 3 & Tate Talks
Session Time: 3:00 p.m. - 3:50 p.m.
Choose one of the following sessions to attend.
Advising Update & Community Conversation
Presenters: Advising Steering Committee Members, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Join in the conversation as we discuss advising on the Twin Cities campus and the undergraduate student experience. Members of the Advising Steering Committee will share priorities and progress on advising-related issues, including the advising promotion guidelines. Share your ideas and challenges in a collective effort to enhance the advising experience.
Intended audience: Academic Advisors
Location: CMU Mississippi Room (3rd-321) & Live Streaming
Presentation Materials and Recording
From Access to Achievement: Supporting Underrepresented Students on the Path to Graduate School with Regenerative Collaborations Post-Affirmative Action
Presenters: Anthony Albecker, Program Director of TRIO McNair Scholars, University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development; Kayla Cory, TRIO McNair Scholar Advisor, University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development; Tai Do, PhD Candidate, University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development First-Generation Institute; Consuelo Gutierrez-Crosby, Director of TRIO SSS, University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development; Tamara McNish, Assistant Director of Diversity Outreach & Recruitment, University of Minnesota Graduate School Diversity Office; Liz Hitch, Site Coordinator, Louis Stokes North Star STEM Alliance; K.L. Clarke, Associate Librarian, University of Minnesota Libraries
The Gopher Grad Initiative unites people and resources through workshops centering the experiences and needs of first-generation, Pell-eligible, and underrepresented students. The initiative introduces pathways to graduate school while also transforming systems. This session equips staff with insights to support students through fostering collaborations and championing inclusion in higher education.
Intended audience: Academic Advisors, Career Professionals, Faculty Advisors
Location: CMU 303
Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) and CLA Undergraduate Education
Presenter: Bavi Weston, Associate Director of Advising, University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts
Come hear about the IDI journey in CLA Undergraduate Education. Get an overview of the process and the work so far. See some data snapshots of our larger unit. And hear about ways the IDI can connect into our Shared Equity Leadership work.
Intended audience: Academic Advisors, Career Professionals, Faculty Advisors
Location: CMU 323
When Tomorrow You Thanks Yesterday You: Saving Time With Self-Created Alerts and Warnings
Presenter: Alisa Dean, Senior Academic Advisor, University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts
If you're an Academic Advisor or have access to create your own alerts and warnings in the APLUS system, this session is for you! We'll discuss how self-created alerts and warnings can save you time. We’ll start with an overview and then dive into how-to and brainstorming ideas.
Intended audience: Academic Advisors, Faculty Advisors, Others who have APLUS access and a student caseload
Location: CMU 324
Return, Reflect, Reconnect: Navigating Challenges and Embracing Opportunities After Study Abroad
Presenters: Molly Green, Learning Abroad Advisor, University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center; and Jemma Lund, Instructor-Led Program Manager, University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center
With over 2,500 students studying abroad each year, advisors are bound to meet with returnees. We will focus on how advisers can help students build on the knowledge and skills they gained abroad after they return to campus, and share resources the LAC uses to help students navigate re-entry.
Intended audience: Academic Advisors
Location: CMU 325
Tate Talks in CMU 326
3:00 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Tate Talk 3: MyCareerManagement and Implementation in Advising
Presenters: Sarah Campbell, Associate Director of Academic Advising, University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts; and Judy Anderson, Director of Career Readiness, University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts
MyCareerManagement was designed in CLA as a recommendation tool that suggests possible next career steps for students in the development of their career management. We will demo the tool and the viewable data in APLUS that can be used to reinforce career steps, understand barriers and support career infused advising. It’s available for use across the system to enhance career coaching and advising practices.
Intended audience: Academic Advisors, Career Professionals, Faculty Advisors
Location: CMU 326
3:30 p.m. - 3:50 p.m.
Tate Talk 4: McMindfulness: A Call to Challenge Hierarchy in the Workplace
Presenter: Korrina Griffith, Academic Advisor, University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts
Join a conversation on McMindfulness and its effects on maintaining workplace hierarchy. This quick talk will go over a quick history of the Westernization of mindfulness, ways to engage with mindfulness in its roots, and why we need to use mindfulness to create lasting workplace change.
Intended audience: Academic Advisors, Career Professionals
Location: CMU 326
Raffle and Networking Event
Session Time: 3:50 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Great Hall
Presented by: AAN Board Members
Please join us in the Great Hall after the last breakout session for snacks and an engagement activity.
We will also announce the winners of the raffle during this time. Please see the raffle items below. If you would like to donate more raffle items, please feel free to reach out to the AAN Board at [email protected].
Raffle Items:
- Atomic Habits book
- Self-care cards
- Inspirational pens
- Stress-relief cards
- Yoga mat
- Difference maker cup
- Academic advisor coffee mug
- Designing your life book
Thank you for attending the Tate Conference
On behalf of the Academic Advising Network, we want to thank you for attending the 2025 John Tate Advising Conference and Awards for Excellence. A special thanks to all those who planned, presented, and volunteered to make this event a success.
Tate Conference Planning Committee
- Marissa Caskey (Conference Director), CBS
- Danielle Schnettler (Conference Co-Chair), TRIO
- Clara Arent (Volunteer Lead), LAC
- Morgan Bartlett (Keynote Lead), CFANS
- Ashley Metz (Funtivity & Food Lead), LAC
- Annie Ryman Richardson (Proposal/Presenter Lead), CLA
Special thanks to Rose Staloch and Amy Hackett for their guidance and assistance in organizing the 2025 Tate Conference!
This year's conference and awards ceremony are sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Education and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Academic Advising Network.