Structured Conversations

In an effort to provide ongoing professional development opportunities for SAAL members, the Professional Development Committee hosts Structured Conversations. Structured Conversations are monthly interactive assessment webinars. A listing of upcoming webinars and past records can be found below. Check the professional development calendar for a full listing of events. 

SAAL Structured Conversations are designed with you in mind. Recognizing the expertise of our colleagues in Student Affairs assessment, we are issuing a call for presentations to share your expertise, perspectives, and best practices in student affairs assessment.  

Ready to submit a proposal? Please fill out the form below. SAAL typically hosts one Structured Conversation per month and we accept submissions on a rolling basis. The SAAL Professional Development Committee will coordinate all the logistics for the session including technical support and promotion. 

​Thursday, February 5, from 3-4 PM ET

Leading with Empathy: Reimagining Assessment Culture for Impact with Dr. Naima Wells

Register for the February Structured Conversation: Bridging the Silos

Abstract:

Assessment is often met with a groan. A national study confirms why: staff cite 'professional trauma' from punitive efforts and face gaps in time, guidance, and leadership. What if our own approach to leadership is the part of the problem?

This interactive design dialogue is a direct response to the research. Using an Empathetic & Intentional Design framework, we will collaboratively diagnose how our approaches create friction and co-design solutions to become enablers, not enforcers. You will leave with a framework to lead with empathy and champion an assessment process that drives continuous improvement and institutional impact.

Learning outcomes:

• Diagnose Barriers: Connect findings from a national research study to their own campus context, identifying leadership habits that may create resistance.
• Apply a New Framework: Articulate and apply the core principles of "Empathetic & Intentional Design" to common administrative and student affairs assessment challenges identified in the research.
• Co-Create Solutions: Develop practical, user-centric strategies for a virtual "playbook" designed to foster a more supportive, engaging, and impactful assessment culture.

Structured Conversations are FREE and anyone can participate. If you are unable to attend a Structured Conversation live or want to review a past Structured Conversation, recordings going back to 2016 are available on the SAAL YouTube Channel. If available, slides and handouts can be found in the SAAL Resource Repository in the folder titled "Structured Conversations."