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SOAcon

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RSVP HERE!

SOA is pleased to announce the inaugural SOAcon event scheduled for May 5, 2024 at Norris University Center.

This event is open to all students and particularly catered to students rising into roles of leadership and responsibility in student organizations for 2024-25.

The day will include networking opportunities for affinity groups, interactive sessions for student leaders to learn from each other, and a series of trending topic presentations to propel emerging student leaders into their positions and make their orgs more successful.

Please RSVP online. Those who RSVP by April 25 will have the opportunity to win a special giveaway from partners at Underground Printing. This event is open to all enrolled undergraduate and graduate students.

The entire event takes place at Norris University Center, 2nd Floor

This table has a column for timing, a column for content, and a column for room location of each offering.
12:00-12:20pm Registration Opens & Opening Remarks Norris 2nd Floor Lobby; Louis Ballroom
12:25-1:05pm

Breakouts by Org Categories for Community Time and Interactive Work

  • New/Year 0-1 Orgs (Arch Room)
  • TGS Orgs (Rock Room)
  • Pre-Professional/Academic (Armadillo Room)
  • Identity, Cultural-Focused (Northwestern Room)
  • Faith, and/or Spiritual (Northwestern Room)
  • Volunteer & Advocacy (Northwestern Room)
  • Performing Arts (Lake Room)
  • Prog Boards/Recreation (Scholars Room)
 Breakouts throughout second floor
1:05-3:50pm Vendor and Resource Expo opens with free hors d'oeuvres Louis Ballroom
1:40-2:20pm

Trending Topics Block A (check back for specific rooms)

  • "The State of the SAAF," Siyu Chen & Anaya Sheth (SOA, Arch Room)
  • "Managing Conflict in Student Orgs," Hayley Kretchmer (SOA, Rock Room)
  • "The Barrier-Free Value and Recruitment Resources," Joe Lattal (SOA, Armadillo Room)
  • "Tips & Tricks Working With the Media," Austin Siegel (Student Affairs Marketing, Northwestern Room)
  • "Student Life Without the Strife: Streamlining the Student Experience," Kelly Schaefer (Strategy for the Division of Student Affairs, Lake Room)
 Breakouts throughout second floor
2:25-3:05pm

Trending Topics Block B (check back for specific rooms)

  • "Justice and Inclusion in Student Orgs," Malik Rice (ASG & SOA, Scholars Room)
  • "Social Media Marketing and Communications," Hope Jordan (SOA, Rock Room)
  • "Cancel Culture in Student Orgs," Hayley Kretchmer & Joe Lattal (SOA, Armadillo Room)
  • "Transferable Skills from Student Orgs," Michelle Maurer (NCA, Northwestern Room)
  • "Student Life Without the Strife: Contract Basics Relevant to Event Planning," Kelly Schaefer (Strategy for the Division of Student Affairs, Lake Room)
  • "ASG & Student Org Funding," Edward Seo & Sydney Reese (ASG, Arch Room)
 Breakouts throughout second floor
3:10-3:50pm

Affinity Spaces for Reflection and Networking w/ donuts and Vietnamese iced coffee

  • APIDA (Louis North)
  • International Students (Arch Room)
  • Students with Disabilities (Rock Room)
  • FGLI (Armadillo Room)
  • Women/Non-Binary Students (Northwestern Room)
  • LGBTQIA+ Students (Northwestern Room)
  • Latinx (Lake Room)
  • African American Diaspora (Scholars Room)
 Breakouts throughout second floor

Student organizations work with several on-campus resources and non-Northwestern enterprises. This event will build connections between these valued partners and the student organization community. The vendor and resource expo will open after the first breakout session wraps at 1:05pm and will remain open for the remainder of the event. Food and beverage will be available in the Louis Room, and conference delegates can collect extra entries into our prize opportunity by engaging with the vendor/resource fair tables.

Participating Vendors & Resources

Vendors and resources can still request a table via online form request.

Students who arrive at the event will receive one entry for an opportunity to win the prize of their choosing. The more activities students participate in at SOAcon the more opportunities they will receive. Prizes at 2024 SOAcon include:

  • Wendella Boat Cruise for up to 12 passengers (all must be NU students or faculty/staff)
  • Cubs tickets (winner will connect with SOA to find home event date; up to $200 in value)
  • Free banner print to promote your organization 
  • $250 Northwestern Catering credit to support an upcoming student org event
  • Apple Airtag
  • Apple Airpods
  • 4-pack of tickets to Shedd Aquarium (valid through 5/31/24)
  • More to be announced soon!