NAACO Colleagues and Friends,

NAACO invites you to share your knowledge and expertise with fellow academic ceremonies professionals by presenting an educational session at the 2022 conference. This year we will be holding a hybrid event with both in-person and virtual attendance available.

We are seeking proposals that capture the broad expertise members bring to the field, as well as the creative traditions members use to celebrate achievement at their institutions—both in-person and from afar.

All types of sessions are encouraged, whether they present a wide view of graduation planning or drill down to the details of specific areas or challenges.

As a part of the selection process, some sessions will be identified as part of NAACO’s Certificate Program, both for the Year 1 (General Knowledge) and Year 2 (Specific Topics) tracks.

Topics may include but are not limited to:

●      Impact of COVID on ceremonies

●      Keeping students engaged for ceremonies delayed by COVID

●      Ethics and ceremonies in the time of COVID

●      Technology and communications tools

●      Academic attire policies

●      Risk management policies

●      Honorary degrees

●      Academic ceremony protocol

●      Emergency planning

●      Change management

●      Physical distancing for indoor venues

●      Diploma management, production, and distribution

●      Fiscal management and budgeting

●      Accessibility

●      Working with senior leadership

●      Inaugurations and installations

●      Flags, gonfalons, and other symbols

●      Leadership and career development

Other insightful, creative, and related topics are encouraged!

To submit a proposal, please complete the online application.

Presentation time slots are 60 minutes long and should include time for a discussion with attendees. Educational session time slots will be at various points throughout the conference agenda. All speakers will be asked to indicate if they will be able to present in-person in Philadelphia or if they are only available to present virtually.

Selected presentations will be identified, and presenters notified by the end of October so that those presenting can make arrangements to confirm their participation.

The deadline for proposal submissions is October 15, 2021.

On behalf of the Education Committee and the Conference Committee, we thank you for being an active member of NAACO and hope that you will consider submitting a proposal that will contribute to the wealth of knowledge and expertise within our association.

Sincerely,

James Vitagliano, Director-at-Large, Education
Associate Dean of Enrollment Services/Registrar
MGH Institute of Health Professions

Ellen Liebman, 2022 Conference Chair
Associate Director of Administration • University of Pennsylvania