NatCon 2021
NatCon is the largest annual convening of student veterans in the world. NatCon 2021 was held on February 19 & 20, 2021 in our Virtual Conference Hall.
LEADING FORWARD TOGETHER
After listening to the concerns of Chapter Leaders across the country, SVA recognized the need to create the most inclusive and accessible National Conference (NatCon) ever. We re-imagined the entire experience virtually to remove any barriers so you can focus on your Chapter’s most important leadership asset: You!
NatCon 2021 is powered by the latest event technology to deliver all of the benefits of an in-person NatCon to you at home. Thousands of students from across the country convened with inspiring speakers, leading employers, and thought leaders to exchange ideas and best practices on topics that matter: thriving in a virtual world, growing and sustaining your SVA Chapter, funding and fundraising, addressing racial injustice, and more.
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Schedule & Breakout Sessions
Day 1: Friday, February 19, 2021 (10am-6:30pm ET)
10 a.m. Welcome General Session
11:05 a.m. Concurrent Breakout Sessions
11:55 a.m. Lunch & Networking
1:00 p.m. Concurrent Breakout Sessions
1:50 p.m. General Session: Living Virtually
3:10 p.m. Networking Break
3:20 p.m. Concurrent Breakout Sessions
4:10 p.m. Time to Explore the SVA Campus
5:45 p.m. Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Day 2: Saturday, February 20, 2021 (10am-7:00 p.m. ET)
9:40 a.m. Morning Yoga
10:00 a.m. Concurrent Breakout Sessions
11:05 a.m. General Session: Chapters as Allies
11:50 a.m. Lunch & Networking
12:30 p.m. Concurrent Breakout Sessions
1:15 p.m. Time to Explore the SVA Campus
2:30 p.m. Networking Break
3:00 p.m. Concurrent Breakout Sessions
4:00 p.m. Concurrent Breakout Sessions
5:00 p.m. The SVA Honors Gala
SVA Chapter Management
Feb. 19 at 1 p.m. SVA’s Campus Liaison Program (Lisa Witt, Dennis Cosmo, Candace Terry, Justin Monk)
Feb. 19 at 3:20 p.m. Leveraging a Chapter Strategic Plan for Your Campus Culture (Dave Bradt)
Feb. 19 at 3:20 p.m. Growing Your Chapter (Ashlyn Sharp, Arturo Garcia, Joshua Maloney, Tiffany Daugherty, Barclays)
Feb. 19 at 5:45 p.m. Leveraging Your Chapter Advisor (Dr. Emily Ives, UCLA)
Feb. 19 at 5:45 p.m. Virtual & Hybrid Engagement (Jeff Deickman, Debra Bhargava, Kevin Jenkins)
Feb. 19 at 5:45 p.m. How to Pay for NatCon 2022 (Mike Duerr & Calvin Jensen)
Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. Partnerships Lead to Success Stories (Margaret O'Donnell,Kevin Donlan)
Diversity & Inclusion
Feb. 19 at 11:05 a.m. Disability Inclusion in SVA Chapters (Spencer Scruggs, Derek Fronabarger, Lauren Lobrano, Susan Lang)
Feb. 19 at 1:00 p.m. LGBTQ+ Student Veteran Identities (Josh Kinchen)
Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. Women Leaders of SVA (Savanna Turner, Ashlie Anderson, Dr. Kiersten Downs, Ph.D., Lorena Guimaraes, Kaitlynne Hetrick)
Campus Engagement
Feb. 19 at 1p.m. Engaging Campus Resources (Jill Eaves, Dr. Terrell Odom)
Feb. 20 at 3 p.m. Partnering with your School Administration (Ashley Patterson, Marc Baker)
Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. SVA in SGA and Greek Life (Aaliyah Abarzua, Josh Johnson)
SVA Alumni
Feb. 20 at 10 a.m. Remaining Engaged with SVA After Graduation (Fontaine Stegall, Bruno Moya, Timothy Jones, & Christine Black)
Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. From Chapter Leader to Alumni: Creating an SVA Alumni Group (Ashley Gorbulja-Maldonado)
Career & Professional Development
Feb. 19 at 11:05 a.m. Google Resume Workshop (Jesse Perez)
Feb. 19 at 1 p.m. LinkedIn Skills for Veterans (Cory Boatwright, Calvin Jensen)
Feb. 19 at 1 p.m. Small Business Success: Tactics & Tips Panel Discussion (Stan Kurtz, Misty Stutsman Fox, Dr. Vivian Greentree, Matt Wiggins)
Feb. 19 at 3:20 p.m. Peer Intervention for Positive Mental Health (Brenda Campbell, LICSW & Kali Lake, PAVE, Blayne Smith, Laura Horne)
Feb. 19 at 11:05 a.m. The Current Employment Landscape (Rosalinda V. Maury & Jennifer Renée Pluta, IVMF)
Feb. 20 at 10:00 a.m. Interviewing in a COVID World (Catherine Wick & Mike Vandersloot, Raytheon Technologies)
Feb. 20 at 12:30 p.m. Advancing Veteran Entrepreneurship through Education (Rosalinda V. Maury & Mirza Tihic, IVMF & Syracuse University)
Feb. 20 at 12:30 p.m. Women in STEM (Sherry Shi, Dr. Kirstin Saboe, Kathleen “KJ” Jolivette, Sheila Hittesdorf)
Feb. 20 at 3 p.m. Personal Branding in 2021: How to get noticed, stand out and thrive in your career (Lida Citroën, Lida360)
Veteran Wellbeing
Feb. 19 at 3:20 p.m. 7 Financial Tips for Life After Lockdown (Joe Silva, Prudential)
Feb. 19 at 5:45 p.m. How to be a Chapter Leader Without Losing Your Mind (Rodger J. Pinto, Bonita Rodriguez)
Feb. 20 at 10 a.m. VA Healthcare and VA Benefits Overview (Jacqueline Hinker, Patrick Carney)
Feb. 20 at 12:30 p.m. Optimizing Veteran Decision-Making About Use of VA and Non-VA Health Care (Dr. Jeffrey T. Kullgren, MD, MS, MPH)
Feb. 20 at 3 p.m. How to Advocate for Your Chapter and Yourself (Cameron Zbikowski, Kenedey Ward, Ryan Shannon, Tammy Barlet)
Research & Government Affairs
Feb. 19 at 11:05 a.m. Legislative Professionals: Working Across the Aisle for Veterans (Jon Clark, Justin Vogt, Kelsey Baron, Faye Fernandes, Justin Hauschild)
Feb. 19 at 3:20 p.m. Current Research at SVA (Dr. Chris Cate)
Feb. 19 at 5:45 p.m. VBA’s Education Programs 2021: Year of Transformational Change (James Ruhlman, VBAVACO)
Feb. 20 at 3 p.m. Current Research from The Pew Charitable Trusts( Scott Brees, Richa Bhattarai, Dr. Nicole Morgan, Ph.D.)
Higher Education Professionals
Feb. 20 at 10 a.m. Informing Improved Recognition of Military Learning (Dr. Jessica Mason, Maria Payri, American Institutes for Research)
Feb. 20 at 12:30p.m. Veteran-friendly Versus Veteran-inclusive (Dr. Abby Kinch and COL Gerald Smith)
NatCon 2021
NatCon 2021 was held on February 19 & 20, 2021 in our Virtual Conference Hall.
Speakers & Participants
Jamie Gray Hyder
ACTRESS, LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT
Gary Vaynerchuk
ENTREPRENEUR & NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR
Jimmie Allen
PLATINUM-SELLING COUNTRY SINGER & SONGWRITER
Mayim Bialik
ACTRESS, NEUROSCIENTIST & AUTHOR
Gregory J. Hayes
CEO, Raytheon Technologies
Dr. Robert Gates
Secretary of Defense (2006-2011)
Alanah Odoms
Executive Director, ACLU of Louisiana
Florent "Flo" Groberg
Medal of Honor Recipient
Denis McDonough
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Rosalyn Durant
Senior Vice President of Operations for Walt Disney World Resort
Jared Lyon
National President & CEO, Student Veterans of America
Lindsey Lomis
Singer/Songwriter
Dan Nevins
YOGA TEACHER AND SPEAKER
Tammy Barlet
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE SERVICE, VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS
Anette Nance
CAREER COACH AND CONSULTANT, 2020 STUDENT VETERAN OF THE YEAR FINALIST
Mary Beth Bruggeman
President, The Mission Continues
Dr. Kiersten Downs, Ph.D.
SENIOR RESEARCHER, FORS MARSH GROUP
Lisa Witt
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON CAREER SERVICES
Fontaine Stegall
SVA BOARD MEMBER, PLANNING ENGINEER AT MRC GLOBAL
Lida Citroën
BRANDING AND REPUTATION MANAGEMENT EXPERT
Dennis Cosmo
DIRECTOR, JOSEPH A. MARSHALL VETERANS CENTER AT BRISTOL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Kacie Kelly
Deputy Director, Military Service Initiative, George W. Bush Presidential Center
Ryan Pavel
CEO, WARRIOR-SCHOLAR PROJECT
Sherry Shi
SVA BOARD MEMBER, DEVELOPER AT FACEBOOK
Tiffany Daugherty
HEAD OF MILITARY & VETERANS OUTREACH, BARCLAYS
Derek Fronabarger
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DIRECTOR, WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT
Laura Horne
CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER, ACTIVE MINDS
Ashley Patterson
CHAPTER LEADER, COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
Mike Duerr
VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT, STUDENT VETERANS OF AMERICA
Colonel Jerry Smith USMC (Ret.)
DIRECTOR OF VETERAN SERVICES OFFICE, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
Savanna Turner
SVA CHAPTER PRESIDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
Jesse Perez
Diversity Programs Specialist, Google
Spencer Scruggs
DIRECTOR OF STUDENT ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES AT TRINITY UNVIERSITY
Ashlie Anderson
SVA CHAPTER PRESIDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA WILMINGTON
Rodger J. Pinto
SVA CHAPTER PRESIDENT AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY SOUTH BEND & DEPUTY CITY CLERK DIRECTOR OF POLICY, CITY OF SOUTH BEND
Justin Vogt
STAFF DIRECTOR, HOUSE VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Aaliyah Abarzua
FORMER CHAPTER LEADER & SECOND LIEUTENANT, U.S. ARMY
Dr. Chris Cate, Ph.D.
Vice President of Research, Student Veterans of America
Kevin Jenkins
PROGRAM MANAGER, STUDENT VETERANS OF AMERICA
Alice Fei
Vice President, Human Resources, Technology, Product, and Experience
Joshua Maloney
SVA CHAPTER PRESIDENT AT CAPE COD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Justin Monk
POLICY ASSOCIATE, STUDENT VETERANS OF AMERICA
Kali Lake
PROGRAM MANAGER, PAVE AT UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Blayne Smith
George W. Bush Institute’s Veteran Wellness Alliance
Lauren Augustine
Vice President of Government Affairs, Student Veterans of America
Calvin Jensen
DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, STUDENT VETERANS OF AMERICA
Dr. Vivian Greentree, Ph.D.
SVP, HEAD OF GLOBAL CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP, FISERV
Misty Stutsman Fox
INSTITUTE FOR VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES (IVMF)
Stan Kurtz
DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND ENGAGEMENT, SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Dr. Terrell Odom, Ed.D.
Associate Director for Programs and Services, Office for Military-Affiliated Communities, The University of Chicago
Matt Wiggins
ASSOCIATE MANAGER OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, IFA FOUNDATION
Meg Hendricks
Senior Director, Head of Military and Veteran Affairs
Corporate Citizenship, Fiserv
Cory Boatwright
Head of Military & Veteran Programs for LinkedIn
Justin Hauschild
LEGAL FELLOW, STUDENT VETERANS OF AMERICA
Trinity A. Downing
Technical Designer, The Boeing Company
Brenda Campbell
Outreach Communications, Defense Health Agency
Jon Clark
REPUBLICAN STAFF DIRECTOR, U.S. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
Mirza Tihic
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER, INSTITUTE FOR VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES (IVMF)
Rosalinda V. Maury
Director of Applied Research & Analytics, INSTITUTE FOR VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES (IVMF)
Arturo Garcia
SVA CHAPTER PRESIDENT AT CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE
Jennifer Renée Pluta
Assistant Director of Veteran Career Services, SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
Timothy M. Jones
VETERAN SERVICE NAVIGATOR
Dr. Jeffrey T. Kullgren, MD
RESEARCH SCIENTIST & ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, VA ANN ARBOR HEALTH SYSTEM & THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Dr. Abby Kinch, Ph.D.
VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS & SERVICES, STUDENT VETERANS OF AMERICA
James D. Ruhlman
DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION
Christine M. Black
Assistant Director, Office of Equity and Diversity, University of Scranton
Cameron Zbikowski
SVA CHAPTER PRESIDENT AT GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Sheila Hittesdorf
Senior Scientific Writer, Bristol Myers Squibb
Ashley Dent
2019 STUDENT VETERAN OF THE YEAR FINALIST
Jacqueline Hinker
Veteran Community Outreach Specialist, Wilmington VA Medical Center
Josh Kinchen
Associate Director for LGBTQ+ Resources, George Mason University
Kenedey Ward
Assistant Director for Project R.E.D Team
Ryan Shannon
Assistant Director for Project R.E.D Team
Faye Fernandes
Counsel, Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs
Patrick Carney
Veteran Community Outreach Specialist, Wilmington VA Medical Center
Kaitlynne Hetrick
Associate, Government Affairs, IAVA
Margaret O’Donnell
Manager of Military and Veteran Engagement Programs, Rutgers Business School
Dr. Kristin Saboe, Ph.D.
Senior Manager, Employee Listening & Talent Strategy, The Boeing Company
Kathleen “KJ” Jolivette
Attack Helicopter Programs & Senior Mesa Site Executive, The Boeing Company
Scott Brees
Officer, Student Loan Research, The Pew Charitable Trusts
Debby Merritt-Bhargava
President, SVA Chapter at Colorado State University - Global
Joshua Johnson
Veterans Outreach Director, Colorado State University
Dr. Nicole Morgan, Ph.D.
Research & Evaluation Scientist, Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness, Penn State University
Dr. Christine Quemuel, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Diversity, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Richa Bhattarai
Associate, Student Loan Research Team, The Pew Charitable Trusts
Kevin Donlan
President, Rutgers Chapter of STEM Veterans USA
Lorena Guimaraes
Chapter President, Student Veterans of America at Florida International University
Maria Payri
American Institutes for Research
Dr. Jessica Mason, Ph.D.
American Institutes for Research
Catherine Wick
Talent Acquisition Manager for Candidate Engagement, Raytheon Technologies
Mike Vandersloot
Professional Engineering Recruiter, Raytheon Technologies
Sponsors & Exhibitors
