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Programs & Events>National Conference '21

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

    SVA

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    Telephone: (202) 223-4710

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