Presented By:
Dr. Michael Walker
Assistant Vice Chancellor & Dean of Students
Dr. Nathan Lindsay
Director of Student Life Assessment
September 2, 2010
Conference Proposals: Tips 20-18
20. Link title and content of your session with the
conference theme as best as you can.
19. Submit early (not that it’s an advantage, but so you
aren’t rushing to submit your work, and so you don’t
miss the deadline).
18. Check word limits per section before writing (e.g.,
NASPA abstract cannot exceed 550 characters).
Conference Proposals: Tips 17-16
17. Recognize the differences between submission
guidelines between conferences (e.g., NASPA and
ACPA), and ask for advice on the proposal if you have
not attended a certain conference before.
16. Don’t reinvent the wheel—consider using material
that you have already written for reports.
Conference Proposals: Tips 15-13
15. Review several drafts before submitting, and ask a few
colleagues to review your draft. Choose individuals
whom are not familiar with your topic (given the
possibility those who rank the submissions may be
unfamiliar with your subject area).
14. Check grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
13. Where possible, co-present with others to provide a
range of expertise (faculty, graduate students, staff
from other campuses, etc.).
Conference Proposals: Tips 12-10
12. As you write your abstract, ask yourself whether it will
grab people’s attention, and if it accurately represents
your presentation.
11. Use the subheadings in the submission guidelines
(listed in the same order), to show that you have
covered all of the material.
10. Clearly outline the learning outcomes for your
presentation, and do so using action verbs (e.g.,
identify, articulate, differentiate).
(Kim Yousey Elsener—Student Voice Blog, August 18, 2010.)
Conference Proposals: Tips 9-7
9. Choose subject areas you are familiar with and can
speak about with ease; same for your co-presenters.
8. Don’t be too esoteric in your descriptions. Spend more
time being clear about what you are discussing, and
why it will benefit the attendees. Showing evidence of
successful programs that may benefit others helps.
7. Link your content to your desired audience at the
conference (workshop, new professionals, etc.).
Conference Proposals: Tips 6-4
6. Highlight how your session will be interesting,
interactive, and cutting edge.
5. Back up your proposal with a strong theoretical base
and philosophical underpinnings. It’s best to have 5-7
articles in your references section.
4. Choose an interesting title that appeals to or piques
one’s curiosity.
Conference Proposals: Tips 3-1
3. Three words: Everyone Loves Clickers.
2. When possible, include assessment findings and
action steps in your presentation. Data that confirms
the effectiveness of your “best practice” is what will set
it apart from other proposals.
1. Reviewers are as fickle as the Stock Market, so if your
proposal isn’t accepted, apply the feedback and
resubmit the following year.