SUBMIT A SCHOLARSHIP SESSION BY 4 SEPTEMBER
Scholarship is integral to the forward movement of student affairs. Scholarship on students, staff, faculty, and the field should not only be the purview of full-time academics and graduate students. Scholarship is both for and can be created by everybody.
For ACPA27, we understand scholarship to include: (a) research papers; (b) work in various stages of progress utilizing the research paper format; (c) methods workshops; and (d) research and practice posters.
Scholarship Session Types
| Session Type | Length | Overview |
|---|---|---|
| Research Paper & Research-in-Process | 20 min of a 60-min session | Research Paper and Research-in-Process sessions are similar in that they are both formatted as a research paper. The same components are required for the proposal, but these vary in terms of detail based on the stage the research is in. Research Papers need to be completed 4 weeks prior to the Convention (15 February 2027). Research-in-Process papers can be at various stages of readiness, but data needs to be collected and analyses must be started at least 4 four weeks prior to Convention (15 February 2027). Both Research Papers and Research-in Process sessions are 20 minutes long and will be paired with one additional presentation. Research Paper sessions will have a Discussant and Research-in-process sessions will have a Scholar-Mentor. See the Scholarship Sessions portion of the website for more details regarding the proposal guidelines and differences in these two program sessions. |
| Methods Workshop | 60 min | Methods workshops are 60 minutes long. These sessions allow members to present a project that uses compelling research methods and teaches others how to apply this method to their own work. Presentations in this format should be considered continuing professional development allowing members to build self-efficacy and capacity around creating scholarship and assessment tools to bring back to their campuses. |
| Research & Practice Posters | N/A | Posters provide an opportunity for continued synchronous/ asynchronous engagement with scholarship throughout the course of Convention. Posters are not assigned a discussant or a chair. Posters should provide opportunities for members to engage with the work at times when the presenter is not present for interaction (e.g., QR codes, Instagram hashtags). |
Research Paper & Research-in-Process Sessions
Research Paper and Research-in-Process sessions are similar in that they are both formatted as a research paper. The same components are required for the proposal, but these vary in terms of detail based on the stage the research is in. Both Research and Research-in-Process sessions are 20 minutes long and will be paired with one additional presentation. The table below illustrates the required components for these two session types and how they are similar and different.
| Research Paper Sessions | Research-in-Process Sessions | |
|---|---|---|
| Level of Readiness | Paper needs to be completed and submitted at least four weeks prior to Convention (2 March, 2026) | Paper can be at various stages of readiness, but data needs to be collected and analyses started with in progress materials submitted at least four weeks prior to Convention (2 March, 2026). |
| Format of Paper | Paper data-based studies, novel scholarly arguments, and/or elaborate on or provide new theoretical or conceptual frameworks. | Paper data-based studies, novel arguments, elaborate on or provide new theoretical or conceptual frameworks, workshopped class papers, and/or comprehensive literature reviews. |
| Goal of Session | The goal of Research Paper sessions is to give direct feedback on the paper in the session, and to create a space where members can learn about the topic and be a meaningful contributor to the knowledge creation process. | Research-in-Process sessions have the same goals as the Research Paper sessions, but also provides authors the chance to grapple with in process sections of their writing (e.g., authors can share anonymized data to have the audience help make sense of). |
| Format of Session | Research Paper sessions should be presented in a standard format (e.g., introduction, methods, findings, discussion, implications). Research sessions have a discussant who will review and provide feedback on your paper. | Research-in-Process sessions do not need to be presented in a standard format (e.g., introduction, methods, findings, discussion, implications); however, enough information should be shared with the audience to elicit deep discussion. Research-in-Process sessions will have scholar-mentor, who will provide feedback on your study. |
| Proposal Sections | 1. Objectives of scholarship 2. Frameworks utilized to analyze data (e.g., theoretical, conceptual, or practical) 3. Literature review 4. Positionality (reflection of how the author(s) identities and lived experiences connect to the research) 5. Methodology 6. Developing findings 7. Possible implications 8. Importance of scholarship to the field and to ACPA’s Strategic Imperative for Racial Justice and Decolonization | 1. Objectives of scholarship 2. Frameworks you plan to utilize to analyze data (e.g., theoretical, conceptual, or practical) 3. Literature review 4. Positionality (reflection of how the author(s) identities and lived experiences connect to the research) 5. Proposed methodology 6. Importance of scholarship to the field and to ACPA’s Strategic Imperative for Racial Justice and Decolonization 7. Types of feedback and support desired from scholar-mentor at Convention and stage of readiness you expect to meet by 4 weeks prior to Convention |
| Proposal Word Limit | No more than 1,500 words | No more than 1,000 words |
Methods Workshops
Methods Workshops are 60 minutes long. These sessions allow members to present a project that uses compelling research methods and teaches others how to apply this method to their own work. Presentations in this format should consider continuing professional development, allowing members to build self-efficacy and capacity around creating scholarship and assessment tools to bring back to their campuses.
Presenters will facilitate the workshop for the entire session block (60 minutes). In no more than 1,500 words, proposal should include the following components:
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Symposium objective and purpose
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Background of the presenters including the perspective they bring to the session topic
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Frameworks, literature, sources of data
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Relevance of symposium to expected audience (e.g., graduate students, full-time professionals)
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Outline of the structure and strategies for interaction
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Significance of the topic to the higher education field and/or ACPA’s Core Values or ACPA’s Strategic Imperative for Racial Justice and Decolonization
Research & Practice Posters
Posters provide an opportunity for continued synchronous/asynchronous engagement with scholarship throughout the course of Convention. Posters are placed in the ACPA Marketplace. Posters are not assigned a discussant or a chair. Posters should provide opportunities for members to engage with the work at times when the presenter is not present for interaction (e.g., QR codes, Instagram hashtags). The maximum size of posters is 48 inches (121 centimeters) wide by 36 inches (91 centimeters) high.
Poster presenters are required to follow Universal Design Principles and submit their posters to ensure that they meet acceptable Universal Design principles as listed below. Members will submit their posters at least four (4) weeks before the start of the Convention (2 March, 2026) to ensure ample time for the Scholarship Sessions Coordinator to complete a Universal Design check. Presenters will also be required to submit a screen-reader format of their poster via PowerPoint file.
In no more than 1,000 words, poster proposals should describe:
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Objectives of scholarship
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Frameworks used in data analysis
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Literature review
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Positionality (reflection of how the author(s) identities and lived experiences connect to the research)
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Methodology
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Developing findings
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Significance of the topic to the higher education field and/or ACPA’s Core Values or ACPA’s Strategic Imperative for Racial Justice and Decolonization
Important Dates
| Event | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Call for Educational Programs open | 1 June 2026 |
| Early Registration Deadline | 31 July 2026 |
| Pre-Convention Workshop Proposal deadline | 31 July 2026 |
| Deadline to sign up to serve as a proposal Reviewer | 28 August 2026 |
| All Other Sessions Proposal deadline | 4 September 2026 |
| Program review begins | 13 September 2026 |
| Proposal review completed by Reviewers | 28 September 2026 |
| Early 2 Registration Deadline | 30 September 2026 |
| Proposal decision notifications | 23 October 2026 |
| Accepted sessions/presenters commit to present | 6 November 2026 |
| Regular Registration Deadline | 11 December 2026 |
| Registration deadline for all presenters | 11 December 2026 |
Educational Session Proposal Resources
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Scholarship Session Proposal Worksheet
The Program Team recommends utilizing this worksheet to prepare your proposal before starting the official proposal form. The online form will time out which could result in losing unsaved work. -
Scholarship Session Reviewer Rubric *coming soon*
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ACPA27 Convention Learning Philosophy and Outcomes
Grounded in the Anishinaabe Niizh Aaswi kachwaha kinoomaadziwin (Seven Grandfather Teachings) -
ACPA’s Equity and Inclusion Statement
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ACPA’s Values
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ACPA’s Strategic Imperative for Racial Justice and Decolonization
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Principles of Universal Design
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ACPA/NASPA Professional Competency Areas for Student Affairs Educators
Scholarship Session Submission and Reviews
The due date to submit an Scholarship Session Proposal is 4 September 2026.
All scholarship programs should adhere to the ACPA Equity and Inclusion statement, including in the inclusive language utilized and in accessibility to full participation by all members aligning with Universal Design principles.
If a presenter is using a scholarship program session to conduct a formal study to be published, they must provide IRB and study materials to ACPA in accordance with the ACPA Research Process at least three weeks before the start of the Convention (22 February 2027). If materials are not provided, or the materials are not approved by the International Office, the scholarship program will be removed from the program booklet. We encourage these members to submit their materials as early as possible to ensure time for review (e.g., shortly after acceptance).
If you have any questions or experience any difficulties with the submission process, please contact the International Office at conventionprograms@acpa.nche.edu.
Presenter Registration Information
If your program is accepted, you have the ethical and professional obligation to register for Convention by 11 December 2026.