Calling all writers, researchers, and scholars, the AFA Research Writers’ Retreat is expanding and you are not going to want to miss being part of it!

AFA believes that strong fraternity/sorority research has a dramatic impact on defining successful practice of the fraternity/sorority profession. The AFA Research Writers’ Retreat is designed to bring together scholars and scholar-practitioners in community with the goal of advancing research in the fraternity/sorority experience. In addition to the in-person experience, participants now have the opportunity to have virtual coaching sessions for three or six months. This coaching opportunity is designed to be either a stand alone experience or in addition to the in-person retreat experience. Attendees will still connect with other fraternity/sorority researchers and strengthen their writing through intentionally-designed learning sessions, one-on-one coaching, and writing sessions, all under the access and support of the Research 1 VCU libraries.

This experience is designed for a researcher and/or writer who wants to engage with an expert in a one-on-one coaching relationship. Each participant will be paired with one of the scholars-in-residence and schedule monthly coaching sessions. The goals and agenda for these sessions will be co-created with the participant and their coach. Goals of the coaching experience can include editing drafts, outlining manuscripts, research study design, and more. This experience is fully virtual and the exact schedule will be mutually determined by the participant and the coach.

In addition to the coaching sessions, participants will gather virtually to engage in monthly cohort learning sessions. These sessions are taught by one of the scholars-in-residence and are designed to dive deeper into a step in the writing process. Topics will include drafting your argument, establishing claims for significance, enhancing structure, and more.

Join writers, researchers, and scholars on July 14-17, 2026, on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University for the AFA Research Writers’ Retreat!

AFA believes that strong fraternity/sorority research has a dramatic impact on defining successful practice of the fraternity/sorority profession. The AFA Research Writers’ Retreat is designed to bring together scholars and scholar-practitioners in community with the goal of advancing research in the fraternity/sorority experience. Attendees will connect with other fraternity/sorority researchers and strengthen their writing through intentionally-designed writing sessions, all under the access and support of the Research 1 VCU libraries.

What Attendees of the Retreat Experience Should Expect…

Writers’ Retreat attendees will spend scheduled writing time (both as individuals and in groups) working on their own theses, dissertations, and other publications while accessing the resources of the Cabell Library at VCU. Attendees will spend time in community exploring where critical opportunities exist to use research to strengthen the fraternity/sorority experience and the work of the fraternity/sorority profession. Attendees will also spend their evenings exploring and enjoying the local food, drink, and culture of Richmond, VA!

Who Should Attend?

• Master’s and doctoral students looking to make progress on theses and dissertations;
• Newly-minted master’s and doctoral graduates looking to expand and publish their research;
• Researchers currently working to build out or make progress on current research projects; 
• Scholars and scholar-practicioners looking to build community with others around research-driven solutions to our most pressing problems; 
• ANYONE with an interest in driving forward meaningful research that contributes to our understanding of the fraternity/sorority experience. 

2026 Scholars-in-Residence

Dr. Joshua Shutts

Dr. Joshua Schutts has served as a participant in the Writer’s retreat and scholar in residence since 2024.  In his role as a faculty member at the University of West Florida, Dr. Schutts chaired multiple dissertations and assisted his students in producing high-quality work and completing their dissertation requirements. Dr. Schutts’ research interests are three-fold:  (1) the study of brotherhood and sisterhood in fraternal societies, (2) the nature of unethical pro-organizational behavior in student organizations, and (3) the development of political skill in student leaders and young professionals. Josh and his wife, Katie, met through AFA and reside in Pensacola, Florida, with their three dogs: Yoda, Chewie, and Stella.

Dr. Joseph (Joe) Wheeless

Dr. Joe Wheeless IV is a higher education professional with over 15 years of experience in student affairs and fraternity/sorority advising. He specializes in difference-in-difference statistical analysis with research interest in the financing of higher education, student loans, financial aid programs, and state government funding models. Dr. Wheeless also has training in qualitative research methods, organizational leadership, and strategic planning. Additionally, Dr. Wheeless has served as the Writers’ Retreat coordinator since its inception in 2018 and currently works in a supportive and coaching role with current doctoral candidates in the dissertation phase of their program. 

Coaching and Cohort Experience

Participants can sign up for three (3) or six (6) months of the coaching and cohort experience. The timing for this will be before and after the retreat experience.

Session A– April, May, and June

Session B– September, October, and November

Participants can select either session A, B, or both. The registration price includes monthly coaching sessions and monthly cohort learning sessions, both of which are approximately an hour (60 minutes).

Retreat Experience

The retreat experience will be similar to previous years with the focus on dedicated writing and research time that participants can use as they see fit. The registration price includes three (3) breakfasts, three (3) lunches, and coffee breaks during the retreat.

July 14th

Travel day to Richmond, VA

July 15th

• 8:30 am Breakfast
• 9:30 am Cabell Library Tour and Orientation
• 10:30 am Writing Block 1
• 12:30 pm Working Lunch Learning Session
• 1:30 pm Writing Block 2
• 4:30 pm Wrap up

July 16th

• 8:30 am Breakfast
• 9:00 am Writing Block 3
• 12:00 pm Working Lunch Learning Session
• 1:00 pm Writing Block 4
• 4:30 pm Wrap up

July 17th

• 8:00 am Breakfast
• 8:30 am Writing Block 4
• 12:30 pm Closing Lunch
• 1:30 pm Depart

Register for the Writers’ Retreat and Coaching Program on FSCentral

AFA Member Registration Rates:

• Retreat Only: $325
• Session A Coaching + Retreat: $425
• Retreat + Session B Coaching: $425
• Session A Coaching + Retreat + Session B Coaching: $500

Non-Member Registration Rates:

• Retreat Only: $450
• Session A Coaching + Retreat: $575
• Retreat + Session B Coaching: $575
• Session A Coaching + Retreat + Session B Coaching: $675

Travel and Lodging Recommendations

Attendees should arrive by early-to-mid-afternoon on Tuesday, July 14. 

Those looking for lodging options may reference the following hotels below within walking distance:

Moxy Richmond Downtown
501 E. Franklin St. Richmond VA 23219| 804-956-2400 | marriott.com
1.0 miles from VCU

Graduate Richmond Hotel
301 Franklin St. Richmond VA 23220 | 804-644-9871 | hilton.com
0.5 miles from VCU

Holiday Inn Express Richmond – Downtown
201 E. Cary St., Richmond VA 23219| 804-788-1600 | igh.com
0.8 miles from VCU

Delta Hotels Richmond Downtown
555 E Canal St. Richmond VA 23219 | 804-788-0900 | marriott.com
1.1 miles from VCU

“Attending the Writers’ Retreat provided the space and structure I needed to engage deeply with my dissertation. Through meaningful conversations with colleagues, I gained clarity in my research direction and was able to refine my topic with greater confidence. The community cultivated over those few days was incredibly supportive, offering both affirmation and inspiration. I left the retreat feeling more grounded in my academic work and reinvigorated in my role as a practitioner. No matter where you are in the dissertation journey, this retreat offers invaluable support, focus, and motivation.”
–Sara Lowery, M.Ed., University of Delaware, 2023 & 2024 Writers’ Retreat Attendee

“Attending the Writers’ Retreat gave me a massive advantage in completing an academic journal article and producing general content. The retreat provided dedicated time to work solo and the ability to crowdsource ideas with other attendees. If you are working on written content and having trouble motivating yourself to finish, this retreat is for you.”
— Kate Steiner West, Ph.D., LIFT Wellness Consulting, 2018 & 2019 Writers’ Retreat Attendee

“The Writers’ Retreat pushed me to consider the broader connections of sororities and fraternities in how they contribute to the university experience. This helped me better understand my own positionalities as a scholar-practitioner in how my research is influenced by own personal and professional past experiences. The connections I made with others also led to additional publications and collaborations with others within the profession.”
— Pietro Sasso, Ph.D., Stephen F. Austin State University, 2019 Writers’ Retreat Attendee

“The Writers’ Retreat was a meaningful space for me as a doc student in the process of chapters 1-3. It gave me focused time to delve into the feedback from my committee and helped me make strides towards completion. It was also encouraging to be surrounded by others who were very supportive of the process.”
— Kara Miller McCarty, Ph.D, Cornell University, 2019 Writers’ Retreat Attendee

Interested attendees looking for additional information may email the Association at info@afa1976.org. Registration is expected to open in February 2026.