AFA values the preparation and development of graduate students and new professionals. As those who will keep the profession thriving, the AFA Annual Meeting intentionally creates spaces and designs programs specific to helping elevate the work of graduate students and new professionals. Below you will find programs curated to help graduate students and new professionals thrive!
Order of Omega Case Study
Participant Orientation: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET Tuesday, November 17 [Zoom link]
On-Site Coaching Session (optional): 10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. CT Thursday, December 3
Competition: 30-minute period between 2:00 p.m. –Â 4:30 p.m. CT Thursday, December 3
The Order of Omega Case Study Competition invites graduate students, headquarters consultants, and new professionals to apply their academic and practical learning to a complex scenario they might encounter in the field. Teams of two (2) choose one of two tracks — Crisis Intervention and Systemic Issue — and present their case to a panel of judges.
Why participate in the Case Study?
The Case Study provides participants an opportunity to sharpen their knowledge and practice with the Core Competencies in a real-world, low-stakes setting, connect with peers in the profession, and compete for cash prizes. The top three teams in each track receive $500, $400, and $300 (split among team members). Thanks to Order of Omega, the program is free for all graduate students and new professionals in attendance.
Registration
Registration is first come, first served and capped at 28 participants. Register through the form below. (Note: Participating may have a minimal impact on participants’ opportunities to attend educational sessions on Thursday afternoon.)
Order of Omega Case Study Competition Registration
Serve as a Case Study Judge or Coach!
AFA is looking for judges and coaches to help bring the case study to life at the Annual Meeting! Judges will help to evaluate and provide feedback on case study presentations to participant teams. Coaches (new for 2026!) will serve as a resource for participant teams in their preparation for the competition. Advancing Professionals and New/Seasoned Directors who are interested in supporting the experience for graduate students and new professionals are invited to complete the Annual Meeting Ambassador form.
Annual Meeting Ambassador Interest Form
Graduate Student and New Professionals Intensive Session
9:00 – 11:50 a.m. CT Friday, December 4
Facilitators: Robbie Miller-Grant (Alpha Phi International) and Bryan Cotton (University of North Carolina, Charlotte)
The Graduate Student and New Professionals Intensive is designed to help you explore the AFA Core Competencies and forge your path to success in the profession. Guided by a What → So What → Now What framework, this interactive and personalized experience moves from building a shared understanding of the competencies, to recognizing how they work together to form a foundation for effective practice, to applying them to your own goals and aspirations. Whether you are new to fraternity/sorority life or already in the weeds of the work, you’ll assess your current strengths, reflect on where you want to grow, and leave with a personalized professional growth plan to guide your next steps—across both campus-based and inter/national organization settings.
The Graduate Student and New Professionals Intensive Session is made possible through an endowment with the AFA Foundation made possible by the generous support of Michelle Guobadia. Participation in the Graduate Student and New Professionals Intensive Session is free to all graduate students and new professionals in attendance. No pre-registration is required.Â
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the Intensive, participants will be able to:
- Identify the AFA Core Competencies and describe how they connect to the roles, responsibilities, and purpose of fraternity and sorority professionals.
- Explore how the competencies work together to establish a foundation for effective professional practice across campus and inter/national organization settings.
- Develop a personalized professional growth plan that identifies existing strengths, areas for development, and actionable next steps aligned with their professional goals and aspirations.
Complete the Core Competencies Self-Assessment
Graduate and New Professional participants are strongly encouraged to complete the Core Competencies self-assessment prior to attending the Intensive session.
Core Competencies Self-Assessment
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Career Compass
Career Compass is a two-part professional development series designed to support your career journey at every stage. Whether you’re exploring your next opportunity or preparing to navigate your long-term professional future, each session offers practical strategies and meaningful reflection. Attend either session individually or join us for both to gain the full Career Compass experience. No pre-registration or fee is required.
Roundtable Discussions for Navigating Your Career
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. CT Friday, December 4
Facilitators: Cody Flynn (University of Montana), Dra. Viancca Williams (Beta Theta Pi Fraternity), Trenton Nettles (University of Washington), and Ashley Kirk-Christman, Ed.D. (University of Connecticut)
A facilitated roundtable experience that brings professionals together for candid conversations about navigating the job search, finding organizational fit, building professional relationships, and planning for career growth.
Participants will:
- Identify personal values, priorities, and non-negotiables that can guide their career search and professional decision-making.
- Explore strategies for navigating the job search, building professional relationships, and evaluating potential opportunities through peer and practitioner perspectives.
- Develop actionable next steps for strengthening their professional network and pursuing opportunities aligned with their short- and long-term career goals.
Part 1: Finding Your Opportunity
TBA
Facilitators: Cody Flynn (University of Montana) & Dra. Viancca Williams (Beta Theta Pi Fraternity)
Identify your professional non-negotiables and evaluate organizational fit, weigh HQ-based versus campus-based roles, practice outreach etiquette with references, and build resilience through the job-search process.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify their personal and professional non-negotiables to establish clear career boundaries and evaluate prospective organizational fit.
- Analyze the distinct differences between HQ-based and campus-based roles to narrow their job search toward aligned responsibilities and work cultures.
- Demonstrate professional outreach etiquette by determining appropriate timing, messaging, and follow-up strategies when engaging job references.
- Apply reframing techniques to maintain confidence through job rejection and assess when to flex non-negotiables without sacrificing core values.
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Part 2: Navigating Your Future
TBA
Facilitators: Trenton Nettles (University of Washington), Ashley Kirk-Christman, Ed.D. (University of Connecticut)
Recognize signs of burnout and misalignment, decide when to advocate internally versus move on, negotiate compensation and growth opportunities, and build a personalized plan for long-term career growth.
Learning Outcomes
- Evaluate indicators of burnout, workplace culture, and professional alignment to determine whether to advocate for internal change or transition to a new job search for long-term career longevity.
- Formulate actionable advocacy strategies to negotiate compensation, roles, and professional development opportunities within current positions or new job offers.
- Develop a personalized career growth plan by identifying strategies to strengthen their professional competitiveness, build confidence through career transitions, and intentionally pursue opportunities aligned with their long-term goals.
