Schedule

Are you the best SG in America? Before you start boasting, even the finest SGs have lots of room for improvement. And just because you control millions in student fees and get quoted in the campus paper doesn’t mean that you’re truly appreciated, respected, and actually get things done for your fellow students. The nation’s “Super SGs” have some key characteristics in common. This is your chance to finally find out how yours stacks up against the best. By taking ASGA’s “SG Effectiveness Test,” you’ll learn about your strengths and weaknesses and will get guidance on setting priorities and realistic goals to improve your SG now.

Delivery Format: Lecture style because of the amount of information provided. The presenter encourages feedback through direct questions throughout.

Level of Interactivity (1–5, 5 being very interactive): 3

Learning Outcomes. After attending this session, participants should be able to:

• Understand the 13 key components that make up great SGs
• Know what to do first to improve
• Understand your SG’s current strengths and weaknesses

Student leaders are often expected to advocate boldly, build consensus, manage conflict, and represent their peers, sometimes in environments that feel politically or institutionally restrictive. This interactive session invites ASGA leaders to pause and look inward before leading outward. Participants will reflect on their strengths, leadership triggers, blind spots, and values, and examine how these shape their decision-making, communication style, and advocacy approach. Grounded in the 7 Cs of the Social Change Model, especially consciousness of self, congruence, commitment, and courage, this session helps student officers align who they are with how they lead. Students will walk away with practical tools to regulate themselves in high-pressure moments, advocate with confidence and strategy, and grow into leaders who are both effective and grounded in their purpose.

Delivery Format: This workshop uses guided self-reflection, scenario-based discussion, and interactive small-group activities.

Presentation Resources: The session utilizes visual display media (i.e., Microsoft PowerPoint).

Level of Interactivity (1–5, 5 being very interactive): 4

Learning Outcomes. After attending this session, participants should be able to:

• Identify personal leadership strengths and explain how they influence effectiveness in student government roles
• Develop a personal growth strategy to strengthen confidence and leadership effectiveness

Many SGs make the same mistakes over and over, never learning from the past. In this workshop, you’ll discover the most common SG missteps, and most importantly, how to avoid these pitfalls during your term of office.

Delivery Format: Because of the significant amount of information provided in this session, it is presented in a lecture format. The presenter welcomes and encourages feedback through direct questions as well as fielding impromptu questions throughout. The presenter uses volunteers to illustrate key points.

Presentation Resources: The session utilizes Microsoft PowerPoint, as well as printed handouts.

Level of Interactivity (1–5, 5 being very interactive): 4

Learning Outcomes. After attending this session, participants should be able to:

• Understand the importance of learning from the mistakes of others
• Brainstorm your own list of mistakes to avoid at your institution

Unlock the true potential of your Student Government Association (SGA) with this transformative workshop. Discover powerful strategies to build a stronger, more unified team and foster member collaboration. Through interactive discussions and hands-on activities, gain practical tools for teambuilding, trust-building, and creating a high-impact leadership environment. Walk away with the confidence and skills to lead purposefully, strengthen your team’s cohesion, and drive meaningful change on your campus.

Delivery Format: This workshop utilizes a balance of interactive activities and a lecture format that will have you engaged in discussion.

Presentation Resources: The session utilizes visual display media (i.e., Microsoft PowerPoint).

Learning Outcomes. After attending this session, participants should be able to:

• Develop a deeper understanding of the importance of teamwork and collaboration within the SGA, acquiring skills to work cohesively as a united team
• Explore methods to build trust among SGA members, creating a supportive and cohesive team

Your SG must do something real that matters to fellow students if you ever want to be respected and appreciated. This workshop will give real examples of innovative and exciting “signature programs” that are being used by SGs nationwide to get the attention of students and administrators. These programs will make your SG much-admired and “relevant,” and will help you with everything from member recruiting to voter turnout to relations with administrators.

Delivery Format: Because of the significant amount of information provided, it is presented in a lecture format. The presenter welcomes and encourages feedback through direct questions as well as fielding impromptu questions throughout.

Presentation Resources: The session utilizes Microsoft PowerPoint, printed handouts, and props.

Level of Interactivity (1–5, 5 being very interactive): 4

Learning Outcomes. After attending this session, participants should be able to:

• Be aware of the 800 programs you could bring to your campus
• Understand what makes a “signature program” and how do you find one that will work for you
• Understand which signature programs are best

Advising the Student Government is not just about keeping things running. It is about helping student leaders step up, make decisions, and leave a real impact on campus. But how do we, as advisors, set them up for success without taking over? This session will give you practical strategies to develop student leaders, keep them engaged all year, and help them navigate campus politics. Expect real talk, real examples, and real solutions you can take back to your campus. Gain new strategies and the confidence to empower your student leaders to succeed. Let’s make Student Government thrive!

Delivery Format: This workshop combines interactive activities with a lecture format to keep participants engaged in discussion.

Presentation Resources: The session utilizes visual display media (i.e., Microsoft PowerPoint).

Level of Interactivity (1–5, 5 being very interactive): 4

Learning Outcomes. After attending this session, participants should be able to:

• Equip Student Government advisors with practical strategies for developing leadership skills
• Embed leadership development throughout the year to keep student leaders motivated for long-term success
• Walk away with actionable tools to help student leaders navigate campus politics, and advocate effectively for change

The times we live in have exposed a major weakness for most Student Governments: our web sites are outdated, inaccurate, and just plain bad. Also, our social networks are drastically underutilized. This workshop will provide tangible instructions on how to improve our entire web presence.

Presentation Resources: This session utilizes the internet.

Level of Interactivity (1–5, 5 being very interactive): 4

Learning Outcomes. After attending this session, participants should be able to:

• Understand what should be included at our SG web site
• Learn how to utilize social media to engage our student body
• Recognize the importance of focusing on web/social media

We all like to think our SG can change the world, but the reality is more brutal. Even the greatest SGs in America are limited in their authority, “power,” and influence. Can you really stop tuition increases, get more financial aid from the federal government, and build a new parking garage? This brutally frank session tells the truth about which projects, issues, and programs you can take on successfully—and which ones are doomed to fail.

Delivery Format: Because of the significant amount of information provided in this session, it is presented in a lecture format. However, half of the workshop is an interactive exercise that includes all participants working in small groups. The presenter welcomes and encourages feedback through direct questions as well as fielding impromptu questions throughout.

Presentation Resources: The session utilizes Microsoft PowerPoint, as well as printed handouts.

Level of Interactivity (1–5, 5 being very interactive): 4

Learning Outcomes. After attending this session, participants should be able to:

• Understand which issues are impossible, possible, and probable to make a difference
• Understand how to prioritize your work on issues that are realistic
• Determine how much time to spend on lobbying

Student government leadership is rewarding and intense. You show up for others, but this session helps you focus on how to show up for yourself. Learn how to create a culture of care, build trust in your team, and stay grounded through the demands of the year. This session provides practical strategies for preventing burnout, improving your team’s dynamic, and leading with clarity. Expect honest reflection and peer connection. Walk away with a care plan that supports you and your team through real stress and pressure.

Delivery Format: This workshop uses reflective activities, small group discussion, and peer-to-peer feedback.

Presentation Resources: The session utilizes visual display media (i.e., Microsoft PowerPoint).

Level of Interactivity (1–5, 5 being very interactive): 4

Learning Outcomes. After attending this session, participants should be able to:

• Recognize signs of burnout in Student Government roles
• Identify ways to strengthen support and trust within your SGA team
• Build a care plan that supports sustainable and collaborative leadership