LICSPA 2025 Annual Conference

Join us on November 14, 2025 at SUNY Old Westbury! A conference focused on student affairs professionals by student affairs professionals. Thank you to Old Westbury’s leadership team for partnering with us to create our 2025 Conference!

Visible Voices: Innovating Community, Wellness & Inclusion

The LICSPA 2025 Annual Conference is an invitation to center visibility, empathy, and equity in our work with students and one another. Held in honor of W. Houston Dougharty, a deeply respected and beloved student affairs leader, the conference celebrates a legacy rooted in presence, compassion, and student-centered innovation.

Houston dedicated his career to building inclusive communities where every student felt seen, heard, and valued. He believed that meaningful change starts with simply showing up — not just in policy or programming, but in the daily, intentional practice of care. From his work advocating for mental health support and LGBTQ+ inclusion, to fostering creativity and connection through experiential learning, Houston modeled the kind of leadership that transforms lives.

As we reflect on his example, this year’s theme calls us to uplift the visible voices on our campuses, to lead with authenticity, and to co-create spaces where wellness, belonging, and purpose are woven into the fabric of our institutions.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate strategies to foster inclusive and equity-driven communities 

   • Examine frameworks and practices that promote belonging for historically marginalized student populations.

2. Explore the role of authentic presence in student engagement and leadership. 

   • Identify ways professionals can show up with intention and visibility in student life.

3. Develop programs that integrate wellness and mental health support into the student experience

   • Highlight approaches to creating campus cultures that prioritize emotional, physical, and psychological well-being.

4. Apply creative and experiential methods to engage students and build community

   • Share innovative uses of arts, storytelling, and cultural events as tools for connection.

5. Promote compassionate, student-centered leadership practices

   • Analyze leadership models rooted in empathy, relationship-building, and ethical decision-making.

6. Assess and enhance strategies for retention and success, especially for underrepresented student populations

   • Showcase initiatives that support sophomore success, first-gen transition programs, and identity-based mentoring.

7. Design cross-campus collaborations that elevate student voices and lived experiences

   • Explore partnerships between student affairs, academic affairs, and student leaders to co-create inclusive environments.

8. Cultivate environments where professionals and students thrive together through shared purpose

   • Reflect on the role of care, celebration, and mutual respect in building sustainable, values-aligned communities.

Join us to learn how embracing discomfort can lead to the transformative growth we all strive for in our work as higher education professionals.
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2025 Conference Committee

Conference Chair:
Maxie DeBiso, SUNY Old Westbury

Sessions & Assessment Subcommittee:
Co-Chair: Doreen Dacilas, Hofstra University
Co-Chair: Denee Jenkins, Columbia University

Paul Ferrante, SUNY Old Westbury
Jessica Caliendo, Stony Brook University

Sponsorships & Awards Subcommittee:
Chair: John Palasits, Hofstra University
Kirwin Seger, Hofstra University

2025 Conference Sponsors