In addition to the wide variety of great entertainment options, the NACA® National Convention also features many educational offerings focusing on professional development, campus diversity, and more! Check out the tabs below for daily schedules, a roster of this year's showcasing acts, featured speakers, and educational sessions.

2012 National Convention Kick-Off
sponsored by:

Join us at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 25 as we kick off the 2012 National Convention with the following performers:

Judah Friedlander
represented by the Agency for the Performing Arts - Booths 407-409

Judah Friedlander, known to millions as as “Frank Rossitano” on NBC’s Emmy-winning 30 Rock, will perform at the National Convention Kick-Off on Saturday, Feb. 25. 30 Rock is seen every night in syndication and on Comedy Central, as well as in new episodes every Thursday night on NBC. Judah has also made multiple hilarious appearances on many late-night talk shows including, The Late Show with David Letterman, Conan, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and The Daily Show.
In addition, he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 2003 Independent Spirit Awards for his role in the Sundance Award-winning American Splendor. Some of his other movies include Meet the Parents, Wet Hot American Summer, Feast, Zoolander and The Wrestler. But it’s on the comedy stage that Judah Friedlander is “The World Champion.” He is the best athlete in the world, the greatest martial artist, the sexual desire of every woman, and a role model to children. Let’s face it, Judah is the greatest comedian in the world … and the most humble. (And he’s an extra-dark blackbelt in karate.)
Judah is known to comics and audiences as one of today’s funniest and most original stand-up comedians. Seeing him perform live is always a unique experience, with new material and on-the-spot interplay and jokes with his audiences.
Judah started performing stand-up in 1989 and has been doing it just about every night ever since. Even though he has made more than 30 movies and appeared in hundreds of TV shows, stand-up comedy is his priority and specialty. He is not an actor who does stand-up on the side. He’s a stand-up comedian who acts on the side.
Judah’s hilarious instructional karate book, How to Beat Up Anybody, is based on his stand-up act, but with all brand new material. He sells and signs it after shows. Judah does meet and greets after every show. Judah does not charge for photos. So, you don’t have to ask Judah if it’s OK to take a photo – you can take one with him, and it’ll be the sexiest photo you’ve ever seen.
Next year, Judah will be coming out with both a stand-up album and stand-up concert movie. For more information, visit: http://www.judahfriedlander.com.

Twitter: @JudahWorldChamp
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/judahfriedlander
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/judahchamp

Brandyn Burnette
represented by Paradigm - Booth 501

Boca Raton, FL-native Brandyn Burnette has no formal training, but got his first keyboard at age seven. By the time he was 12, he realized his love for making music, which is only natural considering his musical family, which includes his father, O’Bryan McCoy Burnette Jr., an R&B singer/songwriter who was signed to Capital Records by Soul Train’s Don Cornelius in the ‘70s and who also wrote the Soul Train theme. His paternal grandfather was the founding member of the Folkes Brothers, who, in 1962, had the first worldwide ska/reggae hit, Oh Carolina.
In seventh grade, Brandyn began auditioning for school musicals and plays and by age 13 had written his first full-length song, “Memories,” to express his feelings when his sister left for New York University. At 18, he decided to pursue music and songwriting professionally and included among his compositions are songs such as “The Consequences of Being Juvenile,” written about a friend who died in a drunk driving car accident.
Brandyn is now on hiatus from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he is on a full scholarship for music and acting, after having completed his freshman year.
In February 2010, he signed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV Publishing-Sweden. He has written and co-written more than 70 songs since his 13th birthday and was signed as a recording artist with Warner Brothers Records in Los Angeles in 2011. Following in his family’s footsteps, he is writing and performing his own way to success.

Cara Salimando
represented by Paradigm - Booth 501

Since she was very young, Cara had been composing little melodies on her toy piano. Her passion for composition grew along with her, and she penned her first song at age 10. And she hasn't stopped since. Although she is quite young, Cara shows promise. Judging by her recent accomplishments, we can only expect great things from her as she continues to hone her craft.
Since graduating from high school in 2010, she has gone on a tour with Ingrid Michaelson and Mat Kearney, flown to Paris to shoot a music video for her first single “Dust,” opened for Mary Chapin Carpenter, Martin Sexton and Marc Cohn, and has co-written songs with the likes of Dan Wilson of Semisonic, Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional and Barrett Yeretsian (producer and co-writer of Christina Perri's multi-platinum hit "Jar of Hearts").
Recently, Cara moved to New York City. She has kept herself quite busy. She recorded an album with Brooklyn-based producer Dan Romer (who has worked with Ingrid Michaelson, Jenny Owen Youngs, and other indie-pop darlings), and landed herself a publishing deal with Glassnote Records' Four Song Night.
Cara continues to work happily on music in New York City, writing for both herself and other artists. She hopes to release an album in the very near future. With a disarming charm and lyrics full of imagery, her warm tone tells stories that we quickly find ourselves in.

Raven-Symoné
Keynote Address; February 28 - 3:20 pm

Actress, producer, Raven-Symoné is one of Hollywood's most powerful and talented young stars. She is best known for her role in the Disney Channel series “That's So Raven.” Her role garnered three NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Performance, two Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards for Favorite Television Actress and a Young Artist Award for Outstanding Young Performer. "That's So Raven” received the 2008 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Children's Series and was nominated for two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Children's Program. Raven’s film credits include: College Road Trip, The Princess Diaries 2, Dr. Dolittle and Dr. Dolittle 2. Her role in Dr. Dolittle 2 earned her a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Youth Actor/Actress and a Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Award for Favorite Female Star. On television, Raven starred on "The Cosby Show” and also starred on "Hangin' with Mr. Cooper" for four seasons. Most recently, Raven starred on the ABC Family comedy “State of Georgia.” As a humanitarian, Raven addresses issues of concern to children. She is active with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and is also involved with Girls Incorporated, a national nonprofit youth organization dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold by providing vital educational programs to those in high-risk, underserved areas.

Raven-Symoné’s appearance is courtesy of The Agency Group in Booths 403-405.

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Dr. Kristen Renn
Professional Development Luncheon; February 26 - 11:30 am
Educational Session; February 26 - 2:20 pm

Kristen Renn is Associate Professor of Higher, Adult, & Lifelong Education at Michigan State University. She graduated from Mount Holyoke College and received her PhD in higher education at Boston College. She was a student affairs professional for 12 years before joining the faculty. Her research focuses on issues of identity in higher education, including studies of mixed race identities, LGBT students, and leaders of identity-based student organizations. Her books include Mixed Race Students in College: The Ecology of Race, Identity, and Community, Student Development in College (written with Nancy Evans, Flo Guido, Dea Forney, and Lori Patton), and the forthcoming College Students in the United States (written with Bob Reason). She is associate editor for international research and scholarship of the Journal of College Student Development. She is currently conducting an international study of women's higher education institutions.

Professional Development Luncheon Topic:
More Than Icing On The Cake: Why Higher Education Needs Student Activities
In an era of shrinking resources some people question the educational purpose of student activities and other "frills." Yet, the need to educate students for civic participation and leadership in a diverse society has never been more important. In this talk I will address the vital role of campus activities in promoting educationally meaningful engagement for students and communities.

Educational Session Topic:
From Student Leader To VP: Campus Activities And Careers In The 21st Century
Campus activities provide opportunities for career development for undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals of all levels, but the path from Point A to Point B is not always clear. We will consider ways to build a "GPS" to guide us.

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Rev. Dr. Jamie Washington
Diversity Dinner; February 27 - 6:40 pm
Educational Session; February 27 - 2:20 pm

Rev. Dr. Jamie Washington serves as the President and Founder of the Washington Consulting Group, a Multicultural Organizational Development Firm out of Baltimore, MD. Dr. Washington has served as an educator, administrator, and consultant in higher education for over 27 years Dr. Washington is a founding faculty member of the Social Justice Training Institute. Dr. Washington earned his B.S. degree from Slippery Rock State College, and a double Masters' of Science degrees from Indiana University/Bloomington. He holds a Ph.D. is in College Student Development, from the University of Maryland College Park. Dr. Washington also holds a Masters of Divinity from Howard University School of Divinity. Known as “The Engagement Specialist”, he sees himself as an instrument of change. He works everyday to help people find the best in themselves and others. He lives by the words of one of his favorite songs:

If I can help somebody as I Pass along, If I can cheer somebody with a word or song, If I can show somebody that he’s or she has traveled wrong, Then my Living Shall Not BE in Vain

Diversity Dinner Topic:
Leadership and Diversity for the 21st Century
The next generation of leaders with need to be prepared with a set a skills to embrace and engage diversity like no other. We must provide the opportunities for student leaders to develop skills in 4 key areas: Awareness of Self, Awareness of Others; Courageous Action and Collaboration. This keynote will address these four areas and how we take care of ourselves in the work.

Educational Session Topic:
Race-Religion and Sexual Orientation Intersections: The Road Less Traveled
“Why do we always have to just talk about race, what about sexual orientation?” “Sexual Preference is a personal issue and should not be included in the diversity discussion because it’s a choice!” “Where am I supposed to go and be fully accepted, the Queer students don’t want me to be religious and the religious groups don’t want me to be Queer…” If you heard or felt these sentiments and are looking way to effectively engage the intersections of race, religion and sexual orientation, this session is for you.

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Dr. Peter Lake
Educational Session; February 26 - 1:15 pm

Peter F. Lake is professor of law, Charles A. Dana chair and director of the Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law and Policy at Stetson University College of Law. He teaches and writes in the areas of torts, higher education law and policy, insurance, and jurisprudence, and has won several awards for his teaching and scholarship. He is an internationally-recognized expert on higher education law and policy and has been quoted or referred to in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Chicago Sun Times, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Cosmopolitan, Time, various reported legal decisions including the supreme courts of Virginia and Florida, and the most recent Restatement of the Law of Torts. Professor Lake has appeared on several major media networks, such as NPR, ABC and CNN. He has authored numerous law review articles and other publications, including three books: The Rights and Responsibilities of the Modern University: Who Assumes the Risks of College Life (with R. Bickel, Carolina Academic Press 1999, Second Edition forthcoming), Beyond Discipline – Managing the Modern Higher Education Environment (Hierophant Enterprises, Inc. 2009), and Foundations of Higher Education Law & Policy: Basic Legal Rules, Concepts and Principles for Student Affairs (NASPA 2011). Professor Lake is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School.

Educational Session Topic:
Hot Topics in Higher Education Law & Policy: How 2011 Will Shape the Future
2011 was a landmark year for higher education law and policy. The Jared Lee Loughner incident in Tucson prompted colleges to again re-examine their policies and procedures when dealing with dangerous or mentally ill students. In April 2011, the US Department of Education ramped up regulatory activity— fining Virginia Tech $55,000 and then issuing a “Dear Colleague” letter that outlined more stringent guidelines for the handling of campus sexual assault cases. 2011 wrapped up with the Penn State scandal. What are the most important take-aways from these incidents and what must your campus do now to avoid potential future compliance issues and litigation?

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Dr. Jeanna Mastrodicasa
Educational Session; February 27 - 1:15 pm

Dr. Jeanna Mastrodicasa is the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Florida, where she works with budget, assessment, publications, information technology, professional development, and a student leadership program for the Division of Student Affairs. She frequently presents on college students use of technology, millennials in the workplace, and higher education policy issues. Dr. Mastrodicasa holds a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Florida, a Master’s degree in college student personnel from the University of Tennessee, and two degrees from the University of Georgia: a law degree and a bachelor’s in public relations.

Educational Session Topic:
What's on the Boss's Mind?
This session will review trends and issues facing higher education with a focus on student affairs and campus programming. What issues are your presidents facing at the governance level? How do tighter budgets affect your work? What questions are asked about the speakers you bring? What does the administration think you are doing in campus activities? Get a big picture view of campus issues that impact your efforts to provide quality programming.

NACA educational offerings cover a wide variety of topics that are relevant to student affairs, programming, and professional development. The sessions are listed by day below (including professional offerings).

• Sunday, February 26 | • Monday, February 27 | • Tuesday, February 28




World of Ideas
The World of Ideas is a place for you to share your expertise or programming ideas in the areas of campus activities, leadership, student organization management, student government, community service and new student orientation. This year's World of Ideas will take place Tuesday, February 28 from 1:10pm-2:15pm in the Convention Center Crown Ballroom.