Leveraging NACA Live to Amplify Student Belonging (for Students)
If you are a student leader, you already shape campus life more than you may realize. Every decision you make about programs, organizations, and events helps determine whether students feel connected, welcomed, and valued on your campus.
As NACA Live approaches, student leaders will have the opportunity to explore acts, services, and products that can help bring their programming ideas to life. At the same time, NACA Live offers learning experiences that can strengthen how you advocate for student involvement and belonging back home.
This is where your role goes beyond just planning events.
As you meet associate members and learn about their offerings, consider how your choices align with the kind of campus experience you want to create.
Ask yourself:
- Will this program help students feel welcome and included?
- Does this event create opportunities for students to connect with one another?
- Who might benefit most from this experience?
Programming is more than filling a calendar. It is about designing experiences that help students find their home on campus.
Colleges and universities are paying closer attention to student engagement, belonging, and persistence. When you advocate for programs and organizations, you are not just asking for funding or approval. You are helping your institution understand what students need to feel connected and supported. As a student leader, you are an essential part of that story.
Learning to Advocate Through the Forum for Student Leaders
Before NACA Live officially begins, student leaders have the opportunity to participate in the Forum for Student Leaders, a deep-dive pre-conference experience designed specifically for students involved in campus activities.
The Forum focuses on:
- Understanding your role as a campus advocate
- Learning how to articulate the value of student organizations and programs
- Building confidence to speak with administrators and campus partners using the Case for Campus Activities
- Connecting with other student leaders from across the country
These learning opportunities help you move from planning events to leading with purpose while making valuable connections to fellow student leaders across the Association.
Bringing the Experience Back to Campus
What you learn at NACA Live does not end when you return home. The conversations you have, the sessions you attend, and the programs you select can all support stronger advocacy on your campus.
After the conference, consider how you can:
- Share what you learned with your programming board, student government, and other organizations
- Use new language & tools from the Case for Campus Activities to explain why programs matter, not just what they are
- Partner with campus staff to align programming with student needs
- Advocate for resources by focusing on belonging and engagement
Student leaders are often the most powerful messengers when it comes to the impact of campus activities. Your voice matters. NACA Live is one place where you can strengthen it and bring that impact back to your campus.
