Events
Dean of Students institute
Excellence at the Center of Care
14-15 March 2027 • Toronto, ON, Canada prior to ACPA27
The ACPA Dean of Students Institute – Excellence at the Center of Care, sponsored by ACPA’s Senior-Level Community of Practice, is a deeply engaging and interactive program designed to support and develop professionals working or interested in the Dean of Students (DOS) arena as they consider and manage their unique roles. Through expert-led conversations, interactive sessions, and collaborative networking opportunities, participants will develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the potential for the role of a Dean of Students in higher education. Exploring, aspiring, and current DOS attendees will leave the institute empowered and ready to create a nurturing environment that promotes success and well-being.
institute
features
Through participation in the Dean of Student Institute, you will have the opportunity to:
- Explore and analyze dimensions of the DOS role and formulate priorities for action.
- Create a network of peer support for your current role and beyond with professionals from across higher education.
- Construct an individualized plan based on what you learned for ongoing well-being, personal, and professional development as a senior-level higher education professional.
Student affairs educators who work in the Dean of Student (DOS) space play unique and critical roles within higher education and for the students they serve. Often working with students or supporting the institution broadly during crises, DOS professionals connect students to resources for physical or mental health needs, address behavioral and academic misconduct, respond to concerns about student or campus safety, help students impacted by interpersonal violence navigate institutional and community processes, and support all students as they progress toward their academic goals. In addition to direct service and care for students, professionals in Dean of Students roles are also responsible for addressing broad campus issues, creating or adapting policies, and ensuring compliance with state and federal requirements.
Dean of Students professionals are expected to be the “jack of all trades” and masters of most. Although a variety of professional development opportunities speak to individual components of the role like student conduct, case management, or threat assessment, no other experience focuses on this group of key professionals and the intersection of these complex issues.
This learning experience is an institute and not a conference. Sessions are organized and sequenced to meet the needs of professionals at different places in their journey. Each session is also sequenced with learning outcomes to create an integrated, developmentally scaffolded experience for the participants. Unlike conferences where participants choose to participate (or not) in concurrent sessions, during this institute, all attendees will participate in a cohort experience and are expected to engage fully in all aspects of the institute.
Who should
attend…
The ACPA Dean of Student Institute is designed to support professionals currently in the position of Dean of Students, by title or areas of responsibility, as well as those exploring the role as a potential career path. This includes AVC/Dean of Students, Deans of Students, Associate/Assistant Deans, and senior- or mid-level professionals from across student affairs to include housing, student conduct, and case management.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
$275
before 12 February 2027
$375
after 12 February 2027
$475
before 12 February 2027
$575
after 12 February 2027
consider becoming a member of ACPA to save $100 on your registration price!
In order to qualify for member rates for the ACPA’s Dean of Students Institute, membership with ACPA must be valid through 15 March 2027. You must have your own individual membership. If it is not active prior to the start of the Dean of Students Institute you will not be provided with your Dean of Students Institute Event credential unless you renew your membership or pay the difference between the non-member and member registration cost.
Registrations can be paid by check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express. All fees must be prepaid. Purchase orders are not accepted. Refunds will be given for cancellations received in writing at ACPA by 12 February 2027, less a $50 cancellation fee. Cancellations must be sent to info@acpa.nche.edu. After 12 February 2027, there are no refunds. ACPA reserves the right to charge a service fee of US$50 for returned checks. Registrations can be transferred to another participant with the same membership type for a $50 processing fee prior to 26 February 2027. The conference may be canceled or postponed due to insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. In this case, the fees will be fully refunded; however, ACPA will not be responsible for other additional costs, charges or expenses, including cancellation/change charges assessed by airlines and/or travel agencies.
Hotel Information:
The Dean of Students Institute will occur in the Metro Toronto Convention Center facilities prior to the beginning of ACPA27. Hotel accommodations are available through the ACPA27 Convention hotels.
Schedule-at-a-Glance
Day 1: Sunday, 14 March 2027
| 8:30 AM | Registration |
| 9:00 AM | Institute Welcome, Faculty Introductions, Setting the Stage |
| 9:30 AM | Session 1 |
| 11:00 AM | Session 2 |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch (provided) |
| 1:00 PM | Session 3 |
| 2:30 PM | Session 4 |
| 4:00 PM | Session 5 |
| 5:00 PM | Dinner on your own |
Day 2 – Monday, 15 March 2027
| 8:30 AM | Breakfast (provided) and Morning Reflections |
| 9:00 AM | Session 6 |
| 10:30 AM | Session 7 |
| 12:00 PM | Closing |