2026 International ACAC Conference Session Proposal Form

Getting in is only half the battle. For "first experience" students—including those from low-income backgrounds, first-generation households, and international students navigating new cultural landscapes—the transition to university is often marked by a gap in the intangible skills and/or resources needed to thrive beyond academics. This session is meant to enlighten practitioners from both sides of the desk on best practices they can embrace to increase students’ sense of belonging, well-being, and success as well as reduce attrition rates among “first experience” students. We will explore how practitioners on both sides of the desk can identify and bridge these gaps, moving beyond academic preparation to focus on cultural fluency and institutional navigation.