What is ESAP?

The Georgia College Personnel Association (GCPA) presents the Essentials of Student Affairs Practices (ESAP) Institute! This program is designed to provide individuals who work in Student Affairs (at postsecondary institutions in Georgia (including two-year colleges, four-year institutions, and technical colleges) without a traditional educational background in Student Affairs & Higher Education more insight into the educational foundation that makes up our robust field. ESAP is rooted in ACPA/NASPA Professional Competencies.

How does it work?

  • The ESAP Institute consists of three, 2-day sessions (you must attend all three sessions to receive the certificate).
  • Each of the three sessions starts with a Thursday session from 8am-5pm followed by a Friday half-day session from 9am-noon. 
  • Registration is $500. (Includes: materials, dinner on Thursday, breakfast and lunch on Friday. Lodging and parking is not included.  Please feel free to use your state discount for hotels in the area. We will recommend some if interested.)
  • Educational materials will be sent via email as applicable.

How can I register for ESAP?

The Georgia College Personnel Association (GCPA) presents the Essentials of Student Affairs Practices (ESAP) Institute! This program is designed to provide individuals who work in Student Affairs (at postsecondary institutions in Georgia (including two-year colleges, four-year institutions, and technical colleges) without a traditional educational background in Student Affairs & Higher Education more insight into the educational foundation that makes up our robust field. ESAP is rooted in ACPA/NASPA Professional Competencies.

What are the details for ESAP?

The ESAP Institute consists of three 2-day sessions from May through July (you must attend all 3 sessions to graduate from ESAP and receive the award at the end).

Each of the sessions starts with a Thursday session from 8am-5pm & a Friday half-day session from 8am-noon. Usually, we also provide an optional ESAP Wednesday night social before Session I at the first host university. All attendees will receive an email with further details about this outing opportunity. Meals include a Thursday lunch and dinner and Friday includes breakfast and a grab-and-go lunch option. As an ESAP participant, you will have an opportunity to explore the following topics:

  • History of Student Affairs as a Profession
  • Comprehensive Administrative Review (CAR) + Quality Enhancement Planning
  • Budget Development/Reallocation
  • Evaluation/Assessment
  • Student Engagement
  • Professional Development
  • Work-Life Balance
  • Bringing Your Authentic Self to Work
  • Cultural Competency /EDI
  • Title IX Law and Legislation
  • Sexual Assault
  • Student Mental Health

This program is rooted in the ACPA/NASPA Professional Competencies and ACPA Strategic Imperative for Racial Justice and Decolonization.

ESAP Annual Schedule

SESSION I: Student Affairs & Historical Context

LOCATION: (TBD)

DATES: (TBD)

  • History of Student Affairs as a Profession
  • Legal Affairs/First Amendment
  • Budget Development/Reallocation
  • Evaluation/Assessment
  • Comprehensive Administrative Review (CAR) + Quality Enhancement Planning

SESSION II: Professional & Career Development

LOCATION: (TBD)

DATES: (TBD)

  • Career Development/Engagement
  • Professional Development
  • Bringing Your Authentic Self to Work
  • Career Advancement

SESSION III: The Profession and Association Today

LOCATION: (TBD)

DATES: (TBD)

  • Cultural Competence/EDI
  • Gender/Sexual Identity
  • Title IX & Law
  • ACPA’s Strategic Imperative
  • Student Mental Health

ESAP FAQs

FAQS

What do I need to bring to each session?

For Session I, please bring a printed or electronic copy of your ticket if you have paid through Eventbrite. If you plan to pay in person, please choose the “Pay at the Door” option. We will provide pens, notebooks, name badges, paper, and supplies for you at each session. If you would like to bring your own supplies, feel free to do so. You may also bring your own snacks and foods of course, but all meals during ESAP are covered by us.

We will provide additional assignments after each session, so you won’t need your laptop or tablet during the session unless you want to bring those items.

What will ESAP cover for me? What things do I need to cover on my own?

ESAP will cover all meals, parking, and materials for each session for you. You will cover all hotel and registration costs.

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

You can email our Professional Development Chair Jeremy Brown with any specific ESAP questions at [email protected]

How will meals work for each session?

ESAP and Jeremy will send out a complete list of food options before each session. All dietary restrictions and food allergies will be accounted for at this time as well. Our ESAP policy regarding food is that we WILL NOT refund or cover your purchase of any food item or meal outside of what we cover per session.

What’s the refund policy?

We will accept a full refund for your registration up to 7 days before session I will begin on May 30th. No refunds will be provided after this by GCPA or ESAP.

What are the methods of payment you will accept for ESAP 2021?

We will accept debit card, credit card, check, and P-card for your payments only. *If for some reason you cannot cover the entire $500 for your registration at once – please choose the “Pay at the Door” option when you register, and then contact us immediately to set up a payment plan for you ([email protected]).

Please make all checks payable to “Georgia College Personnel Association ESAP” when you bring them in person.

*Note that those who don’t pay the full $500 by the start of session III will not be allowed to finish the institute.

Do I have to bring a copy of my ticket to ESAP?

Yes. A printed or electronic copy of your ticket is required upon the start of session I at UNG. No ticket needed for both sessions II and III.

Can I update my registration information?

While Eventbrite doesn’t allow you to change your ticket information, please email us with any changes we would need to know of at [email protected]

Is it ok if the name on my ticket or registration doesn’t match the person who attends?

That is fine if someone else signs the attendee up, just please be sure that we have all of the attendee information in our records (their full name, email, etc). Email us at [email protected]

What other communication will go out to ESAP participants?

Jeremy will send out instructions regarding parking, directions, hotel options, meal options, and details for check-in and a final agenda for each session.