Volunteer Academy

Volunteer Academy 2022

Volunteer Academy 2022 (formerly Volunteer Leadership Conference) is a time to build the acumen of volunteers appointed by National Council. Join Sisters as we create plans, uncover the changing landscape of higher education, and grow as leaders. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to learn and grow alongside Sisters from around the nation. Volunteer Academy will be held virtually, with two large group sessions and one team meeting. Check back for more detailed information regarding the schedule. To register: Log into Exclusively Xi > Click on Communications: Events (left hand side) > under Upcoming Events, you will see Volunteer Academy. Click “Register Myself Only.”

Opening Session – June 12, 2022 from 2-5 p.m. EST/1-4 p.m. CST/12-3 p.m. MST/11-2 p.m. PST via Zoom

 Program Outline:

  • Welcome to Volunteer Academy!
  • Trends in Higher Education with Dr. Kevin Kruger, president and CEO for NASPA (National Association of Student Personnel Administrators)
  • Fraternity Snapshot with Becky Perrett, Alpha Xi Delta National President
  • Next steps for Closing Session

Opening Session Featured Speaker: Dr. Kevin Kruger, president and CEO for NASPA (National Association of Student Personnel Administrators)

Dr. Kevin Kruger draws on more than 40 years of experience in higher education. Since 2012, he has served as president and CEO for NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. Prior to his role as president, Dr. Kruger worked for 18 years as the associate executive director and served as the chief operating officer (COO) and chief financial officer (CFO) for NASPA. He has held a range of student affairs positions at Southern Methodist University and the University of Maryland. As NASPA president, Dr. Kruger represents student affairs at a variety of national forums and is a frequent contributor to higher education news stories on the college student experience. Dr. Kruger has published and presented nationally and globally on trends in higher education, student success, degree-completion strategies for low-income/first-generation students, and change management and leadership in higher education. Dr. Kruger received his M.A. and Ph.D. in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland. He is the proud father of two children, one a recent college graduate and the other a college senior.

Closing Session – July 31, 2022 from 2-5 p.m. EST/1-4 p.m. CST/12-3 p.m. MST/11-2 p.m. PST via Zoom

Program Outline:

• Welcome back to Volunteer Academy!

• Recap of summer trainings

• The 8% Workshop with Krystal N. Clark, M. Ed. of Equip to Thrive

Closing Session Featured Speaker: Krystal N. Clark, M. Ed. of Equip to Thrive

Krystal N. Clark, M.Ed. is a native of Portsmouth, VA and serves as the Director of Employee Learning & Engagement in Human Resources at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. She previously worked at Duke University and Vanderbilt University as a Fraternity & Sorority Life professional serving as the Panhellenic Advisor at both institutions. Her career in Greek Life began in 2005 when she attended the University of Maryland, College Park to earn her M.Ed. in College Student Personnel. As a Graduate Assistant, Clark was a Student Affairs Residential Fellow which consisted of serving as a live-in staff member for the Delta Psi Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Clark is an alumna of the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA, and an Alumnae Initiate of the Alpha Pi chapter of Tri Delta. Krystal believes in the power of voluntarism and carries that out in all aspects of her life. She has served in multiple local and inter/national volunteer roles for the fraternity including as a member of the Inclusion Taskforce and Membership Expansion Committee. From 2020-2021, Krystal served as Chair of the National Panhellenic Conference’s Access & Equity Advisory Committee. In 2020, she founded Equip To Thrive, LLC which offers compassionate personal and professional development experiences for 'talented and imperfect' people. Amongst her Nashville volunteer roles, she is a Past President of the Junior League of Nashville, Past Chair of The Women's Fund Advisory Board of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, and current Chair of the Board of Directors of The Belcourt Theatre, Nashville’s nonprofit film center. Krystal is a Formula One Racing fanatic, a champion binge watcher, loves riding bikes in dark rooms, and attending as many concerts as possible in Music City.  

*Team meetings will be scheduled with your National Director and/or staff liaison.

Volunteer Academy costs are paid in full by the Fraternity. 

If you have any questions, please contact Courtney Fluty, Director of Lifetime Engagement.