Welcome
Welcome to the 2026 Virginia First-Generation Symposium!
James Madison University and the First-Generation Student Success Programs invite you to attend the Virginia First-Generation Symposium on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. This one-day event offers education professionals from across the Commonwealth an opportunity to connect, share ideas, and learn about emerging trends, initiatives, and programs that support first-generation students.
Thanks to our generous presenters, the Symposium will feature a diverse range of workshops designed to benefit professionals working with both K–12 students and those in higher education.
There is no registration fee to attend. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. We kindly ask that you register by April 10, 2026.
Schedule at a Glance
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Check-in and continental breakfast
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Welcome and remarks
10:10 AM – 12:25 PM
Breakout sessions
12:30 PM – 1:45 PM
Lunch and keynote
1:50 PM – 2:30 PM
Dialogue hubs for professional networking and collaboration
2:30 PM – 2:45 PM
Closing remarks
Location and Parking Instructions
Location:
Festival Conference & Student Center
1301 Carrier Dr.
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Parking Instructions:
Go to https://jmu.aimsparking.com and click on “Redeem Event Permit.”
You will be prompted to:
- Select your event (05/19/26 First-Gen Symposium)
- Enter the event code (3411)
- Enter your vehicle information
Upon confirming the transaction, you will receive an email receipt.
Directions for redeeming visitor permits are available here:
https://jmu.edu/parking/event-parking/event_redemptions.pdf
Event Name: 05/19/26 First-Gen Symposium
Event Permit Code: 3411
Parking map: https://www.jmu.edu/parking/_files/parkingmap.pdf
Keynote Speaker
Brad Barnett, MS, AFC®, CPFM, FAAC®
Brad Barnett is an experienced leader in postsecondary education with an emphasis on financial aid, enrollment management, college affordability, and personal finance. He is an Accredited Financial Counselor, Certified Personal Financial Manager, and Certified Financial Aid Administrator who serves as the Associate Vice President for Access and Enrollment Management/Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships at James Madison University. With three decades of experience in higher education, Brad has been actively involved in state, regional, and national financial aid associations, serving as a presenter, committee member, chair, and elected officer.
Having served as a past president of VASFAA and SASFAA, he has also participated in NASFAA as a member of the Board of Directors, the Financial Affairs Committee, the Association Governance Committee, and held roles as Treasurer, Conference Chair, and Standards of Excellence (SOE) Reviewer. His contributions culminated with his position as the 2022-23 NASFAA National Chair.
Brad received the VAFSAA Excellence Award, VASFAA Life Membership Award, SASFAA Distinguished Service Award, NASFAA Regional Leadership Award, NASFAA Allan W. Purdy Distinguished Service Award, VSSC Legacy Award, and the JMU Financial Aid Office has received the JMU Purple Star Award for Teamwork. In addition to these accomplishments, he teaches personal finance courses at JMU and, for several years, provided professional financial counseling services.
Brad and his wife, Sara, have two sons. The oldest graduated from the University of Mary Washington, while the youngest graduated from James Madison University. This experience has given him a unique perspective, having gone through the “college process” both as a parent and an administrator.
Session Briefs
Session 1
“I Wish Somebody Had Told Me…”: A Character Development Dinner for First-Generation College Students
Presenter: Heidi Bustos, Assistant Director of Student Leadership, Washington & Lee University
Colleges can better support first-generation students by using intentional programs that build belonging, confidence, and leadership skills. This workshop highlights a character development dinner model grounded in the Seven Strategies for Character Development developed by Michael Lamb, Jonathan Brant, and Edward Brooks, that uses shared meals, role models, and reflection to help first-generation students navigate college and feel more included.
From Concept to Execution: Creating Sustainable Community Internship Models
Presenters: Leidra McQueen and Dennis Coan, Beacon of Hope Lynchburg
Since 2022, the Lynchburg Beacon of Hope has partnered with over 60 local businesses to offer paid summer internships for young people ages 16–24. This session explains how the program works, how to build similar public-private partnerships, and lessons learned from running it.
Beyond the Warning: Turning SAP into a Roadmap for Success
Presenters: Ryan McNamara, Coordinator of Financial Aid at Central Virginia Community College and Kelly Riley, Financial Aid Pell Boost Liaison at Central Virginia Community College
This presentation shows how colleges can turn financial aid warnings into chances to support students instead of punishing them. By using regular check-ins, campus events, and early help, schools can build a caring culture that keeps students on track to graduate.
Along for the Ride: Accompanying young students through their journey of finding the perfect post-secondary fit
Presenters: Allison Powell and Molly Baldoni
Conversations and experiences that introduce K–12 students to college can help them take greater ownership of their futures. This presentation shows how the James Madison University Office of Admissions supports college access through partnerships, classroom engagement, and community outreach.
Session 2
Connecting K-12 School Students to Your Campus
Presenters: Melissa Benavidez, Senior Associate for College Access, State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and Erin McGrath Assoc. Director of College Access & PK12 Outreach, State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) lead the Level Up Virginia (LUV) program to help more students prepare for, enroll in, and complete college. This session highlights three initiatives designed to bring students onto campuses and offers ideas and LUV resources schools can use to support student success.
Beyond Facts: Empowering First-Gen Success through Behavioral Finance and Gen AI
Presenters: Jeff Hulett, Personal Finance Professor at James Madison University & Founder of PFR and Eric Warden, Senior Advisor, PFR
Traditional financial education often focuses on memorizing facts instead of building good money habits and decision-making skills. This session shares a new approach that teaches students—especially first-generation students—how to make confident financial decisions and use tools like AI to create personal plans to build long-term financial success.
Bridging the Virtual Divide: Intentional Support for First-Gen Students in Online Spaces
Presenters: Amanda Key, Director of Opportunity, Success, and Achievement and First-Generation Support Staff and Debbie Ashby, Student Success Advisor
This session explains how online learning can create extra challenges for first-generation students, such as isolation and confusing expectations. Participants will share and learn practical strategies to help online first-gen students feel supported, connected, and successful.
Bridging the Gap: Leveraging ECMC’s College Place & PERSIST Tools to Reduce Summer Melt
Presenter: Jasmine Philip, Director, The College Place Richmond
This session highlights practical, scalable activities that colleges and organizations can use to better support first-generation students before they start college. Participants will explore how to leverage tools developed by ECMC Group to address summer melt and strengthen bridge programs and summer outreach efforts.
