#ECSAS 2026

As a student disengagement continues to impact campuses globally, this track moves beyond traditional involvement models to investigate the psychological and social roots of modern apathy and redefine what meaningful participation looks like today. We invite submissions that challenge "the business as usual" programmatic approach, exploring innovative engagement strategies - such as the gamification of the co-curriculum and high-impact practices, that specifically address the evolving expectations of both traditional and nontraditional students. By shifting the focus toward intentional relationship-building and unconventional outreach, this track seeks to identify what truly motivates students to involve themselves in the current climate, providing practitioners with the tools to move students from passive observers to passionate campus contributors. Topics can include: Comprehensive support models for international students that address legal, social, and emotional dimensions of mobility. Programs that develop cross-cultural competencies and global awareness among domestic student populations. Institutional strategies for embedding internationalization into everyday campus life rather than limiting it to mobility offices. Intercultural dialogue and conflict mediation across diverse student communities. The role of student affairs in supporting institutions' Erasmus+ and European University Alliance commitments.

Moving beyond the traditional Counseling Center model, this theme asserts that holistic wellness is the shared responsibility of the entire higher education ecosystem, rather than the siloed obligation of a single office, designing wellness into the very fabric of the institution. By shifting from reactive services to a proactive, holistic wellness resource network, we aim to move beyond the “referral-only” mindset to build an environment where every member of the campus community can thrive. We invite submissions that explore what health and wellbeing looks like in their various and intersecting forms for both students and the practitioners who support them. Topics can include: Training academic and administrative staff to recognize and respond to student distress as part of their professional role. Training academic and administrative staff to recognize and respond to professional distress and possible burnout. Academic policies, campus design and architecture as tools for well-being: how external factors shape student mental health. Embedding well-being into institutional strategy, accreditation frameworks or the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education. Building campus-wide referral systems that connect student services, faculty, and peer support networks.

How do we transcend traditional international education to address the urgent need for global fluency, focusing on the sophisticated cultural competency required to thrive in a rapidly shifting global landscape? We invite submissions that define what true competency looks like in practice - exploration of the intersection of DEI-related topics, global identity, and the practical mechanics of global career mobility; programs that offer actionable frameworks for increasing global awareness; facilitating difficult conversations regarding the global landscape; and decoding the cultural differences necessary for successful integration into new environments. Topics can include: Comprehensive support models for international students that address legal, social, and emotional dimensions of mobility. Programs that develop cross-cultural competencies and global awareness among domestic student populations. Institutional strategies for embedding internationalization into everyday campus life rather than limiting it to mobility offices. Intercultural dialogue and conflict mediation across diverse student communities. The role of student affairs in supporting institutions' Erasmus+ and European University Alliance commitments.

This track argues that the frontline professionals who shape students’ everyday experiences - registrar offices, residence life teams, libraries, sports, and student service centers, among others - must be recognized as strategic pillars of the higher education ecosystem. As campuses become more international and student expectations rapidly evolve, these units are navigating new realities alongside increasing digital complexity. Topics include professional development for staff, integrating AI and emerging technologies into student services, navigating generational differences, or redesigning support systems to meet students through the communication norms, digital behaviors, and social ecosystems that define contemporary student life. Topics can include: Professional development frameworks for student-facing staff: recognition, career pathways, and continuous learning. Integrating AI and emerging technologies into student services — from chatbots and predictive analytics to digital identity management. Redesigning support systems to meet students through their communication norms, digital behaviors, and social ecosystems. Managing generational shifts in student expectations and how frontline services adapt. The case for recognizing student-facing professionals as part of the institution's strategic infrastructure.