Speaking packages
for college audiences
Dr. Brenner offers tailored workshops and speaking engagements for first-year college parents and guardians, participants of college prep and summer bridge programs, and faculty, staff, and peer leaders designing and implementing programs and curriculum for first-year college students. Bundle up to three presentations for various audiences during a one-day visit to your school or organization for a discount!
For First-year College Parents and Guardians
These interactive talks and workshops are created for parents & guardians of incoming or new college students and can be delivered in-person or as a webinar. Presentations may be customized for a specific college or university population.
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There can be a considerable learning curve for parents when they shift from the role of high school parent to college parent. This session teaches new college parents to lessen their involvement in their student's daily lives and simultaneously increase their support of their student’s growing self-reliance. Topics include: encouraging students to use campus resources when they need help; tips to guide student’s self-sufficient problem solving; communicating about non-negotiable and negotiable expectations; using reflective listening techniques with overwhelmed students; and supporting students as they learn to build resilience after challenges and setbacks.
*This session can be delivered as part of parent/family orientation or parent/family weekend programming.
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Your college student has already made the transition to campus, and hopefully they are adjusting to their home away from home. However excited you are about welcoming your student home during their school break, it’s important to acknowledge that parenting an “adult” who has lived away from home can pose some challenges. It might take some time, and patience will be necessary. Topics include: the challenges of “re-entry”; managing time with friends, family, schoolwork, and sleep; establishing household rules and responsibilities; and engaging in conversations with your newly independent offspring.
"This year, we were able to line up Dr. Brenner as our guest presenter for our annual Home for the Holidays webinar for families. She absolutely nailed it. With compassion, humor and clarity, Dr. Brenner walked us through the transitions and challenges for families and their students at this stage. Dr. Brenner's credentials brought a new level of expertise to our families and they were truly impressed"
Karyn A. Cassella
Former Director, New Student and Family Programs,
American University, Washington, DC
For Students Enrolled in College-Prep Programs
These interactive talks and workshops are for students attending college prep and summer bridge programs. Talks and workshops may be customized for specific populations and needs (e.g. first-gen students, students with learning differences, STEM-focused students).
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Nothing in the college admissions process prepares high school graduates for the changes they will face as they transition from high school to living independently in college. Students will gain a complete list of the life skills they should master before beginning college. Topics include: managing time and money; living with a roommate and communicating with peers across differences; taking charge of their own personal safety; using campus resources; speaking with professors; caring for their own physical and mental health; and handling stress without the “scaffolding” of home.
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Studies show that many first-year students enter college unprepared for the many differences between high school- and college-level academic expectations. This presentation explains where new college students fail to thrive in the college classroom and how to hone these much needed academic skills before college classes begin. Topics include: college-level coursework—varied types of assignments and expectations for writing, reading, and evaluating ideas and sources; college-level professionalism— communicating with professors and staff in person, by email, and by phone; and college-level academic standards—time management, expectations for class participation, taking responsibility to prepare for class and handling academic setbacks.
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Retention rates are about making it through the first year of college, but we should be focused on students thriving, not just surviving! This presentation tackles four important and often overlooked themes in college preparation education: guiding students to take charge of their own health and wellness; assessing students’ academic and professional skills and assisting them in improving; helping students understand the benefits of asking questions and seeking help; and viewing mistakes as opportunities for growth.
“I recently attended Dr. Brenner’s presentation “Thriving, Not Just Surviving in Your First Year.” I loved the way Dr. Brenner connected with our youth, who are primarily first-generation-to-college students from low-income households. Dr. Brenner not only delivers a wealth of information, but does it in a way that resonates with the audience. She is skilled at engaging youth and bringing humor in as well."
Lauren Fliegel, LCSW-C, Clinical Director
Collegiate Directions, Inc.
For Faculty, Staff and Student Leaders Working with New Students and Families
These interactive talks and workshops are created for campus faculty, staff, and students leaders who are designing or implementing programs and curriculum for first-year college students.
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This session will help family engagement professionals design a hands-on parent orientation that educates rather than manages incoming parents through guided interaction. Topics include talking to first-year parents about their new parenting role through the lens of adolescent psychology and trend studies; using parent networking activities for engagement; creating college-specific discussion prompts for meaningful student/parent conversations before move-in day; and sharing important tips about the transition ahead with new families.
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Absent a consistent message about the college’s expectations, parents of incoming students may become over-involved, serve as their child’s protector, or take a transactional approach. This session will guide colleges in shifting their family engagement from a “parent management” to a “parent education” model. This workshop will set Family Engagement offices up to succeed by focusing on a commitment to parent engagement from deposit and enrollment, through each of the four milestone years, and on to graduation.
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We know that first-year student success is not about retention rates—it’s about students thriving as independent young adults without the scaffolding of home. How do we collectively support our incoming students' social, emotional, and academic needs? This interactive session will guide faculty, staff, and peer leaders to work more effectively with first-year students. Topics include: (re)setting student expectations of a perfect first-year experience; modeling critical thinking skills inside and outside of the classroom; offering constructive feedback early and often; creating formal and informal mentorship opportunities; connecting students with campus resources; and directing students to view mistakes as opportunities for growth as they define their own success.
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This session will train peer leaders to engage in conversations and group discussions with first-year college students transitioning to college. Topics include meeting and managing expectations, health and wellness, campus safety, finding community, academic readiness, building healthy relationships, getting involved on campus, and defining success. This is the perfect complement to training for orientation leaders, FYE/FYS course facilitators, student advisors, resident assistants, and student leaders working with pre-college and summer bridge programs. A bulk order of Talking College™ Peer Leader decks can be bundled with the fee for this session.
"Andrea’s presentation on Setting Expectations: Moving from a Parent Management to a Parent Education Model was phenomenal! Not only was she very knowledgeable about the topic, but she also made the material relatable to the college experience by using a variety of techniques while presenting."
Allyson Argyris, Transition Programs Coordinator
UNC Wilmington, Wilmington, NC
