NASPA Online Learning Community

NASPA Short Courses


NASPA offers the following online short courses. Short courses are collaborative, content-driven, facilitated courses that allow student affairs professionals to engage worldwide while building credentials and value within your organization. These courses are asynchronous and synchronous, with live sessions allowing discussion, knowledge sharing, and networking. Depending on the subject area, short courses range from four to six weeks. 

Learn more about the upcoming short courses, topics covered, and instructors for each of our online courses, and register using the links below. For additional questions, please review the Frequently Asked Questions. 


Upcoming Short Courses

  • Contains 32 Component(s)

    Foundations is an online course that prepares current and future student affairs professionals with the tools they need to be influential allies in campus sexual violence prevention and response. The six-module course is taught by NASPA staff with expertise in social work, student affairs, public health, peer education, assessment, and violence prevention. This course is a great follow-up to the introductory Title IX/Clery Act training provided by your institution.

    We all have a role to play in addressing sexual violence on campus. We built Foundations to help student affairs professionals understand their role and contribute to their institution's strategy for addressing sexual violence. The six-module course is taught by NASPA staff with expertise in social work, student affairs, public health, peer education, assessment, and violence prevention. Thanks for joining us - we're so glad you're here!

    The course is self-paced, takes about 4 hours, and all modules must be completed in order. Within each session, you'll find the session slides and learning objectives, presenter bios, and recorded presentations. After the final session, you be asked to take a learning assessment. Once you've passed the assessment, you'll receive a certificate of completion.

    Jason Davis

    Former Assistant Director, Peer Education Initiatives and Training Programs

    NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education

    Experience in peer education

    Jill Dunlap, Ph.D.

    Assistant Vice President of Research, Policy, and Civic Engagement

    NASPA

    Dr. Jill Dunlap serves as the assistant vice president for policy at NASPA- Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education.  Prior to joining NASPA, Jill worked closely with college student survivors of sexual violence for more than 14 years at three different campuses. In 2014, Jill served as a non-federal negotiator representing four years of public institutions on the VAWA negotiated rulemaking committee. Jill received her Ph.D. in political science and public administration from Northern Illinois University, where her dissertation work focused on the experiences of students impacted by sexual violence on campus.

    Sarice Greenstein

    Former Assistant Director, Culture of Respect

    Experience in HIV prevention, program evaluation

    Nancy Gonzalez Reyes (Moderator)

    EOP STEM Counselor and Academic Success Coach

    UC Santa Cruz

    Nancy Gonzalez Reyes is an EOP STEM Counselor and Academic Success Coach at UC Santa Cruz, where she supports students from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds in navigating their academic journeys. With seven years of experience in both K–12 and higher education, Nancy is passionate about equity, access, and student empowerment. As a first-generation college graduate and daughter of immigrant parents, she is deeply committed to breaking down systemic barriers and fostering inclusive educational environments.

    Nancy earned her B.A. in History and Education from UC Santa Cruz and recently completed her M.Ed. in Higher Education with a focus on Student Engagement at Pennsylvania State University. She strives to be a trusted resource and advocate for students, offering guidance and creating supportive spaces where they can thrive.

    Allison Tombros Korman

    Senior Director, Culture of Respect

    NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education

    Allison Tombros Korman, MHS is the senior director of Culture of Respect. In her role, Allison works to ensure that all higher education institutions have the resources they need to end campus sexual violence and the opportunity to learn from evidence-based research and the best practices of their colleagues. Allison brings to Culture of Respect more than fifteen years’ experience in health policy, programming, and education with an emphasis on sexual and reproductive health and rights. She has provided management, support, and technical assistance to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and served as the Associate Director of Education for the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP) in Washington, DC.

    Rachael Novick

    Coordinator, Peer Education Initiatives and Training Programs

    NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education

    Experience in sexual health promotion, peer education, and higher education.

  • Contains 15 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 03/04/2026 at 1:00 PM (EST)

    This essential short course explores the crucial intersection of campus design and mental health in higher education. As we navigate an academic landscape marked by increasing mental health challenges, it’s clear that depression and other mental health concerns, compounded by academic stress, lead to negative outcomes, including higher dropout rates. This course highlights the vital role of administrators and student affairs staff in fostering a culture of wellness and understanding on their campuses. Through comprehensive insights from experts, we'll explore various mental health models, assess campus-specific needs, and develop actionable, sustainable strategies to enhance campus-wide mental health. Join us on this transformative journey to better support your students and colleagues, and to create a thriving, supportive academic environment.

    Dates: February 9 - March 6, 2026

    Description

    This essential short course explores the crucial intersection of campus design and mental health in higher education. As we navigate an academic landscape marked by increasing mental health challenges, it’s clear that depression and other mental health concerns, compounded by academic stress, lead to negative outcomes, including higher dropout rates. This course highlights the vital role of administrators and student affairs staff in fostering a culture of wellness and understanding on their college or university campuses. Through comprehensive insights from experts, we'll explore various mental health models, assess campus-specific needs, and develop actionable, sustainable strategies to enhance campus-wide mental health. Join us on this transformative journey to better support your students and colleagues, and to create a thriving, supportive academic environment.

    Learning Outcomes
    1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of mental health and well-being on college campuses, including relevant challenges, terminology, and models. 
    2. Develop the ability to assess campus-specific mental health needs through data analysis, self-study, and policy review.
    3. Understand the roles and responsibilities of various campus and community stakeholders in promoting mental health and well-being, fostering collaboration for a holistic approach.
    4. Synthesize the course content to create a campus plan that addresses mental health needs, exhibits appropriate intervention selection and adaptation, and ensures long-term sustainability for the benefit of the entire campus community.
    Course Outline

    Section 1 - Introduction: Mental Health and Well-being on the College Campus

    Section 2 - Campus Assessment and Building a Community of Care

    Section 3 - Developing and Implementing a Campus-Wide Strategy: Policies, Procedures, and Programs

    Section 4 - Strategy Evaluation and Program Sustainability

    Course Live Session Dates

    March 4, 2026       1:00 p.m. (ET)

    Course Commitment and Expectations

    The course will require 1-2 hours per week with assignments, engagement, and live sessions. All participants are expected to contribute to discussions and be present during live sessions. The course requires participants to have access to a computer, wifi, and webcam. All live sessions will be via Zoom, providing presentation slides and closed captioning. 

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    Whitney O'Regan, EdD

    Director, Safety and Prevention Initiatives

    NASPA

    Whitney Platzer O’Regan, Ed.D., serves as the senior director of prevention and safety initiatives, under the Health, Safety & Well-being team at NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. Dr. O’Regan received her doctorate in educational leadership and policy from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University where her doctoral research focused on student sense of belonging and engagement through a public health lens. Dr. O’Regan has over twelve years of experience working to reduce high risk substance misuse on college campuses with functional area expertise in student affairs, policy, student conduct, crisis response, peer education, and health promotion.

    Guidelines for earning CE credit: 

    5 CSAEd Core CEs are awarded for completing this course. Completion includes viewing all recordings, attending all live sessions, and completing the Feedback Survey. 

    No partial credit will be awarded; full completion is required. 

    Participants must also complete the feedback survey in the Online Learning Community.

    To receive CSAEd credit, attendees must complete the Feedback Survey in the online event offering the certification. Once the survey is completed, your Certificate will be available in the event modules. The Certificate of Completion, which will show the event and credit earnings, is available for download and/or print from the event in your Online Learning Community.

    NASPA has been approved by the Higher Education Consortium for Student Affairs Certification to provide CE credit for Certified Student Affairs Educators (CSAEd). NASPA is solely responsible for all aspects of this program.

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  • Contains 18 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 04/29/2026 at 1:00 PM (EDT)

    Designed by members of the NASPA Health, Safety, and Well-being Initiatives team, this short course is designed to guide student affairs professionals through a comprehensive understanding of holistic well-being. Focusing on fostering a shared commitment to well-being in educational environments, particularly through the integration of research-based strategies that support mental, emotional, physical, and social health, the course includes interactive discussions, reflection activities, and actionable insights aimed at enhancing campus and community engagement

    Dates: April 6 - May 1, 2026

    Description

    Designed by members of the NASPA Health, Safety, and Well-being Initiatives team, this short course is designed to guide student affairs professionals through a comprehensive understanding of holistic well-being. Focusing on fostering a shared commitment to well-being in educational environments, particularly through the integration of research-based strategies that support mental, emotional, physical, and social health, the course includes interactive discussions, reflection activities, and actionable insights aimed at enhancing campus and community engagement. Through this course, participants are encouraged to cultivate an inclusive culture that prioritizes the health and well-being of the entire campus community.

    Learning Outcomes
    1. Define the concept of well-being within the context of higher education.
    2. Analyze and apply the principles outlined in the Okanagan Charter to guide health promotion efforts in academic settings.
    3. Evaluate and integrate various health promotion models and theories to inform the design and implementation of comprehensive well-being programs.
    4. Recognize the roles and responsibilities of key team members, including administrators, faculty, staff, and student leaders, in promoting well-being on campus.
    5. Understand and apply the Collective Impact framework as a collaborative approach to addressing complex social issues within the college context.
    6. Assess and evaluate the effectiveness of well-being programs.

    Course Outline

    Section 1 - Understanding Well-being in Higher Education

    Section 2 - Roles, Collaboration, and Collective Impact on Promoting Well-being

    Section 3 - Developing a Comprehensive Well-being Strategy on Campus

    Section 4 - Cultivating a Well-being Culture

    Section 5 - Assessing and Evaluating Well-being Programs for Sustainability and Long-Term Planning

    Course Live Session Dates

    Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 1:00 PM ET (Not recorded, mandatory attendance for CSAEd credit)

    Course Commitment and Expectations

    The course will require 1-2 hours per week with assignments, engagement, and live sessions. All participants are expected to contribute to discussions and be present during live sessions. The course requires participants to have access to a computer, wifi, and webcam. All live sessions will be via Zoom, providing presentation slides and closed captioning. 

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    Emma Spalding

    Director of Well-being Initiatives and Statewide Coalition Projects

    espalding@naspa.org

    Credit information coming soon. 

  • Contains 1 Component(s) Includes a Live Web Event on 06/24/2026 at 1:00 PM (EDT)

    This course introduces Student Affairs professionals to Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) as an evidence-based, student-centered approach to addressing substance use. Participants will build foundational knowledge of college student substance use trends and learn to administer and interpret validated screening tools for alcohol and cannabis. The course emphasizes motivational interviewing strategies that support readiness for change, student autonomy, and harm reduction. Participants will also practice creating brief, realistic action plans and making appropriate referrals to campus and community resources.

    Dates: June 1- June 24, 2026 

    Description

    This course equips Student Affairs professionals with the knowledge and practical skills needed to implement Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) with college students. Participants will explore current research on substance use patterns among college students, including alcohol, cannabis, prescription medications, and other substances, with attention to developmental pathways and risk trajectories. The course introduces validated screening tools such as the AUDIT and CUDIT-R, with hands-on guidance for scoring, interpretation, and determining appropriate next steps.

    Grounded in the Transtheoretical Model of Change and Motivational Interviewing, the training emphasizes understanding readiness, navigating ambivalence, and responding to resistance in nonjudgmental, student-centered ways. Participants will practice core motivational interviewing skills, including open-ended questioning, reflective listening, affirmations, and eliciting change talk. The course also focuses on using the elicit–provide–elicit framework to discuss screening results and engage students in meaningful conversations about behavior change. Participants will learn how to collaborate with students to identify motivators, brainstorm solutions, and develop realistic, individualized plans of action. Finally, the course highlights the role of referrals within SBIRT, emphasizing cross-campus collaboration, appropriate boundaries, and effective connection to on- and off-campus resources.

    Learning Outcomes
    • Define Screening and Brief Intervention (SBI)
    • Describe screening tools for alcohol and cannabis
    • Demonstrate proficiency in scoring the Alcohol Use Disorder Inventory Tool (AUDIT) and the Cannabis Use Disorder Inventory Tool (CUDIT-R)
    • Describe at least 2 components of Motivational Interviewing
    • Explain the role of referrals in SBI
    • Provide an example of Elicit, Provide, Elicit
    • Provide the steps in creating a working plan with a student

    Course Prices 

    Member:             $495

    Non-member:     $595


    Live Session

    Live sessions are 60 minutes long and mandatory for successful course completion. 

    Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.

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    Whitney O'Regan, EdD

    Director, Safety and Prevention Initiatives

    NASPA

    Whitney Platzer O’Regan, Ed.D., serves as the senior director of prevention and safety initiatives, under the Health, Safety & Well-being team at NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. Dr. O’Regan received her doctorate in educational leadership and policy from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University where her doctoral research focused on student sense of belonging and engagement through a public health lens. Dr. O’Regan has over twelve years of experience working to reduce high risk substance misuse on college campuses with functional area expertise in student affairs, policy, student conduct, crisis response, peer education, and health promotion.

    Module Overview

    Week 1: Understanding Substance Use with College Students

    Understanding Substance Use with College Students provides an evidence-based overview of alcohol, cannabis, and other substance use among college students, emphasizing developmental patterns, motivations for use and non-use, risk trajectories, and implications for Student Affairs practice.

    Week 2: Understanding Change and Influencing Motivation at the Individual Level 

    Understanding Change and Influencing Motivation at the Individual Level introduces how behavior change occurs over time and equips Student Affairs professionals with motivational interviewing strategies to assess readiness, navigate ambivalence and resistance, and support student-driven change in a respectful, nonjudgmental way.

    Week 3: Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment

     Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment focuses on the practical application of SBIRT in Student Affairs, guiding participants through the use of validated screening tools, student-centered brief interventions, and appropriate referral practices to support early identification, behavior change, and connection to campus and community resources.

    Live Session: Wednesday 6/24 @ 1:00 p.m. EST

    ** Each module is one week. 

    Credit information Coming Soon.