b'FRIDAY2:15PM3:30PM METRO/URBAN INSTITUTIONS: ITS ABOUT BELONGING TRADITIONAL PANEL Strategies for Student and Faculty Success in the Urban/Metro Commuter Institution through Community BuildingResearch has long shown that a psychological sense of communitycontributes to student success in terms of higher GPAs and higher gradu-ation rates. At the same time, faculty job satisfaction and rates of retention are also tied to how connected a faculty member feels to their institution. Creating an environment, however, in which students and faculty feel a sense of belonging in the academic setting or local community is often quite a challenging task in urban, commuter institutions where time, space and resources are often limited. In this panel/discussion, we explore nurturing and supporting community as a means to belongingness through three different lenses: 1) Engaging students in the campus community; 2) Engaging faculty in the campus community; and 3) Engaging both students and faculty in the local community.TRADITIONAL PANEL DEMYSTIFYING ADVOCACYCCAS Board Members and seasoned advocates will share their experience with advocating for the arts and sciences at the local, state, and national levels. This session is appropriate for all registrants, regardless of advocacy background to date. TRADITIONAL PANEL A/A DEANS: Caught in the Middle With You:Navigating Politics and Policies as an Assistant DeanAn Assistant Dean often occupies the space between departments and ad-ministration. Tasked with moving policies, practices, and programs forward to achieve specific goals the person in this position can find themselves pulled in many different directions between units with competing priorities. Departments and faculty want them to be advocates on their behalf to the administration, both at the college and the University level, and administration wants them to move departments and faculty towards action and compliance. They are some-times cast in the role of enforcer for unpopular or controversial changes. Other times they control resources to be distributed. How do they navigate these issues while keeping the objectives of all stakeholders as priorities? How does their tenure or in most cases non-tenure status complicate the dynamic? What support do they need to affect the best outcomes? Where can their particular skills be best utilized? How do you help individuals grow professionally in this position? With over (a million) years experience between them, Three assistant deans will share their perspectives on this important administrative role and how to use the assistant dean position and expertise for full benefit.GROUP DISCUSSION BOARD LISTENING SESSIONShare your thoughts with the CCAS Board of Directors and help shape the 2020 Strategic Plan.20Register at ccas2019'