FloridaACE 2026

Join us for the First-Time Attendee Orientation. In this session, we will welcome new members and first-time conference attendees, helping orient you to the days ahead. 

Career services professionals are using AI; however, impact depends on strategic, efficient, and responsible application. This session offers practical, human-centered approaches to integrating intelligent tools across student support and operations. We’ll demonstrate how AI can help students clarify skills, explore pathways, and take confident next steps through intentional prompting and structured workflows. We’ll also show how AI streamlines program planning, synthesizes advising notes to support staff reflection, and aligns services with institutional and state priorities, translating data into actionable decisions. Attendees will engage in facilitated small group work to co-create adaptable prompts and microworkflows, contributing examples to a shared resource hub for continued collaboration.  Highlights: include real use cases (e.g., Copilot, Quinncia, labor market tools) and peer-tested prompts. 

In Fall 2025, Florida Gulf Coast University launched its first-ever Internship Week—an innovative, campus-wide initiative designed to strengthen internship culture and connect students with meaningful experiential learning. Led by the Office of Internships & Cooperative Programs, the week brought together students, faculty, staff, and employers through targeted events that highlighted pathways to career readiness. The initiative significantly increased student awareness of internship support and became a signature engagement effort on campus. Notably, this work also positioned FGCU ahead of the curve as the university later selected internships as its SUS Metric 10 priority, reinforcing the long-term value of intentional experiential learning programming. This session will share the strategies, partnerships, and lessons learned from building Internship Week from the ground up.

This session highlights the design and launch of a three‑day Career Trek to Tampa created for Pre‑Law students through a cross‑departmental partnership between the Rollins Center for Career and Life Planning and the Immersion Programs team within the Center for Leadership & Community Engagement. Attendees will learn how the program was conceptualized, planned, and marketed, how site visits and professional experiences were curated, and how intentional collaboration expanded both funding possibilities and student engagement. The presentation will offer practical insights into building immersive, interest‑specific career experiences, including strategies for identifying host organizations, crafting a balanced weekend itinerary, and working with companies that serve a range of student interests. Participants will leave with a replicable model and adaptable strategies that can support innovative programming, strengthen partnerships, and deepen students’ real‑world exposure.

Come join your FloridaACE Board to relax with one of our favorite events, wine and coloring!

Dinner, Dance Party, & Game Night! Once dinner wraps up, it’s time to choose your evening adventure!

• Hit the Dance Floor: Kick off the party with a quick, beginner-friendly dance instruction session, then keep the energy high when the floor opens up for a full-on dance party.
• Chill in the Game Room: If a low-key vibe is more your style, skip the music and slip away to the quiet game room for some casual fun and conversation.

Don't forget to stop by the photobooth to snap a pic with your conference crew! 

With 20+ years of experience in holistic wellness, Sara combines Sound Healing, Emotional Freedom Technique, Creative Visualization, Guided Meditation, Breath work, Energy Healing, and Drumming to support relaxation and a reset for body, mind, and spirit.