About Us

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The objective of the National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference is to provide high-quality, relevant training for professionals and community members dedicated to promoting the well-being of youth

About NYAR

Mission

The conference trains adults who serve youth to create safe, healthy, caring, and intellectually empowering educational environments that foster the well-being of all children and adolescents. To accomplish this mission, it offers 100+ presentations by nationally and internationally recognized presenters to 1400+ national and international conference participants. In these presentations, participants learn about current research-based educational programs and strategies, which empower young people to overcome social, intellectual, and emotional barriers that may threaten their safety, health, emotional needs, and academic achievement. Participants also gain knowledge of proactive solutions and best practices for meeting the serious challenges faced by youth today such as school violence, poverty, learning difficulties, underachievement, achievement gaps, illiteracy, boredom, apathy, low expectations, misbehavior, dropout, drugs, bullying, gangs, teen pregnancy, sexual harassment, racism, and dysfunctional families. Furthermore, participants gain effective educational tools to build strong caring schools, communities, and families, which can meet the diverse needs of all our young people.

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Conference History and Future Vision

In 1990, the NYAR Conference was founded by the College of Education of Georgia Southern University. Past conference speakers have included nationally and internationally recognized educators and youth advocates such as Geoffrey Canada, Ron Clark, Stedman Graham, Dr. Pedro Noguera, Dr. Eric Jensen, Dr. Ruby Payne, Dr. Crystal Kuykendall, Dr. James Comer, Dr. William Glasser, Dr. James Garbarino, Dr. David Hawkins, Dr. Robert Brooks, Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Jim Brown, TV celebrity Judge Glenda Hatchett, “Peter, Paul, & Mary” folk singer Peter Yarrow, and several National Teachers of the Year. During the past 32 years, the conference has grown from a regional conference of 150 participants to a national conference of approximately 1400 participants from across the globe. 

In 2021, the conference changed the name from National Youth-At-Risk to National Youth Advocacy and Resilience. This change was guided by the youth we serve and has been well received by our long-time conference supporters. In the next five years, the conference plans to expand from 1400 to 1600 national and international participants and to further enhance the quality and diversity of the conference program and presentations. The co-directors envision the conference as a space that provides national leadership, service, and research for the professional development of adults who serve and advocate for youth.

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Conference Strands

View NYAR Strands

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Head: Academic Achievement and Leadership

Closing achievement gaps and promoting learning for all children and youth. Some possible topics include:

• Effective school leadership for Title I schools and the success stories of Title I educators
• Reducing achievement gaps, dropout prevention, and leading equity audits
• Turning around low-performing schools
• High-performing, high-poverty schools
• Academic instruction for students at risk of failure
• Effective use of student data

• Differentiated and brain-based instruction
• English language learner instruction
• Cultural diversity and multicultural education 
• Use of technology to engage students and expand learning opportunities
• Post-secondary and/or career readiness
• Inclusion and special education

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Heart: Social and Emotional Skills

Fostering social and emotional skills and the social climate for all children and youth. Some possible topics:

• School climate 
• Academic resilience
• Caring curriculum and achievement motivation
• Student empowerment and leadership skills

• Emotional intelligence and communication skills
• Decision making and goal setting
• Mindfulness

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Hands: Safety and Violence Prevention

Preventing violence and ensuring safety for all children and youth. Some possible topics:

• Bullying prevention and peer mediation
• Conflict resolution and crisis management
• Cybersafety and creating safe spaces
• Anger and behavior management
• Restorative discipline/practices

• Gang intervention and juvenile justice programs
• School safety laws and school security systems or programs
• School resource officers
• Law enforcement collaborations

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Health: Mental and Physical Health

Promoting the mental and physical health of all children and youth. Some possible topics:

• Intervention, prevention, or treatment programs
• Wellness, counseling, or therapy programs
• Trauma-informed educational and community practices
• Drug, alcohol, or tobacco education

• Sex education, teenage pregnancy, STD and HIV/AIDS prevention
• Physical or emotional disorder treatments
• Eating disorders
• ADD/ADHD treatment or bipolar disorder treatment.

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Home: Family and Community Engagement

Developing and enhancing family and community support for all children and youth. Some possible topics:

• Parental engagement in school, student achievement, or discipline prevention
• Effective communication with parents
• Parenting skills and support
• Adult-youth partnerships

• Foster care, mentoring, or internships
• Community programs, partnerships, or service projects
• Business collaborations or university partnerships
• Faith-based initiatives or social service programs

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NYAR Planning Committee

Conference Co-Chairs

Planning Council
Dr. Carol Solomon-Jenkins Duval County Public Schools	Irene M. Denmark Bulloch Alcohol and Drug Council
Ivory Brown Effingham County Schools	Dr. Mary Felton Dougherty County School System
Dionne Woods-Gamble Emmanuel County Schools	Dr. Irma Gibson Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU)
Tammy Davis Coastal Plains Educational High School	Kiersten Morgan Brantley County School Counselor
Renee Perry First District RESA	Dr. Jacqueline Smart Retired Educator Savannah Chatham School System
Deborah Clarke, LPC Retired Educational Administrator	Dr. Alexandra Reyes Georgia Southern University
Sandra Wallace Nethels Effingham BOE	Jackie Ogden University of Georgia Cooperative Extension
Dr. Marilyn Hutchinson Joseph Martin Elementary School  Liberty County Schools, GA

NYAR Frequently Asked Questions

Who should attend the conference?

This conference should be attended by educators, school administrators, counselors, and mental health professionals who work directly with students, as well as community organizations, parents, and policymakers who influence support systems. Bringing together this range of stakeholders promotes a collaborative approach to creating supportive environments, policies, and resources to help students succeed.

What is the dress code for the NYAR Conference?

• The dress code for the conference is business casual.

Where will the conference be held?

• The NYAR Conference will be held in the Hyatt Regency located at 2 W Bay Street, Savannah, GA, 31401.

Where should I park, and is there a parking fee?

• Valet parking is available at the Hyatt.

Is there a room block for the conference?

• Yes. Please visit the NYAR Hotel Accommodations webpage.

Are there CEUs available at NYAR?

• TBA. Please visit the NYAR Continuing Education Credits webpage for more information.

Do you have additional questions about the conference? Visit CPE’s FAQs.

• CPE Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

For general conference information, contact:
Email: NYARConference@georgiasouthern.edu

For registration assistance, contact: 
Email: ce-registrations@georgiasouthern.edu
Phone: 912-478-5551

March 2-5, 2025   |   #NYAR25

Last updated: 2/11/2025