About the Conference

20th Annual TASS Conference

March 8-11, 2009
Palm Beach Atlantic University
West Palm Beach, Florida

2009 Conference Brochure

Welcome to the 20th annual Teaching Academic Survival Skills Conference, sponsored by Northern Essex Community College (NECC). 

We would like to thank Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) for hosting this year's TASS conference.  Palm Beach Atlantic University, located in West Palm Beach, affords a relaxing learning environment among the palm trees and the Atlantic breezes.  Please join us as we extend our academic horizons and experience a taste of Florida hospitality.  Reasonably priced accommodations will be available at the Hilton Palm Beach Airport.

The Teaching Academic Survival Skills (TASS) Conference was the brainchild of Professors James Harter and Terry Bullock at the University of Cincinnati. They felt there was a need for college educators working with at-risk students to have a forum for sharing their experiences, successes, and insights in working with these students. With help and encouragement from Dean David Hartleb and Professor Harry Prats we were able to secure funds to initiate the conference. David Hartleb, now President of Northern Essex Community College (NECC), has once again championed the cause of TASS. As a result of his contributions and those of Dean David Kelley, the TASS Conference has continued to grow and flourish. Northern Essex Community College has now taken over major responsibility for running and managing the TASS Conference.

Over the years, the TASS Conference has continued to grow and flourish. Generally, there are 40 to 60 sessions, where presenters using a workshop approach describe methods they have used to help students succeed in various academic areas; such as reading, writing, math, English as a Second Language, distant learning, etc., as well as enhance their study skills.  Presentations are also welcome in the student service and support area.  Evaluations from participants have indicated that the hands-on approach used by presenters gave them a wealth of ideas, strategies, and materials to take back to their respective institutions.