The NACADA 2024 Annual Conference is approaching. Join us Oct. 27-30 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for ‘A Beautiful Day in the Burgh.’

What makes it such a beautiful day? The 2024 NACADA Conference theme ‘A Beautiful Day in the Burgh: Championing Advisors as Helpers’ draws on the philosophy of Fred Rogers, a renowned Pittsburgh icon who created and hosted the beloved television series Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.

Produced at WQED Studios in Pittsburgh, the series was intended to teach preschool children about common early childhood themes through Mister Rogers’ neighbors, friends, and puppets set in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. Empathy, self-esteem, and imagination were key episode learning goals, which are interpersonal skills used in advising. Mister Rogers inspired numerous quotes, songs, and characters still existing today such as Daniel Tiger, ‘Won’t You Be My Neighbor’, and his famous testimony to the U.S. Senate in support of PBS funding.

Growing up in the early 2000’s in a small town just north of Pittsburgh, Mister Rogers reruns played a profound role in shaping my own childhood. Fond memories of sitting in my grandmother’s living room after lunch, listening to the comforting songs he sang while donning his signature cardigan, still resonate with me today. Each day I would learn more about myself and the world around me while watching, from self-confidence to tours of factories.

Mister Rogers taught, guided, and inspired generations with timeless philosophies, which are applicable to advising in a relevant and engaging way. His emphasis on empathy, self-esteem, and imagination aligns seamlessly with the core principles of our profession. Just like lessons that Mister Rogers taught, attending the conference will help us learn and exercise best practices with others, so we can be the best for our students, our colleagues, and ourselves.

Will you be our neighbor and join us in Pittsburgh (or virtually) this year?

Abby Biernacki
Volunteer & Evaluations Co-Chair
Academic Adviser, Penn State University (Fayette, the Eberly Campus)