More than 100 student leaders from Texas and surrounding states will be at Southwestern Feb. 25-26 for a conference designed to help them learn more about the field of university advancement.

The conference is sponsored by The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education’s Affiliated Student Advancement Programs (ASAP). ASAP includes student alumni associations, student foundations and similar organizations at more than 300 CASE member institutions. Its goal is to foster and enhance student involvement in all areas of advancement, including alumni relations, fundraising, communications and marketing.

ASAP also supports the advancement profession by making students aware of career opportunities at colleges and universities.

“I’m excited about this opportunity to show off our group and our campus to all these other organizations,” said Austin Painchaud, a sophomore business major who is vice chair of the Southwestern Student Foundation and chair of the conference.

The Southwestern Student Foundation is hosting two sessions at the conference, including one in which it will share how it has raised funds to support the Pirate Bike Program. The Student Foundation’s work on the Pirate Bike program earned Southwestern a Grand Award in the category of Best Student Programs from CASE District IV in 2010.

Conference workshops will be held in the Olin Building and the Prothro Center. The conference will conclude with an awards banquet in the Campus Center.