Speaker: Kandi Morris, WAHE Planning Committee Chair; Adjunct Faculty, Trinity Washington University

Keynote Address - Moving the Needle Together in a Time of Transition: The Demographics of the Higher Education Leadership Pipeline

Speaker: Diana I. Córdova, Interim Director, Office of Women in Higher Education, American Council on Education

Description: Higher education is in a time of transition as half of all college and university presidents are over the age of 61. This presentation will focus on the demographics of the leadership pipeline with a special focus on women administrators. In addition, participants will hear first hand how the American Council on Education’s Office of Women in Higher Education (OWHE) is working collaboratively to promote the advancement of women into executive-level positions and campus presidencies.

Moderator: Debra Louallen-Cole, Program Manager, Office of Women in Higher Education, American Council on Education

Bringing Transformative Change to Your Campus
ACE Conference Room, 8th Floor

Speakers: Vickie Choitz, Senior Policy Analyst, Workforce Development, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP); Noel Harmon, Ph.D., Senior Program Manager, Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP); Mamie Lynch, Higher Education Research and Policy Analyst, The Education Trust

Description: This session is an opportunity to bring together higher education policy experts and practitioners to  discuss how changes in higher education, due to the budget pressures at federal, state, and institutional levels, are transforming the roles and responsibilities of higher education administrators and faculty.  The panelists will discuss what resources are available to administrators to help them create a culture of learning, and the skills educators need to prepare college students to compete in the national, as well as global, workforce.  Session participants will be given information and offered tools to help them effectively and confidently assume leadership roles during this time of change. 

Moderator: Lynn Jennings, Legislative Associate, The Education Trust

Strategic Donor Development
Room 821-23, 8th Floor

Speakers: Bryn Dolan, Senior Director of Development for the Northeast, Georgetown University

Description: Participants will discuss whether the initiatives follow the money or vice versa, as well as various development strategies for higher education professionals.

Moderator: Monija Amani, Ed.D., Associate Director of Undergraduate Programs, McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University

Funding Your Professional Growth: Opportunities and Challenges
AACN Conference Room, Suite 530

Speaker: Gloria L. Blackwell, Director of Fellowships, Grants & International Programs, AAUW

Description: As we transition in our careers, women often return to school to advance their careers, change professions, or re-enter the work force.  Participants will learn about current funding opportunities to increase their professional credentials and marketability through fellowships and grants supporting women through various stages in their academic and professional careers.  This session will also provide recommendations on how to “put your best foot forward” on your application in order to present a competitive, topnotch submission.

Moderator: Melissa Collins DiLeonardo, Director of Communications, Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Norean R. Sharpe, Undergraduate Dean, McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University

Description: Dean Sharpe will speak about how to effectively implement real programmatic change.  In higher education, change often involves staff realignment; resource reallocation; curricular reform; strategic planning; and prioritization. As our competitive landscape shifts – both domestically and internationally – all institutions are confronted with the reality that we cannot rest on our past accomplishments.  Recognizing the importance of change is the first step. The second step is embracing and encouraging change. This refocusing of the leadership lens can be challenging; real, effective change requires courage to take risks and to be decisive.  The most effective "change managers" employ a combination of collaboration, communication, consensus building, and ultimately decision-making. Dean Sharpe will share her strategies for implementing change, such as building alliances with students, faculty, alumni, and donors - and developing a long-term vision with passion and enthusiasm.

Speakers: Lan Nguyen, Human Resource Generalist, Argosy University and Mukul Bhalla, PhD., Associate Dean Undergraduate Studies, Argosy University; Sally Schmall, Founder, Academy Coaching

Description: This roundtable plenary session will discuss various professional starting points and transition scenarios through the field of education. Scenarios include the transition from private secondary school to university; the transition from student, to faculty to administrator; and the transition from entry level, to mid-manager to executive level in higher education. Attendees will be encouraged to share their own experiences during this interactive roundtable.

Moderator:  Cynthia Worthen, Vice President Academic Affairs, Argosy University

The Role of Professional and Continuing Education in Higher Education 
ACE Conference Room, 8th Floor

Speakers: Dana Edwards, Senior Consultant, SimpsonScarborough; Susan E. Short, Ph.D., Director of Outreach Program Development, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Scott W. Weimer, Assistant Director of Program Development and Leader of Business Development, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Continuing and Professional Education

Description: The purpose of this session is to examine the role of professional and continuing education in the context of extending the education and training portfolio of institutions of higher learning. The concept of the traditional student has changed as increasing numbers of adult learners enroll in higher education. To meet the needs of adult learners, many of who are part-time, working students; administrators and educators are exploring alternative educational programs to accommodate the specific educational needs and career goals of this growing population of learners.

Moderator: Sherry Fontaine, Ph.D., Associate Dean of the Graduate School in the National Capital Region and Director of the Northern Virginia Center, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Road Map to Success 
AACN Conference Room, Suite 530

Speakers: Denise Wilkins, Former executive and professional services administrator and current Master of Arts Candidate, Art Education, Corcoran College of Art & Design; Maggie Margiotta Melson, Director of Special Projects,St. John’s College

Description: This highly interactive session will enable participants to understand their professional development needs and goals.  An extensive list of professional development resources will be shared and individuals will leave with a plan for next steps in their career evolution.

Moderator: Marianne Huger, Ed.D., Assistant Dean of Students Office of the Dean of Students, American University

Their Stories: The unique experiences of women of color in higher education 
Room 821-23, 8th Floor

Speakers: Kathryn Kay, Assistant Director of the Center for Student Programs and Director of New Student Orientation, Georgetown University; Keshia Woods, Academic Advisor, Office of the Dean of Georgetown College, Georgetown University; Felecia Commodore, Former Academic Advisor for the Department of Government and Policy, University of Maryland, College Park

Description: Please join us for a session highlighting the dynamic career paths of three women of color in the field of Higher Education.  Working as an Assistant Dean, a Director of New Student Orientation and an advisor/new PhD student, these women will share their stories, including challenges and ways in which they moved forward in their careers.  Attendees will take away concrete ideas and strategies for developing their own career paths, and ways in which to persevere through adversity.

Moderator: Vanessa Correa, Assistant Director, Center for Multicultural Equity and Access, Director, Community Scholars Program, Georgetown University

Open Forum and Networking Session
ACE Conference Center, 1-B

Description: Participants will be encouraged to facilitate impromptu discussions on the day’s sessions during the Open Forum which also provides an opportunity to network and greet colleagues.  Light refreshments will be served.