Concurrent Sessions
The Leadership in Higher Education Conference represents the leading thinking on strategic issues in higher education today. Concurrent sessions are peer selected in several ways. After an open call for proposals, the conference advisory board members choose selected presentations through a rigorous blind review process. Outstanding presenters from the previous conference—as evaluated by conference attendees—return as invited sessions with either an updated or reprised version of their top-scoring presentation. Finally, the advisory board sessions are determined by board members to cover trends or topics not addressed by the general sessions and creates content in these areas.
⸻ Look for sessions in these tracks: ⸻
Strategically Imperfect: Encouraging Adaptability, Resilience, and Effective Leadership
Shannon Schweser, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Perfectionism is often seen as a strength in academia, but in reality, it can stifle innovation, limit student engagement, and lead to faculty burnout. This session explores the power of strategic imperfection, a mindset shift that encourages adaptability, resilience, and more effective leadership. Participants will learn how to balance high academic standards with flexibility and create a culture that values progress over perfection.
Leading Change: A Positive Approach to Faculty Burnout
Shannon Scott and Karen Dunlap, Texas Woman’s University
Academic leaders frame their vision around goals and initiatives to promote a college. With changing demographics, the post-COVID environment, and other challenges, understanding university and college budgets are essential to academic leadership. This presentation focuses on university budgets and the significance of understanding the college and university budgets while planning for the future. Questions to be considered: Who are our students and how do their needs impact university and college budgets? What can be developed for a deeper understanding of the university budget and budgetary practices? How can deans effectively collaborate with budget managers and chief financial officers?
From Managing to Mentoring: Strategies for Growing High-Performing Teams
Chanavia Patterson, Principal Patterson Leadership Services
Great leaders do more than manage—they mentor, inspire, and cultivate future leadership. This session explores how to transition from task-focused management to people-centered mentorship in order to build high-performing, resilient teams. Participants will learn strategies to identify and develop emerging leaders, leverage generational diversity, and apply coaching techniques that foster engagement and accountability. By addressing common challenges such as resistance to change and the need for sustainable leadership pipelines, this session offers practical tools to create a culture of growth, collaboration, and institutional excellence.
The Teaching Effectiveness Framework and Toolkit for Developing and Evaluating Teaching
Jennifer Todd and Tonya Buchan, Colorado State University
Evaluating and developing teaching effectiveness remains a complex challenge for higher education leaders. This session introduces the Teaching Effectiveness Framework (TEF) and Toolkit, created at a land-grant R1 institution to provide a clear, evidence-based approach for aligning goal setting, professional development, mentoring, evaluation, and recognition of teaching. Designed to move beyond reliance on student course surveys, the TEF offers a consistent and transparent structure for documenting teaching efforts and their impact. Participants will explore how to implement the toolkit—or adapt its principles—to support equitable and effective faculty evaluation, and will leave with an action plan to bring this resource or a similar tool to their own institutions.
Transformative Leadership Practices for Thriving Higher Education Institutions and Communities
Tennille Woodward, GrowLeadEmpower, LLC
This session explores transformative leadership strategies designed to foster inclusive, high-performing environments in higher education. Through The Leadership Game, an interactive tool that promotes collaboration, emotional intelligence, and self-reflection, participants will engage in hands-on exercises to strengthen their leadership effectiveness. The session emphasizes the importance of inclusive practices, adaptive leadership, and strategic thinking in navigating change and driving institutional success.
A Leader’s Guide: Building Sustainable Support for Change
Jennifer Mobley, Grove City College
In an era of constant transformation, higher education faces not just resistance to change but widespread change fatigue. This session provides a research-based framework for securing meaningful buy-in while addressing stakeholder exhaustion. Attendees will learn to demystify the buy-in process, recognize common resistance patterns, and implement proven strategies that acknowledge emotional and political realities. Leave equipped to lead change that energizes rather than depletes your faculty, staff, and administration, increasing both implementation success and institutional resilience.
Coaching Skills for Academic Leaders: Bringing Out the Best in Yourself and Others
Susan Robison, Professor Destressor
The interpersonal aspects of academic leadership, such as annual reviews, performance evaluations, or other difficult conversations with faculty, can be especially challenging to the inexperienced chair/dean. In this session, you will practice several powerful brain-based coaching skills drawn from Improv games to increase your skills and confidence for leadership that matters: transformational coaching conversations that build institutional collegiality, civility, and engagement. Participants will apply a structure for shaping such conversations in dyad practice and then contribute to a facilitator/volunteer demonstration of these skills.
Dismantling the Chair: Navigating the Shift to Self-Directed Teams
Linda McNeely, Brenau University
This session explores the transition from a traditional department chair model to a self-directed work team structure within a higher education setting. Presenters will detail the motivations behind this shift, including the desire for improved collaboration, research productivity, and curriculum planning, while also addressing anticipated concerns such as communication flow, conflict resolution, and the redistribution of responsibilities. Attendees will gain insight into how shared leadership and distributed responsibilities can foster innovation, streamline decision-making, and support a more sustainable leadership model—particularly relevant at a time when institutions are rethinking traditional hierarchies and roles.
Academic Leadership Collaborative: Using a Consultancy Protocol for Effective Leadership Development
Jermaine Soto and Eve Rifkin, Vanderbilt University
This session introduces Vanderbilt University’s Academic Leadership Collaborative (ALC), a cross-campus initiative designed to foster professional growth among associate deans and academic leaders through structured, peer-driven problem-solving. Participants will explore the formation, facilitation, and tangible impact of the ALC, including its use of the Consultancy Protocol—a collaborative framework that supports expansive thinking and actionable solutions. Rather than traditional formats, this model provides a psychologically safe space for leaders to share challenges, gain insights, and build a network of support. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for cultivating peer mentorship, enhancing leadership capacity, and strengthening institutional collaboration.
LeaderShift: 4 Ways Connection Creates Culture
Will Baggett, Emergent Executives, LLC
This session explores how higher education leaders can transform their teams and campus environments by leading with connection. Attendees will learn practical strategies rooted in four key principles—Accountability, Adaptability, Availability, and Accessibility—that foster trust, inclusion, and collaboration across diverse academic settings. Through relatable examples and actionable insights, the session empowers leaders to build authentic relationships, enhance communication, and create a culture where faculty, staff, and students feel valued and supported. This session offers a fresh perspective on leadership that strengthens institutional culture and drives collective success.
Institutional Faculty Development in Trauma Informed Pedagogy: Building Resilient Systems
Karen Gordes, Mary Jo Bondy, and Violet Kulo, University of Maryland Baltimore
This session will describe the design, implementation, and evaluation of a multi-discipline/multi-school faculty development program grounded in best practices and designed to generate a pipeline of faculty trained in the principles of trauma-informed pedagogy. The impact of training at the individual faculty level (changing instructional practices) and the collective program level (reformed policies, practices, and culture) to reflect trauma-informed principles will be highlighted with quantitative/qualitative data. Based on shared recommendations and lessons learned, attendees will be able to formulate steps to develop a faculty development model to foster a trauma resilient educational system within their own institution.
Bridging Perspectives: Navigating Leadership Growth Through Diverse Career Paths
Jeffrey Stevens and Jennifer Noble, Alfred State College
Leadership in higher education is not a one-size-fits-all journey. Institutions require diverse, adaptable leaders who bring unique experiences, strengths, and approaches to leadership. This session explores the evolution of leadership through two distinct career trajectories: one from a traditional academic pathway and the other from a non-traditional background. By sharing our journeys, including challenges, successes, and pivotal moments, we aim to provide insight into how different experiences shape leadership styles and institutional impact. Participants will engage in reflective activities to assess their leadership styles, discuss barriers they may encounter, and develop actionable plans for continued growth.
Leading Up! How to Survive and Thrive during Leadership Transitions
Jim Godfrey, Utah Valley University, and Sabrina Madison-Cannon, University of Oregon
This session explores the concept of “leading up” during leadership transitions in higher education—particularly when navigating relationships with newly hired supervisors. Attendees will learn best practices for supporting new leaders while also leveraging the transition as an opportunity for their own growth and influence. The session will address common challenges new leaders face, offer strategies for mutual success, and highlight how leadership perspectives from the arts can provide valuable insights across disciplines. Participants will walk away with practical tools to foster successful leadership transitions, build strong partnerships, and advance their own professional trajectories through intentional, upward leadership.
The Antecedents of Transformational Leadership Practices
Violet Kulo, University of Maryland Baltimore
Transformational leadership has been espoused as one of the most effective leadership styles and is associated with high levels of performance and job satisfaction among team members. This session will discuss the predictors of transformational leadership based on the literature and findings from a recent quantitative research study. Attendees will gain insights into the five practices of exemplary leaders and antecedents of these practices, including leader efficacy and emotional intelligence. Attendees will walk away with more targeted professional development strategies to strengthen transformational leadership practices and cultivate a positive, high-performing working and learning environment.
2025 Federal Policies Impacting Higher Education: Navigating Changes and Challenges
Daniel Swinton, TNG Consulting
With each new presidential administration, federal policies impacting higher education can shift rapidly, requiring campus leaders to remain agile and well-informed. This session offers a high-level overview of recent and anticipated changes to Title IX, LGBTQIA+ protections, and Title VI compliance, helping administrators understand the evolving legal landscape. Through interactive discussions, participants will explore how to align campus policies with federal mandates while staying true to institutional values. Attendees will gain actionable insights into legal compliance, risk mitigation, and strategic leadership—equipping them to manage change, communicate effectively with stakeholders, and support a diverse and inclusive campus environment amidst policy uncertainty.
Embracing Neurodiversity: A Leadership Strategy for Institutional Success
Kristen Eccleston, Eccleston Education Consulting, LLC
Neurodivergent students, faculty, and staff bring unique strengths to higher education, yet institutional structures often overlook their needs. This session explores practical leadership strategies to foster inclusivity, enhance retention, and leverage neurodiverse talent for institutional success. Participants will learn research-backed, actionable approaches to create policies, support mechanisms, and campus environments that embrace neurodiversity. By implementing simple, high-impact changes, higher education leaders can cultivate a culture of belonging that benefits the entire institution. This session will provide real-world case studies, practical tools, and an interactive discussion on how to make higher education truly neurodiversity-inclusive.
Embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Higher Education
Jamee Boone, Wilmington University
As campuses grow increasingly diverse, higher education leaders must be equipped to address complex issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in meaningful and actionable ways. This interactive session will engage participants’ heads, hands, and hearts through real-world scenarios, role-playing, and group discussions that explore promising practices for supporting diverse students, faculty, and staff. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the current DEI landscape in higher education and work collaboratively to develop practical strategies that address structural inequities, foster institutional transformation, and promote belonging. Attendees will walk away with an action-planning component to help participants implement DEI principles at their own institutions, creating more inclusive and supportive environments for all members of the campus community.
Advisory Board Session
Restorative Practices in Action: A Process-Oriented Approach to Conflict Mediation in Higher Education
Patricia Gagliardi and Craig Hlavac, Southern Connecticut State University
Leaders in higher education frequently report interpersonal conflict as a key factor contributing to inefficiencies and tension within departments and organizational units. While human resource personnel provide direction when policies are violated, most behaviors do not escalate to that level—but are nonetheless destructive. This session offers leaders valuable strategies for using restorative practices to address and resolve interpersonal conflicts while refocusing efforts on the mission and goals of the organization. Through active participation in activities and scenario-based learning, attendees will experience and apply foundational restorative practices and leave with resources to learn more.
Global Expertise, Local Barriers: Challenges of International Faculty in America
Katherine Robertson, University of Utah
The number of international faculty in American universities is increasing rapidly, and the advantages of hiring them are clear; however, they face a myriad of unique challenges that disadvantage them professionally, and many universities are failing to retain them at the same rate as domestic faculty. In this session, participants will gain a better understanding of their own cultural awareness as well as the unique challenges that impede the wellbeing and professional development of international faculty. Participants will identify strategies to better support the integration and professional success of international faculty at their institutions.
Beyond the Handshake: Building Successful Partnerships Through Cultural Due Diligence
Corrie Wilder, Washington State University Everett
Strategic partnerships are increasingly vital for higher education institutions, but cultural differences often derail collaborations. This interactive session introduces the Cultural Compatibility Framework (CCF), a practical framework for proactive cultural due diligence before formalizing partnerships. Participants will learn to identify potential cultural alignment (and misalignment), develop strategies for bridging cultural gaps, and build stronger relationships. Participants will engage in an interactive “cultural mapping” activity to uncover invisible cultural factors of their institution, exploring compatibility with partners and learning practical strategies.
Transforming Institutional Culture and Climate through Purposeful Values-Driven Leadership
Fatima Bailey, Sharjah Education Academy
Institutional culture and climate are foundational to faculty engagement, student success, and long-term organizational effectiveness. This session will equip higher education leaders with evidence-based strategies to transform, manage, and sustain a values-driven institutional culture. Grounded in research and real-world application, participants will engage in case studies and scenario-based discussions to tackle common challenges such as faculty resistance, communication gaps, and organizational misalignment. Attendees will leave with practical tools to embed core values into policies, decision-making, and everyday operations—fostering trust, collaboration, and strategic alignment across all institutional levels.
Empowering Cultural Change Through Inclusive Leadership Development
Jennifer Deranek, Indiana University South Bend
Creating a positive and inclusive institutional culture begins with recognizing the leadership potential and humanity of every team member. This session will explore the outcomes of a six-month leadership development program designed to foster a culture of support, purpose, identity, and joy among faculty and staff in a college of health sciences. Through practical activities and reflective strategies, attendees will learn how to elevate the strengths of their academic teams, particularly during times of institutional transition. The session will offer actionable takeaways to cultivate meaningful engagement, shared leadership, and cultural transformation that can be adapted across diverse campus settings.
From Awareness to Action: Creating an Inclusive and Supportive Climate in Higher Education
Lisa Tereshko and Mary Jane Weiss, Endicott College
A sense of belonging—marked by inclusion, respect, and shared purpose—has been shown to enhance academic achievement, engagement, and retention for students and increased job satisfaction, productivity, and collaboration for faculty and staff. To foster a sense of belonging for everyone in the university community, institutions must implement culturally responsive strategies that address systemic barriers and promote equity. This session will explore key assessments and initiatives aimed at improving institutional culture and climate through intentional policies, leadership engagement, and community-building efforts and provide participants with resources for enhancing the climate of their own setting.
Culture Change with a Strategy (Not Just Hope and Vibes)
Tony Campeau and Kandi Gresswell, Montana State University
Workplace culture doesn’t change by accident; it shifts through intentional leadership. As a director, your role isn’t just to manage; it’s to shape an environment where employees thrive. This session will share our experience at Montana State University, where we went from enraged to engaged, sharing a strategic framework designed to help higher education leaders move beyond surface-level fixes and drive meaningful, lasting change. Attendees will explore how to align culture change with institutional goals, proactively address engagement roadblocks, and create a workplace where people want to stay.
Leading with Values: Shaping Campus Culture and Climate for Institutional Success
Cathy McKay, Jason Cohen, Crystal Neumann, and Amber Daub, American College of Education
Institutional culture and climate are foundational to how colleges function, lead, and evolve—but understanding their distinct roles is essential for effective leadership. This session examines how university leaders can assess, manage, and intentionally shape culture and climate at both the departmental and college levels. Participants will explore how clearly defined and consistently reinforced institutional values guide acceptable behaviors across faculty, staff, students, and administrators. Drawing on evidence-based practices, the session offers actionable strategies to build inclusive, values-aligned environments that improve operational efficiency and strengthen resilience in the face of emerging challenges in higher education.
The DREAM Framework: Advancing BIPOC Student Retention Through Inclusive Leadership
Lynette Williamson, Santa Barbara City College
Supporting the retention and success of BIPOC students requires more than one-size-fits-all solutions—it demands a culturally responsive, student-centered approach that addresses systemic barriers and promotes equity. This session introduces the DREAM framework—Deep Learning, Responsibility, Engagement, Accessibility, and Measurement—as a holistic model for fostering inclusive learning environments that empower BIPOC students. Through real-world examples and interactive discussions, participants will explore strategies for building shared responsibility between students and institutions, using storytelling for deeper engagement, designing accessible online courses, and implementing meaningful assessment practices.
The Quantified Impact of Proactive Outreach on Student Achievement
Catherine McBride and Cindy Solari, Colorado Technical University
Despite investments in robust curricula and student support systems, many institutions still struggle with student persistence and performance—often due to a lack of meaningful faculty-student engagement. This session presents findings from a study of over 3,000 online business course sections comparing reactive versus proactive faculty outreach strategies. The results reveal that early, personalized, and intentional communication significantly improves student persistence, reduces failure and withdrawal rates, and boosts academic achievement. Participants will explore the critical role of emotional connection in online learning, examine communication strategies that drive success, and learn how to apply data-driven insights to improve faculty development, instructional practices, and institutional policy.
Transforming Student Retention: Implementing the Unified Student Success Model
Edward Robinson, 3-I Innovation
Student retention remains a top priority for institutional leaders seeking to drive long-term success and equity in higher education. This session introduces the Unified Student Success Model (USSM), a strategic framework that integrates foundational retention theories into a cohesive, data-driven approach. Designed to support proactive and sustainable initiatives, USSM offers a clear structure by distinguishing between pillars, themes, objectives, goals, and strategies—making it easier for leaders to align student success efforts with institutional priorities. Through empirical analysis and real-world case studies, participants will gain actionable insights into implementing the USSM to improve student engagement, retention outcomes, and strategic planning across diverse campus environments.
Retention Revolution: Building Proven Pathways from Enrollment to Graduation in Turbulent Times
Tranell E. Barton, Delgado Community College
Student retention is a complex, high-stakes challenge that demands coordinated, campus-wide solutions rooted in equity and data. This session will present actionable frameworks for building institution-wide retention ecosystems that address financial barriers, close equity gaps, and foster academic momentum. Attendees will explore strategies such as predictive analytics, emergency aid models, and cross-functional collaboration to move beyond reactive interventions. The session will also highlight the role of faculty as frontline retention agents and offer scalable solutions—like peer mentoring and first-year experience redesigns—to create a sense of belonging. Participants will gain practical tools and accountability models to align leadership efforts across academic affairs, enrollment, and student services for measurable and sustainable improvements in student persistence.
Revolutionizing Doctoral Success: Lessons from the Velocity Dissertation Program
Ramon Goings, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and Renee Goings, Done Dissertation
Doctoral student attrition remains a persistent challenge in higher education, with just 57% completing their degrees—often due to a lack of structured support during the dissertation phase. This session highlights key insights from the Done Dissertation Velocity Program, which has successfully supported over 100 Black dissertation writers across STEM, humanities, and social sciences. Attendees will explore actionable strategies to improve dissertation completion rates through structured coaching, accountability frameworks, and scalable support models that do not overburden faculty. This session will provide practical takeaways for institutional leaders seeking to enhance doctoral retention, refine mentorship practices, and implement data-informed approaches to foster student success and degree attainment.
Changing Student Outcomes Through Corporate Partnership
Tony Pittarese and Brian Bennett, East Tennessee State University
The BlueSky Tennessee Institute, a pioneering collaboration between East Tennessee State University and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, offers a transformative model for reimagining higher education through public-private partnership. This session will explore how the program’s 27-month accelerated degree, combined with hands-on workforce training, addresses workforce shortages, increases access for underserved students, and strengthens the alignment between academic and industry needs. With a focus on diversity, affordability, and real-world readiness, attendees will gain insights into the program’s high-impact design, including executive mentorship, debt-free education, and impressive retention outcomes. Leaders will walk away with practical strategies for building scalable, workforce-aligned programs that enhance student success and restore public trust in the value of higher education.
Adaptive and Self Reflexive Leadership for Student-Centered Success
Heather Moore Roberson, Allegheny College
Institutions of higher education thrive with compassionate, self-aware and self-reflexive leaders who continually assess how their personal and professional experiences equip them with the skills to successfully lead. In this session, attendees will explore key dimensions of their experiences—such as pain, grief and labor—to help better understand the challenges students face on and off campus. As today’s student population grows increasingly diverse, including more first-generation, adult, and nontraditional learners, higher ed leaders must cultivate greater empathy and adaptability. Participants will explore how to strike a balance between confidence and humility, become more resilient through personal challenges, and develop the self-awareness needed to lead with a strong moral compass in an evolving academic landscape.
Developing Leadership Skill for the Next Generation of Higher Ed: A New Leader’s Perspective
Sarah Calzone, Post University
Stepping into leadership roles in higher education can be both exciting and overwhelming, particularly for those with limited formal training. This interactive session supports emerging academic leaders by exploring essential leadership skills, strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome, and approaches to cultivating a positive, collaborative departmental culture. Participants will gain practical tools for time management, faculty engagement, and navigating institutional structures, all while developing their personal leadership identity. Through real-world examples and reflective activities, attendees will leave with actionable steps to lead with confidence, foster a thriving academic environment, and make a meaningful impact within their institutions.
Leading through Crisis and Change: Building Resilient Campuses through Effective Communication
Lee Abraham, Columbia University
In the ever-evolving landscape of 21st-century higher education, where campus crises are increasingly common, effective communication is essential for fostering transparency, maintaining trust, and ensuring timely, coordinated, and effective responses. By engaging with real-world scenarios, attendees will examine how to engage with stakeholders and learn how communication can be coordinated and integrated across their institutions to provide consistent, proactive, and empathetic communication and feedback. This interactive workshop will also explore strategies for building resilience and advancing campus renewal in the aftermath of crises.
Building Your Plane As You Fly: A Dean’s First Year
Craig Leager and Amy Taylor, Indian Hills Community College
Stepping into a college leadership role presents both opportunity and complexity, especially for those new to the position. Anchored in the experiences of two newer college leaders, participants will explore research-based strategies to address key themes including: casting vision, identifying priorities, achieving early wins, navigating challenges, and investing in relationships. Participants will gain practical strategies for navigating the complexities of college leadership. This session is designed to fill critical gaps in early leadership preparation and provide a clear, confident path forward for new college leaders.
The Psychology of Leadership: Creating an Environment Where Faculty Thrive
Erin Martin, Lindenwood University
Navigating the complexities of academic leadership as a department chair demands more than just administrative skills; it requires creating a departmental environment that fosters trust, collaboration, inclusivity, transparency, resiliency, and creativity. In other words, it requires creating psychological safety. In this session, participants will learn about the importance of psychological safety and the role of emotional intelligence in fostering a psychologically safe environment.
Can’t We Just Get Along? Managing a Multigenerational Workforce in Higher Education
Marcine Pickron-Davis and Alicia Hahn, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Today’s workforce spans five generations—Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Baby Boomers, and Traditionalists—each bringing unique perspectives, values, and work styles. Millennials currently make up the largest share, followed by Gen X and Baby Boomers, while Gen Z is quickly emerging as the most racially, ethnically, and socially conscious generation. Expected to comprise 70% of the workforce by 2030, Gen Z is already the predominant group in medical school. These generational differences influence workplace culture, performance, and dynamics. As the workplace becomes more diverse, challenges exist in everyday communication, work styles and values, and performance. This session will help higher education leaders build the skills necessary to address these challenges and provide tools that they can use to positively impact workplace culture and performance.
You Were Swarded! Now What? A Toolkit for Effective Grants Management
Rhyan E. Romaine, Ellucian
Securing a grant is just the beginning—effective management is key to ensuring impact, compliance, and sustainability. This session offers higher education leaders a practical, compliance-first approach to managing the full lifecycle of grant-funded projects, from launch to closeout. Attendees will explore strategies for aligning grant initiatives with institutional goals, maintaining regulatory compliance, mitigating risk, and using performance metrics to drive success. Through real-world insights and a post-award toolkit, participants will gain the knowledge needed to steward grant resources responsibly, enhance institutional credibility, and position their campuses for continued funding and long-term success.
Bridging Generations: Mentorship Strategies for Senior and Emerging Higher Education Leaders
Andrew Smith, Post University, and Peter Madonia, Southern Connecticut State University
Leadership transitions are inevitable, yet the gap between senior leaders nearing retirement and emerging leaders stepping into key roles presents challenges. Generational differences, evolving workplace expectations, and the rise of virtual and hybrid environments demand new approaches to mentorship. This session will facilitate a conversation addressing approaches to support both senior and aspiring leaders with strategies to navigate these complexities. Participants will explore research-based best practices for fostering meaningful mentorship, leveraging technology, and ensuring leadership continuity in diverse institutional settings.
Leadership and Transformation: Navigating Rapid Change in Higher Education
Reinhold Hill, Joan Poulsen, and Lori Montalbano, Indiana University Columbus
Change has become a near constant in US higher education, with institutions grappling with enrollment declines due to changing demographics and reduced funding from shifting political priorities. In this environment, positive leadership is essential for navigating successful organizational transformation. Leaders who articulate a clear vision, build change-ready cultures, and empower their teams are best positioned to guide their institutions forward. This panel explores strategies to create a culture of respect and collaboration, emphasizing people-driven change and community buy-in.
Leading with AI: Strategies for Chairs and Deans
Shannon Scott, Texas Woman’s University
Academic department chairs and deans face intense cognitive demands and complex decisions. This session demonstrates how AI can serve as a transformative leadership ally—streamlining tasks (from policy analysis to curriculum evaluation) and enhancing decision-making through advanced prompt engineering. Grounded in cognitive psychology (cognitive load, schema, mindset, bias) and positive psychology (values- and strengths-based leadership), attendees will learn practical strategies to integrate AI for decision support, recognize and counter biases, and deliver strengths-based feedback. Participants will leave with a toolkit of AI use cases and prompts to responsibly leverage AI in their leadership practice.
Strategies for Leading Productive Academic Remote Work Teams
Wendy Johnson, Managing From Afar
As remote and hybrid work models become permanent fixtures in higher education, effective leadership of virtual academic teams is more critical than ever. This session will explore intentional strategies to build trust, enhance communication, and maintain productivity in remote environments. Participants will learn how to set clear expectations, foster accountability, and cultivate a cohesive team culture, even at a distance. Through best practices and technology integration, attendees will gain actionable tools to overcome common remote leadership challenges, promote equity and inclusion, and ensure their teams remain engaged, effective, and aligned with institutional goals in an evolving academic landscape.
Using Data to Drive Continuous Improvement in Online Course Assessments
Cindy Solari and Catherine McBride, Colorado Technical University
Data-informed decision-making is essential for continuous improvement in online education. This session will explore how faculty and academic leaders can collect, analyze, and apply assessment data to enhance student learning outcomes, refine course design, and boost engagement. Participants will gain practical strategies for identifying learning gaps, aligning assessments with course objectives, and personalizing instruction to meet diverse student needs. Emphasizing evidence-based teaching and institutional alignment, the session will offer actionable tools that support ongoing instructional success and broader institutional goals such as retention, course effectiveness, and graduation rates—ensuring online education remains responsive, impactful, and student-centered.
Generative AI Policies and Practices in Higher Education
Maggie McDonnell, Concordia University
This session addresses the crucial need for proactive leadership in navigating the integration of generative AI in higher education. Faculty require guidance on ethically and effectively using AI tools in teaching, moving beyond simple bans towards flexible, best-practice policies (McDonald et al., 2025). Attendees will explore both the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, emphasizing the importance of addressing academic integrity, data privacy, equitable access, and ethical considerations (Michel-Villarreal et al., 2023; Williams, 2024). Drawing upon existing frameworks (Université de Sherbrooke, 2024), this session will facilitate discussion and collaborative policy development, equipping participants with practical strategies for responsible AI integration within their institutions.