Keynote Speakers

Dr. Jim Purcell, Executive Director, Alabama Commission on Higher Education

Dr. Kathleen Plinske, President, Valencia College

Katie Stretch, P.E., Senior Vice President, Walt Disney World Resort Operations leading Disney Springs, ESPN Wide World of Sports, Disney Water Parks & Mini Golf, Animals, Science & Environment, and Experience Optimization

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Transforming Higher Education: How Bold and Innovative Leaders Entrepreneur the Future

Dr. Devin Stephenson, President, Florida Polytechnic University

Dr. Juston C. Pate, President/CEO, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College

Dr. Terry T. Kidd, Former Acting Vice President of Workforce Development and Continuing Education, CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College

Moderator: Dr. Mary Landon Darden, President, Higher Education Innovation

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Higher Education Innovation’s third book will be released soon from Bloomsbury Press and the American Council on Education. A panel moderated by co-author Dr. Mary Landon Darden will include three of the leaders featured in the book: President of Florida Polytechnic University Dr. Devin Stephensen, President of Elizabethtown Community and Technical College Dr. Juston Pate, and former Acting Vice President of Workforce Development and Continuing Education at CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College Dr. Terry Kid. The trio will discuss and answer questions about their highly innovative and entrepreneurial endeavors at their respective institutions.

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Breakout Sessions

An Entrepreneurial Mindset for Student Success

Dr. Trenton Hightower, Executive Director of Membership and Workforce, National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE)

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The National Association for Community College for Entrepreneurship (NACCE) engages members through entrepreneurial thinking and innovative action. The nonprofit organization supports more than 325 members and 1,100 Community College partners. Through NACCE, funding is available to start new programs, support new business start-ups in communities, and build customized training for workforce development. NACCE is a partner with SMART USA in the Chips Act to provide support in recruiting new students. Join us to learn more about how NACCE can support an entrepreneurial mindset at your institution.

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Beyond the Crystal Ball: How Futurist Intelligence Can Future-Proof Your Institution

Dr. Monique Reeves, Futurist/Executive Vice Chancellor of Office of the Future, Austin Community College District

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In an era where disruption arrives faster than tradition can adapt, college presidents face unprecedented challenges:  enrollment challenges, technological upheaval, shifting workforce demands, and evolving student expectations. This session reveals how forward-thinking leaders are moving beyond reactive planning to become institutional futurists, using strategic foresight tools to anticipate change rather than simply respond to it.

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You'll discover practical futurist methodologies including scenario planning, trend analysis, and weak signal detection that top universities are already implementing. Learn how to build innovation partnerships that extend your institution's reach while creating sustainable competitive advantages. From AI integration to reimagining campus experiences, we'll explore real case studies of colleges that transformed uncertainty into opportunity.

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This isn't about predicting the future—it's about creating it. Walk away with actionable frameworks to position your institution not just to survive the next decade, but to lead it. The future of higher education belongs to those who shape it intentionally.

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Corporate Frames of Generosity: Refocusing to Unlock Greater Givingl University

Ben Mohler, Philanthropy and Development Coach, Higher Education Innovation

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Can your school grow revenue without compromising its mission? Yes! Move beyond transactional and seek mission-mutual alignment to unlock more meaningful corporate support.

 

It starts with understanding what motivates business support. Together we’ll explore the four frames of corporate giving—profit-driven, values-based, public status, and community stakeholder.

 

We’ll dig into the theory and practice of corporate generosity to learn how your school can grow revenue while helping business maximize financial return, fulfill their corporate values, build public brand awareness, and strengthen their community connection. Using these insights, you’ll learn how to identify the ideal corporate partners, seek shared goals, and realize long-term success.

 

After our time together, you’ll walk away with practical ideas to attract the right partners, craft mission-friendly pitches, and expand revenue, all without sacrificing your educational mission or eroding community trust.

 

Are you ready to multiply the impact of your corporate partnerships? This is your opportunity to understand how companies think, speak to their interest, and refocus the conversation to your shared interests.

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How Can AI Tackle the Hidden Job Market? Social Capital With AI - Is that an Oxymoron or the Real Deal?

Nitzan Pelman, Founder and CEO, Climb Together

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We know that over 50 percent of jobs come through referrals and that 70 percent of jobs are hired through the hidden job market. In an era where entry level jobs are disappearing, it's more important than ever that students build social capital and relationships to access the hidden job market. This session introduces innovative strategies for developing comprehensive social capital programs that help students build meaningful professional relationships leading to career opportunities.

 

Drawing from six years of experience helping job seekers increase wages by $20-30K annually, participants will learn proven relationship-building techniques including crafting personal introductions, asking engaging questions, and making appropriate networking requests. The session features hands-on experience with Goldi, an AI coach that helps students practice networking skills in a low-pressure environment before engaging with real professionals and alumni.

 

Based on research showing economic mobility through cross-socioeconomic connections, attendees will discover how to create "social capital flywheels" - sustainable systems where alumni-student relationships generate ongoing opportunities. Participants will leave with practical tools to implement customized social capital strategies, understand the role of "weak ties" in career growth, and experience firsthand how AI can build confidence for real-world professional networking.

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Innovation through Partnership: Redefining Revenue and Impact at a Public Regional University

Dr. Eric Skipper, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Southeastern Louisiana University

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During a nine-year tenure as Provost at the University of South Carolina Beaufort, the university exponentially increased external funding and launched transformational facilities by embracing an Academic Master Plan focused on innovation and regional problem-solving. From a DOD- and Fortinet-supported Cyber Lab to a multi-partner funded state-of-the-art Nursing simulation lab, a regional collaboration has been turned into a powerful growth engine. Strategic partnerships—across government, industry, and philanthropy—have advanced initiatives in cybersecurity, healthcare simulation, maritime research, media innovation, and workforce development. These efforts catalyzed national recognition for students, faculty excellence, and national honors. This presentation offers a replicable model for institutions seeking sustainable, community-driven growth.

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Rebuilding Defiance College:  From Resilience to Responsiveness

Dr. Richanne C. Mankey, President, Defiance College

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Through controversy, quality-building, and a global pandemic, Defiance College has been able to become responsive to the needs of students, faculty, and staff as well as the professional workforce needs of its region in Ohio.  Celebrating its 175th anniversary this academic year, the historical reflection has provided perspective. In its first 175 years the college has been resilient and has weathered many financial storms; now with a shifting culture of “going together,” it is in a position as it begins its next 175 years, to be responsive as it continues to strengthen and diversify its offerings amidst the external demographic and legislative pressures.

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The Future-Facing President: Leading with Strategic Visibility

Dr. Mordecai I. Brownlee, President, Community College of Aurora

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In today’s competitive and rapidly evolving higher education landscape, presidential visibility is no longer optional, it’s essential. The most effective leaders are not only guiding institutional strategy but also shaping public perception, building trust, and telling their institution’s story in powerful, consistent, and engaging ways. In this session, Dr. Mordecai Brownlee, nationally recognized college president and host of the acclaimed podcast “Discovering Your Mission,” will explore how presidents can intentionally elevate their leadership presence to amplify institutional impact.

 

Through real-world examples, practical insights, and lessons learned from his own journey, Dr. Brownlee will offer a framework for aligning personal visibility with institutional priorities, leveraging digital platforms, and transforming storytelling into a catalyst for enrollment growth, partnership development, and public support. Participants will gain strategies for crafting a compelling leadership voice, building brand equity for their college, and positioning themselves as future-facing leaders prepared to thrive in the next era of higher education.

 

This session is ideal for presidents and chancellors looking to expand their influence, build mission-aligned visibility, and lead their institutions with greater purpose and presence.

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The Transformative Power of Work: A Century’s Worth of Innovation in Higher Education

Dr. Brad Johnson, President, College of the Ozarks

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Founded in 1906, College of the Ozarks has long been one of the most unique institutions within American higher education.  As one of ten federally recognized Work Colleges, the College continues to distinguish itself by offering a transformative education without charging tuition.  Students at College of the Ozarks work 560 hours per year, graduate debt-free, and launch into a career or graduate school with real-world experience, a proven work ethic, and credentials to distinguish themselves among their peers.  Recent innovations have propelled the campus to achieve a historic retention rate of 90 percent. After this session, participants will have an understanding of how the college certifies students for jobs that exist and those that do not exist and how artificial intelligence is impacting our work. Participants will also be provided with examples of innovative practices for increasing retention rates at their colleges.