Succession Planning Pathway Sessions

Monday, February 14, 2022

Prior to 8:30 a.m. - Breakfast on Your Own

Don't forget to allot some time before the first session starts to go grab breakfast from a coffee shop using your NASFAA-provided gift card.

8:30 a.m. - 9:20 a.m. - Opening Session: Welcome Remarks and Washington Update

Speakers: Brent Tener, Vanderbilt University and NASFAA national chair, and Justin Draeger, NASFAA

9:20 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. - Break (Sponsored by Earnest)

9:30 a.m.  - 11:00 a.m. ET - Idea Lab #1: Culture of Leadership Growth

Speakers: Brent Tener, Vanderbilt University and NASFAA national chair, and Susan Collins, Capitol Beauty School

The foundation of succession planning is growing leaders within your office. In this session you'll learn how to establish and foster a culture of leadership growth as step one in planning for the future. The benefits make work fun, supportive, and future focused, enabling the delivery of amazing results.

11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ET - Idea Lab #2: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Session - Build Relationships and Balance the Multiple Interests of Diverse Stakeholders

Speakers: Dr. Donna Davis, Houston Community College, and Dr. Edward Bush, Cosumnes Community College

In this session, a team of experts will discuss the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in higher education. A focus on DEI assists with increasing awareness and sensitivity, identifies behavioral tools to foster a more inclusive environment, and improves the cultural competency and overall climate. Speakers will discuss successful DEI initiatives, best practices, how to build an inclusive environment, and the importance of DEI in recruiting, retaining, promoting, and engaging employees.

12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. ET - Lunch Break

This time is allotted for lunchtime. We recommend taking 30 to 45 minutes to grab food nearby and eat — whether in your hotel room or in a public space in the hotel, depending on your comfort level. Please note, conference meeting rooms will be closed during the lunch break. We encourage you to use the remaining time to head to the Exhibit Area to network with other attendees and our event vendors.

1:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. ET - Idea Lab #3: Helping Your Team Expand Their Circles of Leadership — Personal, Professional, Associational

Speaker: Daniel Barkowitz, Valencia College

In this session, we will explore how we each intersect with our circles of leadership. We will start with our "Circle of Control" (our actions, thoughts, response, etc), we will move to our "Circle of Influence" (our institutions, our teams, our students), and we will finish with our "Circle of Concern" (our associations, our industry, and our social justice mission to make college affordable for all). This moving session will educate you, inspire you and challenge you to continue on your personal growth trajectory. As part of our session we will also be introduced to Valencia College Peace and Justice Institute's "13 Principles for How We Treat Each Other," a philosophical approach which encourages open and honest dialogue in a constructive and engaging manner when approaching difficult conversations.

3:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Break (Sponsored by Earnest)

3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET - Idea Lab #4: Mentorship Programs

Speakers: Heather Boutell, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and Brenda Hicks, Southwestern College & NASFAA Past National Chair

NASFAA, regions, states, and even some institutions, have created informal and formal mentorship programs over the years to develop future leaders. In this session, we will share research on the effectiveness of these opportunities and how they make a difference. Join us to hear current examples of programs and how you can participate or create your own experience.

5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. ET - Networking Reception for Conference Attendees and Exhibitors (Sponsored by Edquity)

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Prior to 8:30 a.m. - Breakfast on Your Own

Don't forget to allot some time before the first session starts to go grab breakfast from a coffee shop using your NASFAA-provided gift card.

8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. ET - General Session

Speaker: A.B. Stoddard, Associate Editor and Columnist, RealClearPolitics

9:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. ET - Break (Sponsored by Earnest)

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. ET - Idea Lab #5: Retaining Talented Employees

Speakers: Roberta Johnson, Iowa State University, Anne McDermott, Salve Regina University, Carla McKnight, Valencia College, and Celena Tulloss, University of Tennessee Knoxville

A critical area financial aid offices are facing today is hiring and retaining new talent. Individuals enter the workforce eager to make their mark and commit themselves to their work. The panel discussion will discuss strategies for hiring and retaining talent, creating a culture of training, professional development and overcoming challenges associated with succession planning. 

Objectives:

• • Discover strategies for hiring and retaining talent 
  • Learn from seasoned practitioners
  • Create an environment for people to thrive 
  • Discover methods to address and overcome challenges

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET - Lunch Break

Ninety minutes are allotted for lunchtime. We recommend taking 30 to 45 minutes to grab food nearby and eat — whether in your hotel room or in a public space in the hotel, depending on your comfort level. Please note, conference meeting rooms will be closed during the lunch break. We encourage you to use the remaining 45 to 60 minutes to head to the Exhibit Area to network with other attendees and our event vendors.

1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET - Idea Labs #6 & #7: Developing Your Succession Plan

Idea Lab #6

Speakers: JoEllen Price, Houston Community College; Greg Thornburg, Ball State University; and Dr. Kimberley Willis, The College at Brockport State University of New York

Panelists:  Dr. Anne Kress, Northern Virginia Community College; Dr. Nick Prewett, Stony Brook University; Sam Taylor, Herzing University; and De Rodrick Jonkins, Maryland Institute College of Art  

This session will concentrate on the concepts of succession planning and will ensure the essentials on how to build a plan are included. This will feature both general guidelines to get started and real operational steps to make this important process successful at your specific institution. There will be discussion on making hiring a consideration and identifying your successor. 

Idea Lab #7

Speaker: Brad Barnett, NASFAA national chair-elect and director of financial aid and scholarships at James Madison University

Experienced succession planners will lead your team, determined by your school-type, as participants will have various roles in developing a mock succession planning template. Participants will use the knowledge gained in Idea Lab #6 to make significant contributions to this exercise. Each group will have a trained leader who will have clear instructions on how to develop a mock plan that will be shared with participants. Potential supporting topics will be used that can influence the creation of the plan for specific institutional situations. Each group will report-out so all participants will benefit from the work of the other groups.

4:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Department of Education Updates & FAFSA Simplification

This will be an informal conversation with colleagues from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) about current happenings at ED with an emphasis on significant upcoming federal methodology and FAFSA changes.

5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. - Hill Visit Briefing With Q&A

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ET - Hill Visits

Location: Capitol Hill or Virtual

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET - Hill Visit Debrief

Location: Mayflower Hotel