Program - Summit for Online Leadership and Strategy
1:15 p.m. - Opening Remarks
Lone Star D/E/F
Bob Hansen, UPCEA
1:30-2:45 p.m. -
Opening General Session
Lone Star D/E/F
Business Model Meets Innovation 
John Walda, NACUBO
Scott Jaschik, Inside Higher Ed
Burck Smith, StraighterLine
Moderator: Bob Hansen, UPCEA
John Walda, President and CEO of NACUBO, diagnoses what is driving change in the business model of higher education. Entrepreneur and educator Burck Smith describes various trajectories of innovation in the landscape today. And Scott Jaschik reflects on similar changes in the publishing industry, which led to the success of Inside Higher Education. Against the backdrop of this intriguing cross-section of perspectives, the panelists engage in a dynamic conversation about where higher education is headed, and why.
Lone Star C
Implementing Online Programs at Small Institutions: Are You Ready?
Vickie Cook, University of Illinois, Springfield
Moderator: Ray Schroeder, University of Illinois, Springfield and UPCEA
This workshop session will focus on the unique positioning of online programs at small institutions in today’s marketplace. Specific topics include assessing the needs of online students and faculty, policy development and change related to admissions, and the roles of key personnel and decision-making required for online success at a small institution.
Seguin A&B
Digital Badges as Value Add for Degree Attainment: Institutional Perspectives
Michael Palmquist, Colorado State University
Daniel Hickey, Indiana University
Jason Fish, Purdue University
Moderator: Lawrence Ragan, Penn State University
Transforming the ways in which we recognize and assess learning, the phenomenon of digital badges in the context of higher education is increasing. Highlighting institutions in varied stages of credentialing informal learning, nano-degrees, and/or badges, this session is designed to help attendees answer for their own institutions the increasingly important question “Should we be doing this?” Through case studies and lively discussion, presenters will share their own stories, challenges, and insights, as well as invite questions from the audience.
4:00-4:30 p.m. - Networking Break - Exhibit Hall
4:30-5:30 p.m. -
General Session
Lone Star D/E/F
The Policy Landscape for Online Education
Ted Mitchell, Under Secretary, U.S. Department of Education
Introduction: Bob Hansen, UPCEA
Charged with implementing President Obama’s American Graduation Initiative, the Under Secretary will share remarks on innovative solutions aimed at improving access and completion, as well as describe key policy drivers and regulations in postsecondary education. Time for questions and audience discussion will follow the Under Secretary’s remarks.
5:30-7:30 p.m. - Opening Reception - Exhibit Hall
8:15-9:30 a.m. - Breakfast and General Session
Lone Star D/E/F
Designed to Engage
Diana Oblinger, EDUCAUSE
Introduction: Bethaida Gonzalez, Syracuse University
The next generation of digital learning is emerging, integrating formal and informal experiences, personalizing learning and providing clear pathways to student success. The digital environment of social, mobile, cloud, and big data creates unique settings that promise more than replicating offline activities online. Digital learning uses the best that technology has to offer, combining the physical and the virtual, engaging each learner to maximize student success.
9:45-10:45 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions II
Lone Star A
Presidential Perspectives on the Convergence of Online Education and Institutional Strategy
Katrina Rogers, Fielding Graduate University
Merodie Hancock, Empire State College
Susan Aldridge, Drexel University
Moderator: Richard Pattenaude, Ashford University
University presidents are increasingly turning to online education as a key strategy for stable enrollments, which are in turn so critical to the sustainability of their institutions. In this panel, four presidents from very different institutional types discuss the intersection of online learning and the adult market; the challenges faced by experienced players competing in a mature market; advice to new entrants, and the next big thing(s) in online learning.
Lone Star B
Washington Update: Latest Developments in Online Policy Arena
Dan Madzelan, ACE
Chris Murray, Thompson Coburn, LLC
Greg Ferenbach, Cooley, LLC
Moderator: James Shaeffer, Old Dominion University
Representatives from the Washington policy community will address the latest developments in the policy arena that impact the delivery of online education. Topics to be covered include the policy environment for innovation (MOOCs, competency-based education, adaptive learning), and regulatory/legislative issues such as accreditation, state authorization, financial aid compliance, and student access.
Lone Star C
Myth Busting in Learning Analytics for Decision-Makers
Rob Robinson, Civitas Learning
Ellen Wagner, Predictive Analytics Reporting
Moderator: John LaBrie, Northeastern University
Educators are just beginning to understand the implications of data analytics, in which patterns of data generation, online engagements, transactions and interactions reveal to us things about us and our students that never could have anticipated or expected. This session takes a look at the emerging world of data analytics in post-secondary education and busts some of the myths that practitioners and decision-makers are likely to encounter on their analytics journey.
Seguin A&B
Tackling the Next Phase of Online Program Growth with a Research-Based, Five Step Approach
Richard Novak, Rutgers University
Brett Frazier, Pearson
Moderator: Jim Fong, UPCEA
As more universities are launching online programs, and as online program diversity continues to grow, many online pioneers are beginning to see a slowdown in enrollments. In this session, examine the importance of a research-driven approach to online program selection, development, and launch and differentiation.
10:45-11:15 a.m. -
Networking Break -
Exhibit Hall
Lone Star B
Strategies for Integrating Online Learning into the Core Academic Enterprise: A Case Study of the Penn State World Campus
Craig Weidemann, The Pennsylvania State University
Lawrence Ragan, The Pennsylvania State University
Moderator: Kara Van Dam, University of Maryland University College
Innovations and entrepreneurship in online learning can advance an institution’s goals of access, affordability, and student success through the integration of online learning into the core academic enterprise. Using Penn State’s World Campus as a case study, this session will provide proven strategies that can advance online learning at other institutions.
Lone Star C
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Lesson Learned in State Authorization
Sarah Garvin, Georgetown University
Kelly Otter, Georgetown University
Kristen Consolo, Georgetown University
Moderator: Stephanie Gold, Hogan Lovells, LLP
Using as case study the Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies’ approach to tackling state authorization requirements, this session will share challenges and key lessons discovered in an enterprise-wide, systematized solution. Topics also include navigating the renewals cycle and data management, creating a timeline for authorizing new online programs in the pipeline, and managing support from stakeholders at a variety of levels.
Seguin A&B
Internationalization and Online Learning: Perspectives from the U.S. and Europe
Robert Wagner, Utah State University
Anne Boyer, University of Lorraine; Ministère de l'Éducation Nationale, de l'Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche
Angela Procoli, Fondation Maison des sciences de l'homme
Moderator: Geraldine de Berly, Syracuse University
This unique session will feature U.S. and European perspectives of online education—challenges, successes, and next steps, as well as an engaging dialogue with attendees about what the future might hold for international online education. Specific topics include the value of international online initiatives as they align with institutional strategic priorities, the unseen issues in getting projects off the ground, and best practices in developing stakeholders in international online initiatives.
Lone Star A
Virtual Leadership in Higher Education
Craig Wilson, University of Miami
Mary Niemiec, University of Nebraska
Peter Smith, Kaplan University
Moderator: Witt Salley, Clemson University
Online learning and the ecosystems necessary to support it call for today’s higher education administrators to be highly adept at blending time-tested leadership principles with an increasingly mobile and diverse workforce and technologies that constantly change. This potent combination has a direct impact on communication, productivity, and learning. Hot-button issues such as accountability, scalability, collaboration and remoteness warrant increased and specialized attention. Attend this panel session to hear multifaceted perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of leading online initiatives, programs and teams from the viewpoint of three private, public, and proprietary universities.
Lone Star B
For Student Success, Choose "And" not "Or" in Deciding Course Delivery Modes
Huntington Lambert, Harvard University
Moderator: David Cillay, Washington State University
At Harvard our goal to best serve our adult part-time students means not endorsing one delivery format or pedagogy. Instead we work with great faculty to build learning opportunities according to the needs of the material and those of our student in a variety of modes: classroom-based learning, lecture capture and web conference options, MOOCs and flipped-classrooms, as well as online active mastery and other modes and blended options. Harvard is doing most of this now at typical in-state tuition pricing and still remains economically self-sustaining. What are you doing and what keeps you from choosing “And” not “Or”?
Lone Star C
Engaging Adult Students through Collaborative Online Programming: The Wisconsin Experience
George Kroeninger, University of Wisconsin Extension
Moderator: Nancy Coleman, PlattForm
This workshop showcases the experience of the University of Wisconsin Extension’s role in the development, implementation and ongoing management of a growing array of system-wide online collaborative academic programs in both a traditional online and competency-based formats. Specific topics include an overview of the collaborative program model, partnership agreements, partner roles and responsibilities, benefits, challenges and lessons learned. The program will also include a facilitated open discussion regarding the potential of this model for replication at other institutions.
Seguin A&B
A Comprehensive Approach to Career Development for Adult Students
Kayla Krupnick Walsh, Golden Gate University
Paul McNeil, University of California, Davis
Autumn McClenaghan, Brandman University
Moderator: Chris Tilghman, InsideTrack
Learn how various institutions serving adult, professional, and graduate students are incorporating career development into every stage in the student lifecycle – from recruitment and enrollment, maximizing learning and engagement in the classroom, to graduation and beyond. Panelists reveal how they leverage comprehensive career development strategies, including challenges, opportunities to differentiate their programs in the marketplace, and how they cultivate continuous improvement and innovation.
3:30-4:30 p.m. -
General Session
Lone Star D/E/F
Open Education, Open Resources, Open Institutions
Steve Mintz, University of Texas System
Harrison Keller, University of Texas at Austin
Kara Van Dam, University of Maryland University College
Moderator: Johannes Heinlein, edX
In this panel, three institutions share their varied journeys and unique needs with regard to what works and what doesn’t in the context of open education and MOOCs. Amid the trends in this space, panelists will address how their institutions are working together and with edX—focusing on replicable models, as well as how they differ and how they address the unique perspectives, opportunities, and challenges today’s marketplace presents.
Lone Star B
Strategic Development of Two Competency-Based Education Programs: University of Wisconsin’s "Flexible Option" Program and Capella University’s "FlexPath"
Judee Richardson, University of Wisconsin Extension
Kimberly Pearce, Capella University
Moderator: Carol Scheidenhelm, Loyola University of Chicago
Although public and private institutions of higher education are different entities, they do face common challenges when developing new educational models. The University of Wisconsin Flexible Option and Capella University’s FlexPath are both self-paced, competency-based education/direct assessment (CBE/DA) programs that have encountered similar challenges during development and implementation. In this session, panelists discuss issues related to CBE/DA alignment with mission, negotiating internal and external forces, considering institutional culture and our approaches to the academic model, curriculum development, the role of faculty, and student experience.
Lone Star C
Navigating the High Seas: Sailing into Old Dominion University Online
Andy Casiello, Old Dominion University
S. Mitsue Blythe, Old Dominion University
Moderator: Kevin Currie, Northeastern
A doctoral research institution on the east coast reinvents its existing distance learning operations to move from a modest closed circuit system to a major player in national and international online delivery, and earns ten (and counting) national accolades in the process. This presentation will afford participants an opportunity to examine how Old Dominion University has navigated the high seas of distance education. In a time of internationalization of college campuses, ODU has responded to a globalized system by offering education in mediums not restricted by the physical.
Seguin A&B
Thriving Online: How Small Colleges Can Succeed in a Competitive Landscape
Elizabeth Domholdt, The College of St. Scholastica
Andrew Permenter, Southeastern University
Donna N. McDaniel, Bellevue University
Moderator: David Clinefelter, The Learning House, Inc.
With a strong regional presence and a reputation for quality, smaller institutions can use online programs to extend their brand given appropriate leadership and investment. But for many institutions, getting started can feel daunting. In this panel discussion, learn how three smaller institutions are successfully developing and executing online programs. Discover best practices for determining what programs to offer, ensuring academic quality remains high, how to get faculty buy-in, and more.
Lone Star B
Personalized Student Experience Drives Student Success
Joan Zanders, Northern Virginia Community College
Craig Chanoff, Blackboard, Inc.
Moderator: Anthony Bretti, Tulsa Community College System
One of the largest systems in the US, the Virginia Community College System is transforming the student experience by embarking on an enterprise-wide initiative to personalize service and customize communication. Through lively discussion focusing on one campus within this system, Northern Virginia Community College, panelists will share what it means to outsource student services to achieve the goal of increased response time, augmented service hours, and, ultimately, increased student persistence.
Lone Star C
Online Marketing Channel Selection: Three Things Online Program Marketers Need to Consider when Building a Media Plan
Elisa Crossland, Sam Houston State University
Jennifer Esarey, Hobsons
Moderator: Kay Zimmerman, North Carolina State University
Today’s digital media environment offers schools thousands of channels they can launch marketing in for their online programs. With so many options, costs and results the possibilities can easily overwhelm marketers trying to build a media plan. Using client-based examples, panelists discuss the top three things to keep in mind when considering any digital solution.
Seguin A&B
Laying the Foundation for Online Enrollment Growth: A Case Study in Partnership between University of Arkansas and Blackboard
Javier Reyes, University of Arkansas
Christina Fleming, Blackboard, Inc.
Moderator: Julie Uranis, Western Kentucky University
Building and growing a diverse set of online programs requires careful planning, commitment, and cross-team collaboration. Learn about our journey together as The University of Arkansas and Blackboard embarked on a yearlong initiative to prioritize programs for investment, determine competitive differentiators, identify target students, and execute on a well balanced, fiscally responsible media plan. Explore the methodologies, models, and techniques we used to establish a data-driven, repeatable process that leads to enrollment growth. Hear firsthand how two partner teams exchanged mutual knowledge and laid the foundation for a relationship built on accountability, results, and long-term success.
Please note that session titles and descriptions are subject to change.
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