2025 MEMS Conference | General Sessions

December 2 | 1:00 PM ET

Opening General Session: Eric Barker

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  Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author of Barking Up the Wrong Tree & Plays Well with Others

  Wall Street Journal bestselling author and former Hollywood screenwriter Eric Barker uses research and compelling stories to challenge common myths about success and relationships, inspiring audiences with bold new insights on how to avoid burnout, collaborate better as teams, and be more productive.
  
  His first book Barking Up The Wrong Tree challenged the maxims about success we’ve been told, using research to uncover the best methods of improving resilience, productivity, and networking. It sold over half a million copies and been translated into 19 languages. Named a top business book by The Financial Times, Business Insider, Fast Company, and Entrepreneur Magazine, it even became the subject of a question on “Jeopardy!” Wharton professor Adam Grant described it as, "Delightfully puckish, evidence-backed and full of insight, this book answers questions about success that have puzzled us for far too long."
  
  Barker’s most recent book Plays Well with Others gave the Mythbusters treatment to the maxims about relationships we all grew up with, looking at the science to get us the answers we need to connect better with others. It instantly hit multiple bestseller lists upon release in May of 2022. Science writer David Epstein said, "Reading Plays Well With Others is like having a hard conversation about relationships with your smartest, funniest friend. Eric Barker's wit and explanatory powers shine through every page."
  
  In both his books, Barker delivers revolutionary ideas that impact workers in business, healthcare, innovation, education, and technology. What he’s found is that it’s often the stories we tell ourselves about the world that make the critical difference between success and failure in the areas of teamwork, resilience, and productivity. Drawing on domains as varied as Navy SEALs, astrophysics, wilderness survival, and the organization structure of pirate ships, Barker makes clear that, handled correctly, our perspectives and narratives not only shape our goals and trajectories but end up leading us to higher achievement, greater adaptation to challenges and more fulfilling, harmonious connections with coworkers.
  
  Barker has spoken in the US and abroad on the science of improving performance, teamwork, and resilience at a diverse group of leading institutions such as the Olympic Training Center, Google, MIT, the Aspen Ideas Festival, and the United States Military Central Command (CENTCOM).
  
  Barker rose to prominence via his groundbreaking blog, “Barking Up The Wrong Tree” which has been syndicated by Time Magazine, The Week, and Business Insider. Over 500,000 people have subscribed to its weekly newsletter. His work has been covered by The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Financial Times, and others.
  
  A former Hollywood screenwriter, Barker brings humor and engaging storytelling to his presentations, sculpted from years of writing for Walt Disney Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Spider-Man creator Stan Lee and others. He holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania, an MBA from Boston College, and an MFA from UCLA.
  
  Drawing on engaging tales and insights from diverse arenas and peer-reviewed research, Barker illuminates fundamental insights that make the difference between success and failure in any environment. Whether it’s how teams can communicate and build morale, to how individuals can revitalize their energy and commitment in the toughest of environments, Barker delivers actionable takeaways wrapped in mesmerizing stories that audiences can use to perform better, feel better and connect deeply with those around them to achieve concrete results.
  

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December 3 | 8:45 AM ET

Morning Brief | In-Sourcing Innovation: Collaborative Strategies for Marketing & Enrollment Success

Discover how one team achieved significant marketing and enrollment success by strategically in-sourcing projects and fostering deep collaboration. Learn practical strategies for leveraging a small team, increasing leads, saving costs, boosting social media engagement, and improving site traffic through real-world examples and actionable insights, including highlights from our successful Strategies for Success campaign, a Silver Telly Award winner.

• Chloe Chavarria, California State University, Sacramento

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Joe Jarosz, California State University, Sacramento

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Marco Alvarado, California State University, Sacramento

  
  
  
  

 

 








 

Moderator: Ginny Valentin, University of Tennesse, Knoxville




 

 

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December 4 | 8:45 AM ET

Morning Brief: AI Across the MEMS Pillars: Empowering Marketing, Enrollment Management, and Student Success

Powered by UPCEA members, institutional leaders will explore how AI is transforming the three core pillars of professional and continuing education: Marketing, Enrollment Management, and Student Success (MEMS). Panelists will spotlight real-world use cases—from AI‑powered recruitment and personalized marketing campaigns, to enrollment funnel automation, predictive retention models, and proactive student support chatbots. This integrated approach demonstrates how AI tools can elevate outreach, streamline decision-making, and improve outcomes across the full student lifecycle.

• Nicole L'Huillier-Fenton, University of Vermont

  

 

• Andrea Fagon, Alfred University

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Lenell Hahn, Southeast Missouri State University

  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  

Moderator: Leigh Saunders, University of Minnesota

 

 

 

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December 4 | 11:15 AM ET

Closing General Session: Pack Light, Go Far: Rethinking Enrollment for a New Era

As budgets tighten and learner expectations evolve, how can online and professional continuing education units thrive—and lead—with purpose? In this energizing closing session, Bruce Etter, UPCEA’s Senior Director of Research and Consulting, shares exclusive research highlighting the realities and opportunities facing today’s programs. Explore the shifting needs of modern learners—from adult returners and career changers to lifelong upskillers—and what they value most: flexibility, relevance, strong support, and clear communication. Discover fresh insights from UPCEA’s “secret shopper” benchmarking study, revealing how institutions engage prospective students at critical decision points. Attendees will leave with data-driven insights and practical strategies to strengthen responsiveness, increase enrollment, and build lasting trust. Walk away inspired with a clear vision for doing more with less—without ever compromising quality or learner success.

• Bruce Etter, UPCEA

  
  
  

 

 

 

 

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