Wednesday, October 28th, 1:15-2:45PM
Wentworth A+B
Opening Keynote Speaker
John F. Ebersole, President of Excelsior CollegeJohn F. Ebersole, LPD, is president of Excelsior College in Albany, NY, one of the oldest accredited, private, nonprofit distance education institutions in the country. In his 25 year career in higher education, Dr. Ebersole's personal experience as a post-traditional student has formed his approach to adult education.
Dr. Ebersole has held teaching and management positions at John F. Kennedy University and Boston University, as well as management positions at the University of California – Berkeley and Colorado State University. He developed the "Berkeley Worldwide" international education program; the Colorado State University "CSUN" Network for Learning; and Boston University's "BU Global."
A retired Coast Guard commander and Vietnam veteran, Ebersole began his college education while in the military. In addition to being a graduate of the Naval War College, he earned a doctorate in law and policy from Northeastern University; an EdS from The George Washington University; and master's degrees in both business and public administration from John F. Kennedy University. He has served as a senior fellow at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, where he conducted research into innovation in higher education.
Dr. Ebersole serves as Chairman of the American Association of Community Colleges' Corporate Council. He is a former board member of the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (New York). In 2014, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the United States Distance Learning Association. A former president of the University Professional and Continuing Education Association, Ebersole is co-author (with William Patrick) of Courageous Learning: Finding A New Path Through Higher Education (Hudson Whitman Press, 2011).
Thurday, October 29th, 9:00-10:00AM
Wentworth A+B
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Todd LeachBig change is relative. In this rapidly changing and highly competitive environment it is not enough to benchmark changes against internal historical markers, change must be benchmarked relative to your competition and the broader industry. In the current higher education environment incremental institutional change is not going to be enough to stay competitive. While higher education has withstood many previous assaults and challenges in the past by making slow and methodical adjustments, the current threat is unique. It is not simply a matter of new delivery technology or shifting demographics forcing changes, it is the confluence of many forces, culminating in sweeping political threats and intense rivalry.
Making big change happen requires recognizing what constitutes a big change. It requires understanding what the barriers will be and how to go around, under, over, or through those barriers. It requires both vision and execution, and a lot of ongoing decision-making and adjustment. For those able to make big changes happen, it is possible to thrive in these highly competitive times, especially when your competition is likely struggling to get beyond incremental.
BioPrior to serving as Chancellor, Dr. Leach served as President of Granite State College, the primary public provider of online education in the state of New Hampshire. During his tenure as president, the college became the fastest growing public college in New England, achieving record enrollment levels. The college also transformed from undergraduate programs only to offering its first masters programs. Granite State also achieved a national ranking of 27 from US News for online colleges.
Chancellor Leach holds a Ph.D. from Northeastern University and an MBA from Bentley University. He holds a BS from Worcester State College and an AS from Mass Bay Community College, both institutions honored Chancellor Leach in 2012 and 2011, respectively, with Distinguished Alumni Awards. Chancellor leach also completed higher education programs at Harvard University.
Chancellor Leach has over two decades of experience as a leader and faculty member within higher education. Prior to his presidency, Chancellor Leach served as the Senior Associate Dean of the College of Professional Studies, where he led the development of over twenty masters and doctoral degree programs. He also provided oversight for Northeastern Online and served as the Executive Director of the School of Education. Prior to his work at Northeastern University, Chancellor Leach was an Associate Professor at Lasell, where he also served as Faculty Chair.
Chancellor Leach has presented at numerous national and international conferences on the subjects of higher education and distance learning. He serves on the USNH Board of Trustees and is one of New Hampshire’s commissioners of higher education.
Friday, October 30th, 11:00-12:00PM
Closing Session Speaker
Dr. Robertshaw will share with you what he has learned about the psychological and physiological benefits of humor and laughter as they relate to taking care of our ourselves, our friends and our loved ones.
Dr. Stuart Robertshaw, Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Education at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and an Attorney began his personal journey in September, 1987 when he started a review of the research on the benefits of humor. In 1990, he announced the formation of the National Association for the Humor Impaired. The Association has received national attention from the press in over 144 newspapers, 180 radio stations and has been featured in magazines such as Family Circle and Mature Outlook. Dr. Robertshaw, whom the press refers to as “Dr. Humor,” currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Association.