H. Kent Weldon Conference for Higher Education

8:00 A.M. | Registration, Networking, and Breakfast

Chris Lowery, Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education
Jud Fisher, Chairman, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

Location : Whitcomb Ballroom

Morgan Torres, Director of the Veterans Success Center, Purdue University

Presentation

Location: Whitcomb Ballroom

Title: A Campus Toolkit for your 21 Century Scholars and Military Connected Students

Description: The presentation, A Campus Toolkit for your 21^st Century Scholars and Military Connected Students is a valuable conversation highlighting different approaches that student support centers can take when supporting first generation students and military connected students.

15 Minute Break

Removing Barriers for Indiana's 21st Century Scholars
(Panel Discussion) Location: Porter Room
Theme Feature Focus: Countywide Collaboration to Support 21st Century Scholars
Facilitated by: Zach Cullum, Outreach Coordinator - Southwest Region, K-12 Strategy, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

Panelists:

• Chad Addie, Assistant Superintendent / College and Workforce, South Bend Community Schools
• Malissa Ayala, Senior Program Officer, Education, Community Foundation of St. Joseph County
• Roberto Leal, 21st Century Scholar Recruiter, South Bend Community Schools

Utilizing the Indiana Graduates Prepared to Succeed (GPS) Dashboard 
(Panel Discussion) Location: Miller Room
Theme Feature Focus: Equitable and Accelerated Pathways for All
Facilitated by: Michelle Ashcraft, Associate Commissioner for K-12 Strategy, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

Panelists:

• Aaron Black, Superintendent, Randolph Eastern School Corporation
• Jason Callahan, Assistant Secretary of Student Pathways and Opportunities, Indiana Department of Education
• Katie Lash, Executive Director, East Central Educational Service Center

Increasing Indiana's Going-Rate
(Panel Discussion) Location: Hart Room
Theme Feature Focus: Catholic Schools and College-Going Rates for 21^st Century Scholars, Black Students, and Hispanic/Latino Students
Facilitated by: Sean Tierney, Associate Commissioner for Business Intelligence and Chief Economist, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

Panelists:

• Dr. Joseph Brettnacher, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Archdiocese of Indianapolis
• Dr. Brian Disney, Superintendent of Schools. Diocese of Fort Wayne - South Bend

Recruiting and Retaining Indiana's Teachers
(Panel Discussion) Location: Shields Room
Theme Feature Focus: Indiana's Investments in Teacher Credentialing
Facilitated by: Josh Garrison, Associate Commissioner for Public Policy, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

Panelists:

• Mike Beam, Assistant Vice President for School Partnerships and Senior Assistant Vice President Provost for Undergraduate Education
• Greg Harrell, Director of Legislation and Program Implementation, Indiana Commission for Higher Education
• Trish Wlodarczyk, Director of Strategic Initiatives, CELL

Expanding Access to the Indiana College Core
(Panel Discussion) Location: Porter Room
Theme Feature Focus: Promoting College-Going and Completions through the Indiana College Core
Facilitated by: Dr. Ken Sauer, Senior Associate Commissioner and Chief Academic Officer, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

Panelists:

• Michelle Ashcraft, Associate Commissioner for K-12 Strategy, Indiana Commission for Higher Education
• Jillian Scholten, Director of Academic Affairs & Talent Credentialing, Indiana Commission for Higher Education
• Mark Schneider,  Assistant Vice President of K-14 Academic initiatives & Support, Ivy Tech Community College

Indiana Pre-Admissions: Your Path to College
(Panel Discussion) Location: Miller Room
Theme Feature Focus: Your Next Steps Idaho Influences Other State Implementations
Facilitated by: Greg Harrell, Director of Legislation and Program Implementation, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

Panelists:

• Josh Garrison, Associate Commissioner for Public Policy, Indiana Commission for Higher Education
• Sara Scudder, College and Career Access Officer at Idaho State Board of Education

Increasing Indiana's College Completion Rate
(Panel Discussion) Location: Hart Room
Theme Feature Focus: Degree Completion Gains for 21^st Century Scholars, Black Students, and Hispanic/Latino Students
Facilitated by: Sean Tierney, Associate Commissioner for Business Intelligence and Chief Economist, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

Panelists:

• Dr. Karen Dace, Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at IUPUI, Associate Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Indiana University
• Gaye Walthall, Director of Student Success Center, Vincennes University
• Julie Wiejak, Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Purdue University – Northwest

Implementing the Veterans Education Pathway Taskforce
(Panel Discussion) Location: Shields Room
Theme Feature Focus: Identifying Short- and Longer-Term Opportunities to Attract and Better Support Veterans and Military-Affiliated individuals in Postsecondary Education
Facilitated by: José Medina, Director of Business and Community Engagement, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

Panelists:

• Dr. Stacy Townsley, Associate Commissioner for Adult Strategy, Indiana Commission for Higher Education
• Stephen Goodan, Education Service Officer, IN National Guard
• Amy Stone, Project Director, VALLO, Ivy Tech Community College

Lunch and Gerald Bepko Faculty Community Engagement Award Announcement

Location : Whitcomb Ballroom

Closing Remarks : Thank you!

Location : Whitcomb Ballroom

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Indianapolis Marriott North
3645 River Crossing Parkway
Indianapolis, IN 46240

Questions? Contact us at events@che.in.gov

CONFERENCE AGENDA

Full Conference Program

9:00 A.M. | Welcome
Mike Alley, Chairman, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

9:15 A.M. | Ensuring Value and Relevance of Higher Education
Chris Lowery, Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education
Ruth Watkins, Ph.D., President of Strada Impact, Strada Education Network

10:30 A.M. | Breakout Sessions <choose one>

11:30 A.M. | Breakout Sessions <choose one>

12:30 P.M. | Lunch

1:15 P.M. | Closing Remarks
Chris Lowery, Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education

Breakout Session Topics

Connecting Education and Industry
Presentation (presentation with video available upon request)
Todd Hurst, Ph.D., Executive Director for the Institute for Workforce Excellence
Sally Saydshoev, Assistant Director, Educator Engagement for Work and Learn Indiana
Facilitated by Barbie Martin, Assistant Commissioner for Outreach

EPIC Advantage Internship Program
Presentation (presentation with video available upon request)
Kristen Lainsbury, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Earlham College
Facilitated by Josh Garrison, Associate Commissioner for Legislation and Program Implementation

Academic Maps with Career Alignment
Presentation
Dhanfu Elston, Ph.D., Chief of Staff, Senior Vice President for Strategy, Complete College America
Facilitated by Ken Sauer, Ph.D., Senior Associate Commissioner and Chief Academic Officer

Higher Education Value Campaign
Presentation
Francesca Brady, Senior Vice President, VOX Global
Facilitated by Charlee Beasor, Associate Commissioner for Communications and Outreach

Friday, April 9, 2021
Higher Education’s Opportunity in a State of Change
Virtual on Attendify

AGENDA (printable)

9:00 a.m. | Pre-Conference: Reaching Higher in a State of Change Overview
An optional session that will provide an overview of Indiana's strategic plan for higher education, Reaching Higher in a State of Change.

• Reaching Higher in a State of Change Overview (slide deck)
• Pre-Conference Recording

10:00 a.m. | Welcome

• Beverley Pitts, Chair, Commission for Higher Education

10:15 a.m. | Keynote: Higher Education’s Opportunity in a State Change
A panel discussion that will focus on how higher education is a force for innovation and economic transformation to address recent and future challenges. 

• Welcome/Keynote Recording
• Teresa Lubbers, Commissioner for Higher Education
• Mark Muro, Senior Fellow, Metropolitan Policy Program, Brookings Institution
• Ryan Streeter, Director, Domestic Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute

11:30 a.m. | Breakout Sessions
A series of breakout sessions will offer a deep dive on the  strategic plan priorities.

• Completion Recording
• Equity Recording
• Talent Recording

12:30 p.m. | Closing: Reaching Higher in a State of Change

• 51st Governor of Indiana, Eric Holcomb
• Governor Holcomb Closing Remarks Recording

Questions? Please contact us at events@che.in.gov

Tuesday, April 7, 2020 - CANCELLED

Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Supporting the Transition from Higher School to College and Careers

AGENDA

CONFERENCE PACKET

8:00 a.m. Registration & Breakfast
9:00 a.m. Welcome

• Chris LaMothe, Chairman, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

9:15 a.m. Keynote: Supporting the Transition from High School to College & Careers

• Matt Gandal, President, Education Strategy Group

9:45 a.m. Response Panel

• Teresa Lubbers, Commissioner for Higher Education
• PJ McGrew, Director of Policy, Governor’s Workforce Cabinet
• Jason Bearce, Vice President for Education and Workforce Development, Indiana Chamber of Commerce

10:45 a.m. Breakout Sessions

• Parents as Partners: Engaging Families Effectively to Drive Student Success
  • Alfonso Vidal, Commission Member, Indiana Commission for Higher Education
  • Jená Bellezza, Chief Operating Officer, Indiana Parenting Institute
• Building Intentional Pathways in High School
  • Mike Alley, Commission Member, Indiana Commission for Higher Education
  • Dwight Ashley, Principal, Parke Heritage High School
  • Laura Hayes, Connections Coach, Ivy Tech Community College
• Ensuring Quality through Work-Based Experience
  • Jud Fisher, Commission Member, Indiana Commission for Higher Education
  • Tina Peterson, Chief Executive Officer, Regional Opportunity Initiatives, Inc.

12:00 p.m. Lunch Keynote: A Conversation with Governor Eric Holcomb

• Eric Holcomb, Governor of Indiana
• Teresa Lubbers, Commissioner for Higher Education

1:00 p.m. Reflections & Closing

Tuesday, April 10, 2018
The Future of Work

AGENDA

Conference PPT
PRINT

8:00 a.m. - Registration and Breakfast
9:00 a.m. - Welcome
9:15 a.m. - The Future of Work (Keynote)
Scott Carlson, Chronicle for Higher Education
The Future of Work: Will Our Children Be Prepared? (video)
9:45 a.m. - Response Panel
Pete Bitar, AirBuoyant, LLC
Tom Easterday, Subaru of Indiana Automotive
Chris Lowery, Ivy Tech Community College
Geoffrey Mearns, JD, Ball State University
10:45 a.m. - Breakout Sessions
Jobs of the Future
Voices of Employers | Road Trip Nation (video)
Future of Career Centers
12:00 p.m. - Lunch
12:45 p.m. - Closing
Danny Lopez, Chairman, Governor's Workforce Cabinet, State of Indiana
Teresa Lubbers, Commissioner, Indiana Commission for Higher Education
Blair Milo, Secretary of Career Connections & Talent, State of Indiana

Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Destination: Career Success - Charting Indiana’s path from education to employment

Conference Agenda
Full Agenda
8:00 a.m. - Registration
9:00 a.m. - Welcome
Teresa Lubbers, Commissioner for Higher Education
9:15 a.m. - Keynote Address
Mike Marriner, Co-Founder, Roadtrip Nation
10:30 a.m. - Breakout Session
11:15 a.m. - Breakout Session
12:15 p.m. - Lunch   
1:00 p.m. - Closing Remarks
Dan Peterson, Chairman, Commission for Higher Education
Eric Holcomb, Governor of Indiana

Breakout Session Topics

Intentional Career Planning
Integrating Workplace Experience
Streamlining Job Placement

Thursday, April 14, 2016
Reaching Higher, Delivering Value

AGENDA
Full Agenda
8:00 am – Registration
9:00 am – Introducing Reaching Higher, Delivering Value
Teresa Lubbers, Commissioner for Higher Education
9:30 am – Keynote Address
Mike Langellier, President and CEO, TechPoint
Keynote Presentation
Video
10:15 am – Q&A with Mike Langellier and Teresa Lubbers
10:45 am – Break
11:15 am – Breakout Session I
12:15 pm – Luncheon Address
Dennis Bland, Commission Chairman
Governor Mike Pence
1:00 pm – Breakout Session II
2:00 pm – Closing

Breakout Sessions Topics
Completion
Competency
Career

Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Connecting College and Careers

AGENDA
8:30 – Registration and Breakfast
9:30 – Welcoming Remarks and Introductions
* Teresa Lubbers, Commissioner for Higher Education
* Sue Ellspermann, Lieutenant Governor of Indiana
10:00 – Keynote Address
* Carol D'Amico, Executive Vice President, National Engagement and Philanthropy, USA Funds
11:15 – Breakout Sessions
Breakout Session 1
* Dr. William Katip, President, Grace College and Seminary
* Bob Vitoux, Vice President Commercial Operations US, Biomet Inc.
Breakout Session 2
* Dr. Paul Ferguson, President, Ball State University
* Mike Altendorf, Vice President of Information Technology, Do it Best Corp.
12:30 – Networking Lunch
1:30 – Reflection
* Gerry Dick, President and Managing Editor, Grow Indiana Media Ventures, LLC
2:00 – Closing Remarks
* Dennis Bland, Chairman of the Commission for Higher Education

Speaker Information
Keynote Address Presentation
Breakout Session 1
Networking Lunch and Reflection Questions

April 10, 2014: Agenda
"The Value Proposition: Making Higher Education Matter… MORE"

• Guest Presenters
• Packet Materials

April 2, 2013: Agenda
"Meeting Workforce Demand:  Aligning Higher Education and Indiana's Economic Future"

April 16, 2012: Agenda
"Reaching Higher, Achieving More: A Success Agenda for Higher Education in Indiana"

• Reaching Higher, Achieving More, ICHE document  link
• Reforming American Higher Education: Implications for a Vibrant Work Force and a Healthy Democracy, by Charles Kolb   link
• A Stronger Nation Through Higher Education, a Policy Brief from the Lumina Foundation  link

April 15, 2011: Agenda
"Defining College Success:  Learning Outcomes Matter"

• Why Learning Outcomes Matter, Paul Gaston, Kent State University  link
• Learning Outcomes for Work, Life, and Citizenship:  What All Students Need for Meaningful Opportunity and Success, Debra Humphreys, AAC&U  link

Handouts:

• Liberal Education and America's Promise (LEAP), Bill McKinney, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) link
• Degree Qualifications Profile, Marianne Wokeck, IUPUI  link
• The State of Learning Outcomes Assessment in the United States, George Kuh, Indiana University   link
• The State of Undergraduate Learning, Josipa Roska and Richard Arum  link
• Reimagining Remediation, Stephen Handel and Ronald Williams  link
• Degree Qualifications Profile, Lumina Foundation  link
• FOCUS, Lumina Foundation link
• FAQS on Bologna and Tuning  link

April 19, 2010: Agenda

"Challenges and Opportunities:  Increasing College Productivity"

Presentations:

• Presentation by Nasser Paydar, Chancellor of Indiana University East link
• Presentation by Jim Applegate, Senior Vice President for Program Development and Organizational Learning, Lumina Foundation link

Handouts:

• Lumina Foundation link
• Association of Governing Boards Presentation link

April 17, 2009: Agenda
"Degrees of Success: Creating a Culture of College Completion in Indiana"

Featured Speaker: Dr. Richard Longworth, Senior Fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and author of Caught in the Middle: America's Heartland in the Age of Globalism

Presentations:

• Indiana's College Completion Agenda: Reaching Higher (Stan Jones)
• A Focus on Student Success: Research and Promising Campus Policies and Practice
  • Dr. Andrew Koch, Purdue University
  • Dr. Uday Sukhatme, IUPUI
  • Dr. Tom Bear, University of Evansville
• A Focus on Aligning State Resources: Supporting Student Success (Rich Petrick)

April 16, 2008: Agenda
"Reaching Higher: Strategic Directions for Higher Education in Indiana"

April 30, 2007: Agenda
"Reaching Higher: Strategic Directions for Higher Education in Indiana"

Presentations:

The Changing Agenda for Higher Education Access and Success--Dewayne Matthews
The State’s Economy and Higher Education--Charles Schalliol
The Spellings Commission and Indiana: Setting the Pace or Falling Behind? -- Kristin Conklin