Conference Opening

Leading in Challenging Times

The most severe recession in a generation is dramatically impacting college operations and signals the need for higher education state relations officers to meet a heightened leadership challenge. Effectively advocating for institutional and regional interests in the pursuit to elevate higher education as an economic driver and public priority is all the more critical in these challenging times.

Fran Bradford, Associate Vice President for Government Relations, College of William and Mary; Chair, Task Force on Higher Education Government Relations

Muriel Howard, President, American Association of State Colleges and Universities

Opening Keynote Address

Becoming a Partnership University

John C. Hitt, President, University of Central Florida

Developing in innovative and mutually beneficial partnerships is vital to delivering on institutional missions, driving economic growth, and fulfilling our colleges’ and universities’ regional stewardship roles. Hear from one of the nation’s longest serving public university presidents on success strategies for aligning institutional and community resources that fuel innovation, address community needs, and add to fiscal stability at a time of state budget turmoil.

Plenary Session

Higher Education and the Value Proposition in the Knowledge Economy

Anthony Carnevale, Director and Research Professor Center on Education and the Workforce Georgetown Public Policy Institute

The recession has accelerated the workforce structure in the current economy, further changing the value proposition of higher education as it relates to job opportunities and economic development. A highly respected expert and advisor on education and workforce issues to the Obama Administration and those of several other past U.S. presidential administrations, Dr. Carnevale will share insight on the ever-increasing relationship between higher education and economic competitiveness.

Higher Education State Relations Awards

Program Recognition of the 2009 recipients of the Edward Crawford Award for Innovation in State Relations and the Marvin D. “Swede” Johnson Achievement Award

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Federal Update on Higher Education Issues

The economic recession and new Administration have driven a robust federal higher education agenda that has significantly impacted postsecondary institutions. Hear the latest prospects and implications stemming from the Higher Education Opportunity Act, Post-9/ll GI Bill, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, along with the other actions involving the federal budget and tax policies.

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Robert Moran, Director of Federal Relations and Policy Analysis, American Association of State Colleges and Universities

Jennifer Poulakidas, Vice President for Congressional Relations, Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities

Brian Flahaven, Director of Government Relations and Institutionally Related Foundations, Council Advancement and Support of Education

Jim Hermes, Senior Legislative Associate, American Association of Community Colleges

Plenary Session

Harnessing the Voice of Business and Industry to Advance Higher Education as a State Priority

As a primary consumer of work force talent generated by America’s colleges and universities, the business community is an indispensible partner in advocating for higher education as a state funding and public policy priority. Gain insights into key messages, strategies and initiatives aimed at maximizing the influential voice of the private sector to advance higher education as a state priority.

Theodore F. (Tray) Adams, Sr. Vice President, McGuireWoods Consulting and Liaison, the Virginia Grow By Degrees Initiative, a campaign of the Virginia Higher Education Business Council

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Mark Wilson, President and CEO, Florida State Chamber of Commerce

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Plenary Session

The Obama Administration’s Higher Education Agenda

President Barack Obama has made higher education a key priority amidst a very robust policy agenda during his first year in office. Several significant policy measures were introduced in 2009, which lay the groundwork for a long-term ambitious federal agenda aimed at increasing the nation’s educational attainment and university-driven research capacity. Join in on a discussion with a U.S. Education Department official and college leaders on the Administration’s higher education agenda for 2010 and beyond.

Zakiya Smith, Policy Advisor, Office of the Under Secretary, U.S. Dept. of Education

Richard Davenport, President, Minnesota State University, Mankato (respondent)

Carlyle Ramsey, President, Danville Community College

Concurrent Session (Two)

Eight Ideas for Raising the Prominence of Government Relations on Campus

William McMillen, Vice President of Government Relations, University of Toledo

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Learn practical strategies for elevating the visibility of your government relations operations on campus and how to effectively utilize the advocacy resources of campus stakeholders in advancing your institution's legislative agenda. Facilitated by William McMillen, author of the forthcoming book on higher education government relations From the Campus to the Capitol: The Influence of Government Relations on Higher Education, published by Johns Hopkins University Press.

Capitalizing on Federal Grant Opportunities to Spur Regional Economic Growth

Richard Dunfee, Director, Grants Resource Center, AASCU

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A new Administration in tandem with the stimulus legislation has led to a re-engineering of the partnership between the federal government and colleges and universities. New resources, and a new mindset has poised postsecondary institutions to become even greater agents of positive change on issues ranging from energy, healthcare, education, and technology innovation. Learn about federal, non-profit and philanthropic grant sources that can help your institution drive economic recovery and social innovation.

Luncheon and Featured Guest Presentation

Building a State Public Agenda for Higher Education

Reginald Robinson, President and CEO, Kansas Board of Regents

Forging a comprehensive plan for elevating higher education as a state priority requires vision, a clear strategic plan, and a spirit of collaboration among the postsecondary education community. Learn from one state’s example of how strong leadership and a coherent approach to agenda setting can increase public accountability and public support for higher education.

Concurrent Session (Two)

Alumni as Advocates

What better spokespersons to have than an institution’s own graduates? Alumni are serving an increasingly important role in helping colleges and universities advance their interests in the state legislative arena, especially as they involve issues related to college affordability. This session will feature principles and strategies that higher education systems and institutions can utilize to more effectively harness the valued voice of their alumni.

Michael Dean, Founder, Tipping Point Strategies

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Amy Eichorst, Director, Illinois Connection, University of Illinois

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Using Economic Impact to Garner Legislative Support for Institutional Priorities

In an era of high-pitched competition for state dollars, the quest for public funds is strengthened when a clear, articulate and credible case is made for the economic impact and public return-on-investment that will be realized. Learn from two case studies that illustrate how data-rich and persuasive plans can achieve state legislative support amidst fiscally challenged state budget conditions.

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Daniel Holsenbeck, Vice President for University Relations, University of Central Florida

Thaddeus Seymour, Vice President and General Manager, Health and Life Sciences, Lake Nona Medical and Biotechnology City

Sen. Daniel Webster, Florida Legislature

Plenary Session

Strategic Messaging and Communications for Higher Education Government Relations Professionals

The nation’s public colleges are central to meeting regional workforce needs and contributing to state and national economic recovery. Despite this recognition, these institutions are again falling prey to poor state economic conditions and in many cases, legislative funding priorities that lie elsewhere. Further, the transparent nature of public colleges calls for higher education government relations professionals to be strategic in how they convey institutional priorities and explain actions that take place on campus. This session will lend focus to messages that promote colleges as economic drivers and higher education as a public good, and guiding principles for proactively enhancing institutional reputation among key constituencies.

Lisa Rudgers, Principal, Lisa Rudgers & Associates Communications Consultancy for Higher Education

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Dana Haynes, Public Affairs Manager, Portland Community College

Plenary Session

Economic Outlook and State Higher Education Policy Update

Daniel J. Hurley, Director, State Relations and Policy Analysis, American Association of State Colleges and Universities

Learn the latest on how states’ fiscal conditions are impacting higher education funding and participate in an interactive discussion on key state policy actions affecting postsecondary education.

State Outlook: Fiscal and State Policy Issues Affecting Postsecondary Education (pdf)

Considerations for State Colleges and Universities in a Post-Recession America (pdf)

Closing Plenary Session

Higher Education and the Media: Messages and the Medium

What are the most critical issues that the national and state press will likely be covering in 2010 with regard to colleges and universities, and higher education in general? How has the turbulence that is reshaping the newspaper industry impacting coverage in state capitols and on college campuses? What can government relations professionals do to generate coverage in pursuit of institutional interests and in advancing higher education as a public priority? A distinguished panel of reporters and commentators will share insight on these important and thought-provoking questions.

Panelists:
Eric Kelderman, Staff Reporter, The Chronicle of Higher Education

Doug Lederman, Editor, Inside Higher Ed

Jane E. Healy, Sunday op-ed columnist, Orlando Sentinel

10:30 a.m.

Conference Closing