Preliminary Schedule
Check back for program updates
Wednesday, November 30
3:00 p.m.— 3:15 p.m.
Conference Opening
Speaker: Mica Stark, Chair, 2016 Task Force on Higher Education Government Relations, Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs, University of New Hampshire.
Welcoming Remarks: Sophia Wisniewska, Regional Chancellor, University of South Florida St. Petersburg
3:15 p.m.— 4:15 p.m.
Plenary Session: Bridging the Campus-Capitol Divide Through Institutional Leadership
Decreased state investment in higher education, escalating concerns over student debt and renewed demand for knowledge and skills from stakeholders has led to a pivotal juncture in state higher education policy. With a class of new lawmakers starting their terms in early 2017, the choices made at this crossroads will
have considerable implications of whether the next generation of students will have access to affordable public college opportunities. Hear the unique and insightful perspective on state higher education policy from a nationally respected public college president who previously has been as speaker of the
state House of Representatives, state senator and party chairperson. He will discuss the current condition of the relationship between state government and higher education, perspectives on higher education issues from state policymakers’ vantage points and strategies for improving the relationship
between the campus and the capitol.
Speaker: John Thrasher, President, Florida State University
4:15 p.m.— 5:15 p.m.
Plenary Session: Wither Higher Education: The Election is Over. Now What?
With the 2016 political season over in November, higher education government relations professionals will be assessing the post-election landscape and its implications for policymaking in Washington and state capitals. The election will bring a tumultuous year in higher education near a conclusion—a year that
included bold federal proposals to reshape higher education financing; continued state budget gridlock and shortfalls; increasing calls to reduce costs and consolidate operations; and growing national unease over student debt levels. The events of 2016 may symbolize an industry at a crossroads, as
institutions fight to restore lost state subsidies amid limited new state revenue, students and families struggle to pay higher tuition prices, and top policymakers question the longstanding federal role in higher education financing. Amid the cacophony of policymaker proposals and counterproposals, it
can be challenging to see tectonic shifts underway in higher education. Hear from one of the nation’s leading industry observers, who will provide his perspective on big-picture changes occurring within higher education, key takeaways from the election, and how the relationship between higher education
and government will evolve in the years ahead.
Speaker: Scott Jaschik, Editor, Inside Higher Ed
5:15 p.m.— 6:15 p.m. Opening Reception
Thursday, December 1
7:15 a.m.— 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast
8:00 a.m.-8:15 a.m.
Plenary Session: Update on Voluntary System of Accountability and Student Achievement Measure
Speaker:
Teri Lyn Hinds, Director of Research and Data Policy, APLU
Jim Hermes, Associate VP of Government Relations for the American Association of Community Colleges
8:15 a.m.— 9:15 a.m.
Plenary Session: Polling the Profession: State Government Relations Professionals' Views on Their Role, Public Higher Education as a State Priority, and Effective Advocacy
Government relations professionals are a critical link in fostering a
productive relationship between state government and higher education. The
individuals in these roles have an in-depth understanding of state politics,
higher education policy, and the unique needs of college campuses and systems.
However, there has been little research on professionals in this role on
campus, such as their responsibilities, perspectives on policymaker attitudes
toward higher education, the effectiveness of various government relations
strategies and messages, and outlook on the state-higher education
relationship. The session will release a new national poll of campus government
relations officers, with responses and commentary from experienced
professionals in the field. It will also include commentary on how government
relations professional can navigate the post-election political landscape.
SESSION POWERPOINT
Speakers:
Bill Sederburg, AASCU Senior Scholar
Patrick Lindsey, Vice President, Government & Community Affairs, Wayne State University
Francesca Vega, Director of Government and Community Relations, California State University-Northridge
9:15 a.m.— 10:30 a.m.
Plenary Session: Washington Update: Briefing on Federal Legislation and Policy Issues
Federal government relations staff members from the conference’s four sponsoring associations will provide the very latest involving federal higher education policy and funding priorities and political dynamics on Capitol Hill and in the Obama Administration. Higher Education Act
reauthorization, federal student aid reform, campus sexual assault, veterans education and federal efforts to promote institutional accountability will be among the many topics that will be addressed.
Speakers:
Jennifer Poulakidas, Vice President for Congressional and Governmental Affairs, APLU
Michael Zola, Vice President of Government Relations and Policy Analysis, AASCU
Jim Hermes, Associate Vice President of Government Relations, AACC
Brian Flahaven, Director of Government Relations, CASE
10:45-11:55 a.m.
Conference Roundtables
Roundtable #1: Meeting with Members of Congress: An Insider's Perspective
Facilitators: Michael Zola, Vice President of Government Relations and Policy Analysis, AASCU
Jennifer Poulakidas, Vice President for Congressional and Governmental Affairs, APLU
Brian Flahaven, Director, Legislative, Foundation and Recognition Programs, CASE
Roundtable #2: Using Data and Research to Make the Case for Higher Education
Facilitators: Thomas Harnisch, Director of State Relations and Policy Analysis, AASCU,
Teri Lyn Hinds, Director of Research and Data Policy, APLU
Claire Rosacco, Vice President of Government Relations and Community Outreach, Cuyahoga Community College
Roundtable #3: Coordinating a Campus Advocacy Campaign Within a Larger University System
Facilitators: Doug Mell, Executive Director of University Communications and External Relations, University of Wisconsin-Stout,
Jessica Todtman, Deputy Chief of Staff, State University of New York (SUNY)
Janet Owen, Vice President, Governmental Relations, University of North Florida
Roundtable #4: Aligning Programs to Meet Industry Demands: Lessons and Opportunities for Community and Technical College Leaders
Facilitators: Justin Lonon, Executive Vice Chancellor, Dallas County Community College District,
Jim Hermes, Associate Vice President of Government Relations, American Association of Community Colleges
Tim Sheehan, Vice President for Government and Community Relations, Salt Lake Community College,
Roundtable #5: Campus, State and National Efforts to Improve Student Success through Innovation and Change
Facilitators: George Mehaffy, Vice President for Academic Leadership and Change, AASCU
Robin Walton, Vice President for Community and Government Affairs, Thomas Edison State University
Nick Kallieris, Director of Resource Development and Legislative Affairs at College of Lake County
Roundtable #6: Lobbying Strategies: New and Traditional Ways of Advancing the Higher Education Agenda.
Facilitators: Dan Holsenbeck, Senior Vice President of University Relations, University of Central Florida
Susan Peterson, Director of Governmental Relations, Kansas State University
Craig Lindwarm, Association for Public and Land-Grant Universities
Roundtable #7: State Policies to Align K-12 and Higher Education
Facilitators: Shannon Gilkey, Director, Education Strategy Group
Mica Stark, Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs, University of New Hampshire
Kathleen Daly, Associate Vice President for Governmental Relations, Florida State University
Roundtable #8: State and Federal Policies to Combat Campus Sexual Assault
Facilitators: Amanda Seals, Associate Vice President-Government Relations, Kennesaw State University,
Makese Motley, Asst. Director of Federal Relations, American Association of State Colleges and Universities
Rachel Kincaid, Vice President of External Affairs, University of Louisiana System
Roundtable #9: So your state just
set an attainment goal. What comes next? Examples from the states.
Facilitator: Scott Jenkins, Director of State Policy, Lumina Foundation
Andy Clark, Assistant Vice Chancelloor for Government Relations, University System of Maryland
Janelle Toman, Director of Communications, South Dakota Board of Regents
12 noon-1:30 p.m.
State Relations Awards Luncheon
1:30 p.m.- 2:30 p.m.
Integrating Governing Board Members Into Advocacy Strategies
Trustees
and university foundation board members occupy important, distinct positions at
public colleges and universities with in-depth knowledge of their institution,
an understanding how the institution addresses state needs and the pivotal role
of state policy and funding in advancing the campus mission. Because of their
diverse knowledge, experiences and relationships both on- and off-campus, board
members can be tremendous advocates for higher education and can effectively convey
the contributions of public colleges and universities to policymakers. This
session will provide information on the unique role of governing board members
in campus leadership and case studies on how to both cultivate champions for public
higher education on governing boards and integrate them into advocacy
campaigns.
Speakers:
Emily Dickens, Vice President for Public Policy and Executive Director of the Center for Public Trusteeship, Association of Governing Boards and Trustees (AGB)
Drew Moretz, Vice President for Government Relations, University of North Carolina General Administration
Clint Ensign, Vice Chair, Salt Lake Community College Board of Trustees
2:45 p.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Advocacy Showcase
In this session, participants will discuss their campus or system approach to advocacy, including legislative strategies and coalition development. The presentations will be short (5 to 8 minutes) in order to accommodate as many campuses and systems as we can.
#1 UNH Works-University of New Hampshire
Tom Cronin, Public Affairs Manager, University of New Hampshire
CRONIN POWERPOINT
#2 Building the Debt-Free College Promise from the Ground Up
Jen Silva, Director of Government and Community Engagement, Florida State College at Jacksonville
SILVA POWERPOINT
# 3 University of Tennessee Advocacy Campaign
Carey Whitworth, University of Tennessee
WHITWORTH POWERPOINT
#4 University of North Carolina "The Successful Campaign for Connect NC Bonds: University Capital Projects (Including Bathrooms)"
Mark Lanier, University of North Carolina-Wilmington
LANIER POWERPOINT
#5 Alumni Advocacy: Key Strategies
John N. Diamond, University of Maine Alumni
DIAMOND POWERPOINT
#6 Bloomsburg University Government Relations Strategy
Dan Knorr, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
KNORR PRESENTATION
Building
3:45 p.m.- 5:45 p.m.
Movie Screening: "Starving the Beast" (95 minutes) followed by Q&A with Director Steve Mims
Friday, December 2
7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast Affinity Sessions
Community Colleges
Public Comprehensives
Public Research
Systems & Board
9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
Strategic Messaging: Getting Government Relations and Communications on the Same Page
Strategic messaging is
essential to effective campus and system government relations, especially
during periods of crisis and change. However, campus government relations and
communications department are often in different divisions within the
university and led by different people, which can lead to multiple messages to
stakeholders, including policymakers. How can government relations work with
campus leaders to create processes and a culture in in which these two
departments work in concert? How can communications professionals contribute to
effective government relations, and vice versa? This session includes officials
from both campus government relations and communications shops to discuss the
challenges of integrating government relations and communications, share how
they have collaborated to build a shared approach to messaging and lessons for
other campuses as they seek to bridge the divide between these two
interdependent campus functions.
Jack Martin, Senior Director, Strategic Communications, University of Washington
Laurie Weidner, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Public Affairs, The California State University
Doug Mell, Executive Director of University Communications and External Relations, University of Wisconsin-Stout
MARTIN POWERPOINT
WEIDNER POWERPOINT
MELL POWERPOINT
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
State Outlook: Summary of 2016 Higher Education Legislative and Funding Outcomes, and 2017 Economic and Policy Forecast
The session will provide the latest analysis on national and state economic conditions affecting budget revenues in the near-term, along with the outlook for budgets, state financial aid, capital outlays and other key higher education policy issues in the 2017 legislative session. The presenters will
also outline how the 2016 elections changed the political power dynamics of state legislatures and governor’s offices and the ramifications for the higher education community. Key takeaways from the 2016 legislative session will also be discussed.
Thomas Harnisch, Director of State Relations, American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU)
Kathryn Vesey White, Senior Policy Analyst, National Association of State Budget Officers
Shannon Gilkey, Higher Ed for Higher Standards
VESEY WHITE POWERPOINT
HARNISCH POWERPOINT
11:00 a.m.-11:15 a.m.
Conference Closing