ASA Fall Leadership Conference
October 29-31, 2025
Cragun's Resort, 11000 Craguns Dr, Brainerd, MN 56401
Standing Together: Our Minnesota State
This annual conference serves as an opportunity for ASA administrators across the system to come together to learn, network, and to share innovative approaches to leading for change.
Agenda: Wednesday, October 29, 2025
| Time | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Registration | Main Lobby |
| 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Lunch | Lakeside Dining Room |
| 1:00 - 1:15 p.m. | Welcome and Introduction | Tamarack |
| 1:15 - 2:15 p.m. | Opening Plenary I: Federal and State Legislative Update | Tamarack |
| 2:15 - 2:25 p.m. | Break | Tamarack |
| 2:25 - 3:10 p.m. | Opening Plenary II: Lessons Learned from Workday | Tamarack |
| 3:10 - 3:20 p.m. | Break | Tamarack |
| 3:20 - 4:20 p.m. | Opening Plenary III: Workday Student - What We've Accomplished and What's Ahead | Tamarack |
| 4:20 - 4:45 p.m. | Break | Tamarack |
| 4:45 - 5:30 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions A - See descriptions below | N/A |
| 4:45 - 5:30 p.m. | Standing Together to Design and Implement Quality Micro-credentials and Digital Badges | Pine 1 |
| 4:45 - 5:30 p.m. | Next Level Research Services: Enhancing IRB and Funding Discovery | Pine 3 |
| 4:45 - 5:30 p.m. | NextGen Workday Student: A Peek Through the Recruiting and Admissions Lens | Cedar 3 |
| 4:45 - 5:30 p.m. | Higher Education in Context: Economic, Demographic, and Global Insights | Cedar 2 |
| 4:45 - 6:00 p.m. | Changes in the 2025-2027 IFO Agreement* | Willow |
| 5:30 - 6:00 p.m. | Break | Tamarack |
| 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Dinner | Lakeside Dining Room |
| 9:00 - 11:00 p.m. | Evening Activity: Karaoke | Canoe & Paddle Pub |
Session Descriptions
Wednesday, October 29
Opening Plenary I: Federal and State Legislative Update
Presenter(s): Scott Goings, Bernie Omann, and Sarah Berns
Room: Tamarack
This informational session will provide updates on recent federal and state legislative changes related to higher education.
Opening Plenary II: Lessons Learned from Workday
Presenter(s): Bill Maki Vice Chancellor of Finance and Facilities and Eric Davis, Vice Chancellor for Human Resources. Facilitated by Senior Vice Chancellor for ASA Satasha Green-Stephen
Room: Tamarack
This panel discussion will focus on the lessons learned in the implementation of Workday HCM and Finance.
Opening Plenary III: Workday Student - What We've Accomplished and What's Ahead
Presenter(s): Nate Hallanger, Interim NextGen Program Manager, Minnesota State; Kevin Jones, Program Manager, Workday; Lauren Plemmons, Program Manager, Deloitte
Room: Tamarack
In this presentation from the NextGen program management office, Minnesota State and Team Workday will share the latest on what's been accomplished since the student implementation began in December 2024; preview key activities that will occur in the fall of 2025; and look ahead to upcoming implementation priorities and activities.
Wednesday, October 29
Concurrent Sessions A: 4:45 - 5:30 p.m.
Standing Together to Design and Implement Quality Micro-credentials and Digital Badges
Presenter(s): Barb Wilder, Director of Academic Programs, Minnesota State
Room: Pine 1
Minnesota State is taking a system approach to create a consistent experience for the students and communities we serve, maximizing the visibility of in-demand skills by aligning digital badges, micro-credentials, and micro-pathways across the state to local careers, job opportunities, and employers. Ample time will be provided for round table discussion to collect feedback on the best ideas for working with industry partners to design quality micro-credentials across Minnesota State.
Next Level Research Services: Enhancing IRB and Funding Discovery
Presenter(s): Dr. Chelsea Mead, Minnesota State University, Mankato and Research and Grant Services Manager, Minnesota State
Room: Pine 3
Join us to explore the Enterprise Shared Services facilitated by Research and in Academic and Student Affairs. Learn about Cayuse, a powerful IRB management platform that streamlines protocols and improves efficiency. Discover the new IRB board available to campuses without their own. Plus, get an update on Instrumentl, a grant discovery and management tool that supports funding searches, proposal development, and tracking. This session highlights system-wide shared services designed to enhance research capacity and reduce administrative burden available for your campus.
NextGen Workday Student: A Peek Through the Recruiting and Admissions Lens
Presenter(s): Ricardo Gonzalez, Anoka-Ramsey Community College and NextGen Student Functional Coordinator; and Katrina Young, Winona State University and NextGen Student Functional Coordinator
Room: Cedar 3
The implementation of Workday Student means changes are on the horizon for Minnesota State students and staff! Join us to discover how Workday Student empowers admissions with intuitive tools to support student success. This session explores recruiting and admissions functionalities including application data gathering, application processing, using reports, student onboarding, and a view of the student experience during the admissions process - all designed to streamline workflows and enhance the student experience.
Higher Education in Context: Economic, Demographic, and Global Insights
Presenter(s): Russell Dahlke, Senior Research Associate, Minnesota State
Room: Cedar 2
Higher education faces a perfect storm of challenges due to funding cuts, demographic declines, the proliferation of AI, and more. This presentation will explore macroeconomic and demographic data to help contextualize the current higher education climate. Additionally, it will feature highlights from the 2024 and 2025 European Higher Education Society conferences to illustrate that these are not solely American challenges but global ones.
Changes in the 2025-2027 IFO Agreement
4:45 - 6:00 p.m. Note: This concurrent session runs half an hour longer than the other concurrent sessions.
Presenter(s): Chris Dale, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Labor Relations, Minnesota State
Room: Willow
The negotiated changes to the recently settled 2025-2027 IFO Agreement will be reviewed, including economic terms, the changes to the claiming process by retrenched faculty and the significant changes to the layoff provision with respect to long-serving faculty.
Agenda: Thursday, October 30, 2025
| Time | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Registration | Main Lobby |
| 7:00 - 8:00 a.m. | Breakfast | Lakeside Dining Room |
| 8:45 - 9:00 a.m. | Welcome and Announcements | Tamarack |
| 9:00 - 9:30 a.m. | Keynote: Chancellor Scott Olson | Tamarack |
| 9:30 - 9:45 a.m. | Break | Tamarack |
| 9:45 - 10:30 a.m. | Concurrent Sessions B - See descriptions below | N/A |
| 9:45 - 10:30 a.m. | NextGen Workday Student: A Peek Through the Records and Curriculum Management Lens | Pine 1 |
| 9:45 - 10:30 a.m. | Student Employment Workday Implementation Update | Pine 3 |
| 9:45 - 10:30 a.m. | Coming Soon: NextGen Student Companion Projects | Cedar 1 |
| 9:45 - 10:30 a.m. | Do the Dual! Campus Glow-Up with Credit Moves, Retention Vibes, and Completion Wins | Cedar 3 |
| 9:45 - 10:30 a.m. | Wired for the Future: How AI Helped Power a New Construction Electrician Program | Cedar 2 |
| 9:45 - 11:15 a.m. | Understanding the MSUAASF Agreement* | Willow |
| 10:30 - 10:45 a.m. | Break | Pine 2 |
| 10:45 - 11:45 a.m. | Concurrent Sessions C - See descriptions below | N/A |
| 10:45 - 11:45 a.m. | How M State uses data-informed practices to enhance Student Success | Cedar 2 |
| 10:45 - 11:45 a.m. | Policy and Process Alignment - Finance modifications | Pine 3 |
| 10:45 - 11:45 a.m. | From Microaggressions to Belonging: Change Leadership for Inclusive Campuses | Pine 1 |
| 10:45 - 11:45 a.m. | Whole Student Success: Interprofessional Strategies for Student Support | Cedar 1 |
| 10:45 - 11:45 a.m. | NextGen Workday Student: A Peek Through the Advising Lens | Cedar 3 |
| 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. | Lunch | Lakeside Dining Room |
| 12:45 - 2:00 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions D - See descriptions below | N/A |
| 2:00 - 2:15 p.m. | Break | Pine 2 |
| 2:15 - 3:15 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions E - See descriptions below | N/A |
| 2:15 - 3:15 p.m. | Building Academic Program Review to Support Communication and Improvement | Cedar 1 |
| 2:15 - 3:15 p.m. | The Missing Link: Antiracist Leadership Practices for Culture Renovation, Cultivating Belonging, and Advancing Community | Cedar 2 |
| 2:15 - 3:15 p.m. | NextGen Workday Student: A Peek Through the Academic Core and Foundation Lens | Cedar 3 |
| 2:15 - 3:15 p.m. | Modernizing Student Data Systems with Workday Student - A Financial Aid and Student Finance Overview | Pine 4 |
| 2:15 - 3:15 p.m. | Enterprise Data Strategy and Modern Data Architecture | Willow |
| 2:15 - 3:30 p.m. | Salary setting for University Faculty* | Pine 3 |
| 2:15 - 3:30 p.m. | From Vision to Impact: Empowering Change Across Minnesota State* | Pine 1 |
| 3:15 - 3:30 p.m. | Break | Pine 2 |
| 3:30 - 4:45 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions F - See descriptions below | N/A |
| 3:30 - 4:45 p.m. | Redefining University Departments and Programs | Pine 3 |
| 3:30 - 4:45 p.m. | Accelerating Transfer Success Through Collaboration and Innovation | Willow |
| 3:30 - 4:45 p.m. | Thrive Mode: Leading Through Change and Uncertainty | Cedar 2 |
| 3:30 - 4:45 p.m. | Math Pathways and Corequisite Success | Cedar 1 |
| 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Networking and Social Hour | Tamarack |
| 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. | ASA Leadership Awards and Dinner | Tamarack |
| 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. | Evening Activity: Karaoke | Canoe & Paddle Pub |
Session Descriptions
Thursday, October 30
Thursday, October 30
Concurrent Sessions B: 9:45 - 10:30 a.m.
NextGen Workday Student: A Peek Through the Records and Curriculum Management Lens
Presenter(s): Eric White, Southwest Minnesota State University and NextGen Student Functional Steward; and Laura Kittleson, Anoka Technical College and NextGen Student Functional Coordinator
Room: Pine 1
The implementation of Workday Student means changes are on the horizon for Minnesota State students and staff! Join us to discover how Workday Student empowers Records and Curriculum Management areas with intuitive tools to support student success. This session explores Records and Curriculum Management functionalities including the transition from majors to programs of study, scheduling courses, and registration from the student perspective, and a view of the student experience in Workday - all designed to streamline workflows and enhance the student experience.
Student Employment Workday Implementation Update
Presenter(s): Shanel Carter, Student Worker Implementation Lead, Minnesota State
Room: Pine 3
The Student Employment module has achieved a significant milestone with the completion of the Discovery Session. A dedicated Community of Practice has been established in Microsoft Teams, bringing together assigned subject matter experts to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration. The implementation has now progressed to focusing on critical areas of alignment while integrating Human Resources into the project scope. Moving forward, the primary challenge centers on maintaining robust collaboration and ongoing dialogue with campus stakeholders. This continued engagement will be essential to ensure successful implementation and seamless adoption across all participating campuses throughout the remaining project phases.
Coming Soon: NextGen Student Companion Projects
Presenter(s): Stephen Kelly, NextGen Student Companion Project and Artificial Intelligence Lead, Minnesota State
Room: Cedar 1
Companion Projects are third-party or custom business solutions that fulfill a business need left open by the current student information system (ISRS). Every institution in Minnesota State will complete companion projects in preparation for our system transition to Workday Student. This session will introduce the various types of companion projects within Minnesota State, how the projects will be organized, and the timelines for their completion.
Do the Dual! Campus Glow-Up with Credit Moves, Retention Vibes, and Completion Wins
Presenter(s): Ali Pickens-Opoku, System Director for Strategic Enrollment Management, Minnesota State; Anthony Miller, System Director for P20 and Student Success, Minnesota State; Shannon Kirkeide, Dean of Academic and Community Outreach, Anoka-Ramsey Community College; Jessica Mensink, Director of Concurrent Enrollment, Southwest Minnesota State University; Jerry Oman, Senior Research Associate, Minnesota State
Room: Cedar 3
Dual enrollment programs—such as PSEO and concurrent enrollment—are rapidly expanding, and campuses play a critical role in ensuring these students experience a seamless transition into higher education. This session will highlight systemwide data and trends, outline effective credit transfer and recognition strategies, and share practical approaches for reducing barriers that can delay student progress. Administrators will gain insight into how strong campus practices around advising, credit mobility, and program alignment can increase retention, shorten time to degree, and strengthen overall student success outcomes.
Wired for the Future: How AI Helped Power a New Construction Electrician Program
Presenter(s): Mark Johnson, Academic Dean of Building and Transportation, Hennepin Technical College
Room: Cedar 2
This interactive session demonstrates how AI can accelerate program development and faculty support through a real case study: building Hennepin Technical College’s new Construction Electrician program. Participants will explore how AI assisted in aligning outcomes with Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry standards, creating curriculum maps, forecasting budgets, and preparing the new instructor with engagement strategies. Beyond a case study, attendees will receive a practical “AI Toolbox” with adaptable ideas—revising award outcomes, strengthening new faculty support, and drafting budget scenarios—that they can apply directly in their own programs. Discussion and activities will foster cross-campus collaboration and innovation.
Understanding the MSUAASF Agreement
9:45 - 11:15 a.m. Note: This concurrent session runs half an hour longer than the other concurrent sessions.
Presenter(s): James Jorstad, Director of Labor Relations, Minnesota State
Room: Willow
By attending this course you will learn about contract provisions that you will be able to immediately put into practice at your institution. We will cover topics such as management rights, union rights, meet and confer, appointment types, and leaves. Additionally, we will detail the myriad forms of flexible compensation. This session is designed for substantive interactive discussions. We will focus on new provisions in the latest contract.
Thursday, October 30
Concurrent Sessions C: 10:45 - 11:45 a.m.
How M State uses data-informed practices to enhance Student Success
Presenter(s): Elise Sturdivant, Vice President of Student Affairs, Minnesota State Community and Technical College (M State); Brian Maasjo, Associate Vice President of Recruitment and Retention, M State; Emily Haverkamp, Assistant Director of Enrollment Management, M State; Kristin Nelson, Director of Student Experience, M State; Logan Schmidt, Director of Enrollment Management, M State
Room: Cedar 2
This session will explore how Minnesota State Community and Technical College (M State) reimagined student support from admission to graduation by implementing a Case Management Advising Model supported by CRM technology and refined data practices. A key component of this transformation includes refining admissions processes to ensure accurate, timely data entry laying the foundation for effective case management assignment and early interventions. By aligning front-end data with back-end advising workflows, M State delivers targeted, predictive support from the moment a student applies through graduation. Attendees will gain actionable insights into scalable advising models, CRM implementation strategies, and approaches to fostering student belonging and success throughout the entire academic lifecycle. The presentation will highlight how collaboration among IT, academic affairs, and student services led to strategic infrastructure investments and innovative data use. These efforts supported more equitable student experiences and aligned institutional systems with evolving student needs, offering a scalable model for proactive, student-centered support across the entire academic lifecycle.
Policy and Process Alignment - Finance modifications
Presenter(s): Minnesota State Financial Planning and Analysis unit staff
Room: Pine 3
In preparation for Workday Student, the Finance division has taken advice from the PPA work groups and have begun making modifications to specific policies and processes needing to be better aligned. We are here to provide our timeline and process information and gather ideas and suggestions from campus colleagues.
From Microaggressions to Belonging: Change Leadership for Inclusive Campuses
Presenter(s): Dr. Kara Lindaman, Dean of College of Liberal Arts, Winona State University; Dr. Nicole Williams, Dean of College of Science and Engineering, Winona State University
Room: Pine 1
Creating truly inclusive campuses requires more than awareness—it demands intentional change leadership. Microaggressions, though often subtle or unintentional, have lasting impacts on student, faculty, and staff experiences, eroding trust and belonging. This session explores how academic leaders can recognize, address, and prevent microaggressions while fostering cultures of equity and inclusion. Participants will engage with practical strategies to model inclusive leadership and implement systemic change that moves beyond performative statements toward measurable impact. Together, we will examine how to transform everyday interactions into opportunities for belonging, ensuring campuses where all voices are valued and respected.
Whole Student Success: Interprofessional Strategies for Student Support
Presenter(s): Kate Noelke, Director for Student Mental Health and Wellness, Minnesota State
Room: Cedar 1
The Minnesota State strategy for supporting student success incorporates a systemwide interprofessional, public health approach to students who they are, as they are, where they are: centering the whole person, and the intersecting experiences and identities that they hold. Join this session to learn about the Minnesota State Whole Student Support strategy: the effective, impactful provision of equitable, systemwide support for Whole Student Success via the removal of barriers, equitable provision of resources and services, and support of healthy campus cultures across Minnesota State.
NextGen Workday Student: A Peek Through the Advising Lens
Presenter(s): Darcie Anderson, Winona State University and Merry Schmitt, Minneapolis College, NextGen Student Advising Functional Co-Coordinators
Room: Cedar 3
The implementation of Workday Student means changes are on the horizon for Minnesota State students and staff! Join us to discover how Workday Student empowers advisors with intuitive tools to support student success. This session explores advising functionalities including academic planning, progress tracking, and integrated business functions — all designed to streamline workflows and enhance the student experience.
Thursday, October 30
Concurrent Sessions D Affinity Groups: 12:45 - 2:00 p.m.
TBD
Thursday, October 30
Concurrent Sessions E: 2:15 - 3:15 p.m.
Building Academic Program Review to Support Communication and Improvement
Presenter(s): Amy Gort, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Metro State University
Room: Cedar 1
Over the past three years, Metro State redesigned its Academic Program Review process to include regular access to program data, annual “check-ups” through Program Annual Reflection and Annual Assessment reports, a streamlined Academic Program Review on a five-year cycle, and rubrics to support regular feedback to academic programs by peers and administration. During this session, we’ll discuss our collaborative process that engaged faculty and staff across the university, share the report templates and rubrics, share examples meaningful communication and improvements that resulted, and engage participants in considering how their institution may also benefit from similar processes.
The Missing Link: Antiracist Leadership Practices for Culture Renovation, Cultivating Belonging, and Advancing Community
Presenter(s): Hannah Oliha Donaldson, Dean of Arts and Letters, Anoka-Ramsey Community College; Venoreen Browne-Boatswain, Director of Diversity and Multiculturalism, Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Room: Cedar 2
Charged with setting the tone and direction for organizational policy and practice, leaders at all levels face unique challenges when navigating racially and socially complex organizational spaces. This interactive session exposes the architecture of whiteness in leadership spaces and strategies for moving from equity talk to equity walk in daily practice. Drawing on research, this session unpacks traditional ways of navigating racial identity and positional power and their impact, and transformational ways of doing so.
Leaders will gain tools for fostering healing-centered leadership, retaining BIPOC faculty, staff, and administrators, and cultivating inclusive communities that support institutional change.
NextGen Workday Student: A Peek Through the Academic Core and Foundation Lens
Presenter(s): Eric White, Southwest Minnesota State University, NextGen Student Functional Steward, and Amy Staloch, Minnesota State University-Mankato, NextGen Student Functional Coordinator
Room: Cedar 3
The implementation of Workday Student means changes are on the horizon for Minnesota State students and staff! Join us to discover how Workday Student empowers Academic Core/Foundation with intuitive tools to support student success. This session explores Academic Core/Foundation functionalities including bio-demo information, student holds, and student profile, and a view of the student experience in Workday - all designed to streamline workflows and enhance the student experience.
Modernizing Student Data Systems with Workday Student - A Financial Aid and Student Finance Overview
Presenter(s): Brittany Tweed, Metro State University and NextGen Student Functional Coordinator; Patty Hemann, Riverland Community College and NextGen Student Functional Coordinator
Room: Pine 4
As Minnesota State transitions to Workday Student, new opportunities emerge to streamline operations and processes to reduce redundancy and improve student experience. This session will provide an overview of Financial Aid and Finance functionalities within Workday Student. We will explore key issues, review features such as the student dashboard, communication tools, and actionable alerts. Join us to discover how these capabilities support a more connected and efficient student experience.
Enterprise Data Strategy and Modern Data Architecture
Presenter(s): Dr. Shonda Craft, Interim Assistant Vice Chancellor for ASA Operations, Minnesota State; Dr. Drew Boatman, ITS Manager, Reporting and Analytics, Minnesota State
Room: Willow
This presentation will provide an overview of the development of an enterprise data strategy for Minnesota State, as well as the data warehouse project.
From Vision to Impact: Empowering Change Across Minnesota State
2:15 - 3:30 p.m. Note: This concurrent session runs half an hour longer than the other concurrent sessions.
Presenter(s): Katie Kaul, NextGen Change Management Lead, Minnesota State; Devin Ruthstrom, NextGen Change Management Lead, Deloitte Consulting; Lauren Plemmons, NextGen Program Manager, Deloitte Consulting
Room: Pine 1
This presentation will equip ASA leaders with essential change leadership strategies for successful digital transformation across Minnesota State. Participants will learn how to build vision alignment, establish effective governance, engage stakeholders, communicate change, manage risks, measure success, and foster a collaborative culture. The session will provide practical tools and insights to help leaders champion transformation, build consensus, and drive sustainable improvements in student and institutional outcomes.
Salary setting for University Faculty
2:15 - 3:30 p.m. Note: This concurrent session runs half an hour longer than the other concurrent sessions.
Presenter(s): Christopher Dale, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Labor Relations, Minnesota State
Room: Pine 3
A short review of the basics for why, when and how to set university faculty of salaries.
Thursday, October 30
Concurrent Sessions F: 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.
Redefining University Departments and Programs
Presenter(s): Christopher Dale, Interim Assoc. Vice Chancellor for Labor Relations, System Office
Room: Pine 3
The presentation will exam the role of departments and programs listed on the faculty seniority roster, how they may be changed, and their relationship to faculty retrenchment.
Accelerating Transfer Success Through Collaboration and Innovation
Presenter(s): Jeffrey Ueland, Professor of Geography; Bemidji State University; Carrie Carroll, Associate Vice President of Strategic Enrollment, Metro State University; Thomas Reburn, Dean of Admissions, Minnesota State Moorhead; Lisa Foss, Senior Director, Arizona State University
Room: Willow
Join teams from Moorhead, Bemidji State, Metro State, and Arizona State University as we share our journey using the Design Accelerator process to reimagine the transfer experience. Over six months, we developed innovative, campus-specific solutions to strengthen recruitment, onboarding, and support for transfer students. Discover strategies to enhance collaboration and student success.
Thrive Mode: Leading Through Change and Uncertainty
Presenter(s): Miki Huntington, Faculty/Coach, Minneapolis College
Room: Cedar 2
In today's rapidly evolving world, change isn't just inevitable – it's the only constant we can count on. By understanding change at its core, leaders can not only survive change but thrive within it. Explore practical tools and strategies for transforming resistance and uncertainty into an opportunity for growth and improvement and walk away with actionable frameworks and techniques for leading change.
Math Pathways and Corequisite Success
Presenter(s): Heather Ortiz, Dean, School of Technology, Arts, Sciences, and Health, Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology
Room: Cedar 1
This session focuses on the role of student affairs leaders in whole-campus change leadership related to math pathways and corequisite developmental education. Participants will hear highlights of the current research, identify opportunities for collaboration and connection to national, state/system, and campus-level priorities, and learn about case-making strategies and practical tools to apply in their local contexts.
This session will also focus on highlighting the research evidence base to help ground change leadership efforts related to math pathways and corequisite reform, identify common and unique challenges and strategies to address them, and highlight practical tools academic affairs leaders could utilize in their local contexts.
Agenda: Friday, October 31, 2025
| Time | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 - 8:45 a.m. | Breakfast | Lakeside Dining Room |
| 8:45 - 9:00 a.m. | Welcome and Announcements | Lakeside Dining Room |
| 9:00 - 9:15 a.m. | Break | N/A |
| 9:15 - 10:15 a.m. | Concurrent Sessions G - See descriptions below | N/A |
| 9:15 - 10:15 a.m. | Campus Preparation for Prototype Validation Workshops | Willow |
| 9:15 - 10:15 a.m. | Common Course Numbering | Pine 3 |
| 9:15 - 10:15 a.m. | Equity in Action: Insights from Credit for Prior Learning Research | Pine 4 |
| 10:15 - 10:30 a.m. | Break | N/A |
| 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. | Closing Plenary: Leading through Change - A Fireside Chat with Chancellor Scott Olson and SVC Green-Stephen | Lakeside Dining Room |
| 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Closing Comments and Lunch | Lakeside Dining Room |
Session Descriptions
Friday, October 31
Friday, October 31
Concurrent Sessions G: 9:15 - 10:15 a.m.
Campus Preparation for Prototype Validation Workshops
Presenter(s): Brent Glass and Kristina Keller, Implementation Leads for NextGen Student; Rick Nahrgang and Kayla Westra, Project Managers for NextGen Student
Room: Willow
The Prototype Review Workshops (PRWs) are happening in November and December. Is your team ready to participate in these workshops and the accompanying Baseline Business Process Alignment (BBPA) session? Whether you are a formal member of your institution’s team or if you want to assist in the broader team preparation, join this session to learn more about what these workshops are, how you can be prepared to use the time effectively, and the outcomes of these sessions.
Common Course Numbering
Presenter(s): Jessica Migler, Director of Transfer; Cassandra Levesque, Degree Audit Support Analyst; Kelly Ponto-Watrin, Management Analyst, Minnesota State
Room: Pine 3
This session will provide an overview and progress updates for the Common Course Numbering project. In addition, there will be time for Q&A.
Equity in Action: Insights from Credit for Prior Learning Research
Presenter(s): Tricia Olinger, Institutional Data and Assessment Researcher, Rochester Community and Technical College; Tabatha Ries-Miller, Senior Research Associate, Minnesota State; Mary Beth Lakin, Executive Director, C-PLAN, Metro State University
Room: Pine 4
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is a powerful tool for advancing equity, access, and student success. This session presents national research, Minnesota State system data, a student experience study, and a campus-level analysis of CPL’s impact on persistence. Findings show CPL increases adult learner completion rates by 17%, including among historically underrepresented groups. However, these students remain least likely to benefit from CPL opportunities. Attendees will explore key insights, discuss barriers to access, and consider strategies to close equity gaps and improve outcomes for diverse student populations.