Concurrent Sessions 5

Concurrent Sessions 5 | Tuesday, October 7 – 10:45-11:45 a.m.

CHRO FIRST-YEAR JOURNEY: UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF GEORGIA’S CHRO ONBOARDING PROGRAM

Hear about a year-long development program for CHROs new to the University System of Georgia or new to their role as CHRO. It contains foundational HR programming based on the CUPA-HR Learning Framework, a mentor component, and highly customizable strategic programming so it can be adapted to the needs of the new CHRO and the campus. This session is sponsored by TIAA. 

Karen McDonnell, Vice President for Human Resources and Chief HR Officer, Kennesaw State University; Quint Hill, Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources, University System of Georgia

CLOSING THE FEEDBACK LOOP: MOVING FROM EMPLOYEE VOICE TO VISIBLE CHANGE

It’s not enough to gather feedback — leaders must act on it. This interactive panel shares proven strategies and case studies for closing the feedback loop, building trust, communicating results and turning engagement survey insights into meaningful, visible change.

Frank Aloi, President and CEO, ath Power Consulting; Joan Garza, Chief Business Officer, and Trish Woods, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief HR Officer, both of Lone Star College System

EMPOWERING OUR COLLEAGUES TO HAVE ADVOCACY IN CHALLENGING TIMES IN THE U.K. HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR 

The session will provide the context for the current challenges faced by higher education institutions in the U.K. and an overview of how two institutions have put their people at the forefront of meeting the challenges with tangible results for both staff and students. 

Louise Edwards-Holland, Chief People Officer, Nottingham Trent University, and Vice Chair, Universities Human Resources (UHR); Tom Jones, Organisational Development and Learning Manager, Teesside University

GENERATIVE AI IN HR: PRACTICAL APPLICATION FOR EVERYDAY EXCELLENCE

In this session, we’ll explore AI applications across HR functions, emphasizing the importance of prompts and offering practical activities for easy implementation. We’ll also examine how to leverage AI to enhance individual growth and organizational outcomes. This session is sponsored by Huron. 

Roberta Maldonado-Franzen, Director, Talent Acquisition and Recruitment, Duke University

INCREASING COMPLIANCE: VIRTUAL I-9 COMPLETION

Learn how Penn State transitioned to virtual Form I-9 completion. We’ll share insights into our processes; benefits and efficiencies realized; and the anticipated impact on compliance. This session is sponsored by Cornerstone OnDemand. 

Brooke Bayer, Manager, HR Shared Services; Taylor Stark, Onboarding Coordinator; Valerie Henne-Hallman, HR Shared Services Director, all of Pennsylvania State University

MISSION POSSIBLE: OPTIMIZE YOUR EMPLOYEE VALUE PROPOSITION IN CHALLENING TIMES

Attend this panel discussion with higher ed CHROs to explore how they are moving forward in challenging times. Learn about the employee value proposition (EVP) framework and discuss practical strategies to deploy in the categories of career, compensation and culture. Small investments in the EVP now will ensure your institution is well positioned for the future.

JaCenda Robinson, Assistant Vice President and Chief HR Officer, Austin Peay State University; Jennifer Wilkes, Vice President of Human Resources and Chief HR Officer, Penn State University; Gloria Maddox-Powell, Chief HR Officer, Tarrant County College District; Donna Brown, Assistant Vice President of Human Resources, A.T. Still University; Mary Ann Edwards, Senior Consultant and Project Manager, and Diana Sobczynski, Consultant, both of Segal

NAVIGATING THE COMPLEXITIES OF TODAY’S HIGHER ED ENVIRONMENT: A CHRO PANEL

This panel brings together distinguished chief HR officers to explore the multifaceted challenges and opportunities they face in steering their institutions through these turbulent times. Join us as they share their experiences, challenges and successes in navigating the complexities of higher ed. This panel is a must-attend for anyone interested in the future of work in academia.

Maureen Binder, Associate Vice President and Chief HR Officer, University of Central Florida; Heather Hart, Interim Chancellor and Chief HR Officer, Ivy Tech Community College – Lake County Campus; Jami Painter, Senior Associate Vice President and Chief HR Officer, University of Illinois System; Bruce White, Senior Vice President, Tax Exempt Market Practice Lead, Fidelity Investments

NEURODIVERSITY AT WORK: BEST PRACTICES TO SUPPORT HIGHER ED EMPLOYEES

Learn how to make your institution more inclusive for neurodiverse employees. We’ll explore the definition of neurodiversity and highlight effective and simple processes, tools and resources you can use to help support neurodiverse employees on your campus.

Johanna Fine, Chief HR Officer; Mindy Finnigan, Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition and Development; Michelle Blum, Manager, Center for Professional Development, all of Oakton College

PITCH PERFECT: SECURING LEADERSHIP BUY-IN FOR HR IDEAS AND INNOVATIONS

Getting leadership backing for HR initiatives can be tough amid tight budgets and resource constraints. In this session, you’ll learn how to build business acumen and craft persuasive, data-informed business cases that highlight ROI and strategic value. Leave with tools and confidence to pitch HR ideas big or small and win leadership support. This session is sponsored by PageUp. 

David Perryman, Director, Talent Acquisition and Employment, North Carolina State University; Michael Latsko, Vice President and Chief HR Officer, Arizona State University

STEPPING UP: TRANSITIONING FACULTY TO EFFECTIVE ACADEMIC LEADERS

This interactive session will present a comprehensive leadership development program designed to equip newly appointed department chairs, program directors and faculty with leadership potential with essential skills for success. This session is sponsored by The Chronicle of Higher Education. 

Marco Garza, Director for Organizational Development, and Robert Dearth, Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, both of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley