Concurrent Sessions 5

Concurrent Sessions 5 | Tuesday, October 6 – 10:45-11:45 a.m.

A CASE STUDY IN RIGHTSIZING: REIMAGINING ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY THROUGH STRATEGIC COMPENSATION AND NATIONAL BENCHMARKING

Presenters from Penn State University will highlight the university’s initiative to restructure the classification, titling and compensation for environmental health and safety employees. They’ll provide a transparent “pre and post” look at how they updated position descriptions, optimized pay structures, and right-sized the EHS department to establish clear career pathways and advance pay equity goals. The session will highlight how HR can serve as a strategic partner in building and refining departments across campus. In addition, members of the CUPA-HR research team will demonstrate how institutions can leverage national benchmarks to guide similar strategic initiatives.

James Crandall, Senior Director of Environmental Health and Safety, and Stephen Scanlon, HR Senior Compensation Manager, both of The Pennsylvania State University; Jennifer Schneider, Ph.D., Senior Survey Researcher, and Diana Tubbs, Ph.D., Senior Survey Researcher, both of CUPA-HR

FROM DATA TO ACTION: TURNING CAMPUS FEEDBACK INTO MEANINGFUL CHANGE

This facilitated panel discussion will bring together higher ed HR leaders and ModernThink’s chief culture strategist to explore how institutions can move from survey results to meaningful action. Panelists will share real practices for listening to campus feedback, prioritizing next steps, building momentum and measuring what matters.

Learning Objectives:

• • Learn practical ways to translate survey results into action steps.
  • Explore approaches for building buy-in with leaders and across campus.
  • Identify ways to track progress and sustain post-survey momentum.

Richard Boyer, Managing Consultant, ModernThink; Sara Stensrud, Senior Associate Vice President, Administrative Services, Florida Gulf Coast University; Jamee Harrington, Vice President of People, Culture and Safety/CHRO and Chief of Staff, Rogue Community College

HEALTH BENEFITS STRATEGIES TO CUT COSTS WHILE MAINTAINING QUALITY CARE

Healthcare costs are rising, straining employers and employees — especially colleges and universities, which often have complex workforces and tight budgets. Drawing on new research and benefits‑leader interviews, this session will offer practical ways to curb costs without compromising care quality.

Learning Objectives:

• • Explore cost-control levers for benefits beyond traditional cost shifting.
  • Learn what benefits peer employers are testing and which strategies show early success.
  • Take away actionable steps to manage benefits costs while preserving high-quality care.

Sarah Haflett, Vice President, Fidelity Health Thought Leadership, Fidelity Investments

LOST AT SEA: THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE OF COMPLIANCE IN HIGHER ED INVESTIGATIONS

Higher education investigations often involve overlapping misconduct, disability and nondiscrimination issues. This session will explore where key federal laws and policy intersect, offering practical strategies to manage risk, sequence processes and protect institutional credibility and trust.

Learning Objectives:

• • Navigate competing compliance duties to reduce risk and strengthen institutional trust.
  • Use ethical, trauma‑informed judgment in investigations involving disengagement or mental health.
  • Communicate strategically with parties and leaders to set expectations and ensure integrity.

Kandace Hamilton, Executive Director, Investigations, and Kelly Mayer, Executive Director, Talent Relations, both of the University of Alabama at Birmingham

NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN STAFFING AND WORKING IN HIGHER ED 

Join two seasoned journalists from The Chronicle of Higher Education to learn about national trends affecting the experience of working in higher ed and hear insights gleaned from data from The Chronicle’s job board. You’ll also have an opportunity to suggest story ideas and topics you’d like to see covered in The Chronicle.

Learning Objectives: 

• • Explore how higher ed employees are responding to the political and economic climate.
  • Understand higher ed workforce challenges, hiring trends and evolving workplace practices.
  • Learn about The Chronicle’s coverage of the workforce.

Brad Wolverton, Editor, and Adrienne Lu, Senior Reporter, both of The Chronicle of Higher Education

POSITIONED FOR SUCCESS: THE FIRST 100 DAYS OF NEW HR LEADERSHIP

Learn how Aurora University leveraged a structured transition and strategic leadership framework to support a newly appointed chief HR officer during the first 100 days in the role. 

Learning Objectives:

• • Learn how to design an intentional process for successful operational and strategic leadership.
  • Learn how to build critical thinking, resilience and continuous improvement skills.
  • Understand how Aurora modeled its commitment to relationship building and shared governance.

Sara Veitch, Assistant Vice President for People and Culture, and Sharon Maxwell, Senior Vice President for Business and Finance, both of Aurora University; Jeanell Hughes, Consultant/Senior Director, Huron Consulting Group

REIMAGINING TALENT DEVELOPMENT: BUILDING A PIPELINE FROM WITHIN

Learn about TCU’s Professional Leadership Rotation (PLR) summer internship experience that enables TCU employees to test new career interests, build versatile skills and broaden institutional awareness through project-based work, targeted learning and meaningful cross-campus engagement.

Learning Objectives:

• • Explore how PLR serves as a low‑cost, high‑impact internal mobility and talent development model.
  • Learn how internal internships can help employees grow in place without changing roles.
  • Identify ways to replicate PLR to retain talent, cross‑skill staff and expand leadership networks.

Susie Olmos-Soto, Manager, Employee Engagement and Learning, and Mario Ramirez, Senior Learning and Engagement Consultant, both of Texas Christian University

USING CUPA-HR’S LEARNING FRAMEWORK TO DEVELOP TALENT AND LEADERS

As higher ed HR roles continue to evolve, CUPA-HR’s Learning Framework has been updated to better support the higher ed HR workforce and leadership development. This session will walk through recent Learning Framework revisions, including new workforce competencies and the introduction of leadership lenses within key competencies. You’ll also hear how one institution is using the framework to develop talent and prepare HR professionals for what’s next.

Brian Roe, Director of Leadership Development, and Rebecca Larson, Associate Director of Leadership Development, both of CUPA-HR

WHEN AI MAKES EMPLOYMENT DECISIONS: HR RISKS IN HIGHER ED

AI tools are increasingly shaping hiring, recruitment, employee evaluation and workforce analytics in higher education. This session will explore how bias can emerge in AI-driven employment decisions and will provide practical strategies for governance, compliance, vendor oversight and institutional risk management.

Learning Objectives:

• • Identify bias risks in AI-driven hiring and employment decisions.
  • Recognize legal and compliance risks tied to workplace AI tools.
  • Develop practical strategies for AI oversight and HR governance.

Awo Ansu, Deputy General Counsel, University of Maryland Global Campus

YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS, TOO: THE HR CIRCLE OF CONTROL

This session will reframe employee experience through the lens of the HR professional. While HR is often expected to drive change without full control, we’ll explore how to focus on what is within our control to create meaningful and lasting impact.

Learning Objectives:

• • Differentiate between control, influence and concern in higher education HR context.
  • Apply the Circle of Control framework to prioritize efforts and reduce reactive work.
  • Identify strategies to create meaningful and sustainable HR practices within your role.

Anissa Mimms, Assistant Director, Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College – Baton Rouge