Concurrent Sessions 3

Concurrent Sessions 3 | Monday, April 28 – 3:30-4:30 p.m.

2025 HIGHER ED EMPLOYMENT AND LABOR LAW UPDATE

This interactive session will delve into the latest information and updates on addressing mental health in the workplace, Title IX and more. The presenters will also offer a review of litigation vulnerabilities.

Ira Shepard, General Counsel, CUPA-HR; Carolyn Pellegrini, Partner, Saul Ewing, LLP

ADAPTING PAY PRACTICES TO COMPETE ACROSS VARIOUS LABOR MARKETS

This session will explore compensation strategies that strengthen higher education’s positioning as a competitive employer in today’s labor market. Presenters will review compensation strategies as well as the applications of salary survey data sources in analysis and compensation structure design. 

Kelsey Gregory, Compensation Analyst, and Kelly Hayward, Compensation Analyst, both of Gonzaga University; Garry Straker, Vice President of Compensation Consulting, Salary.com

AGILITY ADVANTAGE: HELPING SMALL HR TEAMS LEAD BIG CHANGE

In the fast-paced world of higher ed, small HR departments often face unique challenges that can leave them feeling overwhelmed, under-resourced and stuck in day-to-day operations. In this session, designed specifically for HR professionals in smaller higher education institutions (teams of 10 or less, though all are welcome), presenters will explore how to cultivate agility and build robust support networks.

Heather Butterfield, Assistant Vice President for Human Resources, St. Norbert College; Shiona Christensen, Director of Member Engagement, CUPA-HR

BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE: BIOLA’S STRATEGIC HR INITIATIVES

Discover how Biola University overcame staffing challenges and budget gaps by establishing a Staff Career Framework. Learn about their strategic HR practices, data-driven decisions, and efficiency improvements that optimized their budget and ensured sustainability.

Susan Ishii, Vice President of University Operations, and Susan Kaneshiro, Senior Director of Human Resources, both of Biola University; Amy Heinze, Vice President, Compensation and Total Rewards Practice, and Brian Muller, Vice President, Compensation and Total Rewards Practice, both of Lockton Companies

LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY TO ALIGN YOUR HR PROGRAMS

This session will explore ways institutions can leverage existing and emerging technologies to create strategic alignment between people programs and institutional goals.

Kari Aikins, Vice President and Senior Consultant, and Michael Venezia, Vice President and Senior Consultant, both of Segal

RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION: AN INCLUSIVE JOURNEY – HIRING AND BEYOND

This session will cover a comprehensive recruitment and retention approach focusing on the entire employee lifecycle. Presenters will share how their institution emphasizes the goal of retaining employees through the power of collaboration, methodologies tied to change management and crucial conversations, all of which inspire positive engagement.

Constance Brady, Associate Dean for Finance and Administration, and Michele Civiello, Associate Director of Human Resources, both of University of Oregon