Concurrent Sessions 1

Concurrent Sessions 1 | Monday, March 30 – 9:30-10:30 a.m.

AI FOR HR: ENHANCING TALENT ACQUISITION WITH INTELLIGENT AUTOMATION

Dallas College has modernized its talent acquisition ecosystem by using AI, automation and system integration to transform the candidate and employee experience. Attend this session to learn how intelligent automation increased engagement, improved efficiency and reduced time-to-fill by 50% across a multi-campus institution. This session is sponsored by Creative Planning.

Alfredo Sanjuan, Senior Director of Talent Acquisition, Dallas College

BENEFITS AND BEYOND: SUPPORTING YOUR DIAMOND COHORT

In this session, we’ll explore how strategic benefits and resources can transform the pressures older employees (55-71) face into opportunities. Learn how eldercare and childcare support reduces absenteeism, how promoting preventive care and mental health resources improves engagement, and how early retirement guidance combined with phased retirement options support workforce planning and knowledge retention. When employees successfully navigate these transitions, they become ambassadors rather than cautionary tales — and your organization benefits from improved morale, succession planning and employer brand.

Naomi Proshan, Senior Director, Advice Adoption and Advocacy, and Matthew Haas, Relationship Manager, both of TIAA; Brandon Young, Vice President and Chief HR Officer, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 

FROM RESISTANCE TO RETENTION: ADDRESSING GRIEF AND BURNOUT IN CHANGE 

This session distinguishes what looks like “change resistance” and disengagement from organizational grief and burnout. Learn how to identify these conditions, what exacerbates them and practical approaches that will help improve engagement, retention and relationship management.

Mira Brancu, Adjunct Associate Professor, Duke University

FROM TRANSACTIONAL TO TRANSFORMATIONAL: BUILDING STRATEGIC HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT IN HIGHER ED 

Explore how to reposition HR as a human capital management leader to drive institutional vitality, retention and innovation. Drawing from real-world examples of culture change, organizational redesign and data-informed workforce planning, you’ll learn strategies to elevate HR’s role from administrative services provider to strategic partner.

Jessica Palatka, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Miami University

STRENGTHS-BASED LEADERSHIP FOR HIGHER ED HR IMPACT

CUPA-HR defines leadership as guiding others to achieve outcomes through collaborative relationships. In this interactive session, we’ll explore what this definition means for higher ed HR professionals and how it can shape intentional leadership behaviors. You’ll leave with practical strategies to strengthen your higher ed HR leadership efficacy and impact.

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