Concurrent Sessions 2
Sponsored by
Concurrent Sessions 2 | Monday, March 30 – 1:45-2:45 p.m.
LOCATION:
Olmsted 1-3
LEARNING FRAMEWORK:
Building Capabilities
TRACK:
Organizational and Professional Development
ASPIRE AUBURN: CULTURAL CHANGE THROUGH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Auburn University is transforming its culture through leadership development, core values and performance partnerships. In year one, over 1,100 employees completed Aspire Auburn programs, driving measurable gains in engagement, retention and excellence. In this session, you’ll learn about Auburn’s step-by-step process, explore real results, and take away tools and strategies to build values-driven leadership at your institution.
Chris Richie, Director, Human Resource Development, Auburn University
LOCATION:
Commonwealth 8
LEARNING FRAMEWORK:
Engagement
TRACK:
Talent Management
COACHING MIDDLE MANAGERS: BOOST ENGAGEMENT AND BUILD FUTURE LEADERS
Learn how to empower middle managers with coaching skills to strengthen culture, retention and leadership pipelines. This session will highlight ROI and offer actionable strategies for HR to embed coaching into development programs for lasting institutional impact. This session is sponsored by Creative Planning.
Beth Lesen, Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, California State University-Long Beach; Chela Cholula, Executive Director, Human Resources, Southwestern College
LOCATION:
Commonwealth 6
LEARNING FRAMEWORK:
Building Capabilities
TRACK:
Talent Management
FROM DAY ONE TO YEAR ONE: ONBOARDING THAT KEEPS EMPLOYEES ENGAGED
Learn how Lee University’s IGNITE onboarding program redefined the new hire experience and how intentional connection, communication and culture-building from day one to year one have strengthened engagement and retention.
Janell Satterfield, Director of Human Resources, Lee University
LOCATION:
Wheat
LEARNING FRAMEWORK:
Core
TRACK:
Talent Management
REINVENTING OPEN ENROLLMENT AS AN AI-FORWARD EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE
Attend this session to explore how AI‑enabled, conversational benefits assistants can simplify open enrollment by delivering 24/7 natural‑language guidance, reducing repetitive questions, and helping faculty and staff navigate complex decisions with confidence. Learn how dynamic and user-directed guided experiences can help surface the right content at the right moment — plan comparisons, “what’s changing,” deadlines and personalized considerations — transforming open enrollment from a document‑heavy, high‑stress period into a simple and accessible digital journey. You’ll leave this session with inspiration, insights and practical actions for making open enrollment a human‑centered, AI‑forward experience.
Jennifer Schuster, Senior Vice President, National Practice Leader – Communications, Segal
LOCATION:
Commonwealth 7
LEARNING FRAMEWORK:
Core
TRACK:
HR Technology
WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER: USING AI TO ELEVATE EMPLOYEE LEARNING PROGRAMS
Discover how to work smarter, not harder, by using AI tools to design efficient and engaging employee learning programs. Learn how AI can streamline content creation, reduce planning time, and support scalable staff development across higher education institutions.
Saby Inatomi-Labor, Manager of Learning and Development, California State University-Fullerton