Sunday Sessions II | April 23 | 1:00 PM – 1:50 PM

Sunday Session 2A: Accommodating Student Needs and Elevating Student Satisfaction

Description 

Salli Darden shares student-centric insights collected from over 70,000 responses from 18-24-year-olds currently enrolled in a college or university. Student preferences, access to global influences, the need to support mental health, and building community are all topics that students provided compelling responses to. These insights offer a highly relevant peek into this generation of students’ wants, needs, and valued experiences.

Learning Objectives

  1. Understand preferences and needs of today’s students
  2. Apply the knowledge learned to better accommodate students on campus
  3. Receive an Insights Report to leverage campus plans and programs

Speakers 

Salli Darden, Chief Brand Officer, Chartwells Higher Education

Salli Darden serves as the Chief Brand Officer for Chartwells Higher Education, which provides dining and student-focused services to over 300 campuses across the US.

In this role,Salli leads a team of subject matter experts who focus on innovation and service within the organization and on behalf of Chartwells partner institutions and the Higher Education market. Her scope of influence includes communications and brand voice, digital media, insights, culinary and product development, sustainability and responsible purchasing, team training and culture and the student experience on campus.She joined Chartwells in 2016, and has been part of a team transforming the Chartwells brand, which has experienced unprecedented growth and led an innovative program that created joy on campus through food, culture and community.

Salli studied International Affairs and Economics at the University of Colorado in Boulder, graduated with honors from the Culinary Institute of America in New York and earned an MBA from Drexel University in Philadelphia, where she subsequently taught as an adjunct professor of hospitality.

Sunday Session 2B: Energy As A Service - Case Study 

Description 

This workshop is a follow up from a previous topic "Creative Funding Mechanisms for Capital & Deferred Maintenance Projects" presented by Schneider Electric's Sustainability Business Team.  This workshop will cover auditor concerns around what is considered "off-balance", lessons learned, and other valuable tips. The format of the workshop is to be more discussion and group participation by narrowing the focus for maximum attendee benefit.

Learning Objectives

1. Hear first-hand from Lipscomb University why Energy As A Service option was selected

2. Understanding "Energy As A Service" in practice, and if it could be a viable option for your campus

3. Engage with your peers to brainstorm solutions to current challenges facing your institution

Speakers 

Ryan Ball, Schneider Electric - Sustainability Business, SE Region Program Manager - Higher Education

Ryan Ball serves as Schneider Electric’s Program Manager for Higher Education and State Government in the Southeast, United States. Ryan works with Higher Education clients focusing on building performance, campus infrastructure, safety/security, sustainability, and resiliency goals. Explore creative funding solutions such as P3 (Public Private Partnership), Contingent payment, and Energy As A Service (EaaS) to fund a variety of deferred maintenance and capital needs. Ryan has over 15 years of direct higher education experience in various executive positions from Vice President to Campus President throughout Tennessee, Texas, Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Ryan also serves on the Tennessee Board of Regents’ Foundation for the College System of Tennessee – Finance Committee. Ryan has a BS/Business Marketing and an MBA/Technology Management. As well as served 4 years as an Operation Specialists in the US Navy.

Ryan Beard, Hannon Armstrong, Director - Investments

Ryan J. Beard is a Director on the Investment Team at Hannon Armstrong (NYSE: HASI). He joined Hannon Armstrong in 2020 and is responsible for the company’s federal and state and local government investments. Prior to joining Hannon Armstrong, he held positions with Johnson Controls and the US General Services Administration where he focused on enabling energy efficient improvements through alternative funding structures. He has been involved in the structuring of financing for more than $2B worth of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Currently, Mr. Beard is part of Efficiency Valuation Organizations' International Energy Efficiency Financing Protocol Committee, which is committed to developing international guidelines for streamlining underwriting and financing standards for energy efficiency projects. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Missouri in 2008.