Concurrent Sessions III | April 14 | 1:30 PM - 2:20 PM ET

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CS 3A | Strategic Academic Planning: Using Market and Economic Data to Evaluate New Programs

Description 

This session will explore best practices for using institutional and external data to identify your best opportunities for growth using your existing portfolio. Working from an institutional case study, we will explore key elements of the strategic academic planning process, which takes a proactive and data-driven approach to enrollment growth. In addition to covering important metrics and how to find them, the session will identify ways to wrap people and process around the data. At the end of the session, attendees will have a road map for a sustainable and ongoing planning cycle that helps to create and maintain a robust academic portfolio. Special emphasis will be placed on managing different goals and expectations across colleges, campuses, or institutions within systems.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify data sources and uses for a sustainable program pro-forma process.
2. Design a process that will effectively and inclusively engage faculty and staff in making recommendations.
3. Contrast strategic academic planning with the ad-hoc program review.

Speakers 

Kristin Jasper, Vice President of Fiscal Services, Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology

Dr. Kristin Jasper is a seasoned leader in higher education, boasting a rich tapestry of experiences encompassing both financial stewardship and academic leadership. Currently, she serves as the Vice President of Fiscal Services at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology (OSUIT), spearheading a dynamic team dedicated to driving systems and process enhancement with a keen focus on optimizing workflow across all facets of the business and finance divisions. Before her tenure at OSUIT, Kristin (KJ) served as the Chief Financial Officer at Mid-America Christian University where she led initiatives to improve systems and strengthen the workforce.

She has also served as the Vice Provost for the College of Professional and Graduate Studies at Southern Nazarene University. In this capacity, she skillfully navigated the intersection of academic and operational realms, strategically guiding teams toward expanding adult and graduate programs, resulting in the successful launch of four new degree programs and a notable 5% increase in enrollment under her leadership. Kristin's commitment to institutional excellence was also evidenced in her University Advancement role, where she actively engaged in endowment development initiatives, further fortifying the institution's financial foundation.She holds a Doctor of Business Administration degree from Trevecca Nazarene University. Her doctoral dissertation "Exploring How Higher Education Administrators Can Overcome Narrowing Net Tuition Revenues to Remain Viable" delved into innovative strategies for higher education administrators to navigate evolving financial landscapes while preserving institutional viability.

Rachel Pauletti, Director, Higher Education Consulting, Forvis Mazars

Rachel Pauletti is a Director at Forvis and leads the firm's higher education consulting practice. An academic by training, Rachel was a full time faculty member at a small, private nonprofit university before moving into consulting. As a faculty member, she served as chair of the curriculum committee and director of several university-wide academic programs. As a consultant, Rachel has led institutions in all sectors through strategic planning, comprehensive program review, organizational development, and financial planning.

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CS 3B: Mining for Diamonds in Revenue-Producing Facilities: A Case Study on Auburn University's Top-Rated Rane Culinary Science Center

Description

As Alabama's only AAA-rated, 5-diamond hotel, the Laurel Hotel & Spa at Auburn University's Rane Culinary Science Center offers a unique experience for guests and students alike. On one hand, it differentiates Auburn in recruiting with a highly specialized curriculum and a sought-after experience learning from Michelin-rated chefs and other experts in the hospitality industry. On the other, guests enjoy a luxury property offering an exceptional level of comfort, service, and amenities “ right in the middle of campus. Although a dual-purpose facility and program like this may be born from a dream, it's raised by careful planning, integrated consultants, meticulous tracking, and a resigned patience. And of course, it doesn't exist without its challenges. Follow along on this case study as Auburn's CFO and her advisors at HPM outline the journey of an income-producing, academic facility which helps undergird the University's financial vulnerability while establishing itself in a pioneering educational experience.

Learning Objectives

1. To recognize, evaluate and plan for income-generating facilities and/or programs which could double as academic and research opportunities for a higher education campus.
2. To track and assess the economic impact of said facilities/programs on the university and the surrounding community and to optimize its planning, campus location, consultants, design/construction, and uses.
3. To craft lifelong learning opportunities for students with a focus on employable skills while leveraging already established majors/curriculum/teaching talent and an increased emphasis on differentiation among other higher education campuses.

Speakers 

Kelli Shomaker, Senior Vice President for Business & Administration and CFO, Auburn University

Ms. Shomaker serves as the Senior Vice President for Business and Administration and the Chief Financial Officer and has been at Auburn University for seven years. She is a seasoned administrator, having spent over 27 years in higher education, including 16 years at Texas A&M University. Ms. Shomaker oversees financial reporting, budgets, procurement and payments, cash management, debt management, facilities, real estate, trademark and licensing, human resources, and numerous administrative units on campus. Ms. Shomaker received her bachelor's degree in accounting from Texas A&M University and is a Certified Public Accountant. She also earned a master's degree in higher education from Auburn. Prior to higher education, Ms. Shomaker was the vice president, treasurer and controller for a publicly traded investment company and worked as an auditor for the accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers. Ms. Shomaker serves as a board member for the Retirement System of Alabama, the Alabama Public Education Employees Health Insurance Plan, and the Treasury Institute of Higher Education.

Taylor Thorn, Vice President, Growth Strategy, HPM

As Vice President of Growth Strategy, Taylor primarily oversees the health of our organization, both internally and externally. He oversees the well-being of the 160+ talented individuals that comprise the fabric of our company culture, providing them support, strategy and resources that work in tandem to culminate in their success. Having completed the full spectrum of the project management career path himself, Taylor is well positioned to serve as a leader among our staff. Taylor oversees all company growth initiatives, including Business Development and Marketing, seeking to understand client needs in order to provide holistic solutions.Taylor is a Certified Construction Manager, an accreditation awarded by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), signifying experience, capability and leadership within the industry. He is also LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Designed) BD+C certified. Taylor is a frequent participant in an array of community organization events supported by HPM, including Cornerstone Schools, Exceptional Angler, Libby's Friends, Red Mountain Grace, the Kiwanis Club, the Exceptional Foundation, SisterGolf and more!

Greg Ellis, Senior Vice President, Program Development, HPM

As the Senior Vice President of Program Development at HPM, Greg Ellis provides leadership and strategic management responsibilities for all HPM assignments. He manages program development, program initiation, strategic planning, procurement, design management, capital budgeting, estimating, scheduling and document reviews from the programming phases through to construction contract award. He has close interaction with owners, design teams, construction teams and HPM teams to ensure a smooth transition from preconstruction to construction.Greg received a bachelor's degree of science in environmental design from Auburn University, and he holds ASPE, CMAA, APPA, and Green Advantage certifications.

Trent Hall, Senior Program Manager, HPM

Trent Hall, CCM, serves as a Senior Program Manager at HPM. Trent was the Director of Facilities Maintenance at The University of Alabama from October 2016 to May 2019 and worked as a Project Engineer and Graduate Assistant from January 2011 to November 2014. Trent Hall holds a Master of Science (M.S.) in Civil Engineering from the University of Alabama, obtained in 2012, and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Civil Engineering from the University of Alabama, completed in 2010.

 

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CS 3C: Coming Soon

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CS 3D: Consistently Adapting Your Retirement Plan Governance

Description 

ERISA litigation related to benefit plans has continued, new issues have emerged, and all institutions are needing to answer more questions from insurance carriers, auditors, and plan participants particularly when a retirement plan service provider is in the news. Solid fiduciary governance is still the best solution to addressing these concerns and requests. This presentation will consist of an overview and polling of the audience on how retirement plan fiduciary committees are structured, the topics they are discussing, and the best ways to manage risk. We will include a panel discussion consisting of a member of the general counsel's office of a large 403(b) plan service provider, a fiduciary committee chair, and ERISA counsel to the plan and discuss hot topics (e.g, use of plan forfeitures, financial wellness, participant investment advice.) With respect to each we will discuss whether it is should be addressed by the committee or the institution, how to determine the content of the discussion, and what you can and should ask of your retirement plan provider. Examples of how it has been addressed by one institution's committee will be included. We will also present a hypothetical case study or two, encourage the audience to participate, and give our best advice on how to predict now what might hit the headlines later as part of your governance process and most importantly...still improve your plan for participants.

Learning Objectives

1. Explain common retirement governance structures and committee membership used by institutions.
2. Understand how to best define the issues that should go to a fiduciary committee and those that may or should be handled outside the meeting.
3. Apply fiduciary rules to issues in the news and potential future issues to know what to address and document.

Speakers

Michelle Ueding, Partner, Kutak Rock LLP

Michelle Ueding is a partner and member of the Employee Benefits Practice Group at Kutak Rock LLP, a national law firm headquartered in Nebraska. She concentrates her practice on employee benefits and executive compensation. Ms. Ueding represents private, nonprofit,and governmental plan sponsors as well as institutions, individuals and committees who administer, advise, or serve as fiduciaries of employee benefit plans. She assists clients with plan documentation and design, due diligence, fiduciary duties, administration, investment review, disclosure requirements, drafting plan policies and administrative procedures, operational compliance, and plan corrections. Ms. Ueding routinely represents clients before the IRS and DOL and has extensive experience in the operation of 401(k), governmental, employee stock ownership and other qualified plans, as well as Section 403(b), 457, 409A, and IRAs.

Dawn Alston, Senior Vice President for Business and Financial Affairs and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Spelman College

Dawn Alston oversees the Division of Business and Financial Affairs at Spelman College and is responsible for ensuring the College's financial health and operational excellence. A native of Washington, D.C., Alston has been with Spelman since 1999, initially joining as a research technician in the Department of Biology and Biochemistry. Prior to her appointment in 2021 to her current role, Ms. Alston spent 17-years in the Division of Business and Financial Affairs, she was responsible for budgetary oversight of Administrative Support and auxiliary services. She now manages Facilities Management and Services, the Office of Human Resources, and the Office of the Controller. She also shares oversight of Public Safety and Dining Services with the Division of Student Affairs. Before her tenure at Spelman, Alston served as a compliance officer at the Department of Defense and worked as an adjunct biology instructor at Wofford College and Tri-County Technical College.

Wayne McClain, III, Managing Director and Associate General Counsel Law and Policy, TIAA

Wayne McClain has nearly 30 years legal and benefits administration experience in application of tax, ERISA and securities law to qualified and non-qualified retirement plans with special emphasis on compliance issues impacting governmental and not-for-profit entities. He previously served as senior ERISA counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for Lincoln Financial Group's Retirement Plan Services division. Prior to Lincoln, Mr. McClain was senior ERISA counsel for several American International Group (AIG) companies, including The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company (VALIC) and SunAmerica Inc. In addition to his experience as senior ERISA counsel, Mr. McClain has significant experience managing the administration and compliance of multi-billion dollar benefit plans in higher education. Mr. McClain was the Director of Benefits Plan Administration and Compliance for the University of Illinois and the University Director of Retirement Program Services for Indiana University. Mr. McClain is a graduate of Indiana University (B.A.), The Philadelphia Institute (employee benefits), Indiana University, Robert H. McKinney School of Law (J.D.), and the University of Illinois Chicago Law School (formerly known as the John Marshall Law School) (LL.M. in employee benefits)

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CS 3E (ACUPA): May I Have an Exception, Please?

Description 

Policies, by their nature, are subject to interpretation. They may even be intentionally written to allow for a range of interpretation. In other cases, the rules and expectations are quite explicit. In either case, there are inevitably devitions from the requirements - both intentional and unintentional. When that happens, the companion, more often than not, is some version of "May I have an exception, please?" As policy administrators, how do we handle these occurrences and how do they fit into our policy framework? This session explores those concepts and more. We will supplement this session by showcasing the methods we use at Yale to track, handle, and resolve these requests and how we then use that data to inform Policy updates.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify how and when requests for policy exceptions tend to occur.
2. Explore approaches for managing and responding to exception requests.
3. Attendees will learn about and discuss considerations for denying and approving exception requests.

Speakers

Kathryn Scelzo, Senior Analyst, Policy and Compliance, Yale University

Kathryn joined the Yale University Policy Office in early 2022 reporting to Mike Jarosz. She is responsible for managing a comprehensive portfolio of over 90 University Policies, Procedures, and Forms, ensuring their timely review and ongoing maintenance. In addition to overseeing this portfolio, Kathryn works alongside a dedicated, dynamic team managing key compliance functions, including policy exceptions, special projects, and the development of new policies. Prior to joining Yale in 2018, she began her career in Insurance as a Business Analyst and Project Manager. Kathryn has been an ACUPA member since 2023 and has served on the Events Planning Committee since 2024.

Michael Jarosz, Director, University Policy, Yale University

While I began my career in private legal practice, I have spent the past six years in higher education policy administration. In that time, I have held primary responsibility for my institution's administrative policy framework. Over the past three years, my portfolio has expanded to include several compliance functions, including the purview to review and either deny or approve requests for exceptions to administrative policy (primarily in the financial area). This new lens on policy administration generated insights for overall improvement. I hope to share some of those insights.