2026 Forum Annual Meeting
Schedule-at-a-Glance

Please note that this schedule is subject to change.

Wednesday, April 1

Time	Session
11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.	Registration Open
12:00 – 1:30 p.m.	Lunch—2025 Academy Cohort and Executive Committee (2025 Academy Cohort and Executive Committees Only)
1:30 – 3:30 p.m.	Concurrently: 2025 Western Academic Leadership Academy (2025 Academy Cohort Only) Forum Executive Committee Meeting (Executive Committee Members Only)
5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.	Welcome Reception at Hotel Chaco

Thursday, April 2

Time	Session
7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.	Registration Open
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.	Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.	Welcome and Meeting Overview
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.	Keynote Address Academic Leadership in the AI Era: Turning Challenges into Competitive Strengths Van Davis, Executive Director, WCET Vice President, Digital Learning, WICHE
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.	Break
10:15 a.m. – 11:05 a.m.	Concurrent Sessions Cut and Reappropriate: Strategic Reinvestment in the Utah System of Higher Education TJ Bliss, Utah System of Higher Education Chris Guymon, Utah Tech University Steven Hood, Utah System of Higher Education WeR1: How to Develop a Strategic, Multi-Faceted, and Adaptive Faculty Research Success Program through Effective Organizational Partnerships Melissa Emery Thompson, University of New Mexico Ellen Fisher, University of New Mexico
11:05 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.	Break
11:20 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.	Concurrent Sessions How Investing in Faculty to Improve Student Experience Can Build Institutional Trust Pamela Cheek, University of New Mexico Sushilla Knottenbelt, University of New Mexico Erin Shortlidge, University of New Mexico Transforming Graduate Education: Collaborative Solutions to the Complexities of Student Success Rodolfo Becerril, University of New Mexico Travis Broadhurst, University of New Mexico Maria Lane, University of New Mexico Eric Scott, University of New Mexico Allison Shaddox, University of New Mexico
12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.	Networking Lunch
1:15 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.	General Session When Everyone Plans to Grow: Examining Enrollment Goals and Market Capacity in WICHE States Gwen Sharp, Nevada State University
2:20 p.m. – 2:35 p.m.	Break
2:35 p.m. – 3:25 p.m.	Concurrent Sessions Micro-pathways: A model to drive statewide transformation efforts in Montana Angela McLean, Montana University System Minza Thomas, Education Design Lab Preparing Faculty and Staff to Support Student Learning and Career Readiness Pamela Cheek, University of New Mexico Cait Lippitt, University of New Mexico Chelsea Mellenthin, University of North Dakota Karyn Plumm, University of North Dakota
3:25 p.m. – 3:40 p.m.	Break
3:40 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.	Concurrent Sessions Maximizing Institutional Capacity Through Shared Services: A Collaborative Approach Nicole Dopson, University of New Mexico Charla Orozco, University of New Mexico Student-Centered Innovation at Scale: Recruitment, Program, and Success Strategies at the University of New Mexico Elisha Allen, University of New Mexico Pamela Cheek, University of New Mexico Alina Chircu, University of New Mexico Donna Riley, University of New Mexico David Weiss, University of New Mexico
4:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.	Graduation and Awards Reception with support from the Mellon Foundation Colleague’s Choice Award Presentation WICHE Institute for Leaders in the Humanities, Graduation of the 2025 Cohort Western Academic Leadership Academy, Graduation of the 2025 Cohort

	Dinner on your own

Friday, April 3

Time	Session
7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	Registration Open
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.	Breakfast
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.	Membership Meeting
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.	Closing Plenary Using Alternative Futures Scenario Building to Envision the Futures of Higher Education Debora Halbert, University of Hawai’i System
10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.	Wrap Up & Adjournment
10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.	Break
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.	Optional Community Visit: University of New Mexico Campus Tour