2019 Forum Annual Meeting Program

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24

8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Registration Open

9:00 a.m. – noon
Closing Seminar–2018 Academy Cohort (cohort and faculty only)

noon – 1 p.m.
Lunch – 2018 Academy Cohort and Executive Committee

1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Executive Committee Meeting (executive committee members only)

1:15 – 5 p.m.
Pre-Meeting Tour: Transformation through Innovation – Metropolitan State University of Denver
Join the Shannon, Campbell, Director of Graduate Studies, on a tour highlighting some of Metropolitan State University of Denver’s key assets including….

• Aerospace and Engineering Sciences Building
• Jordan Student Success Building
• Marriott Hotel & MSU Denver Hospitality Learning Center
• Auraria Library
• And, one more surprise visit before heading back to the hotel!

5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Welcome Reception

6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Opening Dinner and Keynote – Mattering and Sense of Belonging: A Focus on First-Generation and Ethnic Minority Students
This talk will discuss the conceptual differences between mattering and sense of belonging. Research findings that disentangle these constructs, while also then proposing that students’ sense of belonging and the extent to which students feel like they matter are related will be presented. Cole will share the direct and indirect effects of ethnic minority and first-generation student experiences on students’ sense of belonging and mattering and offer recommendations for research and practice.

Introducer: Vicki Golich, Metropolitan State University of Denver

THURSDAY, APRIL 25

7 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Registration Open

7:30 – 8:15 a.m.
Breakfast

8:15 – 8:30 a.m.
Good Morning and Meeting Overview
Vicki Golich, Metropolitan State University of Denver

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Changing Student Demographics: Adapting Our Institutional Practices to Move Toward Greater Equity
In light of changing student demographics, including the increasing number of students of color, non-traditional students, and the predictions of declining numbers of high school graduates in the near future, how can institutions look at these demographic trends through an equity lens that will guide them toward making changes that will enable them to thrive as institutions while creating the conditions in which students of the future will thrive? What do we need to know and consider as academic leaders about these demographic trends that will prepare us to lead our institutions’ academic missions effectively?

Introducer: Donald Straney, University of Hawaii System

9:30 – 9:45 am
Break

9:45 – 11:00 am
Great Ideas for Inclusive Practices in Higher Education
We claim that all are welcome in higher education, but how does this play out in the lived experiences of our students, faculty, staff, and community members? In this quick-paced session, presenters will share best practices for making higher education an inclusive and welcoming place for all. Come enjoy these exciting two-minute explorations of challenge, action, and success in assuring that all are indeed welcome.

Emcee: Joelle Lien, Northern State University (SD)

Great Ideas: TBA

11:00 – 11:15 am
Break

11:15 am – 12:15 pm
Native American Student Access, Experience, and Success in Higher Education
The underrepresentation of Native American students is due, in part, to the discord between indigenous cultural identity and the culture of higher education. What effective strategies have been deployed to ensure Native American college students’ sense of belonging in higher education? What lessons can we learn from tribal college practice and culture? Join us for an informative panel as we discuss ways to improve the retention of our Native American student population by creating a more intentionally inclusive and welcoming culture.

Moderator: Debbie Storrs, University of North Dakota

Speakers:

12:15 – 1:15 pm
Colleagues’ Choice Award Luncheon
The Academic Leaders Toolkit—a joint project of the Forum and the Western Alliance of Community College Academic Leaders—will announce the winner of this year’s competition. Make sure your institution is in the running by submitting a tool at http://alt.wiche.edu/ by March 1.

Announcer: Karen Carey, University of Alaska Southeast

1:15 – 1:30 pm
Break

1:30 – 2:30 pm
The Effects of Microaggressions on Faculty of Color
As leaders of institutions, we must fully grasp the impact microaggressions have upon faculty and staff of color, and upon our institutions more broadly. Microaggressions greatly impact not only the academic pathway to the doctorate and thus our hiring pools, but of great significance, the retention of our faculty. Our knowledge and understandings will be insufficient without a goal of determining paths of action to educate about such communication and behavior and how to bring about change, as well as take steps to ameliorate the effects on individuals and their personal and professional lives. This session will briefly outline some of the research, terminology, examples and suggested action steps and will also present personal narratives, including that of a tenured faculty of color co-facilitator.

Introducer: Veronica Dujon, State of Oregon: Higher Education Coordinating Commission

Speakers:

2:30 – 3:30 pm
Workshop: Contingent Faculty and Belonging in Our Institutions
​In this double session, expert panelists from the Center for the Study of Academic Labor will provide an overview of “the characteristics and working conditions of contingent faculty, the academic labor market, university budgets, academic employment policies and the future of the tenure system.” Then they will guide us through some exercises in small groups to share our experiences and learn from one another about some of the more pressing issues we face with contingent faculty and ways we can help ensure that ALL faculty belong at our institutions.

Introducer: Vicki Golich, Metropolitan State University of Denver

Speakers:

3:30 – 3:45 pm
Break

3:45 – 4:45 pm
Workshop, Continued

Dinner on your own

FRIDAY, APRIL 26

7:30 – 8:15 am
Breakfast

8:15 – 8:30 am
Break

8:30 – 9:30 am
Artificial Intelligence, Our Students’ Futures, and Our Own: The Role of Higher Education in the Age of Intellectual Automation
As Artificial Intelligence becomes a ubiquitous disrupter in the worlds of business and industry and enters even into higher education, how do institutions of higher education need to respond? How can institutions of higher education be sure that students receive the most effective education to prepare them to live and work in a world transformed by the disruptions—foreseen and unforeseen—that AI will continue to bring? What literacies should higher education focus on to prepare these students in a labor market where the threat of automation is encompassing not only traditional blue-collar labor, but now white-collar positions as well?

Introducer: Renny Christopher, Washington State University Vancouver

9:30 – 10:45 am
Words Matter
A sense of belonging begins with the way we interact among colleagues, peers, and students. Managing controversial issues in class discussions, sharing opposing views among students as well as colleagues, and gaining awareness of unintended bias, all contribute to whether or not the campus can provide a welcoming space for all. This session will explore these topics using the lessons learned by speakers and provide ideas for proactive solutions to share on your campus.

Moderator: Greg Fant, New Mexico State University

Speakers:

10:45 – 11:00 am
Break

11:00 – 11:45 am
Membership Meeting

Committee Breakouts
In July 2018, the Forum’s leadership established several committees to explore opportunities for collaboration at the regional level. Join one of the committees to find out about its progress and how you can take advantage of their work or help shape it.

Committees:

• Accelerated Learning/Dual Enrollment – Veronica Dujon, Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission
• Diversifying the Faculty Initiative – Renny Christopher, Washington State University Vancouver
• Library Subscription Fees – Paul Turman, South Dakota Board of Regents
• Open Educational Resources Repository – Karen Carey, University of Alaska Southeast
• Pragmatic Policies to Promote Course-Based Experiential Learning – David Shintani, University of Nevada, Reno
• Wellness– Laura Woodworth-Ney, Idaho State University

11:45 – noon
Meeting Wrap-up and Adjournment