The New World of Higher Education:
Challenges and Opportunities of COVID-19

As COVID-19 continues to impact campuses and states, the Forum and Alliance have decided, in the best interest of its members, to offer a virtual meeting series during the 20-21 academic year in lieu of hosting the Joint Annual Meeting face-to-face in New Mexico. With the theme of The New World of Higher Education:Challenges and Opportunities of COVID-19, the six-part series will kick off on Friday, October 2^nd with presentations and discussions offered by higher education experts, community members, and practitioners. Several of the webinars will include additional breakout sessions for members to convene and share best practices as it relates to the identified topics.

Campus and Community Collaborating on COVID-19
October 2, 2020
12:00 p.m. MTN

The impact of COVID on higher education and the surrounding communities has yet to be fully realized. The speakers on this panel will discuss the challenges of navigating the intersection of science and policy during a pandemic and provide insights on moving forward in the COVID era.

Moderator: Brock Tessman, Deputy Commissioner, Academic, Research & Student Affairs, Montana University System

Panelists: Hilary Godwin, Dean of the University of Washington School of Public Health, University of Washington; Kathryn Hanley, Regents Professor, New Mexico State University; Joshua Wynne, Chief Health Strategist, State of North Dakota; Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean, University of North Dakota

Breakout Session Topics:

• Faculty Engagement and Shared Governance within COVID – Moderator: Debbie Storrs, University of North Dakota
• Mitigating COVID on Campuses – Moderator: Carli Schiffner, Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
• Contact Tracing to Monitor Community Spread on College Campuses – Speaker: Trudy Larson, University of Nevada, Reno; Moderator: David Shintani, University of Nevada, Reno

Upcoming Virtual Meetings

• November 6, 2020 – Keeping an Eye on the Prize: Equity and Inclusion During COVID
• November 13, 2020 – Focusing on Racial Justice to Close Equity Gaps in Oregon
• December 4, 2020 – Weathering the COVID-19 Economic Superstorm
• February 5, 2021 – Preserving Campus Wellness in the COVID Era
• March 5, 2021 – Supporting Rural Colleges through Collaborations
• April 9, 2021 – Smoothing the Bumps in the Road: How to Better Articulate Articulation

Who May Participate?

Member representatives and select staff from the Western Academic Leadership Forum and Western Alliance of Community College Academic Leaders are invited to attend.

Questions? Contact us!

Virtual Meeting Series Sponsors