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H. Kent Weldon Conference for Higher Education

The H. Kent Weldon Conference for Higher Education is an annual convening of Indiana students, educators, business, community and government leaders to share and discuss ideas that impact higher education and workforce development within the State.

This year's theme, Higher Education and the Workforce, will feature sessions that support Indiana's vision to be the recognized state for growing or starting a business based upon the strength of human capital.

Please join the Indiana Commission for Higher Education on:

Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Registration - 8:00 A.M. - 9:00 A.M.
Conference - 9:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.  
Indianapolis Marriott North
3645 River Crossing Parkway
Indianapolis, IN 46240

Registration is now closed.

Questions? Contact us at events@che.in.gov

  • 8:00 A.M. | Registration & Light Breakfast

    Registration, Networking, and Breakfast

  • 9:00 A.M. | Welcoming Remarks with Commissioner Chris Lowery

    Location : Whitcomb Ballroom

  • 9:20 A.M. | Opening Panel Discussion: Introducing Hoosier Students to the Workforce

    Location: Whitcomb Ballroom

    Facilitated by: Chris Lowery, Commissioner, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

    Panelists:

    • Representative Bob Behning, State Representative, Indiana House of Representatives
    • Claire Fiddian-Green, President & CEO, Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation
    • DeNiece Harrison-Hudson, Community Affairs Director, OneAmerica Financial
    • Jerome Barker, Senior, Ben Davis University High School
  • 10:00 A.M. | Break / Transition

    Five minute break.

  • 10:05 A.M. | Breakout Series (choose one)

    A Deeper Dive into Career Coaching
    (Panel Discussion) Location: Hart/Shields Room
    Facilitated by: Greg Harrell, Director of Legislation Program Implementation, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

    Panelists:

    • Heather Justice, Director of Career Readiness, Education Strategy Group
    • Marie Mackintosh, President and CEO, EmployIndy

    Career Scholarship Accounts 101
    (Panel Discussion) Location: Miller Room
    Facilitated by: Josh Garrison, Senior Associate Commissioner & Chief of Staff, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

    Panelists:

    • Christina Kaetzel, Executive Director of the Indiana Education Scholarship Account, Indiana Treasurer of State
    • Dr. James E. Woolf, Workforce Development Specialist, Chariot Automotive Group
    • Carrie Lively, Executive Director, The Pursuit Institute

    Practical Applications of Work-Based Learning
    (Panel Discussion) Location: Porter Room
    Facilitated by: Tony Harl, Associate Commissioner for K-12 Strategy, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

    Panelists:

    • Dedric Day, Senior Director - Strategic Partnership, Eli Lilly and Company
    • Justin Jones, PK-12 College & Career Counseling and Employer Engagement Lead, History Instructor, Randolph Eastern
    • Valerie Miller, Principal, Ben Davis University High School
    • Dr. Lori Pence, Associate Provost of K-12 Programs and Partnerships, Vincennes University
  • 11:05 A.M. | Break / Transition

    Five minute break.

  • 11:10 A.M. | Networking

    Location: Pre-Function Lobby

  • 11:40 A.M. | Break / Transition

    Five minute break.

  • 11:45 A.M | Lunch

    Location: Whitcomb Ballroom

  • 12:45 P.M. | Break / Transition

    Five minute break.

  • 12:50 P.M. | Breakout Series (choose one)

    A Deeper Dive into Career Coaching
    (Panel Discussion) Location: Hart/Shields Room
    Facilitated by: Greg Harrell, Director of Legislation Program Implementation, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

    Panelists:

    • Heather Justice, Director of Career Readiness, Education Strategy Group
    • Marie Mackintosh, President and CEO, EmployIndy

    Career Scholarship Accounts 101
    (Panel Discussion) Location: Miller Room
    Facilitated by: Josh Garrison, Senior Associate Commissioner & Chief of Staff, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

    Panelists:

    • Christina Kaetzel, Executive Director of the Indiana Education Scholarship Account, Indiana Treasurer of State
    • Dr. James Woolf, Workforce Development Specialist, Chariot Automotive Group
    • Carrie Lively, Executive Director, The Pursuit Institute

    Practical Applications of Work-Based Learning
    (Panel Discussion) Location: Porter Room
    Facilitated by: Tony Harl, Associate Commissioner for K-12 Strategy, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

    Panelists:

    • Dedric Day, Senior Director - Strategic Partnership, Eli Lilly and Company
    • Justin Jones, PK-12 College & Career Counseling and Employer Engagement Lead, History Instructor, Randolph Eastern
    • Valerie Miller, Principal, Ben Davis University High School
    • Dr. Lori Pence, Associate Provost of K-12 Programs and Partnerships, Vincennes University
  • 2:00 P.M. | End

Archives:

  • 2023 H. Kent Weldon Conference for Higher Education

    Monday, April 03, 2023

    Indianapolis Marriott North
    3645 River Crossing Parkway
    Indianapolis, IN 46240

    FULL CONFERENCE PROGRAM

    8:00 A.M. | Registration, Networking, and Breakfast

    9:00 A.M. | Welcome
    Chris Lowery    , Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education
    Jud Fisher, Chairman, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

    9:15 A.M. | Keynote Speaker
    Title: A Campus Toolkit for your 21 Century Scholars and Military Connected Students

    Description: The presentation, A Campus Toolkit for your 21st Century Scholars and Military Connected Students is a valuable conversation highlighting different approaches that student support centers can take when supporting first generation students and military connected students.

    Presentation

    10:15 A.M. | Break

    10:30 A.M. | Breakout Session 1

    Removing Barriers for Indiana's 21st Century Scholars
    (Panel Discussion) Location: Porter Room
    Theme Feature Focus: Countywide Collaboration to Support 21st Century Scholars
    Facilitated by: Zach Cullum, Outreach Coordinator - Southwest Region, K-12 Strategy, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

    Panelists:

    • Chad Addie, Assistant Superintendent / College and Workforce, South Bend Community Schools
    • Malissa Ayala, Senior Program Officer, Education, Community Foundation of St. Joseph County
    • Roberto Leal, 21st Century Scholar Recruiter, South Bend Community Schools

    Utilizing the Indiana Graduates Prepared to Succeed (GPS) Dashboard 
    (Panel Discussion) Location: Miller Room
    Theme Feature Focus: Equitable and Accelerated Pathways for All
    Facilitated by: Michelle Ashcraft, Associate Commissioner for K-12 Strategy, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

    Panelists:

    • Aaron Black, Superintendent, Randolph Eastern School Corporation
    • Jason Callahan, Assistant Secretary of Student Pathways and Opportunities, Indiana Department of Education
    • Katie Lash, Executive Director, East Central Educational Service Center

    Increasing Indiana's Going-Rate
    (Panel Discussion) Location: Hart Room
    Theme Feature Focus: Catholic Schools and College-Going Rates for 21st Century Scholars, Black Students, and Hispanic/Latino Students
    Facilitated by: Sean Tierney, Associate Commissioner for Business Intelligence and Chief Economist, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

    Panelists:

    • Dr. Joseph Brettnacher, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Archdiocese of Indianapolis
    • Dr. Brian Disney, Superintendent of Schools. Diocese of Fort Wayne - South Bend

    Recruiting and Retaining Indiana's Teachers
    (Panel Discussion) Location: Shields Room
    Theme Feature Focus: Indiana's Investments in Teacher Credentialing
    Facilitated by: Josh Garrison, Associate Commissioner for Public Policy, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

    Panelists:

    • Mike Beam, Assistant Vice President for School Partnerships and Senior Assistant Vice President Provost for Undergraduate Education
    • Greg Harrell, Director of Legislation and Program Implementation, Indiana Commission for Higher Education
    • Trish Wlodarczyk, Director of Strategic Initiatives, CELL

    11:30 A.M. | Breakout Session 2

    Expanding Access to the Indiana College Core
    (Panel Discussion) Location: Porter Room
    Theme Feature Focus: Promoting College-Going and Completions through the Indiana College Core
    Facilitated by: Dr. Ken Sauer, Senior Associate Commissioner and Chief Academic Officer, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

    Panelists:

    • Michelle Ashcraft, Associate Commissioner for K-12 Strategy, Indiana Commission for Higher Education
    • Jillian Scholten, Director of Academic Affairs & Talent Credentialing, Indiana Commission for Higher Education
    • Mark Schneider,  Assistant Vice President of K-14 Academic initiatives & Support, Ivy Tech Community College

    Indiana Pre-Admissions: Your Path to College
    (Panel Discussion) Location: Miller Room
    Theme Feature Focus: Your Next Steps Idaho Influences Other State Implementations
    Facilitated by: Greg Harrell, Director of Legislation and Program Implementation, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

    Panelists:

    • Josh Garrison, Associate Commissioner for Public Policy, Indiana Commission for Higher Education
    • Sara Scudder, College and Career Access Officer at Idaho State Board of Education

    Increasing Indiana's College Completion Rate
    (Panel Discussion) Location: Hart Room
    Theme Feature Focus: Degree Completion Gains for 21st Century Scholars, Black Students, and Hispanic/Latino Students
    Facilitated by: Sean Tierney, Associate Commissioner for Business Intelligence and Chief Economist, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

    Panelists:

    • Dr. Karen Dace, Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at IUPUI, Associate Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Indiana University
    • Gaye Walthall, Director of Student Success Center, Vincennes University
    • Julie Wiejak, Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Purdue University – Northwest

    Implementing the Veterans Education Pathway Taskforce
    (Panel Discussion) Location: Shields Room
    Theme Feature Focus: Identifying Short- and Longer-Term Opportunities to Attract and Better Support Veterans and Military-Affiliated individuals in Postsecondary Education
    Facilitated by: José Medina, Director of Business and Community Engagement, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

    Panelists:

    • Dr. Stacy Townsley, Associate Commissioner for Adult Strategy, Indiana Commission for Higher Education
    • Stephen Goodan, Education Service Officer, IN National Guard
    • Amy Stone, Project Director, VALLO, Ivy Tech Community College

    12:30 P.M. | Lunch and Gerald Bepko Faculty Community Engagement Award

    1:30 P.M. | Closing Remarks

  • 2022 H. Kent Weldon Conference for Higher Education

    Tuesday, April 12, 2022

    Indianapolis Marriott North
    3645 River Crossing Parkway
    Indianapolis, IN 46240

    Questions? Contact us at events@che.in.gov

    CONFERENCE AGENDA

    Full Conference Program

    9:00 A.M. | Welcome
    Mike Alley, Chairman, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

    9:15 A.M. | Ensuring Value and Relevance of Higher Education
    Chris Lowery, Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education
    Ruth Watkins, Ph.D., President of Strada Impact, Strada Education Network

    10:30 A.M. | Breakout Sessions <choose one>

    11:30 A.M. | Breakout Sessions <choose one>

    12:30 P.M. | Lunch

    1:15 P.M. | Closing Remarks
    Chris Lowery, Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education

    Breakout Session Topics

    Connecting Education and Industry
    Presentation (presentation with video available upon request)
    Todd Hurst, Ph.D., Executive Director for the Institute for Workforce Excellence
    Sally Saydshoev, Assistant Director, Educator Engagement for Work and Learn Indiana
    Facilitated by Barbie Martin, Assistant Commissioner for Outreach

    EPIC Advantage Internship Program
    Presentation (presentation with video available upon request)
    Kristen Lainsbury, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Earlham College
    Facilitated by Josh Garrison, Associate Commissioner for Legislation and Program Implementation

    Academic Maps with Career Alignment
    Presentation
    Dhanfu Elston, Ph.D., Chief of Staff, Senior Vice President for Strategy, Complete College America
    Facilitated by Ken Sauer, Ph.D., Senior Associate Commissioner and Chief Academic Officer

    Higher Education Value Campaign
    Presentation
    Francesca Brady, Senior Vice President, VOX Global
    Facilitated by Charlee Beasor, Associate Commissioner for Communications and Outreach

  • 2021 H. Kent Weldon Conference for Higher Education

    Friday, April 9, 2021
    Higher Education’s Opportunity in a State of Change
    Virtual on Attendify

    AGENDA (printable)

    9:00 a.m. | Pre-Conference: Reaching Higher in a State of Change Overview
    An optional session that will provide an overview of Indiana's strategic plan for higher education, Reaching Higher in a State of Change.

    10:00 a.m. | Welcome

    • Beverley Pitts, Chair, Commission for Higher Education

    10:15 a.m. | Keynote: Higher Education’s Opportunity in a State Change
    A panel discussion that will focus on how higher education is a force for innovation and economic transformation to address recent and future challenges. 

    • Welcome/Keynote Recording
    • Teresa Lubbers, Commissioner for Higher Education
    • Mark Muro, Senior Fellow, Metropolitan Policy Program, Brookings Institution
    • Ryan Streeter, Director, Domestic Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute

    11:30 a.m. | Breakout Sessions
    A series of breakout sessions will offer a deep dive on the  strategic plan priorities.

    12:30 p.m. | Closing: Reaching Higher in a State of Change

    Questions? Please contact us at events@che.in.gov

  • 2020 H. Kent Weldon Conference for Higher Education

    Tuesday, April 7, 2020 - CANCELLED

  • 2019 H. Kent Weldon Conference for Higher Education

    Tuesday, April 9, 2019
    Supporting the Transition from Higher School to College and Careers

    AGENDA

    CONFERENCE PACKET

    8:00 a.m. Registration & Breakfast
    9:00 a.m. Welcome

    • Chris LaMothe, Chairman, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

    9:15 a.m. Keynote: Supporting the Transition from High School to College & Careers

    • Matt Gandal, President, Education Strategy Group

    9:45 a.m. Response Panel

    • Teresa Lubbers, Commissioner for Higher Education
    • PJ McGrew, Director of Policy, Governor’s Workforce Cabinet
    • Jason Bearce, Vice President for Education and Workforce Development, Indiana Chamber of Commerce

    10:45 a.m. Breakout Sessions

    • Parents as Partners: Engaging Families Effectively to Drive Student Success
      • Alfonso Vidal, Commission Member, Indiana Commission for Higher Education
      • Jená Bellezza, Chief Operating Officer, Indiana Parenting Institute
    • Building Intentional Pathways in High School
      • Mike Alley, Commission Member, Indiana Commission for Higher Education
      • Dwight Ashley, Principal, Parke Heritage High School
      • Laura Hayes, Connections Coach, Ivy Tech Community College
    • Ensuring Quality through Work-Based Experience
      • Jud Fisher, Commission Member, Indiana Commission for Higher Education
      • Tina Peterson, Chief Executive Officer, Regional Opportunity Initiatives, Inc.

    12:00 p.m. Lunch Keynote: A Conversation with Governor Eric Holcomb

    • Eric Holcomb, Governor of Indiana
    • Teresa Lubbers, Commissioner for Higher Education

    1:00 p.m. Reflections & Closing

  • 2018 H. Kent Weldon Conference for Higher Education

    Tuesday, April 10, 2018
    The Future of Work

    AGENDA

    Conference PPT
    PRINT

    8:00 a.m. - Registration and Breakfast
    9:00 a.m. - Welcome
    9:15 a.m. - The Future of Work (Keynote)
    Scott Carlson, Chronicle for Higher Education
    The Future of Work: Will Our Children Be Prepared? (video)
    9:45 a.m. - Response Panel
    Pete Bitar, AirBuoyant, LLC
    Tom Easterday, Subaru of Indiana Automotive
    Chris Lowery, Ivy Tech Community College
    Geoffrey Mearns, JD, Ball State University
    10:45 a.m. - Breakout Sessions
    Jobs of the Future
    Voices of Employers | Road Trip Nation (video)
    Future of Career Centers
    12:00 p.m. - Lunch
    12:45 p.m. - Closing
    Danny Lopez, Chairman, Governor's Workforce Cabinet, State of Indiana
    Teresa Lubbers, Commissioner, Indiana Commission for Higher Education
    Blair Milo, Secretary of Career Connections & Talent, State of Indiana

  • 2017 H. Kent Weldon Conference for Higher Education

    Tuesday, April 4, 2017
    Destination: Career Success - Charting Indiana’s path from education to employment

    Conference Agenda
    Full Agenda
    8:00 a.m. - Registration
    9:00 a.m. - Welcome
    Teresa Lubbers, Commissioner for Higher Education
    9:15 a.m. - Keynote Address
    Mike Marriner, Co-Founder, Roadtrip Nation
    10:30 a.m. - Breakout Session
    11:15 a.m. - Breakout Session
    12:15 p.m. - Lunch   
    1:00 p.m. - Closing Remarks
    Dan Peterson, Chairman, Commission for Higher Education
    Eric Holcomb, Governor of Indiana

    Breakout Session Topics

    Intentional Career Planning
    Integrating Workplace Experience
    Streamlining Job Placement

  • 2016 H. Kent Weldon Conference for Higher Education

    Thursday, April 14, 2016
    Reaching Higher, Delivering Value

    AGENDA
    Full Agenda
    8:00 am – Registration
    9:00 am – Introducing Reaching Higher, Delivering Value
    Teresa Lubbers, Commissioner for Higher Education
    9:30 am – Keynote Address
    Mike Langellier, President and CEO, TechPoint
    Keynote Presentation
    Video
    10:15 am – Q&A with Mike Langellier and Teresa Lubbers
    10:45 am – Break
    11:15 am – Breakout Session I
    12:15 pm – Luncheon Address
    Dennis Bland, Commission Chairman
    Governor Mike Pence
    1:00 pm – Breakout Session II
    2:00 pm – Closing

    Breakout Sessions Topics
    Completion
    Competency
    Career

  • 2015 H. Kent Weldon Conference for Higher Education

    Tuesday, April 14, 2015
    Connecting College and Careers

    AGENDA
    8:30 – Registration and Breakfast
    9:30 – Welcoming Remarks and Introductions
    * Teresa Lubbers, Commissioner for Higher Education
    * Sue Ellspermann, Lieutenant Governor of Indiana
    10:00 – Keynote Address
    * Carol D'Amico, Executive Vice President, National Engagement and Philanthropy, USA Funds
    11:15 – Breakout Sessions
    Breakout Session 1
    * Dr. William Katip, President, Grace College and Seminary
    * Bob Vitoux, Vice President Commercial Operations US, Biomet Inc.
    Breakout Session 2
    * Dr. Paul Ferguson, President, Ball State University
    * Mike Altendorf, Vice President of Information Technology, Do it Best Corp.
    12:30 – Networking Lunch
    1:30 – Reflection
    * Gerry Dick, President and Managing Editor, Grow Indiana Media Ventures, LLC
    2:00 – Closing Remarks
    * Dennis Bland, Chairman of the Commission for Higher Education

    Speaker Information
    Keynote Address Presentation
    Breakout Session 1
    Networking Lunch and Reflection Questions

  • 2014 H. Kent Weldon Conference for Higher Education

    April 10, 2014: Agenda
    "The Value Proposition: Making Higher Education Matter… MORE"

    April 2, 2013: Agenda
    "Meeting Workforce Demand:  Aligning Higher Education and Indiana's Economic Future"

    April 16, 2012: Agenda
    "Reaching Higher, Achieving More: A Success Agenda for Higher Education in Indiana"

    • Reaching Higher, Achieving More, ICHE document  link
    • Reforming American Higher Education: Implications for a Vibrant Work Force and a Healthy Democracy, by Charles Kolb   link
    • A Stronger Nation Through Higher Education, a Policy Brief from the Lumina Foundation  link

    April 15, 2011: Agenda
    "Defining College Success:  Learning Outcomes Matter"

    • Why Learning Outcomes Matter, Paul Gaston, Kent State University  link
    • Learning Outcomes for Work, Life, and Citizenship:  What All Students Need for Meaningful Opportunity and Success, Debra Humphreys, AAC&U  link

    Handouts:

    • Liberal Education and America's Promise (LEAP), Bill McKinney, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) link
    • Degree Qualifications Profile, Marianne Wokeck, IUPUI  link
    • The State of Learning Outcomes Assessment in the United States, George Kuh, Indiana University   link
    • The State of Undergraduate Learning, Josipa Roska and Richard Arum  link
    • Reimagining Remediation, Stephen Handel and Ronald Williams  link
    • Degree Qualifications Profile, Lumina Foundation  link
    • FOCUS, Lumina Foundation link
    • FAQS on Bologna and Tuning  link

    April 19, 2010: Agenda

    "Challenges and Opportunities:  Increasing College Productivity"

    Presentations:

    • Presentation by Nasser Paydar, Chancellor of Indiana University East link
    • Presentation by Jim Applegate, Senior Vice President for Program Development and Organizational Learning, Lumina Foundation link

    Handouts:

    • Lumina Foundation link
    • Association of Governing Boards Presentation link

    April 17, 2009: Agenda
    "Degrees of Success: Creating a Culture of College Completion in Indiana"

    Featured Speaker: Dr. Richard Longworth, Senior Fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and author of Caught in the Middle: America's Heartland in the Age of Globalism

    Presentations:

    April 16, 2008: Agenda
    "Reaching Higher: Strategic Directions for Higher Education in Indiana"

    April 30, 2007: Agenda
    "Reaching Higher: Strategic Directions for Higher Education in Indiana"

    Presentations:

    The Changing Agenda for Higher Education Access and Success--Dewayne Matthews
    The State’s Economy and Higher Education--Charles Schalliol
    The Spellings Commission and Indiana: Setting the Pace or Falling Behind? -- Kristin Conklin

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