Session Descriptions

Wednesday, May 28

 

1:00 p.m. | Welcome

Jay Rothman and Dr. Eric Fulcomer


1:15 p.m. | Keynote: To Be Announced

 Peter F. Lake, Professor of Law and Charles A. Dana Chair and Director, Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law and Policy, Stetson University College of Law


2:30 p.m. | Session 1: Washington Update: Approaching Legislative and Regulatory Developments

Jon Fansmith, Senior Vice President, Government Relations and National Engagement, American Council on Education (ACE)

Learn more about the current political climate for higher education in Washington and what is on the horizon. Join an expert from the American Council on Education who will address priority issues for federal policymakers and the unprecendented actions of the new Administration. This session will cover developing trends in federal legislation and regulation as well as detailed dive into key issues impacting students, campuses and accreditors.

Learning Outcomes:

  1. Learn how the current political climate is driving federal policymaking on higher education.
  2. Become aware of specific pending legislative and regulatory actions impacting colleges and universities, including possible risks to institutional operations that may result from them.
  3. Understand how the priorities and policies of the new Administration are impacting federal policymaking for higher education and what that will mean for campuses.


3:30 p.m. | Session 2: Supreme Court Update

Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean and Jesse H. Choper Distinguished Professor of Law, University of California, Berkeley School of Law.

Thursday, May 29

9:00 a.m. | Session 3: Concurrent Sessions

·         Law and Executive Order - What's New in the Regulatory Title II, IV, IX Regulatory Landscape

Christine Taylor, Husch Blackwell

Since January 20, 2025, institutions have seen significant changes in the regulatory landscape impacting howe we provide services to our students. This session provides an update on the executive orders, legal challenges, and the implications for colleges and universities.

·         Research Updates

Matt Lind, Senior System Legal Counsel for the Office of General Counsel at the Universities of Wisconsin and Chris Ashley


10:15 a.m. | Session 4: Concurrent Sessions

·         Stop Campus Hazing Act - New Year, New Laws in 2025: How the New Law Affects your Institution

Christine Taylor, Husch Blackwell

One of the most recent laws impacting the higher education is the new federal Stop Campus Hazing Act. This session details how the new law affects your institution, what definitions apply, what programming is required, what statistical reporting and policy statements must be included in the ASR, what the new Transparency Report will entail, as well as the deadlines associated with the changes.

·         Labor and Employment Law

Jon Anderson, Husch Blackwell

 

11:00 a.m. | Session 5: Concurrent Sessions 

·         Key Trends That Make This Years Incoming College Students Unique

Charity Stutzman and Mike Martynowicz, Vector Solutions

·         Financial Aid Update

Helen Faith, NASFAA


12:45 p.m. | Session 6:  Taking the Long View on Civil Rights: Connecting Data to Action to Vision in a Challenging World

Joe Storch and Blaze Bowers, Grand River Solutions


1:45 p.m. | Session 7: Rebuild Trust in Higher Education: Practical Considerations to Bridge the Divide

Jennifer Savino and Molly Dillman, KW2

In today’s shifting cultural and political landscape, higher education is both a promise and a lightning rod. The value of a higher education credential is well-studied – but the growing skepticism toward colleges and the dynamics fueling anti-college sentiment has inadvertently contributed to a new ‘us versus them’ mindset. In this session, we’ll examine the disconnect between higher education institutions and working-class communities and how resentment is being harnessed in rhetoric. Then, we’ll dive into strategies to shift messaging about colleges at a category level and build anti-stigma communications that elevate higher education more authentically amongst these hard-to-reach populations.

Learning Outcomes:

  1. Understand why higher education communications must move beyond communicating value  
  2. How to shift messaging about higher education from explaining value to rebuilding trust
  3. Tips to build anti-stigma communications


3:00 p.m. | Workforce Outlook, Trends, Demographics, and Technology

Frank Otis, Department of Workforce Development


3:45 p.m. | Panel Discussion

Peter Lake, Blaze Bowers, Chris Ashley, Charity Stutzman, Molly Dillman and Helen Faith

Friday, May 30

9:00 a.m. | Session 8: The Future of AI is Now

Sarah Alt, Micheal Best

Learning Outcomes:

  1. Latest guidance on governing AI and responsible use in higher education.
  2. Insights and lessons learned from how institutions are using AI to drive operational efficiencies in their business offices.
  3. Perspectives from the legal profession on AI in the classroom and what this means for developing our future workforce.

10:00 a.m. | Session 5: Tabletop Discussions with Presenters

  

11:30 a.m. | Thematic Wrap-up Capstone

Peter F. Lake, Professor of Law and Charles A. Dana Chair and Director, Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law and Policy, Stetson University College of Law

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