Western Alliance Sidebar
Message From the Chair
Lita Burns
Alliance Executive Committee, North Idaho College
Lita Burns
Alliance Executive Committee, North Idaho College
Manuelita (Lita) Burns, a Wyoming native, currently serves as the vice president for instruction at North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene, ID. Burns has worked in higher education for 28 years; initially serving as faculty at Central Wyoming College. She moved to north Idaho in 2001 after accepting the position as director of health professions and Nursing. She was later promoted to a dean’s position and in 2012 became the vice president for instruction. Burns earned her B.S. degree in nursing from the University of Wyoming, a M.S. degree in nursing from the University of Colorado, and a Ph.D. in leadership studies from Gonzaga University.
![Card image](/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Burns-Lita-1.jpg)
I am so excited to welcome you to our 2018 annual meeting in Seattle. This year’s theme, Changing the World or Changing with the World, summarizes well the topics that will be presented during our two-day meeting. As in years past, the program presents topics that are of great importance to academic leaders at community colleges and others in the higher education field. The executive committee worked diligently to narrow the suggestions that were provided to us in last year’s meeting evaluation and from other sources to ensure that this meeting continues to meet your needs by providing the latest research, best practices and contemporary speakers on issues with which we are all dealing.
My greatest hope is that these presentations generate rich and meaningful discussions during the meeting so that we all return to our campuses with ideas that lead to action plans. One of the most consistent comments made about the annual meeting is that “The networking with so many provosts and academic vice presidents is one of the most important and useful features of the meeting,” and I hope you will fi nd this to be true again. I encourage you to fully engage in the conversation, ask provocative questions and become a part of the force that will either change the world or change with the world.
On behalf of the members of the Alliance’s Executive Committee and staff , welcome!
Program
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18
Location: The Motif Seattle
Noon – 5:30 pm
Registration
1:00 – 4:30 pm
Executive Committee Meeting
(executive committee members only)
5:00 – 6:00 pm
Welcome Reception
Unwind from the busy day as you catch up with old friends and make new ones!
6:15 pm
Networking Dinners
Join your colleagues for some lively conversation about a topic that concerns you. We will reserve tables for dinner at several nearby restaurants to be hosted by members of the Alliance Executive Committee. You can sign up for your preference when you register. Attendees are responsible for the cost of their dinner.
Mike Cartney, Lake Area Technical Institute
Joyce Hammer, Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
Rick Miranda, Cerritos College (CA)
Doug Murray, New Mexico Military Institute
Peter Quigley, University of Hawaii System
Erik Rose, Montana University System
THURSDAY, APRIL 19
7:00 – 5:00 pm
Registration
7:30 – 8:30 am
Breakfast
8:30 – 8:45 am
Welcome to the Alliance Annual Meeting!
Lita Burns, North Idaho College and Alliance Chair
8:45 – 9:30 am
Keynote: The Civic Role of Higher Education in a Changing World
In this era of uncertainty and impermanence across the globe and in every corner of American society, institutions of higher education are increasingly becoming anchor institutions in cities and regions. Their core commitment to knowledge development, economic growth and technology transfer, talent development and increasingly, elucidating social and cultural dynamics have them being called upon to play more and more prominent roles. Business, government, philanthropy and civic entrepreneurs increasingly look to our institutions to be honest brokers and valuable partners in regional renewal. How well are we doing?
Introducer: Peter Quigley, University of Hawai’i System
Speaker: Mary Walshok, University of California, San Diego | PRESENTATION
Mary Walshok
2018 Alliance Annual Meeting speaker, University of California, San Diego
Mary Walshok
2018 Alliance Annual Meeting speaker, University of California, San Diego
Mary Walshok, Ph.D. is associate vice chancellor for public programs and dean of Extension at the University of California, San Diego. She is the author of more than 100 articles and reports on aligning workforce development with regional economic growth, including Invention and Reinvention: The Evolution of San Diego’s Innovation Economy, Public Universities and Regional Growth: Insights from the University of California, and the Oxford Handbook of Local Competitiveness. She oversees a $50 million, 200-employee division that annually serves more than 65,000 enrollees through innovative programs, including UCSD-TV and UCTV. Walshok earned a B.A. at Pomona College, Ph.D. at Indiana University and an honorary doctorate from the Stockholm School of Economics, 2017.
![Card image](/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Walshok-Mary.jpg)
9:30 – 9:45 am
Break
9:45 – 10:45 am
Looking Back to Race Ahead
The number of apprenticeship opportunities in this country has been growing rapidly in recent years “helping American workers acquire the skills they need to get good jobs while ensuring companies can attract the talent required to succeed in this fast-moving global economy,” says U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. What is the new twist on this Middle Ages’ concept that is making these programs so attractive to both students and employers? How are colleges modifying their existing programs or building new ones to incorporate apprenticeship opportunities?
Moderator: Mike Cartney, Lake Area Technical Institute
Panelists:
- Robert “Joel” Farrell, Community College of the Air Force
- Marcia Hultman, South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation
- Demetria “Lynn” Strickland, Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (WA)
Robert "Joel" Farrell
2018 Alliance Annual Meeting speaker, Community College of the Air Force
Robert "Joel" Farrell
2018 Alliance Annual Meeting speaker, Community College of the Air Force
Robert “Joel” Farrell is the chief of academic analytics for Air University based in Alabama. He directs analysis, research and planning activities to improve the quality of education across the United States Air Force. He collaborates with leaders across the department of defense on topics related to quality and accreditation. Previously, he served as associate provost for student support and academic services of National Defense University. Farrell earned his Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision with a specialization in educational psychology from Auburn University, a M.Ed. in counseling from Auburn, a M.S. in religion from Amridge University in Alabama, and completed postdoctoral studies in bioethics at Georgetown University.
![Card image](/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Farrell-Joel.jpg)
Marcia Hultman
2018 Alliance Annual Meeting speaker, South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation
Marcia Hultman
2018 Alliance Annual Meeting speaker, South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation
Marcia Hultman was appointed cabinet secretary of the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR) by Governor Dennis Daugaard in 2014. Prior, she had served in a variety of leadership roles with DLR for 17 years. Throughout her career, Hultman has been actively involved in the delivery of workforce training, employment, adult education and literacy, and unemployment insurance services funded by USDOL, as well as state specific wage and hour, workers’ compensation, and human rights programs. Hultman received a bachelor’s degree from Black Hills State University and completed the Council of State Government Henry Toll Leadership program in 2016.
![Card image](/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Hultman-Photo.jpg)
Demetria “Lynn” Strickland
Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (WA)
Demetria “Lynn” Strickland
Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (WA)
Demetria “Lynn” Strickland began working for the Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee in Washington as a program manager in February 2012, was promoted to deputy director in July 2012 and has served as executive director since August 2014. Strickland and her team develop and implement apprenticeship education and training programs across the state in partnership with secondary, post-secondary, community-based organizations and advanced manufacturing employers. Strickland is an Army veteran and has over 25 years of management experience in several sectors. She has a B.A. in business administration, emphasis management and an M.A. in organizational leadership, and a graduate certificate in human resources.
![Card image](/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Strickland-Lynn.jpg)
10:45 – 11:00 am
Room Change/Break
11:00 am – Noon
Concurrent Sessions
Essential Skills Spell Success in a Global Economy
Employees need more than subject matter expertise in today’s global economy. Employers want employees with strong essential skills such as critical thinking, communications, and teamwork. Why are these and other skills so important to employers? What is the role of colleges in ensuring that these skills are developed?
Moderator: Steve Mullin, Washington Roundtable
Panelists: Ben Espitia, Goodwill Industries; Dija Fraser, Starbucks Coffee Company; Shaunta Hyde, Alaska Airlines
Interstate Passport: Putting Learning Outcomes to Work for Transfer
The Interstate Passport facilitates block transfer for students crossing state lines because it is based on agreed upon learning outcomes in nine knowledge of concept and skill areas, rather than on individual courses and credits. Institutions identify a “Passport Block” of courses through which the agreed upon outcomes are achieved – i.e., lower division general education requirements in the nine areas completed. In its first year of operation, over 28,000 students earned Passports. A robust tracking system will evaluate student progress.
Moderator: Jane Sherman, Passport State Coordinator (also panelist)
Panelists: Judy Hay, Laramie County Community College (WY); Gary Pritchard, Cerritos College (CA)
Noon – 12:15 pm
Room Change/Break
12:15 – 1:15 pm
Awards Luncheon
Join us in congratulating the winner of this year’s Bernice Joseph Academic Leaders Award.
Host: Tim Rogers, Salt Lake City, Chemeketa Community College
Managing Change: Leading with Purpose
Drawing upon her 28-year presidency and experience as an international thought leader in higher education, Juliet García will provide an overview of the challenges and opportunities in addressing issues of equity, inclusion, and community engagement. She will speak to how to increase diversity at all levels and the importance of re-spiriting the soul.
Introducer: Evon Peter, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Speaker: Juliet García, University of Texas System
1:15 – 1:30 pm
Break
1:30 – 2:30 pm
Concurrent Sessions
Increasing Access and Completion: Reflections on Implementing Guided Pathway and Promise Programs
With increased expectations from students and external stakeholders, community colleges from across the nation are actively seeking to identify and implement high-impact practices that remove excess barriers to higher education, and are also actively seeking ways to increase persistence, retention, and completion. Simultaneously, many community colleges are working in an environment of declining resources and student enrollments. This panel will discuss implementation processes, lessons learned, and preliminary results of guided pathways and promise initiatives that have been implemented at their respective institutions.
Moderator: Clark Harris, Laramie County Community College (WY)
Panelists: David Fabish, Cerritos College (CA); Debra Gilchrist, Pierce College (WA); Chuck Lepper, Salt Lake Community College; Allison Sieving, Pierce College
Future Directions for Academic Advising & Career Services
With community colleges serving as the workforce engine for states’ economies, the intersection of their academic advising and career services is crucial to success in this role. This panel discussion will focus on the ever-changing role of academic advising and career services by highlighting their overlap, distinct differences, and opportunities for growth and collaboration. Further perspectives and discussion will take place regarding external partnerships and connections with employers within this changing environment. We’ll also learn about a very creative new career pathways tool.
Moderator: Deborah Kish, Aims Community College (CO)
Panelists: Jason Krupp, St. Petersburg College (FL); Chrissy Davis Jones, Spokane Falls Community College (WA)
2:30 – 2:45 pm
Room Change/Break
2:45 – 3:45 pm
Indigenous Approaches to Academic Success and Community Partnership
The West is home to hundreds of distinct Indigenous nations that we have a responsibility to serve in a responsive way. It is important to build meaningful partnerships that lend insight into the unique challenges Indigenous peoples face on pathways to academic success and community development. This panel of Indigenous academic and community leaders will share models and initiatives that have demonstrated success for community engagement and student success.
Moderator: Evon Peter, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Panelists: Carmen Fernandez, Northern Marianas College; Keiki Kawai’ae’a, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo; Nick Tilsen, Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation (SD)
3:45 – 4:00 pm
Break
4:00 – 5:00 pm
Lightning Round: Facing Wellness Challenges Together
Given the diverse needs of today’s student population, we face many challenges especially in the wellness arena. Increasingly, we are serving students who are suffering with mental or behavioral health issues, drug addiction, food insecurity, homelessness, or other difficulties. How do we most effectively meet these needs with our limited resources? Are there ways we could work together to find good solutions? Join this session to participate in very frank roundtable discussions among colleagues about the lessons learned from both successes and failures in addressing wellness issues on your campus.
Discussion Leader: Kaylyn Bondy, Williston State College (ND)
Table Hosts:
Danen Jobe, Northeastern Junior College (CO)
Susan Kazama, Kapi’olani Community College (HI)
Marie Murgolo-Poore, Truckee Meadows Community College (NV)
Suzette Robinson, University of Hawaii Community Colleges
Tim Rogers, Chemeketa Community College (OR)
Erik Rose, Montana University System
5:30 – 6:30 pm
Reception hosted by Pearson (Seattle Ballroom 3)
Before dinner on your own, join us for a complimentary reception to network and mingle with peers, exchange ideas, and learn how your colleagues are implementing Inclusive Access to improve access and affordability. Look in your email inbox for registration information.
Dinner on your own
FRIDAY, APRIL 20
7:30 – 8:15 am
Breakfast and Alliance Membership Meeting
8:15 – 8:30 am
Break
8:30 – 9:45 am
A Philanthropist’s View: Changing the Higher Education World
As the director of Education, Postsecondary Success for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in the U.S. Program, our speaker oversees work to substantially increase the number of students who acquire a postsecondary degree or certificate. He’ll tell us about some of this exciting work, what the Foundation is learning, and what still needs to happen.
Introducer: Joyce Hammer, Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
Speaker: Dan Greenstein, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
9:45 – 10:45 am
Perspectives on Community College Leadership: A Conversation with Two Successful Presidents
In this session, we’ll hear from two very successful community college presidents about the important mission of community colleges in today’s changing world and how the roles of the president and chief instructional officer are changing too. What are some of the big leadership challenges and opportunities ahead? How would they like to change the community college world?
Moderator: Lita Burns, North Idaho College
Panelists: Mark Mitsui, President, Portland Community College (OR); Jill Wakefield, Chancellor Emeritus, Seattle Community Colleges (WA)
10:45 – 11:00 am
Break
11:00 – 11:45 am
“Alternate Facts” Community Colleges Tell Ourselves and How Marketing Can Reforge the Truth
Most of us ignore marketing until enrollment is down! At the same time, we tell ourselves that as the affordable, accessible and close to home college we are/should be the “college of choice.” Pamela Cox-Otto, Community College Whisperer and 35-year veteran of the community college “good fight,” talks about the lies we tell ourselves, the realities of reaching and serving our students…and how marketing can do more for you than you think!
Introducer: Karla Fisher, Maricopa Community Colleges (AZ)
Speaker: Pam Cox-Otto, Interact Communications Office
11:45 – noon
Wrap Up/Adjournment