SESSIONS

It is our goal to provide participants with the greatest selection of sessions possible within the limits of our schedule time and space. Please note that this list is tentative and subject to change at any time.

***After October 1, 2024, registrants should download the Cvent conference app to view the current list of breakout sessions, dates, and times. ***

Pre-Sessions

The following pre-sessions will be offered on Sunday, October 13:

  • *2:00-5:00pm: Updates in HLC Accreditation, presented by Tom Bordenkircher, Vice President of Accreditation Relations, Higher Learning Commission. Join HLC Liaison Tom Bordenkircher for an in-depth discussion of the HLC accreditation process and criteria.  Tom will be presenting a special session on continuing questions in substantive change.  He visited Arkansas in 2021 when the new rules on credit and content changes, changes in modality, and course/program modifications were released. He is returning this year given the release of new and revised applications in sub change including the reduced credit bachelors degree (impact on community colleges, dual enrollment, etc.), updates on distance education, current and future plans for CBE, the revised criteria, and the new HLC website release.  Tom will spend time helping everyone navigate these changes by going deeply into any or all of these topics, as well as walking through the form changes and recent changes to requirements for screening forms.  He will be present to answer all questions and seek feedback on topics related to HLC including the new credentialing lab, prison education programs, future conferences, new training materials, and more.

    *Advance registration is required and there is an additional fee of $50 to participate.

  • 2:00-3:30pm: New Attendee Orientation, led by Lyndsey Daniel and Brandon Cone, former presidents of the ACC Conference Advisory Board. This session is for first-time ACC conference attendees and for those joining us for the first time in Hot Springs.   Participants will get an introduction to ACC and the conference, a tour of the facilities, and a chance to meet other first-time attendees. 

  • 3:30-5:00pm: Tackling Escape Rooms in Traditional and Technical Programs, presented by Mysti Gates, English Instructor, and Janet VanDeest, Career Center Coordinator, University of Arkansas Rich Mountain. An escape room is a fun and engaging way to incorporate critical thinking, as well as formative and summative assessment in the college classroom.  In this workshop, participants will learn how to build an escape room using program content to assess students’ knowledge and skills.  Unlike their traditional counterparts, skills-based escape rooms require students to successfully complete program-based skills to earn their clues and progress.  Presenters will share their experiences and success in creating escape rooms.  Participants will not only work through an escape room themselves, but they will leave with a plan for creating an escape room for their own program.

  • 3:30-5:00pm: ONE Mind, ONE Body, ONE Spirit, presented by Camielle Adams, Community Resource Specialist, Southeast Arkansas College. This session is for attendees looking for a relaxing, restorative experience.  Taking the time to warm up (Movement), express emotions (Mindfulness), and rest (Meditation) can not only help facilitate healing, but it can help us to more clearly see and navigate the world around us.  Movement naturally pushes stagnant energy and impurities out of the body.  Mindfulness creates a safe space to be oneself, and restores creativity by allowing us to think and feel freely without judgment.  Meditation provides the opportunity to rest in both mind and body – the act of doing nothing in a world that is constantly in motion.  If you want to relax, refresh, and reenergize before diving into the conference, this session is for you! 

Breakout Sessions

Breakout sessions will be held on Monday from 10am-12pm and 2-4pm, and Tuesday from 9-10am. The exact dates/times of all sessions will be listed on the conference app to be released in October.

  • Featured Sessions

    • ACC Futures Committee and the Community College of 2035, presented by Andrea Henderson, Executive Director, Arkansas Community Colleges; and Dennis Rittle, President, NorthWest Arkansas Community College. Join ACC and campus leadership for an introduction to the Futures Committee and its work from the past year. Presenters will provide background into the Foresight process and an overview of the four scenarios developed by the Futures Committee showing what community colleges might look like in 2035.  

    • Razorback Transfers: Support on both Sides of Enrollment, presented by Chad Cox, Associate Director for Transfer Central, University of Arkansas; and Jonas Zabriske, Associate Director for Student Engagement & Outreach, University of Arkansas (Gold Sponsor). If you have students wanting to transfer to the University of Arkansas in the future, then this is the session for you.  We’ll cover everything it takes for your bachelor bound students to be happy and healthy hogs on both sides of enrollment.  Learn about the application process, important deadlines, and inside tips.  Discover tools you can use with your students in planning a strategic transfer, so they transition is smooth and easy.  After enrollment, transfer students can expect a vibrant and supportive community on campus.  Explore how your students can engage in campus life, have opportunities to build community, and benefit from academic and retention support services we have in place.  We also want to hear from you on how we can enhance these experiences.

    • 3, 2, 1 ... Go! Creating a Culture of Leadership Development, presented by Jody Smotherman, Vice President of Business Development, FARCO (Gold Sponsor). If it is true that "education is the mother of leadership," then, from the classroom to the boardroom, centers of higher education should also serve as centers of leadership development. In this session we will learn to effectively create a culture of leadership development that consistently empowers and equips leaders for the future. 

    • How Arkansas Northeastern Leverages AI to Better Understand Student Sentiment, presented by Dr. Christopher Heigle, President, Arkansas Northeastern College; and Nick Carroll, VP of Sales, EdSights (Gold Sponsor). Join Arkansas Northeastern College as they explore their use of AI to gain insights into student sentiment, enhancing support and retention. Key features include real-time sentiment analysis for immediate feedback, personalized student support, predictive analytics to address potential issues, data-driven decision-making, and AI-powered communication tools. This approach ensures a responsive and supportive campus environment, improving overall student satisfaction and persistence.

    • Leverage Analytics to Boost Academic Integrity, presented by Wade Howard, Regional Director, Honorlock (Gold Sponsor) and Ben Mayfield, Sales Engineer, Honorlock. Do you know which AI extensions your students are attempting to use during exams? Do you know how many of your exam questions have been leaked on the web? Honorlock’s new Analytics Hub will help you not only answer those questions but will also show you how to use data to better understand proctoring insights and challenges that are impacting academic integrity at your institution. Join Honorlock experts as they delve into the Analytics Hub and show how the data found within can directly impact the teaching and learning experience. Learn about the benefits of using analytics to address gaps in the learning environment, understand how the proctoring cycle works, and identify post-exam opportunities that support student success and academic integrity.

    • Demystifying State Scholarships for Recruiting, presented by Alisha Lewis, Assistant Director of Operations and Communications, Arkansas Division of Higher Education. Unlock the secrets to effectively utilizing state scholarships in your recruitment strategy. This session is designed to shed light on the often-overlooked opportunities state scholarships offer, helping you attract top talent and enhance your recruitment efforts. We will explore the intricacies of various state-funded scholarship programs, including eligibility criteria, application processes, and the impact these scholarships can have on both prospective students and your institution. Attendees will gain practical knowledge on how to leverage these scholarships to appeal to a diverse student body, streamline the recruitment process, and maximize the benefits for both applicants and your organization. Whether you're a recruiter, educational administrator, or involved in student services, this presentation will equip you with the tools and insights needed to navigate and utilize state scholarships effectively.

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)

    • AI for Everyone - Productivity/Student Engagement, presented by Michael Graham, Dean of Secondary Programs, Arkansas Northeastern College. In this session we will dive into the basics of Chat GPT and language models. Specifically how to AI "thinks", increasing your productivity helping you write grants, create engaging lesson plans and working with data.

    • Embracing AI: A Roadmap for Next-Gen Teaching, presented by Chris LaFata, Dean of Arts, Sciences, Business, & IT, North Arkansas College. This session equips instructors with strategies to effectively integrate artificial intelligence into their teaching practices and offers techniques to empower students to use it for good and not evil. Participants will explore practical ways to integrate AI into their classes and craft a comprehensive lesson plan that incorporates AI-generated content, an interactive activity, and personalized feedback. 

    • ChatGPT for Marketers: Your New Creative Assistant, presented by Emily Newlin, Marketing Consultant, King Creative. Join us for a practical session on how ChatGPT can transform community college marketing efforts. Learn how this AI tool can lighten your workload and spark creativity. With live ChatGPT interactions from seminar attendees, we'll discover simple yet effective strategies for integrating ChatGPT into your marketing workflow to accomplish your daily marketing tasks.

    • Empowering Educators: Essential AI Usage Guide, presented by Jessica Clanton, Faculty, ASU-Mountain Home. In recognition of the rapid growth of AI in education, the ASUMH Workgroup on Artificial Intelligence created the Guidebook for the Ethical Implementation and Use of Artificial Intelligence in Education. The guidebook was developed as a framework for establishing principles and expectations to ensure ethical, equitable AI deployment across educational settings. This presentation focuses on how educators can employ the guidebook's recommendations; attendees will gain insights into the guidebook's suggestions and will come away with concrete examples applying ethical AI principles through instructional approaches. Overarching themes like transparency, data privacy, bias mitigation, and accountability will be highlighted.

  • CTE & Workforce

    • The Learn-to-Earn Ecosystem: Redesigned!, presented by Bradley Williamson, Education Designer, Education Design Lab;  Lucas Paxton, Director of Digital Learning, NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC); and Mary Nithya Xavier, Micro-Credential Coordinator, NWACC. How might community colleges leverage human-centered design to develop accessible and stackable micro-credentials with learners at the center? Join NorthWest Arkansas Community College and Education Design Lab for an insightful session on how NWACC built and launched new micro-pathways aimed to transform the learn-to-earn ecosystem, pushing for more equitable access to verifiable, employer backed credentials that are pivotal to a learner’s gainful employment.

    • Non-Credit Workforce - Common Course Numbering, presented by Beth Stewart, Student Records Lead - Project One, Arkansas Division of Higher Education. The University of Arkansas System is aligning Non-Credit Workforce courses into a Common Course Numbering schema that matches the credit baring classes. Hear about the process for finding alignment among courses that did not have previously established equivalency, the benefits of this alignment, and how institutions plan to use this new alignment for PLA, non-credit transcripts, and more.

    • Shaping the Next Chapter: ATMAE Accreditation Explored, presented by Robert Keeton, Dean of Science, Technology, & Mathematics, University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton; Kendall Casey, Director of Career Education, Arkansas State University-Beebe; Mehran Mostajir, Dean of Business and Technology, Columbia State Community College, Member of the ATMAE Board of Directors. The Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) is a specialized accreditor for technology, management, and applied engineering degrees, currently certifying more than 250 Associate-level programs at nearly 100 institutions in 27 states.  ATMAE accreditation recognizes professional standards and encourages quality through a comprehensive evaluation process.  Presenters will discuss the benefits of ATMAE accreditation and provide a roadmap for institutions aspiring to attain ATMAE accreditation, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and resources essential for success in this rigorous process. Learn about how this accreditation can improve technical programs.

    • Futurescape: Bridging Industry and Academia, presented by Heather Carlton, Assistant Professor Business Technology, Arkansas Northeastern College. In this breakout session, the presenter shares best practices for a Tech Scan. In a dynamic collaboration, a diverse consortium of employers converged to evaluate existing program courses, dissect current industry trends, and identify essential work skills. Armed with this invaluable insight, they meticulously revamped the degree program grid, fine-tuned course learning outcomes, and redefined the curriculum. Simultaneously, they cultivated robust relationships with local employers, fostering strategic alliances for enrollment, retraining, and seamless job placement. This symbiotic endeavor bridges the gap between academia and the ever-evolving professional landscape, ensuring graduates are primed for success.

  • Emerging Leaders

    • Wellness Leadership: How to Grow and Sustain Your Passion and Performance, presented by Dennis C. Rittle, President NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC); Meagan Ruffing, Director of Counseling and Wellness, NWACC. Attendees will actively explore their leadership style through personal assessment and small group discussion and then delve into the threats and remedies to being a leader, who sustainably models passion and high performance. The presenters will leverage lessons from Plato’s Republic as well as the Path Goal Theory and Situational Leadership to create points of group conversation and individual exploration. Best practices to sustain passion and high performance as a leader will be shared and built upon during this dynamic and highly interactive discussion. This session will be beneficial to both mid-level and senior-level leaders, who are new to leadership or have been leaders for decades. Quote, “Great leaders care about those they are privileged to lead and understand the true cost of the leadership privilege comes at the expense of self-interest” (author unknown).

    • Creating Support for Mid-level Leaders in Higher Ed, presented by Steven Shook, Consultant/Facilitator, Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas (PCCUA); Kim Kirby, Vice Chancellor for Arkansas County, PCCUA. This session would focus on the need for support for mid-level employees (staff level directors, department chairs) leadership development. This group of mid-level leaders serve as the glue between other students, faculty, staff, and administration to help make sure all voices are heard and valued. This group needs to have more structured and focused organizational development training in order to be successful.

    • The Importance of a Shared Vision, presented by Jennifer Colvin, Dean of Science and Humanities, Southeast Arkansas Community College. In this session, we will work together to understand what a shared vision is and how to accomplish goals by working with a shared vision mindset.  This session will include communication techniques and an appreciation of perspective.  This session will share tools in leadership and briefly explore leadership styles/types as well as enabling others as leaders.

    • Considering an Ed.D.? Consider these Case Studies, presented by Kayla Sapkota, Assistant Professor of Business, Arkansas State University-Beebe (ASUB); Joseph Scott, Dean of Math and Science, ASUB; and Dava Brock, Associate Professor of Psychology, ASUB. Are you debating continuing your education? Pursuing an advanced degree while working full-time can be challenging, but it can provide a meaningful journey with important personal growth, an increased knowledge base, and new opportunities. Listen to unique perspectives from three faculty members in diverse fields whose lives have been impacted due to earning a doctorate in education. Learn about the pros and cons, what to consider in making "the leap," and general lived experiences along this path to leadership and heightened effectiveness in the two-year environment.

  • HLC Accreditation

    • Mock Site Visit Panel, presented by Brad Baine, Chief Academic Officer, Black River Technical College; and Richard Counts, Vice Chancellor for Academics, University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton. During this session, a panel of representatives from multiple two-year Arkansas institutions will discuss their experiences with mock accreditation reviews. Panel members will share their institutional perspectives from the point-of-view of the institution undergoing mock review as well as from the individuals participating as mock reviewers. Discussion will include various approaches that can be taken with a mock review and the benefits to both mock reviewers and the institution being reviewed.

    • Assessment in Accreditation, presented by Krystal Thrailkill, Chief Academic Officer, University of Arkansas Rich Mountain. More information to be announced soon.

    • HLC Self-Assessment Portfolio, presented by Lauren Cates, Director of Accreditation, NorthWest Arkansas Community College. More information to be announced soon.

  • Special Interest

    • Because Kindness Matters: Reframing Campus Interactions, presented by Holly Goslin, English Faculty, University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville. In a fast-paced digital world where interactions have become transactional and routine, the essence of human connection in higher education is more critical than ever. "Because Kindness Matters: Reframing Campus Interactions" aims to ignite a transformative conversation around the culture of kindness, empathy, and compassion in community colleges. This conference presentation will explore how institutions can foster environments that prioritize not just academic excellence but also emotional intelligence and human decency in all interactions. Through a focus on "the little things," participants will explore and exchange strategies designed to enhance workplace relationships, boost performance, and improve morale. 

    • Cultivating Excellence--Igniting Change Through Student Leadership, presented by Rick Williams, IT Faculty, North Arkansas College; Lana Fowler, Business/IT Instructor, North Arkansas College. This session discusses how student organizations can improve student retention, lead to classroom excellence, and develop community leaders.  The Leadership Institute provides opportunities for students to engage in educational, economic, and cultural activities. The Institute also provides students with the opportunity to collaborate with other students, showcase their skills, and participate in community service opportunities.  Students will establish connections with businesses and industry leaders while working closely with mentors and learn first-hand how to be successful in today's workforce.  Student organizations prioritize and promote the utilization of soft skills, teamwork, collaboration, and communication within the community.

    • Community and Student Engagement Through International Travel, presented by Kristen Karetov, Computer Aided Drafting Instructor, University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College. This session will lead instructors on the process on how to get started hosting international travel groups and how to gain more involvement through offering the tours to the community.  Also, what types of tour opportunities are available and best practices.

    • Athletics Roundtable, led by Stan Sullivant, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas. Join us for a roundtable discussion on NJCAA athletics. This session is for those new to community college athletics, as well as those willing to share their insight and experience.

  • Student Services

    • Promoting a Growth Mindset for Learning, presented by Cindy Beck, Assistant Professor of English, Arkansas State University-Beebe (ASUB); Joshua Bell, Student Development Specialist, ASUB. This session will address assisting students in developing self-confidence and a growth mindset from a Student Services professional and an Academic Instructor. Many students enter higher education with low confidence. This session will discuss intervention strategies to promote student success.

    • Student Barriers; Letting Go of The Glass, presented by Dan W. Ingram, College Success Coach, Arkansas State University-Beebe, Certified Life Coach. Through 35 years of counseling and working as a Fire Chaplain for Central Pierce Fire and Rescue, Dan shares with his audience dynamic and inspiring stories, along with visual illustrations on how to see and identify barriers in students' lives. Through audience participation and sharing life experiences with students, the participants of this conference will begin to see barriers differently and how to approach them. Through his experience as a life coach, the participants will be led in how to ask probing questions to get to the root causes of barriers in students' lives. Motivating, inspiring and encouraging.

    • Collaboration, Conversation, and Acculturation: The First-Gen Effort, presented by Dr. Cassie Tavorn Dean, Student Support Services South Arkansas College. First-generation (FG) students entering higher education experience Oldfields (2007) sentiments of "feeling like a stranger in a foreign-land" (p. 3)  as the first person in their families to attend college.  Entering an unfamiliar environment of learning requires collaboration among students and teachers as they embark upon a variety of educational approaches toward intellectual thought. (Smith & MacGregor, 1992, p.1).  Providing platforms for conversations students can share their values and norms creating a community of acknowledgement that respects their self-identity.  In the transitional process of becoming a college student, FGs learn boundary conversations among their peers producing acculturation socially and academically.

    • Empowerment through Education: Bridging Opportunity Gaps, presented by Brooke Siegler, TRIO Talent Search Assistant, Director, Arkansas Northeastern College; Pam Freer, TRIO Talent Search Director, North Arkansas College. Unravel the transformative power of TRIO programs in this dynamic breakout session. Delve into the comprehensive landscape of TRIO initiatives and uncover their collective impact on student success and retention. Through interactive discussions and real-world examples, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the unique services offered by each program and their collective role in fostering academic achievement, college access, and personal development among underserved populations. Whether you're seeking to strengthen existing TRIO initiatives or considering the implementation of new programs, this session provides valuable insights and actionable steps for leveraging TRIO to promote equity and opportunity within higher education.

  • Support Staff

    • Work Hard, Play Creative, presented by Darla Thurber, Vice President for Student Affairs, National Park College. Serving as critical support staff on a college campus comes with a lot of expectations. Being an expert in both your field and in the College can make the difference. So can having fun! This interactive session will provide you with actionable strategies to make your work more enjoyable and creatively fulfilling. Whether you're looking to reinvigorate your current role or simply want to bring more joy into your professional life, this session is for you.

    • Just Smile and Wave, presented by Marla Bush, Dean of Student Services and Financial Aid, University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana. Session on what Imposter Sydrome is and how we can deal with it so that we do not have burnout. Imposter Sydrome is when a successful person has a hard time accepting success internally. They have a fear of failure and this fear makes them feel like they are an imposter even though they are quite capable of their job/skills.

    • Managing Stress and Burnout in Higher Education, presented by Julia Ramey, Assistant Teaching Professor of Psychology, University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College (UAPTC); Michael Loya, Assistant Teaching Professor of Psychology, UAPTC. According to the American Psychological Association, 79% of employees report experiencing work-related stress, including 32% reporting sheer emotional exhaustion (https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/01/special-burnout-stress). While small amounts of stress can prove beneficial in levels of motivation, productivity, and creativity, too much stress can lead to emotional exhaustion and burnout. Burnout itself is the result of too many stressors and a lack of awareness and/or motivation to manage those stressors. This session will teach participants how to recognize and manage symptoms of burnout and emotional exhaustion and how to avoid those scenarios altogether. Come join us for a deep dive into what stress is, how it affects our physical and emotional health, and how we can change our personal and work habits to create sustainable positive changes in our bodies' response to stressors. 

    • Mighty Morphing PowerPoints: Energize Your Presentation, presented by Jake Eddington, Digital Marketing Director, Arkansas State University-Newport. Ready to transform your slides from snooze-fest to show-stopping? Join us for "Mighty Morphing PowerPoints," where we’ll dive into the magic of creating engaging and dynamic presentations. This session will introduce you to fun animated transitions using the Morph feature, helping you seamlessly shift between slides and wow your audience. But we’re not stopping there! We’ll explore vibrant layouts that can give your content a fresh, professional look, and we’ll unleash the power of 3D effects to bring your ideas to life. Whether you’re a PowerPoint newbie or a seasoned pro, you’ll walk away with updated best practices for crafting compelling slides and delivering impactful presentations. Say goodbye to boring bullet points and hello to captivating storytelling. Get ready to master the art of PowerPoint and make your next presentation a memorable one!

  • Teaching & Learning

    • What is "News" to our Students?, presented by John Gripka, Professor of Social Sciences, North Arkansas College. The news and information environment has undergone a rapid transformation since the introduction of the smart phone and social media. Where students go for news, how they consume news, and even the definition of what constitutes news are all subject to this radical transformation. This presentation proceeds from research examining how students are navigating the current digital media environment for news and information and how these trends impact the teaching and learning environment. 

    • The Human Element: Faculty Presence Online, presented by Jillian Hartley, Professor of History, Arkansas Northeastern College. Students are drawn to online courses for their unmatched accessibility and flexibility, and with the demand for online learning at an all-time high, it is of the utmost importance that faculty uphold professional standards while nurturing personal connections and facilitating growth in the classroom. The design of online classes should provide students with the essential resources and structure that enhance instruction and showcase faculty expertise. This presentation will explore strategies that stress the importance of having an approachable, instructional, and scholarly presence in announcements, forums, and grading feedback.

    • Failure as a Learning Objective, presented by Erin Gordon, Dean of Allied Health & Sciences/Instructional Technology Design Specialist, Arkansas State University Mid South (ASUMS); Marie Armour, Online Services Specialist, ASUMS. Join one instructor and her SLA facilitator as we share an illuminating success story of both Anatomy and Physiology I and II courses in one semester. For a class with an attrition rate of 30-40%, doing both in one term is challenging. The students didn't just do well; they were interactive, engaged, motivated, and, most importantly, excited to learn the material. We'll review strategies, tools, and concepts that went into the course: all the good, the bad, and the ugly. At the forefront of it all? "Fail first, fail often." 

    • Developing Your Distinctive Educational Philosophy, presented by Blayne Stewart, Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville. This presentation is designed to guide college faculty through the process of articulating and refining their unique educational philosophies. Recognizing the role that a well-defined teaching philosophy plays in faculty effectiveness; we will review strategies for identifying core teaching values and address translating these into an impactful educational philosophy. Participants will learn how to integrate their personal beliefs and pedagogical approaches into their teaching. By the end of the session, attendees will have the tools and insights necessary to develop a distinctive, and meaningful educational philosophy that aligns with their professional brand and teaching goals.