Course Category: Webcast Recording

Donor-Centric Stewardship: A Partnership with Annual Giving and Donor Relations

It is no surprise that advancement shops are experiencing increasingly greater external philanthropic competition, which can lead to declining donor interest and investment in your institution over time. Therefore, it is imperative that annual giving staff consider revising or updating their donor acquisition and retention strategies to better serve the changing needs and desires of their donors. Having a well-defined stewardship plan for annual giving donors not only sustains your donor interest, it also creates an opportunity for internal collaboration that may not have existed before.  The annual giving and donor relations staff at Old Dominion University (ODU) identified and seized upon such an opportunity.  They came together to consolidate their stewardship efforts, and as a result, they have:  Join us at this online event to hear how these two teams came together and to learn how you can collaborate in similar ways on your own campus. 

Feedback as a Faculty (Re)Engagement Strategy 

Both affirmative and constructive one-on-one feedback are critical to faculty talent development.  Feedback that is appropriate for the career level (assistant, associate, professor) provides clarity, direction, goal alignment and motivation, all of which are required to successfully navigate today’s higher education landscape filled with complexity and uncertainty. Feedback, when delivered effectively, can promote creativity, productivity, learning and growth, job satisfaction, and, ultimately, retention through faculty career stages. However, with quitting (both quiet and loud) so prevalent—and current faculty morale so low—providing feedback to faculty can feel high-risk. You don’t want to alienate faculty any further.    Join us online for a two-hour workshop in which we’ll practice the art of providing feedback to faculty in an effort to both develop their talent and re-engage them. We’ll begin the workshop with a short lesson on the most critical components of effective feedback (i.e., timing and consistency, as well as delivery method, mode, and tone) and how they may be influenced by generational differences. You’ll then have time with your peers to practice giving feedback using your new skills. If you’re looking to grow your skills and comfort in giving feedback, this workshop is for you! 

Recognizing and Celebrating Faculty and Staff:  A Panel Conversation

Faculty and staff morale is at an all-time low across most institutions in higher education, and this puts your department or unit at risk of increasing levels of burnout, decreased productivity and, ultimately, higher turnover. One way you can start to make a difference is by fostering a work environment where praise, appreciation, and gratitude are front and center. Join a panel of academic leaders and discover tips, strategies, and new methods for how you can provide praise and recognition that is meaningful, authentic, and consistent. We recognize that the needs of faculty and staff vary across disciplines and career levels, and we know that your team is likely working in a hybrid environment, so we’ll make sure you walk away with a variety of ways for you to better celebrate the accomplishments, effort, and energy of your faculty and staff.

Navigating the New Reality of Mergers, Acquisitions, and Closures in Higher Education

Mergers, acquisitions, and closures are a reality for a large number of colleges and universities as the landscape of higher education continues to change. Colleges are seeking to be more competitive than ever. However, successful mergers/acquisitions cannot be only about survival or fixing bad economics; the resulting institution must be stronger as a result. Otherwise, when mergers and acquisitions fail to provide the perceived financial reward, closure is often the only option. Unfortunately, the benefits of scale and competitiveness do not come easily or without risk. Key facts and information must be understood when evaluating, negotiating, and implementing a strategic merger. Further, it’s already too late to prepare once a merger or alliance is actively being pursued. Leaders need to be proactive and understand the landscape so that they can be either opportunistic or strategically positioned to create the best possible outcome for their institution. In this session, we will explore the following topics:

Last Leader Standing: How to Thrive as the Team’s Only Experienced Leader

The rapid pace of leadership transitions in higher education has many leaders finding themselves in a unique situation as the last leader standing. How can you use your institutional knowledge and experience to develop your personal strategy during the transition, while also working to support the team as they welcome their new members and leaders? What skills should you sharpen to weather these storms as new dynamics and expectations emerge, and new relationships must be built? In this panel discussion, our expert panelists will share their experiences and insights related to being “the last leader standing,” explore proven strategies to help provide stability during these transitions, and facilitate opportunities to learn from the experiences and expertise of other attendees. We will explore the following topics:

ChatGPT and Beyond: Artificial Intelligence

Are you curious about the potential of artificial intelligence and how it may shape the future of work and higher education as a whole? Join us for a free webcast discussion to learn about ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence tools that have the potential to revolutionize higher education. You’ll gain insights from experts in the field who are embracing artificial intelligence firsthand and learn about their cutting-edge experiences. Specifically, we’ll explore questions like the following:

Defining the Impact of the Metaverse in Higher Education

Are you curious about the potential of virtual reality and how it may shape the future of education and work? Join us for a free webinar discussion to learn about the metaverse and its potential to revolutionize higher education. You’ll gain insights from experts in the field who are navigating the metaverse firsthand and also learn about their cutting-edge experiences. Specifically, we’ll explore the following questions:

Strategies to Create a Positive Approach to Work: From Hiring to Retention

Staff retention and turnover has been top-of-mind for many institutions as the higher education workforce follows the broader trend known as the Great Resignation. According to CUPA-HR’s 2022 survey, more than half of college employees report that they will likely leave their jobs in the next year. And although 75% believe their work has purpose, many are seeking improved working conditions, including pay equity, flexible work options, advancement opportunities, and improved work/life balance. Join Dr. Karen Whitney, President Emerita, Clarion University, for a discussion about how workplace practices can keep pace with employee expectations and how to package those best practices in your hiring process. In this free discussion-based session, she will offer insights on how the following three levels make for favorable work conditions:

Strategies to Enhance Staff Well-being

The need for work/life balance and the mitigation of burnout among staff is at an all-time high. A recent LinkedIn poll by HireEd Careers indicated that 81% of higher ed employees feel overworked because there are not enough people in their unit to complete all of the necessary tasks. At a point where employees cannot work any harder but it all still needs to get done, how can we create some semblance of balance for our staff—and for ourselves? Join Dr. Therese Lask, Head of Practice for Leadership at Academic Impressions, in a discussion of how to enhance your overall happiness and well-being. Using Martin Seligman’s PERMA model, Dr. Lask will share ways you can help your staff connect their work to a larger purpose. Employing this model will allow you and your staff to identify individual successes and understand how they contribute to the success of the entire team. In this free discussion-based session, you will learn about: You will come away with useful, actionable ideas and insights that you can apply quickly to build well-being among your team.

Co-Creation of Innovation in Higher Education: Designing a Baccalaureate Program for Future Generations

Webcast Recording with Nivine Megahed, President of National Louis University. The capacity to innovate for many colleges and universities is no longer just a differentiator; it is a survival factor.Join us for a recorded discussion series to hear David Kiel, author of Creating a Pipeline for Innovation Within Your College or University, interview four outstanding college and university presidents and chancellors who are leading and supporting extraordinary change efforts. In this series, each session will focus on how to innovate at one particular type of institution: Participants will learn steps that leaders and innovators can take to build an innovation-friendly culture and the five stages of institutional support needed to create a pipeline for innovation.