Learn to evaluate your academic programs more effectively within the framework of mission, academic standards, markets, and margins.
Overview
The methods used by institutions to manage their academic program portfolios are evolving and becoming more sophisticated. Higher ed leaders now need data on four key areas to properly evaluate their academic program mix:
- Markets
- Margins
- Academic standards
- Mission
If you are looking to take a more data-informed approach to the assessment of your academic program’s portfolio health, we invite you to join us for this highly interactive virtual conference. Using real-time data on program markets, margins, academic standards, and mission, you will engage in discussion around its application and apply data-informed approaches to the ongoing management of your own academic program portfolio. Each session is led by an expert speaker and includes hands-on workshops that guide you on how to use the best available data and analysis to evaluate and manage your academic programs.
Who Should Attend
Presidents, Provosts, Vice Provosts, Deans, CFOs, institutional researchers, and other higher ed leaders who want to make more data-informed decisions around their academic programs will benefit from this virtual conference.
Follow Through With Success Coaching
Have you ever gone to a training only to find that you came back with great ideas but don’t have the time, support, or skills needed to make the changes?
Academic Impressions has produced thousands of trainings and we have learned that utilizing a coach after attending a conference helps provide accountability and bridges the training with the on-the-ground work of getting the job done.
As a result, we are now offering success coaching on select conferences.
- Purchase this training + 3 one hour follow up success coaching calls
- Work with an assigned coach who has extensive experience in higher ed.
- Get individualized support to help you follow through on what you’ve learned.
- Workshop your plans, run your ideas by someone and get additional help/practice.
To get success coaching, simply purchase the Conference and add Success Coaching during registration.
The Academic Impressions Online Learning Experience
Intentionally Designed
Online Learning
Our virtual trainings go far beyond just replicating PowerPoint presentations online: these experiences are intentionally designed to give you the kind of robust and dynamic learning experience you’ve come to expect from Academic Impressions. These trainings provide you with an active learning environment and an online space where you can explore ideas, get inspired by what your peers are doing, and understand the range of possibilities around a certain topic. You will leave these sessions with practical solutions that you can take back to your team or task force.
What you will get:
- A dynamic, interactive, and high-touch virtual learning experience designed to engage and set you up for growth
- Seamless online face-time, networking, group work, and Q&A opportunities from the comfort of your own workspace
- Practical takeaways and hands-on knowledge
- Guidance from vetted subject matter experts
See What Our Attendees are Saying
AGENDA
All Times Eastern
Session I: Market Opportunity and Dynamics
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET
This first session will describe the building blocks that should underlie data-informed market decisions for your programs. You will learn how to define your institution’s markets and examine a framework for evaluating your programs based on program demand, competitive intensity, employment opportunities, and value proposition. You will come away with knowledge of the kinds of data you need in order to evaluate programs based on markets along with the tools to evaluate your value proposition. Topics to be covered include:
- Market data
- How to measure student and employment demand
- Competition: Gauging the competitive landscape
- Using market data to assess portfolio position and growth opportunity
- Experience and application
- Value proposition: What drives yours?
All Times Eastern
Session II: Economics: Programs, Courses, and Benchmarking
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET
On day two, we will focus on the data you need in order to evaluate program economics. We will present a methodology that uses information about program economics to evaluate decisions about program-specific investments. We will also explain how to use predictive analytics and benchmarking to evaluate your program economics and plan for the future. You will take away a strategy for identifying academic cost reductions at the course and section levels that meets your financial constraints while minimizing harm to your institution. Throughout the session, we will discuss:
- A “what” and “why” overview of program economics and components
- Course economics to unlock growth
- Benchmarking — and knowing where you stand
- Looking forward: Predictive margins and planning
All Times Eastern
Session III: Management: Process, Oversight, and Success
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET
In our third and final session, we will focus on the challenges inherent to academic program decision-making. We will present strategies for establishing a transparent, productive, and enduring process that will engage your institution and enable you to create a strategic management plan for sustained program evaluation. The session will conclude with a roundtable discussion about implementation in which we’ll discuss barriers, successes, and what you should expect. Topics to be covered in this session include:
- Processes and tools for program review and engagement
- Approaches and best practices for integrated portfolio evaluation and management
- Leadership Roundtable: How can it work? Barriers, successes and the unexpected
SPONSOR
SPEAKERS
Andy Dunn
Managing Analyst, Gray Associates
In his current role at Gray Associates, Andy provides financial management to the company and contributes to projects in program economics for its clients. Prior to working at Gray, Andy was Director, Strategic Financial Planning and Analysis, with Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor.
Renay Scott
Vice President of Student Success, New Mexico State University
Dr. Renay M. Scott currently serves as the Vice President of Student Success at New Mexico State University. She began her career at New Mexico State University in 2014, as the 9th president the of Doña Ana Community College, an NMSU branch campus. She moved to the Las Cruces campus in 2018, and from her role in the Division of Student Success has also served as senior womens’ administrator for Athletics plus interim provost and graduate dean.
Steve Probst
Senior Partner, Gray Associates
Steve has worked with more than 100 higher-education institutions, bridging the perspectives of faculty, administrators, trustees, and other stakeholders. He leads engagements with colleges and universities to assess current academic programs and identify new ones, evaluate potential new geographic markets and campus locations, improve curricular efficiency, and address other strategic, enrollment, and financial challenges.
Betty Rider
Transitional President, Elizabethtown College
A veteran in higher education, President Rider has served in various roles at Etown, from faculty member to department chair, Registrar, and Associate Academic Dean. Prior to her appointment as President, she served as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Elizabethtown College.
Mary Pahissa Upchurch
Senior Partner, Gray Associates
Mary Upchurch leads Gray’s relationships with educational leaders from a diverse range of institutions representing all sectors and sizes, including state-wide systems such as Kentucky State.
Questions About the Event?
Steve Whitehead
Head of Practice, Academic Innovation,
Academic Impressions