Preliminary Schedule

Wednesday, December 4

1:00 p.m.       
Conference Kickoff

1:15 p.m. — 2:30 p.m. 
Conference Opening Session

2:30 p.m. — 3:45 p.m.  
General Session

3:45 p.m. — 4:00 p.m.
Break

4:00 p.m. — 5:15 p.m.
Affinity Group Session

5:30 p.m.— 7:00 p.m. 
Opening Reception

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Thursday, December 5

7:00 a.m.— 8:00 a.m. 
Breakfast

8:00 a.m. — 9:15 a.m.
General Session—Presidential Perspectives: How Can Higher Education Be More Competitive in State Capitals?

College presidents and state system leaders are often the most influential voices for public colleges and universities, with the ability to share a compelling vision of the institutions and its role in helping regions grow and states succeed. What do these leaders see as successful advocacy strategies? And how can government relations professionals work more closely with their presidents? This panel of experienced college presidents will discuss their strategies for elevating higher education as a state budget priority and provide insights into how government relations professionals can work in concert with their presidents to achieve the best results for their institutions and systems of higher education. 

Joseph I. Castro, Ph.D., President, California State University, Fresno

9:15 a.m. — 9:30 a.m.
Break

9:30 a.m. — 10:30 a.m.
General Session—Washington Update: What's Ahead in Federal Higher Education Policy? 

This year has been busy for higher education advocates in Washington.  The 116th Congress and the Trump Administration have continue to discuss the future of the Higher Education Act, immigration policy, and a wide array of key regulatory matters affecting students and institutions throughout the country. This panel will discuss key policy changes that took place in 2019, survey the higher education policy landscape in the 2020 election cycle, and look ahead to issues that could arise in Washington and their importance for public colleges and universities. 

Luis Maldonado, Vice President for Government Relations and Policy Analysis, American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU)

Craig Lindwarm, Vice President of Congressional and Governmental Affairs, Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU)

Brian Flahaven, Senior Director for Advocacy, Council for the Advance and Support of Education (CASE)

David Baime, Senior Vice President, Government Relations and Policy Analysis, American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)

10:30 a.m. — 10:45 a.m.
Break

10:45 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions

12:00 p.m — 1:30 p.m.
State Relations Award Luncheon

1:30 p.m. — 2:30 p.m.

General Session—Advocacy Showcase: Best Practices in Higher Education Government Relations

Where have government relations professionals delivered results? How did they do it? This session will explore examples of creative, replicable best practices in state higher education advocacy and government relations. It will consist of several 5-7 minute presentations from representatives of institutions, state systems of higher education, and others in higher education that have elevated higher education as a policy and funding priority through effective advocacy and government relations strategies.  

#1: College Forward (Tex.)—Citing Neighboring LA Success, Advocates Secure Mandatory FAFSA in Texas
#2: Educating Iowans for Iowa: UNI's Approach to Advocacy  

2:30 p.m. — 3:30 p.m.
General Session—Polling the Profession: How Do Government Relations Professionals View Their Roles Today?

What is the state of higher education government relations today? This interactive session will feature the results of a Fall 2019 poll of government relations professionals at public colleges and universities, including questions related to institutional capacity for government relations, their views on lawmaker perceptions of higher education, and effectiveness in advocacy. The polling results will be followed by a response from a panel of experienced leaders in the profession, as well as allow for audience participation to prompt discussion on key issues confronting higher education government relations professionals as they make the case for higher education.  

Frances Teves, Director, Government and Community Relations, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Kelly Whitten, Director of State Relations, The University of Kansas

3:30 p.m. — 3:45 p.m.
Break

3:45 p.m. — 4:45 p.m.
General Session

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Friday, December 6

7:00 a.m.— 8:00 a.m. 
Breakfast

8:00 a.m.— 9:00 a.m.
General Session—Statehouse Perspectives: What Do Legislators and Governors Want from Public Higher Ed?

The 2019 state legislative sessions included a sweeping set of higher education policy measures, including ambitious free or reduced college tuition plans, expansive new investments in public-private partnerships, and a renewed commitment to student success. Such a diverse array of policies begs the question: What do legislators and governors want from higher education today? And how can government relations professionals best position their institutions and systems to meet these needs? Hear from a diverse panel of state leaders on their priorities and higher education’s role in helping their state succeed, along with practical ideas for government relations professionals to effectively match higher education’s resources with state needs.  

9:00 a.m.— 10:00 a.m. 
General Session

10:00 a.m.— 11:00 a.m. 
General Session—State Outlook: What Happened in the 2019 State Legislative Sessions? What's Ahead in 2020? And What Is the Financial Outlook for Public Higher Ed? 

The 2019 state legislative sessions included ambitious changes to higher education policy throughout the country, including new free college frameworks, numerous measures aimed at combating sexual assault on campus, and overhauls to university governance structures. With 2020 elections on the horizon, the next legislative session promises continued focus on higher education policy issues. Many higher education policy proposals, however, will depend on the availability of state resources. This session will start with an in-depth discussion of the financial dynamics affecting state colleges and universities and a national economic outlook, and then review the 2019 state higher education legislative landscape and look ahead to the 2020 state legislative sessions and pivotal fall elections. 

Thomas Harnisch, Director of State Relations and Policy Analysis, American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU)

Susan Shaffer, Vice President & Senior Credit Officer, Moody's