Administrator Series

As policy, practice, tool, and technology innovations continue to grow, what’s also increasing is the need for upper-level administrators to continue developing their skills so they can lead their institutions forward. What’s needed is the ability to lead toward a “new possible” in how we deliver learning, support students, shape finances, engage our regional education ecosystems, and so much more. The Administrator Series, a one-day, upper-level leadership event, held in conjunction with NISOD’s International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence, brings community and technical college leaders together to explore the issues, innovation, and insights of today as they deliberate about what’s needed to drive change for tomorrow. Participants can expect a full day of engaged and interactive learning to help power the move toward this “new possible” in community and technical colleges.

Sessions facilitated by Mark Milliron, President and CEO, National University; Gerardo de los Santos, Vice President, Community College Relations, National University.

Seating is limited and is reserved for upper-level administrators registered for the conference.

Monday, May 27

Leading Toward a New Possible in Community Colleges

There is no going back to “normal” after the pandemic. We’ve been through too much, learned too much, and are too motivated than ever before to help more students learn and live well. And rather than adapt to a “new normal,” this session makes the case for leaders to guide their colleges toward a new possible. To continue the journey toward this new possible, we’ll (1) connect with the changing needs of our increasingly diverse students; (2) begin to unpack emerging learning modes and model colleges are embracing to meet these needs; and (3) learn together from leaders, innovators, and each other as we contemplate the road ahead. Finally, we’ll discuss how we better connect to the aspirations and needs of our students and figure out how together we can make the new possible far better than normal ever was.

Modality Matters for Leaders: On-Ground, Online, Blended, Metaverse, and More 

As we move down the road ahead, we’ll need to explore, understand, and embrace multiple modalities to reach and teach our diverse student bodies. This session explores how we can prepare our colleges to leverage multiple modalities to power the learning journeys of our increasingly diverse student populations, including first-gen, low-income, working, parents, and more. Moreover, we’ll unpack how we can think beyond just the classroom in this work, visioning how we leverage multiple modalities to connect effectively and serve well, advise effectively, and engage strategically the students in our charge.

Model Matters for Community College Leaders: A Time for Learning Experience Design 

Part of visioning the “new possible” is thinking expansively about our learning models. While 16-week semesters may work for some, other models are emerging that seem to power striving students even better. From shorter term models (e.g., five- or eight-week terms) to competency/mastery-based learning strategies, new models of learning delivery and service—powered by multiple modalities—are changing the game for many institutions and their students. Join the conversation about how we think about and lead toward new models on the road ahead using learning experience design—a blend of ed tech, instructional design, and design thinking—to help guide the build out.

Money Matters for College Leaders on the Road Ahead

Visioning new service and learning models matters. However, these innovations are unlikely to be stood up or maintained without a solid sustainability strategy. This session provides an opportunity for open conversations about how we can approach the very real challenges at hand, including expanding our fundraising, grant writing, and entrepreneurial partnerships.

Better Together in the New Possible

This conversation pulls together the day’s dialogs and explores the importance of inclusive and expansive internal work to build our team’s capacity to innovate and lead change. Moreover, we’ll open the aperture to discuss how we build early learning and K-12, university, private college, corporate, civic, and political partnerships to power this work and scale our impact.