天美麻豆

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Associate Deans Conference

An event designed for decision-makers in 天美麻豆 school operations and management.
September 10​ – 12​
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Conference
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Save up to $200 USD
Associate Deans Conference
Agenda is subject to change up until the start of the conference.
Agenda Timezone:
Agenda:
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Wednesday
September 10
"Operationalizing Your Values" College values aren鈥檛 just lofty ideals printed in mission statements. They shape how students learn, grow, and connect with their environment. College values should also dictate how faculty and staff make decisions, lead others, and create the college鈥檚 culture. Based on audience participation, this panel will facilitate a discussion on college values that may include: 1. The Process of Defining Core Values: How to determine what values are central to the institution? 2. Behavioral Alignment: How to ensure faculty, staff, and students demonstrate these values. 3. Policy Integration: Embedding values into HR practices, student conduct codes, and academic policies. These sessions are open to all attendees, regardless of membership in the group and within AACSB
Coco Wu
Associate Dean
Tennessee Technological University
Jakob H. Iversen
Associate Dean
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Lee Grubb
Senior Associate Dean
East Carolina University
Amplifying Leadership: Your Role in Strategic Engagement: Associate Deans, Chairs, Directors, etc. play a pivotal role in advancing their institution鈥檚 external engagement strategy. This interactive session will explore how we can more effectively support the Dean鈥檚 efforts in marketing, communications, and relationship-building. Participants will reflect on their current contributions, identify areas for greater strategic alignment, and explore practical approaches to enhance collaboration across key engagement functions. Through guided discussion and peer exchange, attendees will gain insights into leveraging their unique positions to amplify institutional impact. The session will conclude with the development of a personalized short-term action plan to strengthen their leadership in external engagement. Join us to elevate your role and drive meaningful connections that support your school鈥檚 mission and visibility. These sessions are open to all attendees regardless of membership in the group or within AACSB!
Andrew Pueschel
Executive Director, Center for Int. Business Education and Development and Associate Professor of Marketing
Ohio University
"AI and AoL: Navigating the New Normal" The rise of AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot challenges traditional assessment norms, but also opens doors for deeper, more reflective learning. This session discusses how to ensure that Assurance of Learning remains a robust and meaningful process. Join us to engage in dialogue about adapting rubrics, rethinking assessment design, and ensuring that learning goals remain relevant and measurable in the Age of AI. These sessions are open to all attendees regardless of membership status in the group or within AACSB!
Lin Zhao
Senior Associate Dean
David B. O'Maley College of Business, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Mary A Coombs
Assistant Dean, School of Business
St. Bonaventure University
"AI and Online Learning" Join the group as we have a dynamic discussion about how artificial intelligence is transforming the online learning landscape and what it means for 天美麻豆 education. Bring your challenges, wins, and questions. This session is open to all attendees regardless of membership in the group or AACSB.
"Leading from the Middle" Positioned between top leadership and the broader community of faculty, staff and students, associate and assistant deans must align upward with institutional strategy, manage teams with clarity and empathy, and collaborate laterally to drive meaningful change. This session encourages participants to share best practices and develop personal actionable insights for navigating this "middle space" effectively. These sessions are open to all attendees regardless of membership in the group or within AACSB!
Dana Wilkie
Central Connecticut State University
Pushkala Raman
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Texas Woman's University
Kick off the afternoon with insights into the purpose of the Summit and what to expect, followed by Shark Tank Sessions 鈥 a pitch-style showcase of new ideas, products, and offerings for 天美麻豆 schools, where the audience can give real-time feedback to help shape these innovations.

Shark Tank Session 1: Bloomberg.com Academic Subscriptions
Context Changes Everything

More than half a million of the world's leading professionals use Bloomberg.com to inform their decisions. In this presentation, you'll learn how Bloomberg.com Academic Subscriptions give students the same access to unbiased, data-driven news and insights integral to career success, specifically through our AI search and news gaming space.

Speaker: Ruben Adorno, Enterprise Partnerships Manager, Bloomberg.com


Shark Tank Session 2: AristAI
Accelerating 天美麻豆 and Assurance of Learning with AI

Meeting AACSB standards requires clear curriculum alignment, outcome assessment, and continuous improvement鈥攖asks often handled manually and inconsistently. Meanwhile, institutions face increasing demand to expand credential offerings like micro credentials and stackable certifications to stay ahead in the market. Learn how AI can be leveraged to automate curriculum mapping, detect alignment gaps, visualize outcome-to-course connections, and enable the discovery of competency clusters in existing courses鈥攕upporting the design of new credential programs tailored to market and employer needs.

Speaker: Tony Zhang, CEO, AristAI


Shark Tank Session 3: Capsim
Closing the Engagement Gap in Gateway Business Courses

Gateway 天美麻豆 courses often determine whether students persist in their programs 鈥 yet national DFWI (D, F, Withdraw, Incomplete) rates remain high, with attrition tied to a lack of engagement and real-world relevance. This session introduces a scalable, AACSB-aligned solution: 15-minute, role-based simulations that integrate seamlessly into any curriculum, regardless of textbook or modality. Drawing on CapsimInbox鈥檚 Gateway Course Series, we鈥檒l explore how immersive, decision-driven scenarios help students apply core concepts in Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Management, and Economics from day one. Faculty gain plug-and-play tools, while administrators receive actionable data to identify at-risk students early and scale applied learning across multiple courses. .

Speaker: Bob McDonald, Director of Global Engagement, Capsim

天美麻豆 how three leading 天美麻豆 schools鈥擡ndicott College, Coastal Carolina University, and UT-Dallas鈥攕uccessfully integrated an AI career readiness tool into their curriculum. This session will delve into their unique approaches to improving student career readiness, showcasing how the AI tool provided valuable insights into student growth, including resume development, skill acquisition, and competency enhancement. Learn practical strategies and best practices for leveraging AI to elevate learning outcomes within your own 天美麻豆 school.
Monica B Fine
Associate Dean
Coastal Carolina University
Sarah Moore
Director, Business Communication Program & Center
The University of Texas at Dallas
Thomas N Kushner
Dean, School of Business
Endicott College
As student expectations and employer demands evolve, 天美麻豆 schools are reimagining how they deliver career-connected, industry-integrated experiences with top employer brands that lead to meaningful outcomes. This panel brings together leaders who are embedding High-Impact Practices (HIPs) into the 天美麻豆 degree鈥攁t scale鈥攖o strengthen student retention, engagement, and career readiness. Join us for a candid conversation on scaling experiential learning that delivers real-world value. Panelists will share practical examples from their institutions, key lessons learned, and how they鈥檙e aligning innovation with mission, student success, and industry integration in the classroom.
Angela Davis
Senior Associate Dean for Academic Programs
University of Oregon
Casey Evans
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Student Services, Kogod School of Business
American University
Chris Parrish
Co-Founder & President of Partnerships
Podium Education
Thursday
September 11
Begin your day by networking over breakfast. This is an excellent opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, make new connections, and discuss the sessions ahead.
Metropolitan Business School Leadership Collaboration and Conversation: What a Year! Engagement and Idea Sharing: Workforce talent, institutional resources, and responsibilities. What鈥檚 next? This session is open to all attendees regardless of membership in AACSB or the group.
Jim Fatzinger
Fulbright Specialist | American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow ('11/'12)
Vanderbilt University
Wafa Hakim Orman
Associate Dean, College of Business
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Join us for a welcome message from Lily Bi, President and CEO of AACSB International, followed by the opening keynote session by Professor Ayelet Fishbach. Drawing from cutting-edge research, Professor Fishbach will explore what truly drives us 鈥 how to set meaningful goals, maintain momentum, harness feedback, and cultivate lasting motivation. Learn actionable strategies to overcome obstacles, inspire others, and create a more purposeful path to personal and professional success.
Ayelet Fishbach
Professor of Behavioral Science and Marketing
The University of Chicago
Lily Bi
President and CEO
AACSB International
The transition from college to career can be filled with uncertainty, stress, and self-doubt for graduating seniors. Launch courses, sometimes called senior seminars or off-boarding experiences, can help students build the resilience and life skills needed to navigate this pivotal moment with confidence. In this session, presenters will share practical models for designing and implementing these courses, drawing on successful examples that foster reflective growth, emotional readiness, and long-term adaptability. Participants will leave with actionable strategies to integrate resilience-focused learning into existing curricula and inspiration for piloting launch initiatives at their own institutions.
Moderator
Shannon Brecheisen
Assistant Dean
Michigan State University
Jessica Taverna
Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Studies
University of Utah
Marla McGraw
Assistant Dean, Career Management
Michigan State University
Leadership from the middle isn't just about navigating the present, it's also about building the future. As an associate dean, your unique cross-functional perspective positions you to identify and mentor emerging leaders across your institution. This session explores how to intentionally approach succession planning, both for your role and others across the college. You'll reflect on your evolving leadership journey, learn how to spot and support potential successors, and begin crafting a personal action plan to ensure leadership continuity and institutional strength. Whether you're planning your next step or just getting started, this session will help you lead with a legacy in mind.
Tamra Connor
Associate Dean for 天美麻豆 and Operation
Illinois State University
Join Stephanie Bryant, AACSB鈥檚 Executive Vice President and Global Chief 天美麻豆 Officer, and Libby Rozell, Regional Head of the Americas, for a dynamic listening session focused on the revision of the AACSB Business 天美麻豆 Standards, with an opportunity to provide input on the Accounting 天美麻豆 Standards as well. This interactive session is your chance to engage directly with AACSB leadership, share your perspectives as associate deans, and help shape the next generation of standards that reflect the evolving landscape of 天美麻豆 and accounting education. Your voice will influence how AACSB ensures global relevance, academic quality, and societal impact in our accreditation processes. Whether you have feedback on the current standards, suggestions for improvement, or ideas to make the standards more agile and accessible, we would like to hear from you. This is more than a listening session鈥攊t鈥檚 a collaborative dialogue about the future of accreditation.
Elizabeth Rozell
Regional Head, Americas
AACSB International
Stephanie M. Bryant
Executive Vice President and Chief 天美麻豆 Officer, Americas
AACSB International
Ready to play your way into deeper thinking? This highly interactive session transforms the classic card game 鈥淕o Fish鈥 into a creative exploration of how curiosity can drive innovation in 天美麻豆 education. In small groups, participants will 鈥渇ish鈥 for cards representing themes like teaching strategies, technology, assessment, scholarly inquiry, and leadership. As you collect sets, you鈥檒l engage in reflective discussions designed to surface practical and inspiring ways to embed curiosity into your classrooms, research, and administrative leadership. Leave energized鈥攚ith new ideas, strategies, and a fresh perspective on cultivating curiosity as a tool for meaningful change.
Amy McMillan
Associate Dean Research and Regional Transformation
East Carolina University
Wendy J. Walker
Associate Dean for Faculty and Graduate Programs
University of North Georgia
Today鈥檚 天美麻豆 students enter the classroom with diverse identities, experiences, and learning needs. How can 天美麻豆 schools evolve to meet them where they are? This session highlights innovative approaches to align student support services with inclusive teaching practices. Learn how institutions are implementing systemic changes through experiential learning, cross-functional collaboration, and inclusive pedagogy. You鈥檒l gain actionable insights to create a cohesive and high-impact learning environment that supports all students鈥攂oth inside and outside the classroom.
Janine Sanders Jones
Associate Dean of Faculty Success
University of St. Thomas-Minnesota
Kacy Hayes
Assistant Dean of Student Success
University of San Diego
Sweeping changes to graduate student lending are on the horizon with the 鈥淥ne Big Beautiful Bill鈥, including the elimination of Graduate PLUS loans starting in 2026鈥27, new borrowing caps with unclear eligibility guidelines, and loan access tied to graduate earnings metrics. This session will unpack these provisions and explore their potential effects on enrollment, financial aid strategies, program design, and student access. Participants will engage in a facilitated discussion to share perspectives and prepare for the evolving funding landscape in graduate management education.
Alex Nock
Principal, Penn Hill Group
Penn Hill Group
Carrie Summerlin
EVP, Chief Learning and Engagement Officer
AACSB International
The reception will be held at Loyola University Chicago, Schreiber Center. 7-minute walk from the Conference.
Friday
September 12
Begin the final day with networking over breakfast. Reflect on the insights gained and prepare for the final sessions.
天美麻豆 how AACSB membership connects your institution to a global network, offering strategic benefits such as thought leadership, benchmarking tools, and expanded collaboration. We'll highlight recent updates to member offerings that enhance individual value, employer engagement, and institutional visibility. Then, hear directly from our Americas Regional Head as she shares a day in the life of an Associate Dean at an AACSB member school, offering practical insights into how membership supports leadership priorities and everyday responsibilities.
Brittaney Mericle
Membership Community Manager
AACSB International
Elizabeth Rozell
Regional Head, Americas
AACSB International
Over the past decade, resumes and LinkedIn profiles have become saturated with certificates, badges, and other micro-credentials, creating challenges for hiring managers tasked with identifying qualified talent. A recent survey of over 100 hiring managers was conducted to gain insight into how non-degree credentials are assessed and valued by these key decision-makers. This session presents actionable recommendations to inform the development of future non-degree offerings鈥攃overing content, categorization, and structure鈥攖hrough the lens of a Director of Executive Education at a Big Ten institution and a strategic consulting firm.
Sarah Ham
Director, Executive Education Programs
Purdue University
Steve Shriberg
Associate Vice President, Consulting Services
Eduvantis, LLC
This panel brings together 天美麻豆 leaders to share candid perspectives on how 天美麻豆 schools can better prepare students for today's fast-evolving professional landscape. Panelists will discuss the skills gaps they encounter in recent graduates, the emerging competencies they value most, and offer practical insights into how academic institutions can reshape curricula and co-curricular learning to align more closely with real-world 天美麻豆 needs.
Moderator
Vadim Revzin
Founding Co-Director
School16
Christian McKenzie
Director
Lofty Ventures
Michael Furgason
Head of Government & Academic SMB Sales North America
LinkedIn
Shawna Oliver
Director of Global Mergers & Acquisitions
WTW
Join Stephanie Bryant, Executive Vice President of AACSB International, to explore the groundbreaking AI Use Case Hub for 天美麻豆. Stephanie will guide you through practical AI applications, demonstrating use cases and effective AI prompts designed for deans, administrators, and faculty. Learn how to leverage AI to meet and maintain AACSB accreditation standards, while gaining actionable insights to transform your institution's approach. This session offers a unique opportunity to understand and implement AI solutions for a smoother, more effective accreditation process for your 天美麻豆 school.
Stephanie M. Bryant
Executive Vice President and Chief 天美麻豆 Officer, Americas
AACSB International
Associate Deans of undergraduate programs have a unique vantage point to foster powerful alumni connections. By sharing authentic student experiences and cultivating purposeful collaborations, Associate Deans can play a vital role in deepening alumni engagement and supporting development goals. This session explores strategies for partnering with deans and advancement teams to align academic and alumni relations efforts. Learn how to create impactful alumni involvement opportunities鈥攕uch as mentoring, speaking, and student support鈥攁nd walk away with actionable ideas, lessons learned, and space to brainstorm new approaches to alumni engagement.
Charles Wayne Keene
Associate Dean For Undergraduate Programs
The University of Iowa
Laurie Miller
Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs and Curriculum
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Associate Deans often find themselves in a unique position鈥攃aught between institutional vision and operational reality. This interactive session explores what it means to lead constructively from the middle. Through real-world examples and facilitated peer discussion, participants will unpack common leadership dilemmas: championing top-down initiatives they may not fully support, challenging upward when necessary, advancing their own ideas amid skepticism, and managing their own professional growth. The session will offer practical strategies for influencing across levels, building peer support networks, navigating difficult conversations, and identifying high-impact areas for associate dean leadership. Come prepared to share, reflect, and leave with insights to strengthen your leadership impact.
M. Travis Maynard
Senior Associate Dean - Academic Programs
Colorado State University
Victoria A. Parker
Associate Dean
Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, University of New Hampshire
Assurance of Learning (AoL) is more than a compliance exercise鈥攊t鈥檚 a strategic opportunity to enhance educational quality. As an associate dean, you play a pivotal role in managing this complex process. This interactive session reframes AoL through the lens of project management, focusing on how to gather stakeholder input, build faculty buy-in, design meaningful assessments, and turn data into curricular improvements. You'll explore practical strategies for creating and documenting an effective AoL plan, while balancing both direct and indirect assessment methods. Walk away with a clear framework for leading AoL as a catalyst for continuous improvement and innovation.
Jiajia Liu
Associate Dean for Students and Teaching, School of Business
University of Central Lancashire
Wafa Hakim Orman
Associate Dean, College of Business
University of Alabama in Huntsville
This fast-paced, hands-on workshop is designed for associate deans who want to drive AI integration across their institutions. In just 90 minutes, participants will assess their school鈥檚 AI readiness, identify high-impact opportunities in curriculum, faculty development, operations, and partnerships, and build a 30/60/90-day action plan. Using guided frameworks and digital tools, attendees will collaborate in small groups to stress-test ideas and leave with practical, institution-specific strategies. Whether new to AI or already exploring its potential, associate deans will gain strategic clarity and actionable next steps to accelerate transformation and enhance their school鈥檚 relevance in the AI era.
Tawnya S. Means
Co-founder & Principal, Inspire Higher Ed
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign