Recording*: Higher Education Virtual Conference - Day One

Presentation Slides: Innovating Higher Education

Presentation Slides: Enterprise Approach to Risk Management in Higher Education

*The recording does not qualify for CPE credit.

Keynote Speaker, Bridget Burns, Innovating Higher Education for the New Normal

The COVID-19 pandemic has made clear that we must prioritize resilience and innovation across all aspects of our institutions. This talk examines the changing landscape and the innovative ways higher education is navigating and reimagining to meet the needs of future learners.

• Identify proven tactics institutions are leveraging to enable sustainable innovation and progress (despite burnout and a rapidly changing context)
• Describe how higher education can shift and adapt to meet the needs of new majority learners, adult learners, and the students of the future
• Detail the key questions institutions should be asking themselves to navigate, survive, and lead in the new normal

• Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance

Innovation and Strategic Framework in the New Normal 

COVID-19 has expedited severe financial and operational challenges for colleges and universities, which has required innovation and some risk-taking.

• Identify the key questions institutions are asking themselves as part of the post-pandemic strategic planning process
• Describe what leaders may need to consider when they are evaluating changes to their financial operations and business models

• Don Loberg, Managing Principal, Higher Education, CLA
• Len Munsil, President, Arizona Christian University
• Bridget Burns, Executive Director of the University Innovation Alliance
• Bill Maki, Vice Chancellor, Finance and Facilities, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
• Cleon L. Cauley, Sr., J.D., Delaware State University

Enterprise Approach to Risk Management in Higher Education 

As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, higher education found itself quickly confronting risks that had significant impact but had moderate likelihood of occurring. Institutions were disrupted significantly if they were not prepared to manage these risks.

• Describe the types of risks that institutions are urgently facing
• Describe how an institution can be prepared to manage risks when external forces are changing rapidly

• Jim Kreiser, IT and Business Risk Services Principal, CLA
• Jean Bushong, Higher Education Principal, CLA

Recording*: Higher Education Virtual Conference - Day Two

Presentation Slides: Academic Program Financial Modeling

Presentation Slides: GLBA Final Ruling

Presentation Slides: Public Institutions Accounting and Regulatory Update

*The recording does not qualify for CPE credit.

Academic Program Financial Modeling 

Learn how institutions can use financial modeling intelligence to analyze alternative operational and capital initiatives as part of their integrated planning process. Understand how to align planning with resource allocation and assessment to improve outcomes, use financial modeling intelligence to guide planning efforts and influence resource allocation decisions, and investigate various ways to apply financial modeling in support of planning at your institution.

• Recognize what is putting the strain on the financial model in higher education
• Recognize how to create a path to financial sustainability
• Explain why academic program financial modeling is important to institutions
• List common practices in creating financial models
• Identify how costs of institutions can be understood in relation to revenue both historically and prospectively

• Matthew J. Borchardt, Principal, CLA
• Leah Lindstrom, Higher Education Manager, CLA
• Andreia Nebel, Clarkson College, Vice President of Academic Affairs
• Megan Wickless-Mulder, Clarkson College, Controller

GLBA Final Ruling — Safeguards to Protect Student Information 

In 1999, Congress mandated the Safeguards Rule under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) protecting student data. As of October 2021, the final rule to the GLBA Safeguard Rule was issued and went into effect January 10, 2022. In this session we will discuss where it started, what has happened since then, and what you need to know to be in compliance with key provisions by December 2022.

• List key takeaways from the GLBA final ruling issued in October 2021, and explain how it applies to higher education.
• Describe rules and trends related to the NIST SP800-171 cybersecurity requirements and GLBA as they pertain to the protection of student information.

• Kadian Douglas, Cybersecurity and Higher Education Principal, CLA
• Dan Ewart, Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer, University of Idaho

Public Institutions Accounting and Regulatory Update 

Participants will hear about recent updates to compliance requirements related to the CARES Act as well as upcoming GASB standards, including GASB 87, Leases.

• Discuss common questions encountered with HEERF programs
• Describe new HEERF funding available under the American Rescue Plan
• Identify how to apply GASB guidance on how to account for leases under GASB 87
• Recognize future accounting pronouncements that may impact your institution

• Chrissy Bowman, Principal, CLA
• Michael Johns, Principal, CLA

Recording*: Higher Education Virtual Conference - Day Three

Presentation Slides: Attaining and Retaining Talent in Higher Education

Presentation Slides: Student Retention Tools and Strategies

Presentation Slides: Private Institutions Accounting and Regulatory Update

*The recording does not qualify for CPE credit.

Attaining and Retaining Talent in Higher Education 

This session will help you better understand issues on higher education human resources, including staff wellness and work/life balance, recruiting, and retaining staff, and staff development.

• Describe some outside the box ideas on attracting, attaining, and retaining talent in this extremely tight labor market
• Describe examples of how working with outside recruiting assistance may increase visibility, time to fill, and gather a stronger understanding of designing non-monetary competitive total rewards strategies

• Jon Fagan, Talent Solutions Director, CLA
• Octavia Gilmore, Talent Solutions Principal , CLA

Student Retention Tools and Strategies 

Decreases in enrollments and graduation rates continue to be a challenge for higher education institutions. Analyzing historical data to determine influential factors for retaining enrollees — and designing a custom machine learning model for identifying at-risk students ahead of potential for drop-out — is essential. We will illustrate potential use-cases for data and analytics in higher education while providing examples of how institutions have executed select use-cases.

• Identify tangible action items for participants to jump start or support existing student retention initiatives at their college or university

• Matthew Lang, Data Analytics Principal, CLA
• Deirdre Hodgson, Higher Education Principal, CLA

Private Institutions Accounting and Regulatory Update 

Participants will hear about recent updates to compliance requirements related to the CARES Act as well as upcoming FASB standards, including ASC 842, Leases.

• Describe updates to CARES Act compliance requirements
• Outline recent accounting standards and updates issued by FASB

• Dave Jacobson, Higher Education Principal, CLA
• Bryan Simkanich, Higher Education Signing Director, CLA