Academic Leaders Conference
October 20-21, 2022Effective academic leadership from the CAO to department chairs and deans is necessary for a flourishing academic enterprise. This two-day conference designed for academic leaders will explore the diverse responsibilities and roles academic leaders and provide wise guidance for distinguished leadership. From faculty hiring, evaluation, development and transition to academic program assessment, management and delivery — review your skill set for academic leadership and grow.

Conference Pricing
Early Bird Deadline: September 1, 2022
Members (On-Site): $500 per person ($450 Early Bird)
Members (Virtual Via Zoom): $175
Non-Members (On-Site): $700 per person ($650 Early Bird)
Non-Members (Virtual Via Zoom): $325
Virtual Pricing Includes:
Full engagement in two-day program, including Q&A
Access to video recordings of presentations post-conference
Access to all conference resources
On-Site Pricing Includes:
Full engagement in two-day program, including Q&A
Networking/Fellowship with attendees & presenters
Access to video recordings of presentations post-conference
Three night’s lodging at the adjacent Hilton Garden Inn
7 meals & refreshments
Access to all conference resources
Program Overview
VISIONING BIBLICAL HIGHER EDUCATION’S NEXT PHASE
Presenter: Tim Detwiler | Academic Dean, Kuyper College (MI)
Overview: Higher education is facing significant change (i.e. organizational structures, modality delivery, generational shifts in faculty, social pressures, and different student interests). How can you “put the pieces together” and still maintain institutional identity?
- Differentiate between MEANS and ENDS of biblical higher education
- Understand the trends of change
- Learn the value of a strategic plan to map through change
- Steward a co-creating of the future
RECRUITING, HIRING, AND DEVELOPING MISSION-FIT FACULTY
Presenter: Jena Dunn | Provost, Stark College & Seminary (TX)
Overview: Identifying, onboarding, and growing faculty are at the core of academic leadership. While credentials are important, they are only one piece in the overall consideration of hiring mission-fit faculty.
- Learn how to develop a process that guides towards a successful faculty hire
- Discover how to measure “mission fit”
- Understand the importance of a faculty development plan
SHARPENING YOUR HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCIAL IQ
Presenter: Evan Posey | Executive Vice President & Provost, Luther Rice College & Seminary (GA)
Overview: Have you ever felt as though everyone around you assumes you know how to read a financial statement, but you are too afraid to ask a question that may reveal your limited financial IQ?
- Learn the basics of organizational budgeting and how to read an audit
- Identify the differences among various fund categories
- Understand how deferred maintenance line items work
ALIGNING DELIVERY METHODOLOGY WITH CURRICULAR OFFERING
Presenter: Andy Miller | Vice President of Academic Affairs, Wesley Biblical Seminary (MS)
Overview: Post pandemic, delivery methodologies have expanded — face to face, asynchronous, synchronous, poly-synchronous and everything in-between! With so many options, it’s important to take a step back and ensure that the student need and curricular offerings are driving delivery.
- Learn the strengths and weaknesses of the various delivery methodologies
- Discover how to intentionally align curricular offering with delivery
KEYS TO BUILDING AN ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP TEAM
Presenter: Meghan Griffin | Provost, Southeastern University (FL)
Overview: The academic enterprise is typically led by an academic leadership team consisting of academic and administrative leaders. Building a successful leadership team takes hard work and intentionality.
- Discover the importance of defining your leadership culture
- Identify the personal, professional, and leadership skills that are most critical to a high-functioning team
- Learn how to cultivate an environment of transparency and mutual growth
COMPETENCY-BASED THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION — WHAT KEEPS YOU FROM JUMPING IN?
Presenter: Ruth McGillivray | Chief Operating Officer, Northwest Seminary & College (BC)
Overview: CBTE is over 10 years old, and while the idea of outcomes-focused education resonates with many, there’s still a mystique surrounding it. Misconception fuels caution, yet schools that have made the switch are experiencing enrollment growth and improved mission fulfillment.
- Learn the basics of CBTE
- Understand the structures needed to deliver and support CBTE programs
- Compare successful models functioning today
- Discover common roadblocks to successfully implementing CBTE
CONNECTING MILLENNIALS AND GEN Z WITH GOD
Presenters: Daniel Ryan Day & Brenna Holsclaw | Our Daily Bread (MI)
Overview: Reclaim Today, a new initiative from Our Daily Bread Publishing, is designed to connect people in their 20s and 30s with God in the ordinary, extraordinary, and everyday moments of life. Join us as we brainstorm how ABHE may partner with Reclaim Today:
- Discover the mission, vision, and strategy of Reclaim Today
- Contribute to a conversation on what partnership between ABHE and Reclaim Today may look like
LEADING THROUGH CHANGE AND CONFLICT
Presenter: Dwight Perry | Senior Vice President, Provost, and Dean of Education, Moody Bible Institute (IL)
Overview: All leaders manage change and conflict. Effective leaders know how to work through change and conflict without losing personal and organizational balance.
- Learn how to accept change and conflict as normative realities of leadership
- Identify strategies to ensure you don’t lose personal or organizational balance while managing change and conflict
- Discover the value of engaging your leadership team in managing change and resolving conflict
Conference Faculty

DANIEL RYAN DAY
Director of Reclaim Today
Director of Podcasting
Our Daily Bread

TIM DETWILER
Academic Dean
Kuyper College

JENA DUNN
Provost
Stark College & Seminary

MEGHAN GRIFFIN
Provost
Southeastern University

ANDY MILLER
VP/Academic Affairs
Wesley Biblical Seminary

DWIGHT PERRY
VP/Education & Provost
Moody Bible College

EVAN POSEY
EVP/Provost
Luther Rice College & Seminary

RUTH MCGILLIVRAY
Chief Operating Officer
Northwest Seminary & College
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lodging included in the registration fee?
Can I request for additional hotel nights?
Is airport shuttle service available?
- Call the hotel for shuttle pickup – 407-240-3725
- Take airport elevator to level 1 – ground transportation
- Go through the sliding doors
- Stand at either A4 (A Side) or B4 (B Side) for pickup
Where is the hotel located in relation to the ABHE Conference Center?
Are meals included in the registration fee?
Are scholarships available?
What is your Cancellation Policy?
How do I CANCEL a person on my registration?

For those attending the Conference On-Site, the ABHE staff will make a hotel reservation for you. Please indicate your room type/preference when you register for the conference.The Hilton Garden Inn is located 1 mile from the Orlando International Airport.
Hilton Garden Inn – Orlando Airport
7300 Augusta National Drive
Orlando, FL 32822
(407) 240-3725
Complimentary shuttle service is available from the Orlando International Airport (MCO) to the Hilton Garden Inn. To request complimentary shuttle service:
- Call the hotel for shuttle pickup – (407) 240-3725
- Take airport elevator to level 1 – ground transportation
- Go through the sliding doors
- Stand at either A4 (A Side) or B4 (B Side) for pickup
Conference Staff
David Medders
Executive Vice President
david.medders@abhe.org
Carol Dibble
Director of Communications & Events
carol.dibble@abhe.org
Darby Blanchard
Digital & Administrative Services Coordinator
darby.blanchard@abhe.org