Understanding the Times and Knowing What to Do – Observations from the Field

Presenter: Dan Campbell, Partner | CapinCrouse (SC)

Location: Salon 1
Target Audience: Financial Leaders

Overview: We often hear, “How are institutions across biblical higher education faring financially? Where is this leading? What’s the forecast?” This is much more than academic curiosity. This speaks directly into factors impacting the stability or closure of a growing number of institutions and what the future entails. Hear current insights from a CPA who serves many institutions across Christian higher education and consider how this compares with your own institution. Forewarned is forearmed.

• Trends that are emerging – knowing the good and bad
• Financial warning signs to watch – markers for prudent stewardship
• Knowing where your institution stands – comparative analysis

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Creating Opportunities for Student Leadership Development

Presenter: Rick Swift, VP for Student Life | Southern Wesleyan University (SC)

Location: Salon 2
Target Audience: Student Development Leaders

Overview: Student development leaders have a unique opportunity to development programs and experiences for student leadership development. Whether in residence life, student organizations, athletic programs and more . . . there are a plethora of ways to call students forward to roles that cultivate their leadership skills. Think about your campus through the eyes of a distinguished student development leader and expand your student leadership strategy.

• Understanding campus life through the lens of student leadership development
• Creating events and programs to enhance student leaders’ development journey
• Weaving student leadership development into your student life philosophy
• Reflecting on what I’ve learned from decades of student leadership development

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Conducting a Meaningful Presidential Review

Presenter: David Gyertson, Former President | Asbury, Taylor and Regent Universities; ABHE Board Governance Coach and Senior Fellow (KY)

Location: Salon 3
Target Audience: Board Chairs, Presidents, Trustees

Overview: Presidential performance reviews are more than a governance obligation—they’re a strategic opportunity to strengthen leadership, clarify institutional priorities, and foster mutual trust. This workshop equips college trustees with practical tools and proven approaches for conducting a thoughtful, mission-aligned evaluation of their institution’s president.

• A review process that is both respectful and rigorous
• Setting meaningful benchmarks rooted in the college’s unique context
• Use feedback to encourage growth rather than merely assess performance

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Managing the Financial Enterprise of the Institution

Presenter: Fred Johnson, Retired Telecommunications CEO (AL)

Location: Salon 4
Target Audience: Presidents, CFO’s

Overview: It’s imperative that presidents ensure the financial integrity of their institution with appropriate independent accountability. You set the tone for this as CEO, knowing what can and what cannot be delegated. Don’t be confused with popular misconceptions. Employ a proper construct with clear definitions. Give wise oversight to your institution’s financial operations with insight from a veteran CEO and Commission on Accreditation member.

• Critical considerations for the institutional budget
• Managing cash vs non-cash/operating versus capital
• Reconciling the budget to the institutional scorecard
• The audit – what it is and is not; and more important than you may think

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Threats to Your Religious Freedom: Identifying and Responding

Presenter: Greg Baylor, Partner | Alliance Defending Freedom (DC)

Location: Salon 5
Target Audience: Presidents, Trustees, Other Institutional Leaders

Overview: Biblical higher education faces numerous threats to its religious freedom—especially the liberty of institutions to form their communities consistent with their convictions about sexuality and the sanctity of life. Challenges come from both governmental and non-governmental actors. Join with a leading religious liberty attorney as he surveys what’s happening and suggests how you should respond.

• Staying abreast of legal threats to your religious freedom
• Measuring your level of risk – taking steps to minimize legal exposure
• Engaging in public policy advocacy – making a difference

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The Counter-Cultural Biblical Model for Academic Leadership

Presenter: Ralph E. Enlow, Retired President | ABHE (SC)

Location: Salon 6
Target Audience: Academic Leaders, Faculty

Overview: For biblical higher education to stay true to it’s history and calling, it’s imperative that academic leaders embody a biblical model for their leadership. Explore biblical models of leadership as steward, servant and shepherd while managing the priorities of academic leadership – a new STEM. Join with a distinguished academic and association leader to dig into how God’s Word should shape our leadership paradigm.

• Grasping the biblical posture for academic leadership
• Knowing academic leadership as a calling
• Creating synergy with institutional leadership
• Shaping the outcomes of curriculum formation

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Transforming the Classroom with Logos: Practical Strategies for Biblical Integration and Student Engagement

Presenters: Audrianna Cageao, Product Marketing Manager (IL) and Josh Price, Sr. Account Executive (AR) | Logos

Location: Salon 7
Target Audience: Faculty, Academic Leaders

Overview: Discover how Logos can elevate biblical and theological education in your institution. Explore practical strategies for integrating Logos into teaching, assignments, and student formation. Examine real classroom use cases—how to use Smart Search to model exegetical research, design assignments around Passage and Topic Guides, and support student spiritual development through daily engagement with Scripture. Walk away with ready-to-use templates, best practices, and ideas for how Logos can streamline research instruction and promote Christ-centered learning across disciplines.

• Best practices for integrating Logos into the classroom
• Support student and faculty spiritual development beyond the classroom
• Deepen the biblical literacy on your campus

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Online Education and Accessibility — Designing Inclusive Digital Learning Spaces

Presenter: Lynn B. McCool, Director of Digital Education | Faith Baptist Bible College & Theological Seminary (IA)

Location: Salon 8
Target Audience: Academic and Online Ed Leaders, Faculty Members

Overview: Explore best practices for making online education accessible to all learners, including those with disabilities. Gain insights into universal design principles, legal requirements, and practical strategies for improving accessibility in digital learning environments. Review accessible course design in LMS platforms like Canvas, as well as hands-on activities to evaluate and enhance online materials. Leave with actionable steps to create more inclusive, engaging, and effective online courses.

• Understanding accessibility laws and compliance standards (ADA, Section 508, WCAG)
• Implementing universal design principles in online course materials
• Enhancing video, text, and multimedia for diverse learners
• Using accessibility tools and resources to improve course design

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How to Use AI for Enrollment Data Analysis

Presenter: Bart Caylor, President | Caylor Solutions (IN)

Location: Salon 9
Target Audience: Enrollment Leaders

Overview: Leaders are finding more and more ways that generative AI can save time, increase efficiency, and empower production. One crucial point of AI engagement is helping you analyze your enrollment data. Consider how this tool can sift through a mountain of data and shed light on important insights. Add this AI skill to your competency set and watch how you can know more and strain over numbers less.

• Defining the right numbers to track and analyze
• Engaging with AI for analysis – the right prompts with the right data
• Understanding what AI can tell – and how to use the new information effectively

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Why Enrollment Leaders Are Over/Underqualified to Run Your College Social Media

Presenters: Laurie Kagay, VP of Enrollment and Marketing | Institute for G.O.D (TN)

Location: Salon 10
Target Audience: Enrollment Leaders

Overview: You’re managing deadlines, events, yield strategy, and parent calls. You don’t need another task—you need a system. And Gen Z doesn’t need another press release—they need to see real people sharing what life with God looks like on your campus. If we want students to trust our institutions again, we need to get our story out of the marketing office and into the hands of students who are actually living it. Yes, that means giving up some control—but it also means gaining credibility. Your job shifts from being the content creator to the discipler—the one who sets guardrails, provides vision, and equips students to share what they’re already experiencing.

• You’re overqualified—your time is better spent shaping strategy than writing captions.
• You’re underqualified—Gen Z scrolls past voices and visuals they don’t relate to.
• You’re overqualified—your energy should build systems, not social calendars.
• You’re underqualified—you’re not in their group chats, dorms, or daily lives.
• Students living your mission are the ones best equipped to share it—so how do we do it?

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The Making of an Effective Fundraiser

Presenter: Terry Munday, Retired VP for University Advancement | Indiana Wesleyan University (IN)

Location: Salon 11
Target:  Presidents, Advancement Leaders

Overview: The title of president or advancement officer doesn’t automatically make you an effective fundraiser, even if the need and expectations of results are obvious. The making of a successful fundraiser includes the right combination of what’s in your heart, head and hands. Getting it right – what you believe, how you think, and the disciplines of your actions will make all the difference. Hear irrefutable insights from a fundraiser with remarkable fruitfulness by God’ grace. It’s a great model to emulate.

• People skills that make a difference – the core of your work
• The disciplines of an effective fundraiser – what you must have or develop
• The attitude that makes all the difference – expectancy and innovation

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Effective Learning Outcomes Assessment in Smaller Institutions

Presenters: Michael Jackson and Sarah Starks | ABHE Commission on Accreditation (FL)

Location: Salon 12
Target Audience: Assessment Leaders, Academic Leaders, Accreditation Liaisons

Overview: Every institution assesses student and program intended outcomes, but not all assessment drives meaningful improvement or informs institutional decision-making.  This session explores principles of an assessment system that is both effective and sustainable – one that engages faculty and equips leaders to guide planning and improvement.  Drawing from institutional practice and research focused on small-institution contexts, participants will gain actionable insights to strengthen assessment culture and practice at their institutions, including:

• Clarifying the purpose of an outcomes assessment system
• Designing a system that works and is workable
• Research in strategies for managing assessment in the small college context

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ABHE Standards and Distance Education: Connecting the Dots

Presenter: Shane Wood, Senior Associate Director | ABHE Commission on Accreditation (FL)

Location: Salon 13
Target Audience: Accreditation Liaisons, Academic Leaders, Presidents

Overview: Distance education used to be considered an alternative academic pattern. Now most higher education institutions offer online courses or programs. Explore the distinctives of distance education as reflected in the Standards and the new Policy on Distance Education with an ABHE policy expert and gain new insights for assuring quality and documenting compliance for distance education offerings.

• Understanding how the ABHE Standards and related policies connect to distance education offerings
• Ensuring integrity in distance education courses and programs
• Documenting standards for shared distance education courses

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Organizing and Implementing an Effective Self-Study Process

Presenter: Jena Dunn, Provost| Stark College and Seminary (TX)

Location: Salon 14
Target Audience: Accreditation Liaisons, Academic Leaders

Overview: The self-study process is the keystone of institutional assessment, accreditation compliance documentation, and institutional improvement. The maturity and leadership capacity of an institution is reflected in the quality of the self-study process, and an effective self-study report paves the way for continuous institutional improvement. Think through an exemplary approach with an experienced accreditation leader.

• Reviewing the purpose and spirit of the self-study process
• Exploring the ways to collect documentation and supporting evidence and write the narrative
• Organizing for a smooth process – team engagement, timelines, and accountability
• Addressing alignment with standards for all educational sites, instructional modalities, and languages of instruction

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Raising Up Young Leaders – Charting the Path Forward

Presenter: Eddy Shigley, President | Doulos Leadership Group (IN)

Location: Hospitality Suite 238
Target Audience: Presidents, Academic and Student Development Leaders

Overview: The making of a leader is not just an educational experience. It’s discipleship! Even more, the preparing of spiritual leaders for all facets of ministry requires intentional mentoring and coaching. What are the key markers for making such leaders who will last and make a lasting impact for the Kingdom. Consider keen insights from a passionate builder of leaders.

• Defining a leader that will last – from the inside out
• The making of a leader – signposts on the discipleship journey
• Lessons from a leaders’ coach – how to train and prepare leaders who last

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Assessment with Colleagues: Learning from and with Each Other

Presenter: Jordan Day, Member Success and ABHE Weave Members | Weave (AR)

Location: Salon 16
Target Audience: Academic Leaders, Faculty Members, Student Development Leaders

Overview: Join your colleagues in a panel discussion focused on teaching, learning, and quality in academic, administrative, and student affairs. Through shared experiences, practical examples, and lessons learned, let’s connect to grow from our collective knowledge. For those beginning their higher education journey assessment and experienced practitioners who have navigated the intricacies of the profession. Together we can contribute to an always needed community supporting each other in this work.

• Foundational principles to current approaches in the multifaceted world of assessment
• Leveraging data to inform institutional effectiveness, program improvement, and student success
• How challenges can become positive changes through initiatives to improve quality

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How to Structure and Use Financial Aid to Increase Enrollment

John W. Dysart, President | The Dysart Group (NC)

Location: Salon 17
Target Audience: Financial Aid Leaders, Financial Leaders, Enrollment Leaders

Overview: Financial aid continues to be a critical component of enrollment management.  Whether participating in federal or state aid programs, or just using your internal resources, financial aid must be effectively integrated into your admission and retention operations.

• The Important Role of Financial Aid in Enrollment Management
• Necessary Elements of an Efficient Financial Aid Process
• Structuring Your Institutional Aid Programs
• Introducing a Cost-Effective Financial Aid Award Policy
• Creating Useful Tracking Reports
• The Importance of Communication with Students and Families

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A Time to Lead – God’s Way (Part 2)

Presenter: Steven Henderson, Executive Consultant | Christian Consulting for Colleges and Ministries; ABHE Senior Fellow (OK)

Location: Salon 18
Target Audience: Presidents, Academic Leaders, C-Suite Leaders

Overview: During the chaos of today’s leadership challenges, what are clear biblical principles of godly leadership? How do we hear the still, small voice of godly wisdom to help us make the best leadership decisions? It is clearly a Time to Lead – God’s Way. Consider . . .

• Ten timeless biblical truths for godly leaders
• A methodology for leadership decisions based on Scripture
• Advice for your daily growth in leadership wisdom

Watching the Waterfront – Important Trends to Follow

Presenter: Jan Haas, Senior Partner | CFO Colleague (PA)

Location: Salon 1
Target Audience: Financial Leaders, Presidents

Overview: The deluge of information flowing from the tumult in higher education can be a blur. But there are saliant factors that should rise to the surface for your leadership perspective and service. Knowing the trends is more than just for conversation, it can be vital for strategic financial planning. Review important reports with a veteran financial leader and think through how these can impact your ministry.

• The good, bad, and ugly in higher education – changes you should know
• Trend lines for institutional enrollments – post pandemic realities
• Financial pressures and their impact – reports and predictions

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Implementation and Management of Collegiate Athletics

Presenter: Dan Wood, Executive Director | NCCAA (SC)

Location: Salon 2
Target:  Student Development Leaders, Athletic Directors, Presidents, CFO’s

Overview:  It’s no secret. Institutions often start athletic programs in an effort to boost enrollment. Sometimes this works, but it’s always fraught with high risks along with significant rewards. Think through what we are learning about this process – from keys for smart implementation to effective management. Learn from others’ mistakes and keep your institution healthy and viable.

• Essential factors for a successful launch – when and how to start athletic programs well
• Risks measurement and mitigation – tracking the right numbers and benchmarks
• Knowing the role and responsibilities of leadership – from president, athletic director, CFO and SDO

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The Ten Best Practices of the Most Effective Boards

Presenter: John Derry, President Emeritus | Hope International University (TX), ABHE Board Governance Coach, ABHE Senior Fellow

Location: Salon 3
Target:  Presidents, Trustees

Overview: What sets exceptional boards apart isn’t just who sits around the table—it’s how they lead together. Join this interactive workshop designed for trustees to explore the ten best practices implemented by the most effective governing boards in biblical higher education. Explore strategic visioning, presidential support, financial stewardship, spiritual discernment and more.

• Top ten best practices for board effectiveness
• Habits that foster trust, accountability, and mission alignment.
• Assessment tools custom-designed to rate your own board’s performance
• Honest reflection and actionable insights

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Reimagining Christian Education in the Age of AI

Presenter: George Neau, Chancellor | SUM (CA)

Location: Salon 4
Target Audience: Presidents, Trustees, C-Suite Leaders

Overview: We are standing on the edge of a technological revolution. AI with its mimic cognitive tasks is accelerating at a rate that challenges the traditional structures of education making the very premise of modern educational institution obsolete. Explore the implications of this revolution with a distinguished institutional leader and tighten your seatbelt for the tumult in education that’s unfolding.

• The collapse of the knowledge-transfer model
• The ethical role of faculty in a post-AI world
• The church as the new center of formation
• The brutal reckoning ahead

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Leading Enrollment Well: Presidential Roles in Strategy, Support and Stewardship

Presenters: Denise Cunningham, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives (VA) and Molly Smith, Vice President of External Engagement (IN) | NACCAP

Location: Salon 5
Target Audience: Presidents, Enrollment Leaders

Overview: Enrollment success depends on more than a strong admissions office – it requires presidential leadership that is strategic, supportive, and data informed. This session equips presidents to better understand their critical role in shaping enrollment health. Learn how to support your enrollment leader, ask the right questions, use research to drive decisions and hear stories of how college presidents have impacted enrollment.

• Understand the president’s strategic role in shaping healthy enrollment
• Learn how to use enrollment data and research effectively to inform decisions, guide institutional planning, and communicate with stakeholders
• Discover practical tools for supporting and empowering enrollment leaders and teams

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Getting Started Well – The President’s First 100 Days

Presenter: Daniel Overdorff, President | Johnson University (TN)

Location: Salon 6
Target Audience: Presidents

Overview: It’s never been more important for a new president to start well. While the proverbial “honeymoon” period might still exist, the expectations are intense for the early days of your presidency to show effective results in key areas of leadership. So, what are these vital areas of impact for both internal and external stakeholders? Hear the story from a new president who took careful notes of what he learned about starting well over his first 100 days.

• Institutional executive team –role clarification, performance expectations and accountability, team synergy
• Faculty and staff relationship development around campus culture
• Engagement with the Board around mission alignment and fulfillment
• Relationship development with major donors and influencers
• Evaluation of the institutional business model – sustainability

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How Your Students Can Serve People Living with Disabilities

Presenter: Mark Kahler, University Relations Manager | Joni and Friends (TN)

Location: Salon 7
Target Audience: Faculty Members, Deans, Academic Leaders 

Overview: What’s the largest minority on the planet – people with disabilities! We have an opportunity now to train our students to include them in their ministry through engagement during their educational journey. Consider proven ways to prepare your students for ministry to those with disabilities with a global leader, Joni and Friends. Include these precious ones in your vision for leadership training.

• Giving value to those with disabilities – as Jesus did
• Understanding ministry to those with disabilities – professional insights
• Practical paths to engage in and prepare for this ministry – internships and events

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Understanding and Connecting with the Christian College Market

Presenter: P. Jesse Rine, Executive Director | Center for Academic Faithfulness & Flourishing (SC)

Location: Salon 8
Target Audience: Enrollment Leaders, institutional Research Leaders, Presidents, Provosts, and Development Leaders

Overview: Smaller cohorts of college-aged students and declines in public confidence have led to a more difficult environment for student recruitment. However, institutions that understand the preferences of Christian families and can articulate what makes biblical higher education unique will be well positioned to rise above present challenges. Gain key insights from two new research reports, the Almanac of Christian Higher Education and the Christian College Market Profile. Explore trend data for key dimensions of performance among ABHE institutions. Consider strategies for communicating these distinctives to prospective families and the public.

• Surveying sector-level data on biblical higher education
• Analyzing the educational preferences of Christian families
• Crafting institutional strategy for reaching target populations

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Make Audits Boring Again: Using Internal Controls That Don’t Disappear Mid-Year

Presenter: Gabby Parker, Business Owner | Genovations Consulting (TN)

Location: Salon 9
Target Audience: Financial Leaders

Overview: Financial stability in Bible colleges is driven not just by major campaigns and healthy tuition rates, but by the consistency of day-to-day internal controls and the leaders who uphold them. Genovations Consulting has experienced firsthand the transformative power of proactive financial leadership in these settings. Consider how impactful it is for ministry leaders to anticipate financial needs early, create sustainable funding structures, and build healthy accountability systems across teams.

• Move from a “once-a-year audit compliance mindset” to a culture of financial integrity and stewardship
• Identify the most common and cyclical post-audit issues that arise in organizations
• Build control systems that can fit your organization’s size and save you time
• Implement a year-round control calendar to scale your control systems with organizational growth

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Leveraging Enrollment AI Engagement for Maximum Impact

Presenter: Keith Mock, Enrollment Marketing Solutions | Liaison International (AL)

Location: Salon 10
Target Audience: Enrollment Leaders

Overview: Most enrollment leaders dabble with AI. Some are developing a growing competency for leveraging its potential. All should be leaning into this technology revolution to take full advantage of its power and potential but first sharpen your AI acumen.  Learn where to start to make AI your highly leveraged friend.

• Differentiate the types of AI being used today
• Survey best practices of AI in enrollment leadership
• Lessons being learned from mistakes being made

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Leading a Successful Annual Fund

Presenters: Rich Cummins, President (IN), Jerry Grines, VP Client Services (SC), Linda Cunning, Senior Consultant (FL) | The Timothy Group

Location: Salon 11
Target Audience: Advancement Leaders, Presidents

Overview: The bread and butter of every advancement team is a well-planned and executed Annual Fund. Every institution depends on this to make ends meet and fulfill their mission. What are the key components along with the art and science of effective execution. Review your plans and sharpen your blueprint with an expert fundraiser.

• Understanding the purpose and dynamic of an effective Annual Fund – alignment with mission
• Setting the right goals based on past performance and strategy – faith-based but realistic
• Getting organized for results – responsibilities, assignments and accountability
• Translating events and initiatives into the advancement calendar – trigger dates

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Making Assessment Meaningful: Are You Missing a Crucial Step?

Presenter: Sheri Popp, Director of Academic Effectiveness | Columbia International University (IA)

Location: Salon 12
Target Audience: Assessment Leaders, Accreditation Liaisons, Academic Leaders

Overview: Assessment is supposed to help us improve—but too often, we stop at collecting and reporting data. What if the most important step is the one we’re skipping? This session explores how to move beyond compliance and make assessment a powerful tool for change.

• Turning assessment results into meaningful action
• Deciding which findings deserve attention now
• Evaluating whether our changes are making a real impact

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ABHE Standards and Graduate Education: Connecting the Dots

Presenter: Ron Kroll, Commission Staff Representative | ABHE Commission on Accreditation (FL)

Location: Salon 13
Target Audience: Accreditation Liaisons, Academic Leaders, Presidents

Overview: Approximately two-thirds of ABHE institutions offer graduate education programs. ABHE standards and policies provide specific guidance for these offerings. Explore the distinctives of graduate education as reflected in the Standards and the new Policy on Graduate Education with an ABHE policy expert and gain new insights for assuring quality and documenting compliance for graduate education programs.

• Understanding the curricular and outcome distinctions separating undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral studies
• Identifying student services, learning resources and services appropriate for graduate education
• Addressing challenges and alternatives in demonstrating faculty qualifications for instruction at the master’s and doctoral levels
• Recognizing the long-term resource commitments required for graduate programs

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Substantive Change: Understanding the Policy and Related Procedures

Presenter: Michael Jackson, Associate Director | ABHE Commission on Accreditation (AL)

Location: Salon 14
Target Audience: Accreditation Liaisons, Academic Leaders, Presidents

Overview: Substantive change touches programs, locations, delivery, and governance, and it carries clear policy expectations and decision timelines. In this session, a Commission leader walks through ABHE’s Substantive Change policy and the related procedures reviewers use to evaluate proposals, so accreditation liaisons, academic leaders, and presidents can plan changes confidently, consult early when uncertain, and avoid compliance surprises.

• Knowing when and how to seek approval, including early consultation, electronic submission using ABHE templates, officer decision timelines, and the Commission’s decision calendar
• Preparing a complete proposal, with mission fit and rationale, need or demand analysis, full description of the change, resource and governance documentation, anticipated impact on stability, and any required authorizations
• Understanding outcomes and obligations, including approval, disapproval, or deferral actions, the prohibition on implementing without approval, possible sanctions, and when site visits are required

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Smart Stewardship: Making the Most of Your Healthcare

Presenter: Jonathan Bilodeau, Canada Managing Director | CEB Services (AB)

Location: Hospitality Suite 238
Target Audience: Faculty Members, Academic Leaders, All Staff 

Overview: Navigating the world of healthcare from a consumer’s perspective can be daunting and frustrating. There’s help! Join this practical and empowering workshop on becoming a wise healthcare consumer. Learn valuable tips and tricks for maximizing your health benefits, understanding your insurance coverage, and confidently navigating care decisions.

• Become a wise steward of your health and resources – from a scriptural perspective
• Make more informed, discerning and intentional healthcare choices – with faith
• Ask the key questions, avoid unnecessary costs, and stay informed and proactive

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ABHE Bible Knowledge Exam for Current Users – Tapping It’s Potential for Assessing Bible Learning

Presenters: Noah Tyler, Chief Financial Officer, Eren Asena, Chief Statistician | Classic Learning Test/ABHE Bible Knowledge Exam (MD); Donna Knottek, former Dir. of Institutional Research and Assessment | Highlands College (AL)

Location: Salon 16
Target Audience: Assessment Leaders, Academic Leaders, Test Administrators 

Overview: ABHE institutions are committed to our students learning the truths of God’s Word. We are BIBLICAL higher education. ABHE’s Bible Knowledge Exam is designed to test the measure of this learning as a key part of institutional research. As a current exam user, join with other test administrators to see how exam analytics can be used to demonstrate Bible learning and inform your institution’s Bible teaching.

• Reading test scores– understanding what they mean (and don’t)
• Comparing your students’ scores with norms – comparative analysis
• Knowing how test analytics can be used to confirm learning
• What features should be added – user feedback

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Designing a Strong Benefits Plan: Cutting-edge Strategies for Retirement and Health Plans

Presenter: David Ray, Large Markets Sales Manager | GuideStone Financial Resources (TX)

Location: Salon 17
Target Audience: Institutional Leaders, CFO’s, Business Administrators, HR professionals

Overview:  Ministries have the unique opportunity to fulfill their calling to the world, and to their own staff. In this workshop, we will discuss the importance of providing benefits to meet your staff’s needs so that they are financially, physically, emotionally, and spiritually well. Meeting these needs will allow help your staff stay focused on the ministry that God has called them to within your organization.

• Why have a strong benefits plan?
• Retirement Plans for Tomorrow
• Health Plans for Today

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Freedom to Flourish: Securing Mission-Driven Independence from Government and Banks

Presenters: John Curtis, Fundraising Specialist (NC) and Nick Honerkamp, President (NC)|Covenant Resource Group, Inc.

Location: Salon 18
Target Audience: CFO’s, Advancement Leaders, Presidents

Overview: Christian colleges cannot rely on Title IV or traditional banks without risking mission and autonomy. In a climate of shifting political winds, cultural pressures, and declining church attendance, this session equips leaders to leverage alternative funding, build endowments and reserves, and invest in capacity—charting a resilient, faith-driven path to long-term financial independence.

• Identify the risks of dependence on government funding (Title IV) and traditional banks
• Explore mission-aligned alternative funding sources and models
• Learn strategies to drive donor-centric fundraising, grow reserves, and strengthen investment capacity
• A practical plan to achieve autonomy and safeguard mission while securing long-term sustainability

Weather Report – Surviving the Tax and Compliance Storm

Presenter: Dave Moja, CEO | Moja and Company (GA), ABHE Senior Fellow

Location: Salon 1
Target Audience: Financial Leaders, Presidents

Overview: For US institutions, keeping up the with the rapid changes in tax laws can be daunting, maybe impossible. Add to that the implications for compliance and reporting. Headaches are understandable! Unpack recent tax changes and what this means for your institutional compliance with an expert guru in tax law and compliance. Find hope in the midst of the storm with good counsel.

• Understanding recent tax law changes – the facts that are important
• Reviewing the implications for compliance – knowing your safety zone’
• Preparing now for required reporting – getting your data together

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Forming Hearts and Minds: Integrating Public Reading of Scripture into Campus Life

Presenters: Emma Bortins, Sumi Kim and Catie Shoemaker | The Grace & Mercy Foundation (NY)

Location: Salon 2
Target Audience: Student Development, Spiritual Life Leaders, Chapel Deans

Overview: In biblical higher education, we labor to shape students who love truth, pursue wisdom, and walk in faith. Public Reading of Scripture (PRS) is a powerful, formative rhythm that aligns beautifully with this mission. PRS is the time-honored practice of listening to the Bible together. That’s being in community, listening, through the Whole Bible, as part of a regular practice, and delivered with the highest quality. If your mission is to graduate students who know and love God’s Word, PRS is a strategic and spiritually rich tool to help fulfill it. Re-discover PRS as a cornerstone of spiritual formation that fosters communities rooted in the Word and attentive to the voice of God.

• Return to Scripture as the center of spiritual formation – studying God’s Word and hearing God’s Word
• Participate in a live PRS session – simple, accessible, transformative
• Learn practical steps to start PRS groups in chapels, classrooms, dorms, and create a course curriculum to successfully listen to the entirety of Scripture
• Equip participants to lead PRS and start groups to cultivate lifelong habits of communal Scripture reading

 

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The Enemy Within – Factors That Resist Needed Change 

Presenter: David Gyertson, Former President | Asbury, Taylor and Regent Universities; ABHE Board Governance Coach and Senior Fellow (KY)

Location: Salon 3
Target Audience: Trustees, Presidents

Overview: A growing number of presidents, both current and retired, are voicing their growing concern over systemic factors in higher education that are resistant to change. These factors threaten to hamstring leadership efforts for institutional flourishing at a time when innovation and change is essential for survival. Explore these insights with a veteran president and discuss implications for your role.

• Traditional modes of institutional operation most resistant to change – a reality check
• The risky role of presidential leadership in addressing change – points of rub
• Disconnect between rosy reports from current presidents vs warnings from past presidents
• Possible paths forward – effectively leading through change

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Introducing the ABHE Leadership Academy 

Presenter: Darren Campbell, CEO | CampusEDU (IN)

Location: Salon 4
Target Audience: Trustees, Presidents, All C-Suite Leaders

Overview: The ABHE Leadership Academy and Campus are partnering to launch an innovative micro-learning platform designed to equip Bible colleges for mission and growth. In this session, you’ll discover how the ABHE Leadership Academy is leveraging Campus to design academically grounded, mission-driven micro-credentials—and get a first look at the new platform we’re launching together. Come preview how it can advance your institution’s mission and extend its influence.

• Understanding the structure of the ABHE micro-courses – in partnership with Campus
• Review of the current catalog of courses – seven tracks
• Implementation of the ABHE Leadership Academy – professional development

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Blessed Are The Peacemakers – Are You One?

Presenter: Ryan Ward, Director of Academic & Church Initiatives | Relationship Wisdom 360 (MT)

Location: Salon 5
Target Audience: Presidents, All C-Suite Leaders

Overview: There’s not a campus across ABHE that’s immune to conflict. And when that happens, blessed are the leaders who know how to manage reconciliation that restores peace on campus. These leaders know how to deploy relational wisdom through emotional intelligence that creates an environment of respect, caring, healing and restoration. Consider essential principles you can use that can make you part of God’s peacemaking team on your campus.

• Unpack the essentials of relationship wisdom – how it works
• Learn the skills that help bring peace in the midst of conflict
• Explore the dynamics of interpersonal conflicts

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Dismissing God – Why Students Leave Their Faith

Presenter: Bruce Lockerbie, Chairman/CEO | PAIDEIA (NY)

Location: Salon 6
Target Audience: Academic Leaders, Faculty, Student Development Leaders, Presidents

Overview: An honest appraisal of our movement includes the fact that some of our students leave their faith in spite of the intentional and intensive efforts to cultivate students’ steadfast relationship with Christ. This is worthy of serious reflection and Spirit-assisted insight about how these might be avoided. Consider remarkable case studies of distinguished authors – brought up in religious if not indeed godly homes – as well as leaders in Christian churches and Christian higher education – who have demitted their faith! Let the truth enlighten our way forward..

• The formation of enduring faith – not a given
• Telltale signs of doubt and disbelief – eyes to see
• Teaching that’s deeper than information – spiritually relational

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Realistic Tactics to Improve Retention and Graduation Rates

John W. Dysart, President | The Dysart Group (NC)

Location: Salon 7
Target Audience: Faculty, Academic Leaders, Financial Aid Leaders

Overview: Colleges and universities have been discussing retention for decades yet, retention and graduation rates continue to decline.  Move past the buzzwords and popular strategies that usually do not move the needle.

• Structuring a retention operation with limited resources
• Identifying at-risk students and tracking progress
• The role of academic advising and active intervention
• Knowing the Influence of financial aid

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Is Your Institution Ready for Executive Leadership Succession? Learning from Recent Research

Presenter: Chad Pollard | President, Kansas Christian College (KS)

Location: Salon 8
Target Audience: Presidents, Trustees

Overview: Higher education is facing an impending leadership crisis, and college and university leaders need to be prepared by making institutional succession planning a strategic priority. We can learn from the results of recent research that may assist executive leadership and boards at institutions to be prepared to fill those vacancies.  This session will highlight . . .

• Making succession planning a strategic priority
• Institutional preparedness for leadership succession
• Role of the board in succession
• Role of the executive leadership in succession

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Marketing Questions That Thinking Leaders Should Be Asking

Presenter: Bart Caylor, President | Caylor Solutions (IN), ABHE Senior Fellow

Location: Salon 9
Target Audience: Presidents, Academic, and Enrollment Leaders

Overview: Few places can waste dollars more quickly than ineffective marketing! Not asking the right questions most often lead to making the wrong decisions. Sharpen your thinking with a marketing expert and conduct an audit of how well you spend your marketing dollars. Get better results.

• Rethinking your institutional marketing strategy – the key questions
• Honestly assessing results – no smoke blowing
• Carefully confirming targets and expected results
• Knowing your real ROI – always

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Top 10 Ways Leadership Can Impact Enrollment Revenues

Presenter: Nathan Alexander, Regional Vice President for Partner Relations | Clark Higher Ed (NC)

Location: Salon 10
Target Audience: Enrollment Leaders, Presidents

Overview: Leadership can make a difference. When the impact is on enrollment revenue, it’s a good time to rethink how your leadership can help grow your institution. Review ten strategic ways this can happen and take your leadership impact to the next level.

• Rethink your leadership role and your revenue impact
• Consider creative ideas, tips on how to strengthen your bottom-line influence
• Get started now with initiatives that will work

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The Art of the Ask – The Key to Fundraising Results

Pat McLaughlin, Stewardship Representative (MI)

Location: Salon 11
Target Audience: Advancement Leaders

Overview: Often, the weakest link in an institution’s fundraising is simply the failure to ask. We know donors give because they are asked, but still the art of effectively asking languishes. Walk through the comprehensive role of asking your donors – from entry level to mega donors with a distinguished fundraiser and make this a key point of growth for your advancement efforts. Be surprised at the remarkable results. It’s all in the Art of the Ask.

• Seeing your “asks” as an essential part of donor relationships and communications
• Owning the art of the ask – for you personally
• Shaping the ask for the audience – from entry to mega donor

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Effective Assessment in Higher Education

Presenter: Tiphanie Ivey, Owner and Principal Consultant | The University Compliance Solution (GA)

Location: Salon 12
Target Audience: Assessment Leaders, Accreditation Liaisons, Academic Leaders

Overview:  Assessment in higher education plays a critical role in decision-making, accountability, quality assurance, and resource allocation. Institutions must ensure that graduates are prepared for both local and global markets, but determining success requires effective assessment. Unfortunately, many institutions treat assessment as a compliance task rather than a tool for meaningful improvement. Others struggle with its complexity, leading to frustration and inefficiency. Consider strategies to develop a practical, effective, and sustainable assessment system that drives continuous institutional improvement.

• Learning how to streamline assessment processes to reduce inefficiencies and frustration
• Discovering strategies to ensure assessment data leads to meaningful institutional improvements
• Transitioning from a compliance-driven approach to an effective and sustainable assessment system

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ABHE Standards and Institutional Culture: Connecting the Dots

Presenter: Lisa Beatty, Executive Director | ABHE Commission on Accreditation (FL)

Location: Salon 13
Target Audience: Accreditation Liaisons, Academic Leaders, Presidents

Overview: Institutional culture is a critical component in achieving institutional mission. Shared values and practices foster employee engagement, enhance student satisfaction and retention, and cultivate a consistent institutional identity. Explore the ABHE Standards and Essential Elements relating to institutional culture with the Commission Executive Director and consider standards-based strategies for improving and enhancing your institutional climate.

• Identify ABHE Standards and Essential Elements relating to institutional culture
• Discuss strategies for documenting compliance with standards relating to institutional values and practices
• Explore opportunities for enhancing institutional culture in support of mission achievement

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Peer Evaluator Network: Q & A with Evaluation Team Chairs

Presenters: Shane Wood, Sr. Assoc. Director | ABHE COA (FL), James Lanpher | Columbia International University (SC), Greg Linton | Johnson University (TN) and Janet Starks |Kingswood University (NB)

Location: Salon 14
Target Audience: COA Evaluation Team Members and Chairs

Overview: There is both art and science to effective accreditation evaluations, and peer review is a critical aspect of the comprehensive accreditation review. An expert panel of experienced team chairs will share lessons learned to help you hone your knowledge and skills as an effective accreditation evaluator.

• Characteristics of an effective evaluator – team dynamics
• Preparing to serve on an evaluation team – researching context and reviewing documents
• Considering challenges during evaluation visits – and solutions
• Addressing all educational sites, instructional modalities, and languages of instruction in team reports

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A Life of Service After Your Higher Education Career

Presenters:  Larry McKinney, Former Executive Director | ABHE (FL), John Derry, President Emeritus / Hope International University (TX), Ellen Daniels, Director of Engagement / Servant Solutions (MS)

Location: Hospitality Suite 238
Target Audience: Institutional Leaders

Overview:  Assuming God’s providence and good health, you may enter a new life of meaningful service following your higher education career.  While being focused on current leadership responsibilities, it is important to think, plan and pray for what God has in store for you in the future.  Look ahead with those who have begun this new chapter in their lives and learn from their experiences.  Think and plan wisely.  You will be glad you did!

• Future Focus – financial stewardship
• Proven Principles – life of fulfillment
• Life of Service – continue to give back
• Future Steps – Begin planning now

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Building a Sustainable Endowment Despite Denominational Downturn

Presenter: Riley Rowan, Director of Business Development | Eder Financial (FL)

Location: Salon 16
Target Audience: Advancement Leaders, CFO’s

Overview: As traditional denominational ties weaken and donor loyalty shifts, faith-based institutions face new challenges in building and maintaining sustainable endowments. How can Christian colleges and universities adapt their development strategies to remain financially resilient without compromising mission? Gain actionable insights on how to build enduring financial foundations that honor both faith and future.

• Explore practical approaches to cultivate mission-aligned donors
• Diversify your planned giving strategies
• Reposition your endowment growth amid generational and theological shifts

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Flying Blind or a Data-Informed Enrollment Strategy

Presenter: Dave Burke, President | Legacy Higher Ed (CO)

Location: Salon 17
Target Audience: Enrollment Leaders

Overview: An easy trap for enrollment leaders is just to keep doing what you’ve been doing without knowing what should change. Even worse is having higher expectations for results while doing the same old game plan. The right data can shine a powerful light on areas of needed change and improvement and make you a wiser enrollment leader – informed with the right data to enhance your strategy. Learn from an enrollment expert how this can work for you and your team.

• Tracking the right numbers — sharpening your focus
• Data analytics — prudent interpretation
• Adjusting strategy in light of data — courage to adjust and change
• Communicating key data to others — facts vs opinion

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I’m Ready to Lead: Navigating the Transition to Greater Responsibility

Presenter: Tom Cornman, Executive Search Consultant | Timothy Search (OR)

Location: Salon 18
Target Audience: C-Suite Leaders, Presidents

Overview: Is it time for you to step into a higher level of leadership, either within your current institution or at a new one? Consider practical strategies and encouragement to prepare for and embrace greater responsibility in Christian higher education. Get ready for the next chapter in your leadership journey.

• Assessing your readiness for leadership
• Crafting an effective cover letter and CV
• Navigating the job search process
• Thriving in a new leadership role