Featured Speakers and Guests

Sunday - Opening Plenary Speaker


Lex Gillette is a celebrated Paralympic athlete from Team USA, specializing in the long jump. He has won five Paralympic medals, four world championships, and holds the world record for blind athletes, having surpassed the 22-foot mark.

Despite losing his sight in childhood,  Lex, with his mother's support, overcame challenges and became an inspiring figure. His achievements have been recognized by major media outlets like ESPN and Sports Illustrated, and he was inducted into the ADN Hall of Fame in 2015.

As a motivational speaker, Lex encourages audiences to look beyond their immediate circumstances, advocating that true success comes from vision rather than sight. His engaging presentations aim to inspire and empower others to achieve their potential, encapsulated in his motto: "There is no need for sight when you have a vision."

 

Monday Morning Plenary Session

Institutional Compliance Collaboration Needed for Federal Regulations for Institutional & Programmatic Quality & Accountability


Photograph of Sarah Autin
Photograph of Cheryl Dowd
Photograph of Erika Swain

Sarah Austin
Policy Analyst at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA)

Cheryl Dowd
Senior Director, State Authorization Network and WCET Policy Innovations

Erika Swain
Assistant Director of Academic Compliance and Authorization for the University of Colorado Boulder

Kristi Wold-McCormick
Assistant Vice Provost & University Registrar, University of Colorado Boulder

Monday Afternoon Plenary Session

FERPA at a Crossroads: A Fireside Chat on the Future of Student Privacy

Join us for an exclusive fireside chat with two of the foremost experts on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)—LeRoy Rooker and Dale King—moderated by AACRAO Executive Director Melanie Gottlieb. This session marks a pivotal transition in FERPA expertise as LeRoy, a longtime authority on student privacy, passes the torch to Dale.


Photograph of Dale King

Dale King
AACRAO Senior Fellow

LeRoy Rooker
AACRAO Senior Fellow

Tuesday Morning Plenary Session

Harnessing AI for Transfer Learner Success: Innovations in Advising and Mobility

This session will explore cutting-edge applications of AI in transfer advising and course articulation, highlighting how institutions can leverage these technologies to create more seamless and equitable pathways for transfer learners.


Photograph of Dr. Daniel Knox

Dr. Daniel Knox
Director of the Institute for Systems Innovation and Improvement

Dr. Zachary Pardos
Associate Professor of Education at UC Berkeley

Wednesday Morning Public Policy Session

Join the AACRAO Government Relations team for an update on what is transpiring in Washington DC with a new Administration and Congress. Some of the topics that will be discussed include an update on the renewal of the Higher Education Act (HEA), important legislation for the association, the Department of Education budget and some of the regulatory changes the Administration is seeking to implement.


William Gil
Senior Director, Government Relations

Michael Bilfinger
Assistant Director, Public Policy

Wednesday - Closing Speaker

Co-author of the award-winning book Foresight 2020: A Futurist Explores the Trends Transforming Tomorrow, which identified emerging opportunities in twelve industries.

Simon has dedicated his career to helping executives and other leaders around the world be future-ready. He brings a global perspective developed from speaking on four continents and having traveled to more than 35 countries.

As a thought leader in emerging technology, his insights have been featured on platforms worldwide, including Crain’s Business News, Commercial Factor Magazine, and Executive Connections, a publication of the International Executive MBA Council.

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