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SUMMARY:CSPEN 12th Annual Conference
DESCRIPTION:\nJoin Us at the CSPEN 12th Annual Conference!\n\n\n\nAugust 10-13, 2026Austin Marriott DowntownAustin, Texas\n\n\n\nGet ready for an incredible in-person experience at the CSPEN 12th Annual Conference. Connect with professionals, share ideas, and dive into exciting sessions. It’s the perfect chance to expand your network and learn from the best. Don’t miss this awesome event that brings everyone together face-to-face. See you there!\n\n\n\n\nRegister Today\n\n\n\nSubmit Your Proposals\n\n\n\nHotel Registration\n\n\n\nSponsors ( #annualconferencesponsors )\n\n\n\nBecome a Sponsor ( mailto:jeri@centralstatesedu.com?subject=Sign%20me%20up%20for%20a%20sponsorship! )\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister for Golf\n\n\n\nRegister for Walking Tour & Lunch ( mailto:deb.postlewait@macmillan.com?subject=Let's%20Walk! )\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMonday, August 10\n\n\n\nTimeEventDetails7 am – 2 pmGrey Rock Golf ClubRegister for GolfJoin CSPEN for a fun golf tournament where your next 18 holes are mere minutes from downtown Austin, yet worlds away in the heart of the Texas hill country on 160 acres of stately oaks and majestic views.9 am – 1 pmCSPEN Exclusive :: Old Austin Walking Tour & BBQ LunchRegister for Event ( mailto:deb.postlewait@macmillan.com?subject=Let's%20Walk! )View Full ImageSponsored by3 – 5 pmWorkshop :: AI in Action: From Static Data to Student-Centered DecisionsSponsored by3 – 5 pmRegulatory Workshop :: Navigating OBBBA Changes Across Your InstitutionSponsored by6 – 8 pmShinyRibs ConcertJoin CSPEN for a night of fun you’ll be talking about for years as we host the nationally-acclaimed Austin band:SHINYRIBSShinyRibs defies genres as a sonic melting pot of Texas Blues, New Orleans R&B Funk, horn-driven Memphis Soul, country twang, border music, big band swing and roots-rock. Led by Kevin Russell, the charismatic frontman with colorful suits and extravagant shoes who continually swaps out an electric guitar for ukulele and never falls short of creating a cinematic experience with on-stage antics that will have you laughing, dancing, singing and begging for more.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTuesday, August 11\n\n\n\nTimeEventDetails9 – 9:30 am Breakfast in Exhibition Hall9:30 – 10:30 am Welcome General Session10:30 – 11:30 amSessions1. The Canvas Breach and the Digital Campus: Lessons for Online CollegesPresenters: Ken Styron, Columbia Southern and Yolanda Gallegos, Gallegos Legal Group, LLC 2. Cheating, Overusing… and Refusing: The New AI Challenge for FacultyPresenter: Lisa Blue, Eastern Kentucky University 3. The Hidden Leaks In Your Enrollment Funnel – How to find them and fix themPresenters: Lyda King, Western Technical College and Angela Poia, MDT Marketing 4. Optimizing the Workforce, Education and Employer Intersection: Turning Collaboration into Sustainable Wage CareersPresenters: Andrea Snow, Pima Medical Institute and Micaela Pearson, Career Team11:45 am – 12:45 pm Light Lunch in Exhibition Hall12:45 – 1:45 pmSessions1. Beyond Social: How to Reach Gen Z Prospects Through the Rest of Their DayPresenter: Brandt Bodamer, adduro.io2. What I Got Wrong: A CEO’s Playbook on How to Diagnose and Fix Leadership Failures in Real TimePresenter: Josh Swayne, Charter College 3. How a School and Student Loan Servicer Partnered to Modernize Institutional Financing Through Automation and APIsPresenters: Tony Comstock, Pima Medical Institute, Nicolas Morabito, UNISA and Matt Chinn, UNISA 4. Academic Integrity in an AI-infused World: Curriculum Strategies for Healthcare Student Success and Professional Workforce ReadinessPresenter: Karin Sherrill, Nurse Educator and Tammy Detrich, FA Davis5. SIS Workshop – SIS SOS: Finding Our Way Out of the TanglePanel Discussion1:45 – 2:45 pmSessions1. War on TalentPresenter: John Assunto, Hudson Group 2. From Assumptions to Access: Addressing the Hidden Curriculum That Shapes Learner SuccessPresenter: Raye Mahlberg, Nightingale College 3. Bridging the gap between admissions and FAPresenter: Renee Ford, DJA 4. AI Anxiety – Dealing with the InevitablePresenter: Mike O’Brien. Conext5. Why Search Engine Optimization is important for Career Colleges to Attract New StudentsPresenters: David Mohr, Salud Education, Darryl Maddox, Gragg Advertising and Fred Frantz, Gragg Advertising2:45 – 3:45 pmBreakSponsored by3:45 – 4:45 pm General Session – Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization Committee Negotiated Rulemaking UpdatePanel: Jeffrey Bodimer, Post University, Michale McComis, Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, Jennifer Blum, Principal, Blum Higher Education Advising, PLLC4:45 – 6:30 pm Reception in Exhibition Hall\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWednesday, August 12\n\n\n\nTimeEventDetails8 – 8:30 amBreakfast8:30 – 9:30 am  General Session9:30 – 10 am Coffee BreakSponsored by10 – 11 amSessions1. Too Much, Too Fast: Solving Cognitive Overload in Modern Healthcare ProgramsPresenters: Bethany Stiles, Fortis College and Dinez “Dee” Swanson, Elsevier 2. From Assessment to Action: Building Infrastructure for Continuous ImprovementPresenter: Michelle Landa, Bay Atlantic University 3. What If Your Marketing Data Could Tell You What to Do Next?Presenters: Chris Sheppard and Joy McClure, Tricoci University of Beauty Culture 4. Audit Updates for Schools Participating in Title IV ProgramsPresenter: Amy Bales, US Department of Education 5. Responding to the Regulations: Regulatory Advocacy Strategies and LegalChallengesPanel: Jonathan Helwink, Helwink PLLC, Brandon Sherman, Saul Ewing, Evan Moltz, Thompson Coburn LLP, Tres Cleveland, Thompson Coburn LLP, and Brandt Hill, Thompson Coburn LLP11 am – Noon Sessions1. Earnings Edge: Your Roadmap to DOE AccountabilityPresenter: Jeffrey Bodimer, Post University 2. Trading Up the Next Generation in an AI Driven WorkforcePresenter: Brian Huff, Midwest Technical Institute and Delta Technical College 3. Beyond Content: Designing Learning That Shows Up on the JobPresenter: Marcy Baughman, Macmillan 4. Your Campus Speaks. Make sure it says the right thingPresenters: Samantha Greenberg, New England Tractor Trailer Training School, NETTS and  Scott Helms, Celsius Marketing 5. Federal Legislative UpdatePanel: Mark Brenner, Universal Technical Institute, Conwey Casilias, University of Phoenix, Jillian Kline, Strategic Education Inc., Jacob Bonifield, DeVry University, Kristina Gill. Duane Morris, and T.C. Wolfe, New Century Government AffairsNoon – 1 pmLunch1 – 2 pmSessions1. Improving Lead Quality Without Sacrificing VolumePresenters: Gina Fong Seidler, National Holistic Institute, Fred Carini, Bellus Academy and Saj Butt. Enrollment Resources 2. From AI Awareness to AI Workforce Readiness: Practical Models for Career CollegesPresenters: Eran Lasser, Wawiwa, Shelley Morris, FeedBackSystems, and Bob Paxton, ABHES 3. Understanding the Composite ScorePresenters: Christopher DeLuca, Rouse Frets White Goss Gentile Rhodes, P.C. and Chris Adams, SST Accountants 4. Minimizing the Negative Impact of the Covid Payment PausePresenters: Mary Lyn Hammer and John White, Champion Col-EDGE Solutions 5. Tracking Tech Shortage in Career EducationPanel Discussion2 – 3 pmSessions1. AI-Powered Licensing: How the AZ State Board leverages AI to streamline school-level compliancePresenter: Kevin LaMountain, Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education 2. Beyond the Enrollment Cliff: Are You Ready to Climb and Thrive?Presenters: Joe Mowery, Miller Motte College and Gina Castleberry, Ancora High School 3. Responsible AI Adoption in Career Ed: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities!Presenter: Sharon Schwarzmiller, McGraw Hill  4. From Manual to Systematic -A Reporting-Year Risk Framework for Career Services LeadersPresenter: Brandon Tigges, Job Machine 5. Marketing in the Age of AIPanel Discussion3 – 3:30 pmBreakSponsored by3:30 – 4:30 pmSessions1. Building Alliances and Partnerships to Drive EnrollmentPresenters: Dr. Bob Paxton, ABHES and Aaron Paxton, Bryan University 2.  Beyond the Crisis: Private Lending Opportunities Amid Rising Student Loan DefaultsPresenter: Norman Rodriguez, Yrefy 3. From Training Providers to Talent Infrastructure: Redesigning Career Colleges in the Age of AIPresenter: Charlie Buehler-Hoard, Northline Strategy 4. Mastering The New Era of Search: How career colleges can win enrollment in an AI-led student journeyPresenters: Stephanie Gallo, Pima Medical Institute, Brad Stephenson, Level Agency and Josh Muskin, Level Agency4:30 – 5:30 pm General Session5:30 – 7 pm Reception in Exhibition Hall\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThursday, August 13\n\n\n\nTimeEventDetails8 – 8:30 amBreakfastSponsored by8:30 – 9:30 am General Session9:30 – 10:30 amSessions1. Focus on Earnings AccountabilityPresenters: Eric Evans, Bryan University and Aaron Lacey, Thompson Coburn LLC 2.  Successful collection trends and methods in 2026Presenter: Andrew Shumway, DASH 3. Closing the Clarity Gap: Aligning Purpose and Performance to Drive Institutional SuccessPresenter: Taryll Connolly, Franklin Covey4. Externships Will NEVER Be the Same: How Attendance Software Transformed Student & Faculty ExperiencesPresenters: Ryan Barnhart, Education Affiliates, Karen L. Ferguson, Education Affiliates, and Natalie Gleason, Portico10:30 – 11:30 amSessions1.  Do You Know Your Numbers? Why monthly financial statements matter.Presenter: Michael Wherry, McClintock & Associates 2. A Bird’s Eye View of the FuturePresenter: Sally Samuels, FAME 3. The First 90 Days: Where Student Success is Won or LostPresenters: Melissa Soderberg, Charter College and Shellee Kilbride, Prospect Education 4. Built for the Modern Learner: Transformation for an AI-First Student JourneyPresenters: Casey Liddle, Education Dynamics and Lindsay Mitchell, Education Dynamics11:30 – NoonConference Wrap Up with Jeri Prochaska and Tom Netting12:15 – 4 pm Academic Innovation Leadership SummitJoin Macmillan Learning on Thursday, August 13, immediately following the closing session at CSPEN in Austin, for an inaugural invitation-only Academic Innovation Leadership Summit. The program will begin with a hosted lunch featuring Macmillan Learning’s CEO, followed by interactive discussions focused on key content and technology priorities, designed to ensure participant perspectives are actively incorporated into the conversation. The summit will conclude with a group dinner at one of Austin’s premier restaurants.Participation is limited to 15 invited attendees. Please contact Deb Postlewait ( mailto:deb.postlewait@macmillan.com ) for more information.Sponsored by\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCSPEN Annual Conference Sponsors\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDiamond Sponsors\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n	\n	\n	brandt@adduro.io ( mailto:brandt@adduro.io )\n	\n\n	\n	\n	jeri@conext.me ( mailto:jeri@conext.me )\n	\n\n	\n	\n	tom@tengovtstrategies.com ( mailto:tom@tengovtstrategies.com )\n	\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRuby Sponsors\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n	\n	\n	aarone@edwardsschoen.com ( mailto:aarone@edwardsschoen.com )\n	\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSapphire Sponsors\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n	\n	\n	scott.murphy@ancoraeducation.com ( mailto:scott.murphy@ancoraeducation.com )\n	\n\n	\n	\n	josh.muskin@level.agency ( mailto:josh.muskin@level.agency )\n	\n\n	\n	\n	ngleason@porticoedu.com ( mailto:ngleason@porticoedu.com )\n	\n\n	\n	\n	\n	\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOpal Sponsors\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n	\n	\n	rford@gotodja.com ( mailto:rford@gotodja.com )\n	\n\n	\n	\n	lolmedo@graggadv.com ( mailto:lolmedo@graggadv.com )\n	\n\n	\n	\n	deb.postlewait@macmillan.com ( mailto:deb.postlewait@macmillan.com )\n	\n\n	\n	\n	marketing@sstcpa.com ( mailto:marketing@sstcpa.com )\n	\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEmerald Sponsors\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n	\n	\n	ryan@almichcpa.com ( mailto:ryan@almichcpa.com )\n	\n\n	\n	\n	jsmith@celsiusmarketing.com ( mailto:jsmith@celsiusmarketing.com )\n	\n\n	\n	\n	a.blanchette@elsevier.com ( mailto:a.blanchette@elsevier.com )\n	\n\n	\n	\n	lbw@fadavis.com ( mailto:lbw@fadavis.com )\n	\n\n	\n	\n	ankita.tandon@leadsquared.com ( mailto:ankita.tandon@leadsquared.com )\n	\n\n	\n	\n	mwherry@mcclintockcpa.com ( mailto:mwherry@mcclintockcpa.com )\n	\n\n	\n	\n	alex@mdtmarketing.com ( mailto:alex@mdtmarketing.com )\n	\n\n	\n	\n	tim.gaber@sikich.com ( mailto:tim.gaber@sikich.com )\n	\n\n	\n	\n	joe.fisher@studentfirst.com ( mailto:joe.fisher@studentfirst.com )\n	\n\n\n\n\n\n
URL:https://cspen.com/events/cspen2026/
ORGANIZER;CN=CSPEN:MAILTO:
CATEGORIES:Conferences
LOCATION:304 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701
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