Please join us for CSPEN’s 11th Annual Conference being held at the Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa Grand Dunes. You won’t want to miss the opportunity to hear from topic experts, network with fellow school representatives and explore products and services that can help make your school, students and community reach even greater success.
As in past years, we strive to bring you not only the highest level of timely and relevant topics and speakers, but provide everyone with the best networking experiences you’re going to find! And, this year, we’re bringing you to the ocean front and Golf Capitol USA!
Join Us For Two Informative, Interactive Pre-Conference AI Workshops
Complimentary for Registered Conference Attendees
Monday, September 8th | 1-4 pm Sponsored by Conext
A Real Live AI Workshop Everyone is talking about it, many are claiming to be experts, but who’s actually using it and what impacts are being seen? This workshop is going to give you immediate takeaways that you can put to use immediately and take back to your school for results. Roll up your sleeves and get ready to dig into some solid AI strategies and best practices for every department in your school.
Here’s an outline, hour by the hour, of what will be covered: 1. AI for Everyone: Demystifying the Buzz Whether you’re a die-hard fan or still wondering what a “prompt” is, this session will help you build a solid foundation. In just 60 minutes, we’ll explore what AI really is, how it’s already embedded in your daily life, and why it matters. Come curious—leave confident.
2. Voice AI: When Machines Speak Human Prepare to be amazed as you hear real conversations handled by AI voice agents. These human-sounding systems can make and receive calls, schedule appointments, guide students through the FAFSA, process payments, and even verify employment. See what’s possible when AI picks up the phone.
3. AI-Powered Staff: Building Internal Support Systems AI isn’t just for students, it can transform your team, too. In this session, we’ll walk through how internal AI agents can support your departments, streamline workflows, and amplify productivity. Learn the best practices and actionable ideas to make your staff faster, smarter, and more effective.
4. AI in Education – In the last hour, we’ll share real, ready technology that can make an immediate impact in your school operations across all departments. We’re inviting the companies that are at the forefront of AI technology and trends for an hour of “show and tell”. Prepare to be amazed!
Tuesday, September 9th | 8am to Noon Sponsored by Macmillan Learning
The Human Algorithm: Empowering Students in AI-Enhanced Classrooms Human-centered teaching, tech-enabled learning Join Us for a Transformative Workshop on AI in the Classroom
We are excited to invite you to a dynamic and thought-provoking workshop that explores the evolving role of artificial intelligence in education. The future of teaching is not artificial—it’s augmented. This workshop blends faculty perspectives, research insights, and practical tools to help you build GenAI-ready classrooms that don’t compromise human connection. From rethinking academic integrity to using Student Reactions and AI tutors for better engagement, you’ll leave with real strategies for reaching more students, more meaningfully.
We’ll begin with a compelling panel discussion: “Belongingness in an AI-Driven Classroom” Our panel of experts will delve into the critical relationship between student belonging and academic success, explore common faculty concerns about AI, and offer insights into what it means to foster a truly student-centered learning environment in the age of AI.
Next, engage in an immersive, hands-on session: “Teaching and Learning with Generative AI” Led by Lisa Blue, PhD, Director of Artificial Intelligence Strategies at Eastern Kentucky University, this interactive segment will guide participants through a series of practical and forward-looking activities, including:
GenAI Primer
GenAI and Pedagogy: What’s Changing
Redefining Academic Integrity
Assignment and Policy Design
AI Fluency and the Future
Building Your GenAI Teaching Roadmap
We’ll wrap up the workshop with a live demonstration of powerful, accessible AI tools currently available to support student success through AI engagement.
Workshop The Human Algorithm: Empowering Students in AI-Enhanced Classrooms complimentary workshop
Sponsored by Macmillan Learning
12:30 – 1:00 pm
Break in Exhibition Hall
1:00 – 2:00 pm
Breakout Sessions
1. Budget Reconciliation Act: Impact on the Students and your Institution presenters: Carrie Cathey with International Salon and Spa Academy and Sally Samuels and Ibis Chow with FAME
2. Infusing Wellness into Your Continuous Improvement Cycle presenters: Dr Jenna Sage with Ultimate Medical Academy and Taryll Connolly with Franklin Covey
3. Thinking Outside the Checkbox – Cultivating Genuine Connections with Distance Education Students presenters: Kelly Washington and Amber VanKirk with Miller-Motte College
4. Making the Move: A Practical Guide to M&A Strategy and Approval in Higher Ed presenters: Eileen Keller with SST Accountants and Consultants, Brandon Sherman and Michael Gold with Saul Ewing, LLP and Chris DeLuca with Rouse Frets White Goss Gentile Rhodes, P.C.
2:00 – 3:00 pm
Breakout Sessions
1. Navigating in the Unknown World of ED’s Financial Responsibility presenters: Michael Wherry and Tom Wilson with McClintock and Associates
2. Beyond the Basics: Strategically Aligning Support Services for Student Impact presenter: Raye Mahlberg with Nightingale College
3. Let Us Get All Up in Your Space presenters: Daron Rodriguez with West Coast University, Michele Bechtold and JP Smith with Celsius Marketing
4. Student and Employee Anxiety in the AI Age presenters: Susan Pailet with American Career College and Valerie and David Mendelsohn with Mendelsohn Solutions
3:00 – 3:30 pm
Break in Exhibition Hall
3:30 – 5:00 pm
Welcome General Session The Urban Institute Takes A Look At Earnings Growth of At-risk Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment Programs Over A Five-Year Period presenters: Eric Bing with The College of Health Care Professions, Todd Greene with The Urban Institute and Tom Netting with CSPEN
5:00 – 7:00 pm
Opening Reception in Exhibition Hall
Sponsored by Ancora
Wednesday :: September 10, 2025
Times
Session/Event
Details
8:00 – 9:00 am
Breakfast in Exhibition Hall
9:00 – 10:00 am
General Session
10:00 – 10:30 am
Coffee Break
Sponsored by Alvarez Mendoza LaBounty
10:30 – 11:30 am
Breakout Sessions
1. Legal Currents: Litigation Shaping Higher Education Now presenters: Ben DeGweck with Education Affiliates and Anna Knouse and Evan Moltz with Thompson Coburn LLP
2. Enhancing Faculty Onboarding, Training, and Retention in Healthcare Programs presenter: Dinez Swanson with Elsevier
3. The Tool Belt Generation – Why Trade Schools Are Rising Over Traditional 4-year Universities presenters: Joy McClure and Chris Sheppard with Tricoci University of Beauty Culture
4. Knocking at the College Door: Trends and Implications presenters: Sophia Harris and Colleen Falkenstern with The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE)
11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Breakout Sessions
1. The New Website Marketing Playbook: Strategies for Lasting Impact presenters: Leila Ertel with Rocky Mountain College of Art and Brian Curtain with Education Dynamics
2. Do You Know Your Risk For Loss of Title IV Funding? presenter: Mary Lyn Hammer with Champion Col-EDGE Solutions
3. Redefining “Regular and Substantive Interaction” in the Age of AI: A Unique Window of Opportunity presenters: Ken Styron with Columbia Southern University and Yolanda Gallegos with Gallegos Legal Group
4. Reporting of Tip Income, The “Bare Minimum Rule,” Earnings Assessment & You panel discussion
12:30 – 2:00 pm
Lunch in the Oleander Ballroom
Sponsored by EdwardsSchoen
2:00 – 3:00 pm
Breakout Sessions
1. The Blueprint for AI Digital Transformation: Inside the Columbia Southern University Journey presenters: Jason Lokkesmoe with Columbia Southern University and Evan Burr and Patrick Van Gorder with Level
2. Unlocking Student Success through Belongingness presenters: Deb Postlewait and Marcy Baughman with Macmillan Learning
3. Civil Rights (Title IX and more) and Clery Compliance Considerations for Clockhour Programs presenter: Emily Stark with Paul Mitchell
4. Washington Update: Advocates Discuss the Outcome of Budget Reconciliation and What Lies Ahead panel discussion moderated by Tom Netting with CSPEN
3:00 – 3:30 pm
Break in Exhibition Hall
Sponsored by Level
3:30 – 4:30 pm
Breakout Sessions
1. Institutional Change in Ownership: How to clear the hurdles to the finish line presenters: Andrea Snow with Pima Medical Institute, Jessica Sanders with Ancora and Michael Wherry with McClintock and Associates
2. The Importance of Stories and Reels: Showcasing Student Life presenters: Darryl Mattox and Lisa Olmedo with Gragg Advertising
3. Redefining Work Culture: Building Tomorrow’s Workplace Today presenter: David Rodriguez with California Intercontinental University
4. Proprietary School Audit Guide Update & Discussion presenters: Amy Bales and Mark Priebe with the Department of Education
4:30 – 5:30 pm
General Session Department of Education Keynote
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Reception in Exhibition Hall
Thursday :: September 11, 2025
Times
Session/Event
Details
8:00 – 9:00 am
Breakfast in Exhibition Hall
9:00 – 10:00 am
General Session
10:00 – 10:30 am
Coffee Break in Exhibition Hall
Sponsored by Portico
10:30 – 11:30 am
Breakout Sessions
1. Utilizing Social Media to Expand Your Brand presenters: Melissa Soderberg and Mellinda Renteria with Charter College
2. Risk and Insurance Considerations in M&A and Beyond presenters: Russell Gibson with Centura College and Andy Davenport and Daniel Kusmin with CAC Group
3. The 6 Working Geniuses presenter: Aaron Clark with Delta College
4. Early Alerts, Real Results: Retention-Focused Interventions Across the Student Lifecycle presenters: Julia Steiner with Allied Health College and Eleni Lalios Manikas and Jackson Batchelder with Portico
11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Breakout Sessions
1. What Keeps You Up at Night? executive panel moderated by Josh Swayne with Charter College
2. Reshaping College Affordability: Exploring New Ways to Pay for College presenters: Tony Comstock with Ancora Education and Micaela Pearson with CareerEdge
3.TBD
4. Now We’re Talking – Are You Listening? lobbyist panel discussion
12:30 – 1:00 pm
Conference Wrap Up with Jeri Prochaska and Tom Netting, Co-Executive Directors with CSPEN and Josh Swayne, Chairman of CSPEN
