2020 ACADEMIC AFFAIRS WINTER MEETING - CALL FOR PROPOSALS

As every educator knows, the result of authentic learning is the transformation of the student. It happens as a student fundamentally changes through deeper comprehension and understanding of new concepts and ideas. The transformation of the individual has far-reaching implications, extending to families, communities, and potentially the world. While the transformation of the student may be at the heart of our work, our institutions, the ways that we are organized and how we do our work, have remained relatively static.

Whereas most of our institutions are experiencing unprecedented internal and external changes, few have realized the kind of transformation that will be necessary to thrive in the years ahead. The theme of transformation, defined as “a thorough or dramatic change in form,” will serve as a thread for our conversations at this year’s meeting: What are the drivers of institutional transformation at AASCU campuses? Where do we see ‘deep and pervasive’ change? How do we lead our campuses through the kind of transformation in our structures, priorities, and commitments that will be necessary to sustain our work? What are the requisite conditions necessary for this kind of transformation? How do we know transformation when we see it? Inspired in part by AASCU’s work on student success with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, we will expand this conversation to all aspects of the academic enterprise on our campuses.

The 2020 Academic Affairs Winter Meeting will give chief academic officers and other academic leaders the chance to come together to connect and learn from one another and from other leaders in higher education about a broad range of topics. We invite proposals from all who can contribute valuable perspectives and share relevant expertise on academic matters in the context of public regional universities.

Topics: While we welcome presentations and sessions that directly address the theme of the conference, we invite presenters to address the range of issues of interest to academic leaders. The topics covered at our meetings reflect the complex nature of the role of provosts and academic leaders, including such areas as student success, civic and community engagement, international education, teacher education, learning innovation, learning spaces, curricular transformation, enrollment management and so on.

Format: We use a variety of formats for the exchange of ideas: presentations, poster sessions, small group discussion, and other strategies for engaging participants. Our meetings are designed to be learning events where participants gather and share ideas in a relaxed, comfortable setting.

We look forward to seeing you in New Orleans!