2024 Conference

"Elevating the Higher Ed Experience"

Keynote Speaker: Josh Schneider

Flip The Switch

In our rapidly changing work environment, understanding the key drivers of engagement and motivation is essential. This session goes deep into the core of what makes us tick, exploring the intersection between passion, hard work, and the quest for meaningful impact. Through insights on the shifting dynamics of remote/hybrid work attendees will discover strategies to harness the best from themselves and their team. This conversation promises to illuminate the path to a brighter, more productive future.

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Conference Schedule

Day/Meeting Location

Time

Topic

Speaker

May 14, 2024

Tuesday

   

Pasadena

2:00 – 8:00 PM
Corporate Partner Set up
 

Ballroom Foyer

4:00 – 6:00 PM

Conference Registration 
 

Pasadena

5:00 – 5:45 PM

Corporate Partner meeting

 

 

   

 

May 15, 2024

Wednesday

   

Ballroom Terrace

7:00 – 8:30 AM

Breakfast 
 

Mohave Learning Center (MLC)

8:30 – 9:00 AM

Welcome and Opening Remarks

April Ewing-Miles

University of Sourthern California

General Session

Mohave Learning Center (MLC)

9:00 – 10:30 AM

Keynote - Flip the Switch

In our rapidly changing work environment, understanding the key drivers of engagement and motivation is essential. This session goes deep into the core of what makes us tick, exploring the intersection between passion, hard work, and the quest for meaningful impact. Through insights on the shifting dynamics of remote/hybrid work attendees will discover strategies to harness the best from themselves and their team. This conversation promises to illuminate the path to a brighter, more productive future.

 

Josh Schneider

Presentation

Pasedena

 10:30 – 11:15 AM

Corporate Partner Game

 

General Session

Mohave Learning Center (MLC)

11:15 – 12:15 PM

2024-2025 FAFSA Changes Impacting Business Offices 

FAFSA Delays are causing an uproar at all campuses. Join us in a discussion about how to prepare for the long term effects that will need to be addressed through the upcoming Fall semester.  Key leaders from Mount Saint Mary’s University and Marist College share insight and their campus strategic plans for meeting student needs while attaining financial goals.

Susanna Nelson, Mount St. Mary 

Joe Weglarz, Marist

La Royce Housley, Mount St. Mary

Presentation

Ballroom Terrace 

 

12:15 – 1:30 AM

Lunch

 

Concurrent Session

Mohave Learning Center (MLC)

1:30 – 2:30 PM

Measuring Success in the Hybrid Work Environment

Post COVID, many teams have shifted to a hybrid work model. As a newer model for higher education, leadership has had to adapt and find new ways to build collaboration and maintain a team environment while ensuring productivity. This session will cover key areas of measurement, tools and key questions, as well as discuss the challenges and benefits hybrid work brings.

 

Amanda Bierbrauer, Flywire

Rosemary Irvine, CSUN

Kathleen Brown, University of Oregon

Marisa Martin, University of Washington

Presentation

Concurrent Session

Pueblo

1:30 – 2:30 PM

 

Challenges with Medical Withdrawal and Refund Processes

Colleges and Universities are dealing with the challenges of medical withdrawals and refund processes as mental health continues to spike and lead as the top medical reason for students to withdraw. How is higher education managing the increase in withdrawals while balancing compassion for students and staying compliant with their tuition refund withdrawal policy?

Join us to discuss university trends and statistics and how we can help students get back on track and successfully graduate while complying with our withdrawal policies.

Natalie Cardenas, Chapman

Monique Gonzalez, Point Loma

Derrick Shy, GradGuard

Presentation

Pasadena

 2:30 - 3:00 PM Break with Corporate Partners  

Concurrent Session

Mohave Learning Center (MLC)

3:00 – 4:00 PM

Affordability in Higher Education - Financial Literacy and Domestic Payment Plans

In today’s world, affording higher education is a real challenge, and students and families are steadfast in their search for resources to make the higher education experience more affordable.  Likewise, colleges and universities are continuously exploring ways to offer flexible and practical affordability options that will help meet the financial needs of their students now while also equipping them with tools for the future. In this session, two universities discuss their approach to making higher education more affordable for their students and families which includes a heavy focus on financial education, payment plans, need based support and financial literacy.

Shay Holmes, Stanford

Joe Weglarz, Marist

Presentation

Concurrent Session

Pueblo

3:00 – 4:00 PM

Mitigating Financial Risks - International Students


 

 

Stacy Sullivan, Flywire

Monique Gonzalez, Point Loma

Ileana Acevedo, UC Davis

Presentation

General Session

Mohave Learning Center (MLC)

4:00 - 5:00 PM

Payment Security PCI 4.0 - How Does it Impact Campuses?

David will present about payment card fraud, the importance of protecting payment card data and protecting your payers and your institution. PCI DSS is a standard for protecting payment card data and is applicable to all entities accepting card payments. The session will look at some of the new requirements of PCI DSS v4.0 (effective March 2024) and some of the challenges and opportunities for campuses on the road to compliance.

David Neild, Flywire

Presentation

Dinner

San Jacinto Jr. Ballroom or Outdoor Terrace

5:30 PM

PacWest Dinner

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 16, 2024

Thursday

   

Ballroom Terrace

 7:00 -8:30 AM

Breakfast

 

Mohave Learning Center (MLC)

 8:30 – 9:00 AM

Steering Committee Candidate Introduction

PacWest Steering Committee

 

General Session

Mohave Learning Center (MLC)

 9:00 – 10:00 AM

Washington Update

COHEAO Board Member Karen Reddick will provide an update on higher education-related activity in Washington, D.C., covering the status of the Student Loan Industry.   She will cover the makeup of our current congress and administration and their focus on Higher Ed.  She will address the Department of Ed and CFPB activities related to student financial services.  Karen will also review current COHEAO priorities and advocacy efforts, including an update on State Law Compliance.   Karen will walk us through the status of AB1160 and what the future holds for this legislation.

Learning Objectives:
-To learn what is happening in Washington as it relates to Higher Education
-CFPB Update
-Student Loan Update
-State Law Update

Karen Reddick, National Credit Management

Presentation

Pasadena

 10:00 – 10:45 AM

Corporate Partner Raffle

 

Concurrent Session

Mohave Learning Center (MLC)

 

10:45 – 11:45 AM

Leadership Through Mentorship - Succession Planning, Best Practices, and Leadership Strategies

Learn how to effectively mentor your staff to build a sustainable succession plan for your office. This session will identify successful leadership strategies targeted at various generations and experience levels, allowing you to cater to their preferred methods of learning and communication. You will learn how to approach leadership from a mentorship lens by applying the 10 guiding principles. You will also discover how to lead across to your peers and how to lead up to gain respect and opportunities while being your authentic self.

Susanna Nelson, Mount St. Mary

Presentation

Concurrent Session

Pueblo

10:45 – 11:45 AM

Engaging New Students/Parents By Connecting the Dots

As we face the enrollment cliff in higher education, we find ourselves having to be creative and create various outreach points to support our students. Join us in an interactive panel discussion on multiple projects across three universities to engage, retain, and assist students and parents.

Rosemary Irvine, CSUN

Erika Hernandez, University of Southern California

Kathleen Brown, Oregon

Presentation

Ballroom Terrace or Outdoors

 11:45 – 12:45 PM

Lunch

 

General Session

Mohave Learning Center (MLC)

 

12:45 – 1:45 PM

When Not If: The Realities of Cybersecurity in Higher Education

Cybersecurity threats are on the rise and Higher Ed institutions are on the front lines. As malicious actors continue to get more sophisticated—having knowledge, awareness, and a response plan are the keys to keeping your campus out of the headlines. In this session, we will outline the latest cybersecurity threats and steps your campus can take to avoid a breach and stay one step ahead of malicious actors. We’ll also discuss the move to PCI-DSS v4.0 and the latest regulations and initiatives that pertain to cybersecurity in Higher Ed.

Virgil Lloyd, Nelnet

Presentation

General Session

Mohave Learning Center (MLC)

1:45 – 2:45 PM

Collections on Higher Ed Debt

With each passing year, the issues facing higher education debt and the collection industry seem to get more complex and challenging. This session will discuss recent developments throughout the country impacting the collection of college and university debt. From state laws, state regulators, federal regulators, and case law developments – the landscape is constantly shifting. Chad will provide updates that are timely and relevant to the higher education community.

Chad Echols, Attorney

Frost Echols, LLC

Pasadena

 2:45 – 3:30 PM

Break with Corporate Partners

 

Concurrent Session

Mohave Learning Center (MLC)

3:30 – 4:30 PM

Birds of a Feather - Peoplesoft

Join your shared interest group for an informal open discussion on the topics that mean the most to you. Get help solving that nagging problem, or share a solution that has worked for your campus.

Rosemary Irvine, CSU Northridge

Concurrent Session

Pueblo

3:30 – 4:30 PM

Birds of a Feather - Banner

Join your shared interest group for an informal open discussion on the topics that mean the most to you. Get help solving that nagging problem, or share a solution that has worked for your campus.

Kathleen Brown, University of Oregon

Concurrent Session

Chino

 

3:30 – 4:30 PM

Birds of a Feather - Workday and Other

Join your shared interest group for an informal open discussion on the topics that mean the most to you. Get help solving that nagging problem, or share a solution that has worked for your campus.

Monique Gonzalez, Point Loma

Happy Hour

 

4:30 - 5:30 PM

Happy Hour - TBD

 

May 17, 2024

Friday

   

Date - Onsite Restaurant

 7:00 – 8:30 AM

Breakfast

 

Mohave Learning Center (MLC)

 8:30 - 9:00 AM

General remarks - Introduction of 2024/25 Board

PacWest SFS Committee

General Session

Mohave Learning Center (MLC)

 9:00 – 10:00 AM

Ask the Attorney

Here is your chance to ask an attorney all of your collection related questions

Chad Echols, Attorney

Frost Echols, LLC

 

 

10:00 – 10:30 AM

Hotel Checkout

 

General Session

Mohave Learning Center (MLC)

10:30 - 11:30 AM

 

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education

Artificial Intelligence has the potential to transform our global economy and daily lives and, in turn, greatly impact Higher Education. In this session, we will provide an overview of AI and how it is reshaping Higher Ed for students, faculty and administrators. We will discuss the benefits, impacts, future state, and the role AI will play in the business office. This will be an engaging topic and interactive session where attendees can answer live polling questions.

Virgil Lloyd, Nelnet

Ben King, GradGuard

 

General Session

Mohave Learning Center (MLC)

 11:30 – 11:45 AM

Closing Remarks

PacWest Executive Committee

 

11:45 AM

Conference Concludes

 

Photo Gallery

Coachella Valley Clean Cities Coalition

Contact Us

PacWest SFS
18111 Nordhoff Street, Box # 8359
Northridge, CA 91330
info@pacwestsfs.org