The Way Up Leadership Conference 2026

The Way Up Leadership Conference 2026

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8:00am CST

Registration Open Prefunction Area Continental Breakfast General Session Room

9:45am CST

Opening Speaker - Engage, Embody, Elevate: Changing Lives & Building Communities General Session RoomLiang Chee Wee, Ph.D.

10:30am CST

Break Prefunction Area

10:45am CST

Crossing the Finish Line: Supporting Students on the Road Back Room Location TBAJennifer Bertrand • Amy Korthank • Monica Madura • Molly Rechkemmer Governing AI From Where You Sit: The Five Decisions Your Institution Has Not Made Room Location TBAKacy R. Webster, M.Ed. Speed Networking: Fast-Track Your Connections Room Location TBATheresa Rademacker • Jill Hansen Your Multigenerational Campus: (Mis)Perceptions, Realities, and Strategies for Today's Workforce Room Location TBAMeghan Gillette, Ph.D.

12:00pm CST

Lunch, Recognition Awards, Scholarship Awards General Session Room

1:30pm CST

Break Prefunction Area

1:45pm CST

Academic Coaching in Action: Coaching Skills and Practical Applications Room Location TBAMyranda Hadley Financial Aid as a Strategic Partner: What Leaders Need to Know Room Location TBASarah Freestone, M.Ed., FAAC® • Rachael Koehler, MBA • Jerry McKeen • Vanessa Wiest Inclusive Teams, Stronger Institutions: Supporting Neurodiverse Colleagues Room Location TBADr. Ann M. Smith Psychological Safety as the Engine of Leadership Growth: Engage, Embody, Elevate Room Location TBANikki Gullion

3:00pm CST

Break Prefunction Area

3:15pm CST

Birds of a Feather: Administration & Operations Room Location TBA Birds of a Feather: Continuing & Community Education Room Location TBA Birds of a Feather: Student Engagement & Support Room Location TBA Birds of a Feather: Teaching & Learning Room Location TBA

4:30pm CST

Networking Hour - Social with Cash Bar & Silent Auction Prefunction Area

5:30pm CST

Evening Banquet with Speaker - The Way Up: Building a Leadership Journey from Where You Stand General Session RoomAmy Kristof-Brown, Ph.D.