| 9:00-11:30 a.m. |
Chapter Support Council Meeting
Chapter Support Council Only |
| 9:00-11:30 a.m. |
Navigators Meeting
Navigators Only |
| 12:00-1:30 p.m. |
Lunch Meeting – CUPA-HR Board, Member Engagement Council, Chapter Support Council, Navigators
CUPA-HR Board, Member Engagement Council, Chapter Support Council and Navigator Groups Only |
| 2:00-4:30 p.m. |
Member Engagement Council Meeting
Member Engagement Council Only |
| 2:30-3:15 p.m. |
Emerging CUPA-HR Leaders and Ignite Kick Off
Emerging CUPA-HR Leaders Cohort, Ignite Cohort and Invited Guests Only |
| 3:30-4:45 p.m. |
Ignite Session
Ignite Cohort and Invited Guests Only |
| 3:30-4:45 p.m. |
Emerging CUPA-HR Leaders Session
Emerging CUPA-HR Leaders Cohort, Navigators and Invited Guests Only |
| 4:00-6:00 p.m. |
Check In and Pick Up ALP Materials |
| 6:00-8:00 p.m. |
Group Dinner at the Hotel
ALP Attendees Who Arrive in Time |
| 6:00 a.m. Meet in Hotel Lobby |
Informal, Optional Group Wellness/Exercise Activity (details to come) |
| 6:15-8:15 a.m. |
Breakfast |
| 8:00-8:30 a.m. |
Check In and Pick Up ALP Materials |
| 8:30-9:30 a.m. |
Welcome and Introductions
The official opening of the 2025 ALP will provide you with an overview of the agenda and the opportunity to meet and connect with other attendees.
Facilitators: Josh Mackey, 2025-26 Chair, CUPA-HR Board of Directors, and Vice President for Human Resources, Northern Arizona University; Andy Brantley, President and CEO, CUPA-HR |
| 9:30-9:45 a.m. |
Break |
| 9:45-11:00 a.m. |
What Is the Role of Higher Ed HR Leaders Now?
In the wake of the recent Executive Orders on DEI, gender identity and immigration, and state mandates for changes to programs and resources available to students and employees, colleges and universities and higher ed HR professionals across the country are assessing the impacts and formulating next steps. And we know that other inevitable changes lie ahead. During this interactive session, we will discuss these changes and explore the role of HR in creating and sustaining a higher ed workplace that provides access and opportunity for all employees. We will also discuss reasons that our roles as higher ed HR professionals are so important and impactful for our campus community.
Presenter: Andy Brantley, President and CEO, CUPA-HR |
| 11:00-11:15 a.m. |
Break |
| 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. |
Shaping Leadership for Higher Ed HR
In this session we'll reflect on and define leadership through the lens of our lived experiences and roles within higher ed HR. By engaging in dialogue and hands-on activities, we'll contribute to a shared leadership definition that guides CUPA-HR’s future development and supports leadership at every level.
Presenters: Rebecca Larson, M.S., Associate Director of Leadership Development, CUPA-HR; Lynne Adams, Ph.D., CUPA-HR Board Member and Associate Vice President and Chief HR Officer, University of Maryland Baltimore County |
| 12:15-1:15 p.m. |
Lunch |
| 1:15-2:00 p.m. |
The Roles of Our New National Leadership Councils and Navigators
In this session, we'll delve into the workings of our new national leadership councils — the Chapter Support Council and the Member Engagement Council — and our Navigators program. The two councils will focus on providing support for our chapters (from assisting those in need to amplifying the work of those who are excelling) and engaging key volunteer leaders in supporting membership growth, retention and engagement across the association. We'll share more about the councils and the plans and anticipated outcomes for the upcoming year. The Navigators program will focus on connecting and engaging higher ed HR leaders. We'll share more about the councils and Navigators program and the plans and anticipated outcomes for the upcoming year.
Presenters: Rob Shomaker, Senior Vice President, CUPA-HR; Paula MacDonald, Chair of CUPA-HR's Member Engagement Council and Assistant Vice President for Human Resources, Swarthmore College; Heather Butterfield, Chair of CUPA-HR's Chapter Support Council and Assistant Vice President for Human Resources, St. Norbert College |
| 2:00-2:15 p.m. |
Break |
| 2:15-4:15 p.m. |
Ignite Session
CUPA-HR Ignite Cohort and Navigators |
| 2:15-4:15 p.m. |
Chapter Support Council and Chapter Leader Connections |
| 2:15-4:15 p.m. |
Member Engagement Council Meeting |
| 2:15-4:15 p.m. |
Emerging CUPA-HR Leaders Session
Emerging CUPA-HR Leaders Cohort and CUPA-HR Board of Directors
|
| 4:15-6:00 p.m. |
Free Time |
| 6:00-8:30 p.m. |
Group Dinner at the Hotel (pre-dinner reception from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m.) |
| 6:00 a.m. Meet in Hotel Lobby |
Informal, Optional Group Wellness/Exercise Activity (details to come) |
| 6:15-8:15 a.m. |
Breakfast |
| 8:30-9:30 a.m. |
Leading Our Public Policy Work
Presenter: Josh Ulman, Chief Government Relations Officer, CUPA-HR |
| 9:30-9:45 a.m. |
ALP Group Photo |
| 9:45-11:00 a.m. |
Higher Ed as an Employer of Choice
We’ll hear from a few higher ed HR leaders about the programs in place at their institutions that emphasize a commitment to creating and sustaining higher ed institutions as great places to work — programs that emphasize onboarding, employee value proposition, work-life balance and employee development. You'll also have the chance to engage with others at your table to discuss approaches, challenges and opportunities in creating and sustaining campuses as great places to work.
Presenters: Jamee Harrington, Vice President of People, Culture and Safety/Chief HR Officer, Rogue Community College; Josh Mackey, 2025-26 Chair, CUPA-HR Board of Directors, and Vice President for Human Resources, Northern Arizona University; Kristi A. Yowell, Chief People and Culture Officer and Associate Vice President for Human Resources, Loyola University Maryland Facilitator: Wes Harmon, Director of Learning and Professional Development, CUPA-HR |
| 11:00-11:15 a.m. |
Break |
| 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. |
Beyond Pay: 5 Ways To Be an Employer of Choice
In this session, members of the CUPA-HR research team will outline a framework for retaining talent and building on your institution's strengths to cement its reputation as an employee of choice. Using data from CUPA-HR's Employee Retention Survey, we’ll discuss the factors that underlie retention, including: 1) basic job satisfaction and well-being, 2) flexible work practices, 3) preventing overwork, 4) the benefits that make a difference, and 5) confidence in leadership. You'll also have the opportunity to engage in discussion about successful practices in retention and/or barriers that exist at your institution.
Presenters: Jackie Bichsel, Ph.D., Associate Vice President of Research; Melissa Fuesting, Ph.D., Associate Director of Research; Brielle Johnson, Ph.D., Survey Researcher, all of CUPA-HR |
| 12:15-1:00 p.m. |
Lunch |
| 1:00-1:15 p.m. |
Association Finances and Operations
Presenters: Kelli Shuman, Treasurer, CUPA-HR Board of Directors, and Associate Vice President and Chief HR Officer, Carnegie Mellon University; Rob Shomaker, Senior Vice President, CUPA-HR |
| 1:15-2:45 p.m. |
Making Better Decisions in Chaos: How HR Leaders Can Navigate Ambiguity With Clarity
In today’s rapidly changing higher ed landscape, HR professionals face constant disruption, shifting policies and competing priorities. Whether responding to institutional crises, workforce challenges or organizational change, the ability to make clear, confident decisions under pressure is critical. In this interactive session, we'll explore proven decision-making frameworks that help HR leaders quickly assess situations, cut through noise and take decisive action — even in unpredictable environments. You'll leave this session equipped with tools to navigate ambiguity, prioritize effectively and lead with clarity when it matters most.
Presenter: Vijay Pendakur, Ph.D., Global Talent and Culture Leader |
| 2:45-3:15 p.m. |
Closing Comments |
| 3:15-3:30 p.m. |
Book Signing With Vijay Pendakur |
| 3:30-5:30 p.m. |
Free Time |
| 6:00-8:00 p.m. |
Group Dinner at Gather in Omaha (offsite) |
