Higher Education Leaders to Gather for National Conference

The 65th annual National Conference of Academic Deans will be held on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas on July 28-29.

The conference provides continuing education in-service development opportunities for provosts, vice presidents of academic affairs, academic deans and associate deans. Sixty provosts and deans from across the state as well as Minnesota, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia will attend this year’s conference. This is the eleventh consecutive year that UCA has hosted the conference.

This year’s theme is “The Dean’s Role: Responsibilities, Rewards and Renewal.”

“The National Conference of Academic Deans features outstanding speakers, case studies and active dialogue on topics relevant to the work of provosts, deans and associate deans at both public and private institutions. Both experienced and new administrators will gain new perspectives and an expanded network of colleagues in an informal, relaxed atmosphere. Conference speakers are consistently outstanding, and this year will be no exception,” said Dr. Neil Hattlestad, conference host and dean of the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences at UCA.

Dr. Linda Baer, senior program officer for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for Higher Education, is the keynote speaker. Dr. Baer has presented nationally on academic innovations, e-learning, bridging higher education with the workplace, and assessment and accountability.

Prior to joining the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr. Baer was senior vice chancellor for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System.  While in this position she developed Minnesota Online, the gateway to programs and courses offered via the Internet by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System.

The National Conference of Academic Deans was established in 1941 by Schiller Scroggs and Henry Bennett of Oklahoma State University. NCAD is the nation’s oldest organization with programming focused higher education leadership.

For more information about the conference, please visit uca.edu/ncad.