Agenda

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

1:00 PM	5:30 PM	Badge Pickup/Registration	Harborside Registration
		Our staff is here to ensure your experience starts smoothly. Stop by to pick up your conference materials. Our friendly staff will be available to answer any questions and provide information about the State Policy Retreat.

2:00 PM	3:30 PM	“Welcome Regi-ception!”	Harborside Foyer
		Arriving early? No worries! Head over to the Harborside Ballroom and jumpstart your State Policy experience in style. Grab your badge, enjoy a light lunch, and connect with fellow attendees in the Connect Networking Lounge. Need a breather? Unwind in the Quiet Zone, or if you've got work to do, pop into one of our convenient meeting pods. It's the perfect way to ease into an exciting few days ahead!

4:00 PM	5:00 PM	Welcome to Lumina's State Policy Retreat: Forward Together	Harborside Ballroom
		Leadership from Lumina Foundation welcome you to the 2024 State Policy Retreat.
		Dr. Michelle Asha Cooper, Vice President of Public Policy and Executive Director of the DC Office, Lumina Foundation Jamie Merisotis, President & CEO, Lumina Foundation Chancellor Dannel P. Malloy, University of Maine System and Dr. Lisa Castillo Richmond, Executive Director, Partnership for College Completion

5:00 PM	6:00 PM	Break

5:45PM		Load Shuttles for Opening Reception	Marriott Front Drive
		Shuttles to Power Plant Live will run every 20 minutes, ensuring convenient and easy transportation for all attendees.

6:00 PM	9:00 PM	Opening Welcome Reception	Power Plant Live!
		Kick off the State Policy Retreat with an unforgettable opening night at Power Plant Live! in the heart of Baltimore. Immerse yourself in a lively street festival atmosphere with great music, local flavors, and signature drinks. Savor an array of amazing food options, from tasty bites to indulgent treats, while connecting with fellow attendees. It’s the perfect way to kick off a fun and productive retreat! Attire: Casual

Thursday, September 12, 2024

8:00 AM	5:00 PM	Badge Pickup/Registration	Harborside Registration

8:00 AM	5:00 PM	Connect Networking Lounge Open	Harborside Foyer
		Welcome to the Connect Networking Lounge, your go-to space for building connections, sharing ideas, and fostering collaboration during the State Policy Retreat. Designed to provide a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, the Networking Lounge is the perfect place to meet fellow attendees, discuss policy initiatives, and create meaningful relationships that extend beyond the retreat.

8:00 AM	9:00 AM	Breakfast	Harborside Foyer
		Enjoy some quality State Team time over breakfast.

9:00 AM	10:00 AM	Mobilizing Policy for Progress: Translating 2024's Postsecondary Research into Action	Harborside Ballroom
		Join us for an unveiling of the top 10 headlines in data and research that have shaped our understanding of postsecondary education and training in 2024. Covering key areas such as changing demographics, student behavior and attitudes, credential completion, and strategies to boost enrollment and persistence, these findings provide a roadmap for state action. State teams will then discuss how these data-driven insights can be transformed into effective state policies and practices, driving meaningful change in postsecondary education.
		Dr. Courtney Brown, Vice President for Strategic Impact, Lumina Foundation Dr. Wendy Sedlak, Strategy Director for Research and Evaluation, Lumina Foundation

10:15 AM	11:00 AM	Break-out Sessions

10:15 AM	11:00 AM	Defining Success: State Perspectives on Financial Aid for Workforce Credentials	Harborside A
		States have invested more than $5 billion in financial aid for short-term workforce credentials, creating new pathways to the labor market but also raising questions about how best to ensure that learners are getting quality credential and opportunities for good jobs. At a recent Lumina convening, state and national leaders shared lessons learned and best practices from state programs, and explored opportunities and barriers to the success of these initiatives. This session will feature state leaders offering their reflections and insights on these critical investments and what it will take to ensure value for learners, employers and communities.
		Nicole Washington, Washington Education Strategies LLC Cecilia Holden, President & CEO, MyFutureNC Secretary Aimee Guidera, Commonwealth of Virginia Kermit Kaleba, Strategy Director, Lumina Foundation

10:15 AM	11:00 AM	State Leadership for Better FAFSA	Harborside B
		When Congress passed the simplified needs analysis, aid application, and verification process, it was estimated nearly 500,000 more students would apply and receive a federal Pell Grant. With the poor #BetterFAFSA roll-out, it is estimated that almost 200,000 fewer eligible high school students will apply for FAFSA. This turn of events brings immediate consequences to state budget forecasting and institutional budgeting, with funding formulas that use Pell in performance metrics and incentive funding implicated. It also brings new opportunities to redress complexities and barriers in state financial aid programs, improve statewide messaging, and focus on how financially vulnerable institutions that serve a majority of Pell students can weather this and coming disruptions.
		Michelle Ashcraft, Senior Associate Commission and Chief Program Officer, Indiana Commission for Higher Education Sarah Tucker, Chancellor, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission Eric Zarnikow, Executive Director, Illinois Student Assistance Commission Dr. Wil Del Pilar, Senior Vice President, The Education Trust Kristin Hultquist, CEO & Founding Partner, HCM Strategists

10:15 AM	11:00 AM	Navigating Stormy Seas: How States Can Help Student Loan Borrowers	Kent ABC
		The rise in unmanageable student loan debt has far-reaching consequences for state governments and officials. Student debt burdens reduce consumer spending and economic growth, leading to lower state tax revenues. Additionally, high debt levels can deter learners from pursuing college or persisting to degree completion, and undercut perceived and actual value of a postsecondary credential. Given these issues, panelists will explore the impact of state policy on borrowing and the roles that states can play in reducing debt burdens and helping struggling student loan borrowers navigate their debt.
		Carolina Rodriguez, Director, Community Service Society of New York Persis Yu, Deputy Executive Director and Managing Counsel, Student Borrower Protection Center Ashley Young, Senior Education Policy Analyst, Georgia Budget and Policy Institute Katie Berger, Strategy Director, Lumina Foundation

10:15 AM	11:00 AM	State Actions and Opportunities to Support Parenting Students in College Pathways	Laurel AB
		Since 2021, five states have passed legislation to collect data on and support parenting students at public colleges and universities: California, Illinois, Minnesota, Oregon, and Texas. This wave of policy change responds to a growing recognition that parenting students are already a large portion of college-goers, representing about one in five undergraduates and one in four graduate students. Parenting students are academically strong but are less likely to complete their degree programs than their nonparenting peers, due to barriers that can be largely addressed through policy and practice change. This session will share a summary of the national student parent population (and potential enrollment population), describe the importance and economic benefits of serving them, identify common challenges and opportunities, and invite state leaders to share strategies they have pursued to support academic success for student parents.
		Theresa Anderson, Principal Research Associate, Urban Institute Wendy Robinson, Assistant Commissioner, Minnesota Office of Higher Education David Troutman, Deputy Commissioner for Academic Affairs and Innovation, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Ali Caccavella, Special Advisor to the Deputy Secretary and Commissioner, Office of Postsecondary and Higher Education, Pennsylvania Department of Education

10:15 AM	11:00 AM	Building Higher Education Champions: Galvanizing Support for Higher Education Policy Issues	Laurel CD
		Who advocates for the value, needs, and policy solutions of higher education institutions and their students? It is essential that state higher education partners (e.g., legislators, governors, industry leaders, community organizers) be equipped with the knowledge and opportunities to collaborate with institutional leadership to evaluate the challenges and needs impacting their state institutions and champion equity-centered solutions to improve higher education. In this session participants will hear from and engage with higher education leaders around rallying legislators and forming strategic partnerships with key stakeholders. State success stories will be shared to illustrate effective outcomes when higher education champions advocate for higher education policy in their state.
		Ginger Ostro, Executive Director, Illinois Board of Higher Education Brandy Johnson, President, Michigan Community College Association Ray Martinez, President, Texas Association of Community Colleges Bill Lyne, Faculty, Western Washington University

11:15 AM	12:00 PM	Break-out Sessions

11:15 AM	12:00 PM	Policy & Practice: Building Sustainable Funding Strategies for Mental Health Support in Higher Education	Laurel CD
		In response to the escalating mental health crisis faced by today’s students, there is an urgent need to transition from one-time funding models to sustainable strategies for mental health support in higher education. In this session, experts and state policy leaders will explore the critical importance of a coordinated approach to state funding, leadership, and student support, especially as federal resources being constrained. Join us for an in-depth discussion on how state are addressing this pressing issue and learn how to develop sustainable funding strategies.
		Dr. Zainab Okolo, Senior Vice President, Jed Foundation Dr. Aaron Thompson, President, Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education Aurora Harris, Senior Director of Regional Strategy, Young Invincibles John Lane, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Equity Initiatives, SHEEO

11:15 AM	12:00 PM	State & Federal Partnerships: How States are Engaging with Federal Infrastructure Initiatives	Harborside A
		Federal infrastructure funds and new projects are at an all-time high. Learn how three states are engaging with federal infrastructure initiatives to create opportunities for students to enroll in training that will lead to high-paying jobs in the infrastructure and green energy sectors.
		Dr. David Doré, Chancellor, Virginia Community College System Deniece Thomas, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Tim Aldinger, Executive Director Workforce Development, Foundation for California Community Colleges Georgia Reagan, Strategy Officer, Lumina Foundation

11:15 AM	12:00 PM	Measurement and Policy: A View of the States	Harborside B
		Throughout the year, leaders vested in postsecondary education are provided data from internal and external sources, yet making sense of all of the information to tell a single story beyond the latest news cycle can be challenging. The purpose of this session is to provide a synthesis of data – quantitative and qualitative – to tell a story that recognizes today’s accomplishments and tomorrow’s opportunities by spotlighting state success stories. This session will highlight actions taken by states.
		Dr. Chris Mullin, Strategy Director for Data and Measurement, Lumina Foundation

11:15 AM	12:00 PM	Strategies for Addressing Historical Underfunding of HBCUs	Kent ABC
		In 2023, the U.S. Department of Education released data affirming what many HBCUs already knew -several states (16) owed over $12 billion to land grant HBCUs since 1987. HBCUs have been naming and seeking justice against the gross misappropriation of state funds and resources allocated to HBCUs for decades. Strategies to seek institutional reparations for years of injustice have included identifying misdirected resources and duplicated courses, lawsuits, and legislative advocacy. While many state efforts have faced resistance, some have implemented diverse and bipartisan strategies that have yielded positive gains. This session will address the historical underfunding of public HBCUs and discuss the diverse strategies and higher education champions (e.g., legislators and community organizations) that can increase state investment in the continued growth of HBCUs.
		Dr. Jasmine Haywood, Strategy Director, Lumina Foundation; Dr. Denise Smith, Deputy Director of Higher Education and Senior Fellow, The Century Foundation; Raymond Pierce, President & CEO, Southern Education Foundation; Stephanie Hall, Chief Government and Legislative Affairs Officer, Coppin State

11:15 AM	12:00 PM	Reimagining Carnegie Classifications: State Implications for Incorporating Social and Economic Mobility Measures	Laurel AB
		Since its creation 50 years ago, the Carnegie Classifications system has become a hallmark of how American higher education defines itself, influencing research, rating systems, and even state and federal resource allocations. With support from Lumina and several other funders, the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching have been exploring how we can strengthen the classification system by incorporating a new Social and Economic Mobility measure that examines how schools are serving students to go alongside the Basic Classification for all colleges and universities. This session will provide an overview of the proposed changes, insights from a recent scan of how states use the existing Carnegie Classification system, and an opportunity for discussion and feedback.
		Mushtaq Gunja, Executive Director, Carnegie Classifications, American Council on Education Dr. Noe Ortega, Commissioner of Higher Education, Massachusetts Joelle Deleveaux, Strategy Officer, Lumina Foundation

12:00 PM	12:30 PM	Lunch	Harborside Foyer

12:00 PM	2:00 PM	Bold Leadership: Aligning Culture and Strategy in Higher Education Policy Change	Harborside Ballroom
		Dr. Kim Hunter Reed, Commissioner of Higher Education, Louisiana Board of Regents

		Financing Futures: Reflecting on 15 Years of Strategic Finance in Higher Education	Harborside Ballroom
		Explore the journey of postsecondary finance over the past 15 years, where states have redesigned funding strategies to align with state goals and support underserved students. Lumina Strategy Labs' partnership with states has provided crucial insights and facilitated the development of student-centered finance policies. This session highlights key advancements, the leading states, and how today's leaders can continue to refine and shape the future of higher education finance. Join us to discuss the evolution, challenges, and future implications of equitable and strategic funding in postsecondary education.
		Martha Snyder, Partner, HCM Strategists Dr. Wil Del Pilar, Senior Vice President, The Education Trust Dr. Brian Bridges, Secretary of Higher Education, New Jersey Ray Martinez, President, Texas Association of Community Colleges Ginger Ostro, Executive Director, Illinois Board of Higher Education Russ Deaton, Executive Vice Chancellor for Policy and Strategy, The College System of Tennessee

2:15 PM	3:45 PM	Workshops

2:15 PM	3:45 PM	Innovations in Automation: Admissions and Financial Aid	Laurel ABC
		What would it take to automate admissions and state financial aid in your state? In this workshop, we will hear from national experts on behavioral science and data policy on the imperative behind automating the college-going process. Then, we will engage in small-group conversation with select winners of Lumina's Great Admissions Redesign on how they navigated political barriers to implement automated processes that smooth the path to college.
		Melanie Heath, Strategy Director, Lumina Foundation Katherine Flaschen, Principal Behavior Designer, Ideas42 Brennan Parton, VP of State Policy and Advocacy, Data Quality Campaign Sara Scudder, College and Career Access Officer, Idaho State Board of Education Melissa Henderson, Chief of Staff and Executive Director, Texas Higher Education Foundation Dr. Steven Gentile, Executive Director, Tennessee Higher Education Commission

2:15 PM	3:45 PM	Workshop - Strategically Communicating Postsecondary Policy Agendas in Changing State Landscapes	Harborside A
		With growing questions about the value of higher education, the stakes are high to frame strategic postsecondary state policy agendas to effectively activate policymakers in advancing our nation’s attainment. In this workshop, we will highlight various approaches to strategically communicate postsecondary priorities in ways that will challenge attendees to consider the various mindsets and motivations of their audiences. The workshop will showcase how states and systems are maintaining a core focus on serving all learners with a particular focus on targeted populations and provide strategies on how to bring stakeholders with various viewpoints and priorities along.
		Cristen Moore, Strategy Director, Lumina Foundation Dr. Aaron Thompson, President, Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education Jessie Ryan, President, Campaign for College Opportunity Dr. Wil Del Pilar, Vice President, The Education Trust Veronica Selzler, Hattaway Communications Dr. Toya Barnes-Teamer, Owner/CEO, Teamer Strategy Group, LLC Jen Carnig and Lawrence Mason, Spitfire Strategies

2:15 PM	3:45 PM	Goal-a-palooza: Next Generation State Attainment Goals	Harborside B
		Twenty-six states - and the nation's - attainment goals expire in 2025. This workshop will help states plan for a next generation attainment goal. We'll hear from others who have recently set audacious goals and bring in technical assistance providers to help state teams think through the planning stages that will equip them to tackle this strategic reset in the coming year.
		Julie Ajinkya, Senior Advisor, HCM Strategists David Troutman, Deputy Commissioner for Academic Affair and Innovation, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Phil Martin, Director of Higher Education Policy and Implementation, The Education Trust Dr. Sanjay Rai, Secretary of Higher Education, Maryland Higher Education Commission Marty Van Der Werf, Director of Education Policy and Partnerships, Georgetown Center for Education and the Workforce

4:00 PM	5:00 PM	State Team Time	Harborside Ballroom
		State teams gather to debrief the day and strategize together.

4:00 PM	5:00 PM	Policy Partner Networking	Connections Networking Lounge
		Policy partners, Lumina Foundation staff, and other guests gather in the networking lounge to connect about the day's sessions and their on-going work with states.	Harborside Foyer

6:00 PM		Dinner on Your Own in Baltimore
		Enjoy Baltimore’s vibrant dining scene with fellow attendees. Whether you’re craving local seafood, international flavors, or a cozy café, the city has something for every taste. Use the "Find a Restaurant" tab on our site to discover top spots, grab a friend, and book early for the best experience!

Friday, September 13, 2024

8:00 AM	1:00 PM	Registration/ Information Desk Open
		Baggage Drop

8:00 AM	1:00 PM	Connect Networking Lounge Open

8:00 AM	9:00 AM	Breakfast	Foyer and Ballroom

9:00 AM	10:15 AM	Forward Together - A Future Vision for Higher Education	Harborside Ballroom
		Our approaches to systemic change must be driven by the student experience and be as dynamic and multifaceted as the diverse learners we aim to serve. In today’s political environment, states stand at the forefront of “fixing” higher education by articulating and actualizing a future vision for higher education that makes its value proposition clear and compelling. This plenary session will explore the urgent need to embrace this pivotal moment and set a vision for the next 15 years. We will discuss how institutions and policies can and must evolve, and identify the steps we need to take today to build the higher education system of the future that delivers value to individuals, communities, and society. Join forward-thinking leaders who are working every day to transform higher education for 2040 and beyond.
		Join the Talk at the Table! Dr. Michelle Cooper, Vice President of Public Policy and Executive Director of the Washington, D.C. Office, Lumina Foundation Melissa Henderson, Chief of Staff and Executive Director of the Texas Higher Education Foundation Dr. Dan Greenstein, Chancellor, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Mike Duffey, Chancellor, Ohio Department of Higher Education

10:15 AM	12:00 PM	State Team Time and Facilitated Debrief	Harborside Ballroom
		State teams gather to recap the retreat and determine next steps. Shannon Gilkey will help attendees report-out major lessons and opportunities culminating from the state policy retreat.
		Dr. Shannon Gilkey, Commissioner, Rhode Island Office of Postsecondary Education

12:00 PM	12:30 PM	Lunch	Harborside Foyer