Ready for 2030 | Designing the Next Era of Advising & Student Success
Members of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, campus and external partners are invited to join us in the UT Student Union on September 8 & 9 to look ahead and intentionally shape what’s next.
As students, institutions, and higher education continue to evolve, this conference centers on proactive planning, thoughtful design, and innovative practices that help us anticipate and respond to change.
Through shared learning and collaboration, participants will explore emerging trends, adaptive frameworks, and forward-thinking strategies to reimagine advising and student success for the next era.
Conference Registration is Now Open!
We hope you will join us for this year’s conference! If you will be attending, please click select the option below that best fits button below.
- For current UT faculty & staff, please click the button below.
- For non-UT faculty & staff that will not be participating in the Executive Leadership Experience, please contact [email protected].
- For non-UT faculty & staff that were invited to participate in the ELE, please refer to the instructions provided in your email invitation.
The deadline to register is Monday, August 10.
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Fai Howard
Dr. Fai Howard is a mission-driven professional who delivers meaningful outcomes by building strong partnerships, designing effective systems, and helping individuals and organizations align purpose, performance, and impact.
She earned her PhD in Public Policy and Administration from the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University. Since joining the University of South Florida in 2017, she has served in progressive leadership roles and currently serves as associate dean in Undergraduate Studies. Prior to USF, she served as assistant vice president for Student Success and Retention at Edinboro University within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
Her professional experience and research interests focus on comprehensive student success, higher education policy, academic advising, and community college-university partnerships that support timely degree completion and career-connected pathways. Her work emphasizes the practical application of theory to strengthen organizational effectiveness, create sustainable systems, and enhance the capacity of front-line professionals who are essential to institutional success.
In addition to teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, Dr. Howard has authored peer-reviewed publications, presented nationally, and provided consulting or professional development on student success, organizational effectiveness, advising, transfer pathways, and higher education policy. She is known for translating research into practical strategies that improve student experiences, strengthen institutional performance, and advance meaningful outcomes.
Conference Times
Tuesday, September 8
- New Advisors & Coaches ONLY
- 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
- Executive Leadership Experience
- 3 – 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, September 9
- All Conference Attendees
- 8:15 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Conference Timeline
Please note that the dates below are subject to change.
- Proposal Submissions: April 7 – June 1
- Proposal Reviewers Application: April 7 – May 8
- Presenters Notified: June 10
- Conference Registration: June 15 – August 10
- Presenters’ Confirmation & Registration Deadline: June 22
- Conference Schedule Released: August 25