Schedule
Registration includes all scheduled programming. Check back here for updates to the schedule. Attire for the entire event is conference casual.
- 3-6 p.m. Conference registration (Holztman Alumni Center (HAC) Grand Hall)
- 3-6 p.m. Vendor and swag table setup (HAC Grand Hall)
- Show off and share your university's swag with fellow ACC colleagues. Vendors will also bring swag to display.
- 6-8 p.m. Taste of Blacksburg BBQ dinner and drinks (HAC Grand Hall and Terrace)
- 8-10 p.m. Walk around the Virginia Tech Duck Pond
- Enjoy an evening stroll around the Duck Pond, a beloved spot for all Hokies. The pond is home to a variety of wildlife, including geese, ducks, and various fish.
- Enjoy an evening stroll around the Duck Pond, a beloved spot for all Hokies. The pond is home to a variety of wildlife, including geese, ducks, and various fish.
- 8-10 p.m. Kick Back at the HAC (HAC Grand Hall and Terrace)
- Relax and network with colleagues. Guests will enjoy a "Make your own Huckleberry Trail Mix" activity, yard games, and non-alcoholic beverages.
- Relax and network with colleagues. Guests will enjoy a "Make your own Huckleberry Trail Mix" activity, yard games, and non-alcoholic beverages.
- 7:30-8:30 a.m. Breakfast (HAC Grand Hall)
- Get ready for the day with complimentary breakfast from The Inn at Virginia Tech, Carol Lee Donuts, and Next Door Bake Shop.
- 8:45-9 a.m. Welcome to Virginia Tech (HAC Assembly Hall)
- Join Charlie Phlegar, senior vice president for Advancement, and John Torget, associate vice president of engagement, as they welcome ACC colleagues.
- 9-10 a.m. Driving Alumni Engagement: Insights and Strategies for ACC Institutions (HAC Assembly Hall)
- Get an update on the latest trends in alumni engagement, including a deep dive into ACC-specific data. Gain insights into using the CASE alumni engagement framework to develop effective strategies, foster collaboration, and set and achieve meaningful goals.
- Jenny Cooke Smith, senior director of CASE Insights Solutions
- Get an update on the latest trends in alumni engagement, including a deep dive into ACC-specific data. Gain insights into using the CASE alumni engagement framework to develop effective strategies, foster collaboration, and set and achieve meaningful goals.
- 10:10-11 a.m. Speaker Sessions (various locations in HAC)
- Small College, Big Results: How to utilize an integrated model to achieve Advancement goals (HAC Board Room, Second Floor)
- At Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment (CNRE), we know great things happen when people work together with purpose. Hear how team structure, shared goals, and communication keep everything in sync and benefit the whole community.
- Andrew Ickes, assistant dean of Advancement, CNRE, Virginia Tech
- Tara Nepper, director of alumni relations, CNRE, Virginia Tech
- Lifecycle of an Alum Panel Discussion (HAC Assembly Hall)
- The lifecycle of a Hokie from student to engaged alumni guides the work of Virginia Tech's engagement team. Learn about the unique partnerships and programs built that strengthen relationships with first-year students to alumni 50 years out from graduation.
- Andy Foiles, director of student engagement and philanthropy, Virginia Tech
- Katie Lafon, director of Cornerstone Alumni engagement, Virginia Tech
- Mariah Raskin, associate director of young alumni engagement, Virginia Tech
- Justina Sumpter, director of reunion programs, Virginia Tech
- The lifecycle of a Hokie from student to engaged alumni guides the work of Virginia Tech's engagement team. Learn about the unique partnerships and programs built that strengthen relationships with first-year students to alumni 50 years out from graduation.
- Small College, Big Results: How to utilize an integrated model to achieve Advancement goals (HAC Board Room, Second Floor)
- 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Lunch (D2 at Dietrick Hall)
- Enjoy a buffet-style lunch at D2, one of Virginia Tech's many dining halls. Shuttles will run from the HAC to Dietrick Hall beginning at 11:10 a.m.
- 1:30-3 p.m. Roundtable discussions (HAC Grand Hall)
- Seasoned Alumni Engagement (50+ years post-graduation), Shannon Hammons, Virginia Tech
- Board Management, Angela Mills, Virginia Tech
- Marketing and Communications, Annie McCallum, Virginia Tech
- Student Engagement, Katie Rappold, Virginia Tech
- Supporting Alums in Changing Trends, Liz Sprouse, University of Virginia
- Reunions, Skylar Stephenson, Virginia Tech
- College, Department, and Unit Engagement, Sara Stevens, Duke University
- Engaging Diverse Alumni, Daniel Suda, Southern Methodist University
- Quick Pivots, Stewart Summers, Clemson University
- Young Alumni Engagement (0-10 years post-graduation), Sam Whitney, Virginia Tech
- 3:10-4:10 p.m. Speaker Sessions (various locations in HAC)
- Empowering Students, Engaging Alumni: A win-win approach (HAC Board Room, Second Floor)
- Student engagement can be a powerful driver of alumni engagement. Institutions can foster it through intentional, student-centered strategies. Learn how supporting student-led initiatives, offering alumni engagement trainings, and hosting visibility-building events empower students to make the most of alumni networks.
- Stacy Peterson, senior director of campus engagement, Duke University
- Alison Nesbit, student engagement coordinator, Georgia Tech
- Building Community, Creating Impact: Regional Alumni Engagement in Action (HAC Assembly Hall)
- Join us for a panel discussion with experienced leaders driving meaningful regional engagement across the country. Explore strategies for cultivating strong alumni networks, fostering community connections and collaboration, and aligning regional activities with institutional priorities.
- Christi Lineberry, director of chapters and regional engagement, Virginia Tech
- Nicole Silvanic, director of regional engagement, Duke University
- Conor Webb, associate director of UVA Clubs Global Network, University of Virginia
- Moderated by Andy Foiles, director of student engagement and philanthropy, Virginia Tech
- Join us for a panel discussion with experienced leaders driving meaningful regional engagement across the country. Explore strategies for cultivating strong alumni networks, fostering community connections and collaboration, and aligning regional activities with institutional priorities.
- The Gold Standard of Tradition: Maximum Engagement and Growth in your Official Ring Program (HAC Grand Hall)
- Hosted by Jostens
- Hosted by Jostens
- Empowering Students, Engaging Alumni: A win-win approach (HAC Board Room, Second Floor)
- 4:10-5 p.m. Break before campus tour and dinner
- 5-6 p.m. Bus tour of campus (departing from HAC)
- Take in the sights of Virginia Tech's beautiful campus! Following the bus tour, guests will be dropped off at Merryman Athletic Facility for a tour of Virginia Tech Athletics.
- 6-6:30 p.m. Walking tour of Virginia Tech Athletics (Merryman Athletic Facility)
- Includes stops at Cassell Coliseum and Lane Stadium.
- Includes stops at Cassell Coliseum and Lane Stadium.
- 6:30-8 p.m. Dinner at the University Club (South End Zone, Lane Stadium)
- Join us for a buffet-style dinner hosted by Jostens. Guests will receive two drink tickets.
- 8-10 p.m. Downtown Takeover (The Maroon Door)
- Enjoy some of Blacksburg's popular watering holes. The first drink is on us at The Maroon Door! Shuttle service runs from 7:30-10:30 p.m. between Lane Stadium, Downtown Blacksburg, and The Inn at Virginia Tech.
- Enjoy some of Blacksburg's popular watering holes. The first drink is on us at The Maroon Door! Shuttle service runs from 7:30-10:30 p.m. between Lane Stadium, Downtown Blacksburg, and The Inn at Virginia Tech.
- 8-8:45 a.m. Breakfast (HAC Grand Hall)
- Get ready for the day with complimentary breakfast from The Inn at Virginia Tech, Carol Lee Donuts, and Next Door Bake Shop.
- 8:45-9:45 a.m. Speaker Sessions (various locations in HAC)
- Cultivating Leaders: Volunteer Engagement Models at Work (HAC Assembly Hall)
- Learn how institutions successfully manage and sustain volunteer engagement. Panelists will share strategies and insights on leveraging alumni and supporter leadership through societies and councils, chapter involvement, and board membership.
- Sammi Camp, director of parent and alumni relations, Virginia Tech
- Andrea Devine, senior director of volunteer engagement, University of Virginia
- Kristen Swanson Houston, director of alumni community engagement, Virginia Tech
- Mary Ann Vetter, senior director of engagement, University of Louisville
- AI and Development: A Peek at the Future of Fundraising and Alumni Engagement (HAC Board Room, Second Floor)
- While AI is an emerging tool for alumni relations teams, its effectiveness depends on the depth and quality of the data it processes. Explore how institutions can modernize data strategies and leverage AI-powered solutions to create personalized, impactful engagement.
- Carlos Terrazas, BrightCrowd
- Cultivating Leaders: Volunteer Engagement Models at Work (HAC Assembly Hall)
- 10-10:45 a.m. Hits and Misses: swag discussion and vendor presentations (HAC Assembly Hall)
- Let's chat about what worked and what didn't, with insights from our vendors.
- 10:50-11:50 a.m. Speaker Sessions (various locations in HAC)
- Donor Growth Group: A Cross-Collaborative Approach to Donor Participation (HAC Assembly Hall)
- Discover how Virginia Tech uses teamwork across the Advancement Division to drive donor participation. Explore practical strategies and real-world examples that break down silos and achieve remarkable growth in giving.
- Shaun Grahe, senior director of young alumni and reunion programs, Virginia Tech
- Brianna Kauhane, senior director of donor relations and prospect development, Virginia Tech
- Annie McCallum, director of Advancement communications, Virginia Tech
- Stephen Milleson, director of integrated and digital marketing, Virginia Tech
- Events that are all the Buzz: Crafting Engaging Innovative Programming to Connect with Regional Alumni (HAC Board Room, Second Floor)
- Join the Georgia Tech Alumni Association for a session on developing innovative regional engagement programs tailored to diverse goals, audiences, and budgets. Explore the strategic creation of two impactful programs that just completed their third year: Ramble the Night and Social in the City.
- Emily Palubeski, director of student and new alumni engagement, Georgia Tech
- Katie Crowe, senior manager of alumni engagement, Georgia Tech
- Open Discussion (HAC Grand Hall)
- The topic of the open discussion will be decided throughout the conference, based on input from attendees on what they may have missed through the set programming. This is a time to have open dialogue with colleagues from other institutions and ask each other questions.
- John Champlin, Wake Forest University
- The topic of the open discussion will be decided throughout the conference, based on input from attendees on what they may have missed through the set programming. This is a time to have open dialogue with colleagues from other institutions and ask each other questions.
- Donor Growth Group: A Cross-Collaborative Approach to Donor Participation (HAC Assembly Hall)
- Noon-12:30 p.m. Wrap up and boxed lunches (HAC Assembly Hall)
- Guests may stay to eat and talk, or grab their boxed lunches and go.
- Guests may stay to eat and talk, or grab their boxed lunches and go.