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 (Holtzman Alumni Center (HAC) Grand Hall)
- 3-6 p.m. Vendor and swag table setup (HAC Grand Hall)
- 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
- 8-10 p.m. Kick Back at the HAC (HAC Grand Hall and Terrace)
- Includes "Make your own Huckleberry Trail Mix" activity and yard games.
- Includes "Make your own Huckleberry Trail Mix" activity and yard games.
- 7:30-8:30 a.m. Buffet breakfast (HAC Grand Hall)
- 8:45-9 a.m. Welcome to Virginia Tech (HAC Assembly Hall)
- 9-10 a.m. Driving Alumni Engagement: Insights and Strategies for ACC Institutions
- Get a comprehensive 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 across Advancement and campus partners, and set and achieve meaningful goals.
- Jenny Cooke Smith, senior director of CASE Insights Solutions, Council for Advancement and Support of Education
- Get a comprehensive 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 across Advancement and campus partners, and set and achieve meaningful goals.
- 10:10-11 a.m. Session Two (various locations in HAC)
- Small College, Big Results: How to utilize an integrated model to achieve advancement goals (Board Room, Second Floor)
- At Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment (CNRE), we know that great things happen when people work together with purpose. Our Advancement team — fundraising, engagement, and marketing — works under one umbrella, and it’s become a go-to example of how collaboration can really work in higher ed. Hear about how team structure, shared goals, and communication help keep everything moving in sync — and how, when everyone’s on the same page, the whole community benefits.
- 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)
- Andy Foiles, director of student engagement and philanthropy, Virginia Tech
- Katie Lafon, director of alumni for Cornerstone, Virginia Tech
- Mariah Raskin, associate director of young alumni engagement, Virginia Tech
- Justina Sumpter, director of reunion programs, Virginia Tech
- Andy Foiles, director of student engagement and philanthropy, Virginia Tech
- 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Lunch at D2
- Shuttles provided to Dietrick Dining Hall beginning at 11:10 a.m.
- 1:30-3 p.m. Roundtable discussions (HAC Grand Hall)
- Cornerstone, Shannon Hammons, Virginia Tech
- Board Management, Angela Mills, Virginia Tech
- Communications and Marketing, Annie McCallum, Virginia Tech
- Student Engagement, Katie Rappold, Virginia Tech
- Supporting Alums in Changing Trends, Liz Sprouse, Virginia
- Reunions, Skylar Stephenson, Virginia Tech
- College/Units, Sara Stevens, Duke
- Engaging Diverse Alumni, Daniel Suda, Southern Methodist University
- Quick Pivots, Stewart Summers, Clemson
- Young Alumni, Sam Whitney, Virginia Tech
- 3:10-4:10 p.m. Session Three (various locations in HAC)
- Empowering Students, Engaging Alumni: A win-win approach (Board Room, Second Floor)
- Explore how student engagement can be a powerful driver of alumni engagement — and how institutions can foster both through intentional, student-centered strategies. This session will highlight how supporting student-led initiatives, offering alumni engagement trainings, and hosting visibility-building events (like campus tabling) can empower students to make the most of alumni networks.
- Stacey Peterson, senior director, campus engagement, Duke
- Alison Nesbit, student engagement coordinator, Georiga Tech
- Explore how student engagement can be a powerful driver of alumni engagement — and how institutions can foster both through intentional, student-centered strategies. This session will highlight how supporting student-led initiatives, offering alumni engagement trainings, and hosting visibility-building events (like campus tabling) can empower students to make the most of alumni networks.
- Regional Engagement Panel Discussion (HAC Assembly Hall)
- Christi Lineberry, director of chapters and regional engagement, Virginia Tech
- Nicole Silvanic, director, regional engagement, Duke
- Connor Webb, associate director, UVA Clubs Global Network
- 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 (Board Room, Second Floor)
- 4:10-5 p.m. Break before campus tour and dinner
- 5-6 p.m. Bus tour of campus, with stops including the Pylons at War Memorial Chapel, the Duck Pond, and Burruss Hall (departing from HAC)
- 6-6:30 p.m. Walking tour of Virginia Tech Athletics, with stops including Cassell Coliseum and Lane Stadium
- 6:30-8 p.m. Dinner at the University Club (South End Zone, Lane Stadium)
- 7:30-10:30 p.m. Shuttle service begins, running between Lane Stadium, Downtown Blacksburg, and HAC
- 8-10 p.m. Downtown Takeover (Maroon Door)
- Enjoy some of Blacksburg's hit watering holes with included appetizers and the first drink is on us at Maroon Door!
- Enjoy some of Blacksburg's hit watering holes with included appetizers and the first drink is on us at Maroon Door!
- 8-8:45 a.m. Breakfast (HAC Grand Hall)
- 8:45-9:45 a.m. Session Four (various locations in HAC)
- Cultivating Leaders: Volunteer Engagement Models at Work (Assembly Hall)
- Learn more about 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, Virginia
- Kristen Swanson Houston, director of alumni community engagement, Virginia Tech
- Mary Ann Vetter, senior director of engagement, Louisville
- Learn more about 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.
- Cultivating Leaders: Volunteer Engagement Models at Work (Assembly Hall)
- AI and Development: A Peek at the Future of Fundraising and Alumni Engagement (Board Room, Second Floor)
- Higher education advancement is at a turning point, with artificial intelligence (AI) starting to reshape the way institutions foster meaningful alumni relationships. While AI is an emerging tool for alumni relations teams, its effectiveness depends entirely on the depth and quality of the data it processes. Explore how institutions can modernize their data strategies and leverage AI-powered solutions to create more personalized, impactful engagement.
- Carlos Terrazas, BrightCrowd
- Higher education advancement is at a turning point, with artificial intelligence (AI) starting to reshape the way institutions foster meaningful alumni relationships. While AI is an emerging tool for alumni relations teams, its effectiveness depends entirely on the depth and quality of the data it processes. Explore how institutions can modernize their data strategies and leverage AI-powered solutions to create more personalized, impactful engagement.
- 10-10:45 a.m. Hits and Misses: swag discussion and vendor presentations (HAC Assembly Hall)
- 10:50-11:50 a.m. Session Five (various locations in HAC)
- Donor Growth Group: A Cross-Collaborative Approach to Donor Participation (Assembly Hall)
- Discover how Virginia Tech used teamwork across the Advancement Division to drive donor participation. Together alumni engagement, donor relations, Athletics, annual giving, and marketing and communications joined forces to create a thriving culture of donor participation. Explore the practical strategies and real-world examples that can help your organization 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 (Board Room, Second Floor)
- Join the Georgia Tech Alumni Association for an insightful 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. Participants will gain practical insights into designing and implementing programs that effectively address regional needs while managing resources efficiently.
- Katie Crowe, senior manager of alumni engagement, Georgia Tech
- Emily Palubeski, director of student and new alumni engagement, Georgia Tech
- Join the Georgia Tech Alumni Association for an insightful 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. Participants will gain practical insights into designing and implementing programs that effectively address regional needs while managing resources efficiently.
- Open Discussion (HAC Grand Hall or Patio)
- 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
- 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 (Assembly Hall)
- Noon-12:30 p.m. Wrap up (HAC Assembly Hall)
- 12:30 p.m. Boxed lunches (HAC Grand Hall)
- Guests may stay to eat and talk, or grab and go