Two University of Arkansas Administrators Address Academic Leaders at a National Conference

Two University of Arkansas administrators spoke about the challenges facing higher education leaders at the 67th annual National Conference of Academic Deans on July 11 and 12 in Conway.

Ro DiBrezzo, vice provost for academic affairs, presented the keynote address "Swiss Army Knife: the Dynamics of Being a Dean" at 6 p.m. July 11. Kim Bradford, director of compliance and quality assurance at the Global Campus presented "Online Learning: Quality Support for Sustained Growth" during an 8:30 a.m. session July 12.

"As we try to project what the landscape for higher education will look like in the next few years, I look forward to learning from colleagues at this conference," DiBrezzo said.

Administrators from across the nation discussed current topics and issues in higher education administration at this year's conference, themed "Leading with Integrity and Accountability." The event featured speakers, case studies and active dialogue relevant to the work of provosts, deans and associate deans. The goal of the conference was to promote new perspectives and expand the networks of colleagues in an informal atmosphere.

Visit the University of Central Arkansas website for more information.

DiBrezzo's keynote address explained that the foundation of trust is a leader's integrity, authenticity and courage. She addressed the changing role of deans and other administrators in the last 10 years and the effect of this paradigm shift on accountability and integrity.

Bradford discussed the migration of distance education from the fringes to the core of institutional operations and the challenges presented in ensuring the systemic support for quality processes and policies.
 
According to a recent Babson Group survey report, Changing Course: Ten Years of Tracking Online Education in the United States released in January 2013, nearly 70 percent of chief academic leaders now see online learning as critical to their long-term strategy. The challenge of this reality is that core institutional policies, processes and tools for accountability, which were developed to support traditional on-campus learning, must have the capacity to encompass online learning.

Bradford's presentation explored strategic campus connections and provided examples of how the University of Arkansas Global Campus is working with other units across campus to develop and sustain quality online programming that is driven by faculty and supported within the framework of university policies and processes.