Embarking on a leadership role in advancement can be both exhilarating and challenging. While many of us began our advancement careers as specialists, (making in-person asks for big gifts, mastering back-office processes, creating marketing materials, etc.), sooner or later, we find ourselves managing teams. While we may be experts at “making the ask” or “mapping appeal code structures,” oftentimes new managers can find ourselves at a loss when required to give effective performance reviews or coach up a new team member. This session is tailored for advancement professionals who have recently taken the step from being practitioners to managing teams. You will hear from three of your colleagues who have made this leap and are now successful industry leaders. Madison, Karl, and Adrian will introduce you to the dynamic world of advancement teams, providing essential insights, strategies, and tools to help you become a more successful team manager and leader.

In the digital age, universities must consider how a thoughtful approach to social media content strategy can leave a lasting impact across all audiences and help to achieve your goals. In a unique session, co-hosted by the Texas State University Marketing Team and University President Kelly Damphousse, attendees will delve into the transformative role that social media plays in advancing a university's stature, amplifying key messages and goals while fostering a sense of community and engagement. President Damphousse and the TXST marketing team have individually found a sweet spot between social media content and community engagement while creating space for cross collaboration on content related to the university’s broader academic, fundraising, and community goals. Together, President Damphousse and TXST marketing have fostered digital communities that have driven unprecedented levels of engagement between the students, faculty/staff, alumni and community – all on social media. Learn valuable insights on how leadership can approach social media and build engaged communities online while implementing practical strategies for cross collaboration between leadership and your university’s accounts to harness the full potential of social media for your institution's growth, community engagement, and strategic advancement.

Join us for a panel discussion centered on the book “A History to Remember: TCU in Purple, White, and Black” - a chronicle of the underexplored history of Black American memory at Texas Christian University. Anyone interested in race relations, the function of memory, and North Texas history will find the text and its layered analytical approach appealing. However, the panel also explores the pathways of the three authors who used their collective Black voice to elevate the voices of other Black Americans’ experience at TCU through the perspectives of students, staff, faculty, administrators, and alumni. Covering the institution’s first 150 years, the book interrogates and investigates the academic, athletic, artistic, and cultural impact of Black students, employees, and alumni from its beginnings, through segregation and integration, and the continued work of reconciliation. Given current debates over the value of diversity, these authors' perspective has local, regional, and national implications due to TCU's overall growth and position as one of the top 100 universities in the nation.