Bob Dylan was not singing about higher education when he sang “the times they are a changin’,” but indeed many universities nationwide are experiencing an era of challenge and change. Our relatively small school at the flagship university in Colorado has experienced significant change over the past year-plus — from deanship transitions to sweeping budget and organizational change. These changes have led us to pivot and evaluate our communications strategies in real time while we attempt to remain true to our mission and center community-building among faculty, staff, students, and supporters. We don’t have all the answers, but we know we are not the only ones interested in exploring inclusive and transparent communications strategies during times of change and processing our emotions as staff leaders. In this interactive session, we will work through lessons learned around change management in our school as we explore case studies together about budget constraints, political scrutiny, leadership transitions, humanizing change management, and more.

This session will delve into key areas of advancement to uncover effective strategies and valuable insights. The session will be structured around three core topics: Stewardship, Scholarships, and Annual Giving. Each segment will highlight successful practices and lessons learned from various initiatives, offering a comprehensive overview of what has proven effective at Northeast Community College. By examining examples and discussing strategic approaches, participants will gain actionable knowledge to enhance their own advancement efforts. This session promises to deliver a blend of practical tips and inspirational success stories, aimed at optimizing outcomes and fostering growth in advancement activities.