Preconference Workshops Separate registration fee required (choose one)
10:30 AM–5:00 PM Meeting the Needs of New Community College Grant Professionals
The world of securing public funding for community colleges is complex. Building success is a team effort that requires understanding the dynamics of community colleges, identifying key resources and leaders, establishing credibility, honing design skills and aligning with college, community, and employer priorities. This pre-conference session will present the essential insights and knowledge critical for new community college grant professionals.
Key elements of this interactive session will include:
Orientation to the unique nature of community colleges, their multifaceted missions, and their local focus
A basic understanding of the process and purposes of public funds.
Aligning funding possibilities with college needs and avoiding the pitfalls of measuring success only by funding totals
Identifying supportive resources--people, tools, and models.
Becoming a valued contributor in the strategic planning and program development process for the college
Exploring methods for developing successful proposals with particular emphasis on planning and design, objectives, budgets, and outcome measures.
Polly Binns, President, Binns Consulting, LLC; Mary Brumbach, Chief Strategy Officer, Dallas County Community College District; Cherylyn Crill-Hornsby, Director of Grants and External Funding, State Center Community College District; Debbie Douma, Dean, Grants and Federal Programs, Pensacola State College; Mike Gaudette, President, Lighthouse Consulting, Inc.; Melissa Rupp, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Services, Ohio State University Extension; and Nancy Smith, Director of Grants Development, Community College of Baltimore County
2:00–5:00 PM Compression Planning for Community College Grant Professionals Compression Planning® is a seven-step visual process that community college grant offices across the country use to quickly develop those hazy ideas into fundable proposals. Learn how to adopt the process to develop projects and grant proposals as well as manage funded grant programs.
Polly Binns, President, Binns Consulting LLC; Karla Hibbert-Jones, Director, Grants Office, Sinclair Community College; Shane Kirby, Director, Grants Office, Columbus State Community College; and Melissa McCarthy, Grants Development Coordinator, Sinclair Community College
5:30–6:30 PM Grants Professionals Social Hour
Hosted by this year’s conference planning committee, all conference attendees are welcome to unwind and socialize at this free networking event. This is an opportunity to reunite with colleagues and meet new participants and speakers. One drink ticket and light hors d'oeuvres are included with conference registration
6:30 PM Guided Walking DC Monuments Tour (optional) Enjoy a narrated evening walking tour of monuments on the mall and Washington, D.C. including the Lincoln Memorial, World War II Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Washington Monument and White House. Participants will travel with an experienced guide by Metro to Federal Triangle and the mall and return by Metro or Uber to the hotel. Sign up at the conference registration desk (during the day) and meet in the hotel lobby at 6:30 PM Tour Guide: Mike Gaudette, President, Lighthouse Consulting
7:00–8:00 AM Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:00–9:15 Welcome and Keynote Session: OMB and Federal Grants Management The federal government invests approximately $700 billion in grants on an annual basis. This session will provide an overview the role that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) performs with regards to federal grants management, a description of the grants landscape, and what is on the horizon. Participants will also be introduced to the: Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards; Results-Oriented Accountability for Grants Cross Agency Priority Goal; and resources related to applying to and managing federal grants.
Invited Key Speaker: Gil Tran, Executive Office of The President, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Federal Financial Management (OFFM)
9:30–10:45 Elective Sessions (choose one)
Federal Session: American Association of Community Colleges Expanding Community College Apprenticeships The Expanding Community College Apprenticeships (ECCA) initiative is led by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) with funding from the U.S. Department of Labor to increase the number of apprentice programs and services throughout the country. The ECCA project will be conducted for over 3 years and will train 16,000 apprentices. Callan Eschenburg, Project Manager of Apprenticeships, American Association of Community Colleges
Essential Elements to Winning Federal Grants: Directly Engaging Federal Programs Review best practices on the two most essential elements of winning federal grants. Learn how to build relationships with federal program staff overseeing relevant grant programs, and find out how to gain a crystal-clear understanding of what will make your proposal most competitive. Discover how to accomplish both objectives well in advance of funds being made available by effectively forecasting which grants are being released and when.
Mark D. McIntyre, Principal; and Brent W. Merchant, Co-Founder and Principal, Merchant McIntyre & Associates
How to Successfully Plan and Develop Title III and Other Large-scale Department of Education Grant Proposals In 2017, Columbus State Community College (CSCC) secured the U.S. Department of Education’s Title III Part A: Strengthening Institutions grant, enabling eligible institutions of higher education to become self-sufficient and expand their capacity to serve low-income students. CSCC engaged in an intense planning and development process and is currently in the second year of the project. Additionally, CSCC acts as a collaborative partner with Marion Technical College, a two-year technical college in Marion, Ohio, to help their institution compose a successful Title III proposal. This session outlines a “how-to” plan for Title III and other large-scale Department of Education grant proposals. Review sample materials and templates, and discuss best practices related to the amount of time needed, the focus of a project, the composition of a problem statement, and the creation of a budget.
Shane Kirby, Director, Grants Office; Josephine Newman, Program Coordinator; and Ellie C. Rafoth, Program Coordinator, Columbus State Community College
11:00 AM–12:15 PM Elective Sessions (choose one)
Federal Agency Session: U. S. Department of Labor Grants and Resources for Community Colleges Learn about U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration grant opportunities, tips, and resources specific to community colleges. You'll hear about H-1B funded grants, get background on how a Funding Opportunity Announcement is developed, and more.
Robin E. Fernkas, Director, Division of Strategic Investments; and Monica Evans Antonio, Workforce Analyst, Division of Strategic Investments, USDOL
How to Win with Title V Learn what makes the difference between a good Title V application and a funded application. Learn where and why applications typically lose points, how you can avoid falling short and how to engage reviewers. Learn tips for each section of the proposal and how to overcome the gauntlet of challenges to success between basic eligibility and review panels.
Mike Gaudette, President, Lighthouse Consulting, Inc.; and Barbara Norris-Coates, President, Barbara Norris-Coates, Inc.
Pensacola State CARES – SAMHSA Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grant Program SAMHSA representatives have indicated a desire to provide funding to more community colleges for this program which is designed to prevent suicide attempts and completions and to enhance services for students with mental and behavioral health issues. This session will provide tips for submitting a competitive application and lessons learned from program implementation and institutionalization at the end of the grant period. Debbie Douma, Dean, Grants and Federal Programs, Pensacola State College
12:30–4:00 Federal Funder Resource Room
Take advantage of this opportunity to get to know program officers and discuss some potential grant ideas with them. Meet and dialogue one-to-one or in small groups with program officers who will be available to answer questions and discuss their agencies/funders' various grant programs. Be sure to check conference announcements for updates. Agencies and funders include:
American Association of Community Colleges, Expanding Community College Apprenticeships Initiative
Grants.gov
Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
National Institute of General Medical Sciences, Bridges to Baccalaureate Program
National Science Foundation, Advanced Technological Education Program
National Science Foundation, Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program
U.S. Census Bureau
U.S. Department of Education, Institute for Education Sciences, What Works Clearinghouse
U S. Department of Education, Office of Career and Technical Education
U.S. Department of Education, TRIO
U.S. Department of Education, Title III
U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women
U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
U.S. Department of State
1:30–2:45 Elective Sessions (choose one)
Federal Agency Session: Department of Education: Title III Join two of the Department of Education's Title III program officers for a discussion of current funding and future opportunities. Nalini Lamba-Nieves, Lead Program Officer, Title III Part A Programs - Strengthening Institutions, U. S. Department of Education; and Jymece Seward, Education Program Specialist, U.S. Department of Education
Facilitation Tools: How to Facilitate an Effective Meeting This workshop is designed to help grant professionals lead effective project development meetings. Gain practical tips and applicable skills for facilitating meetings that include outcomes, activities, and next steps. Learn how, what, and why to plan; the keys to facilitation; and how to apply the knowledge you've just learned.
Kristeen Christian, Assistant Vice President; and Allie Yadav, Manager, Grants Development and Special Projects, Valencia College
New Census Data Tool The Census Bureau recently released its new census data tool: "data.census.gov." which is replacing "American Factfinder." This platform is now the primary way to access census data from the 2018 American Community Survey and 2017 Economic Census, and it will be the data access point for the 2020 Census, and more. Bring your laptop and your questions for some hands-on experience. Joe Quartullo, Data Dissemination Specialist Customer Liaison and Marketing Services Office/Data Dissemination and Training Branch, U.S. Census Bureau
3:15–4:30 Elective Sessions (choose one)
Federal Agency Session: Minority Serving Institutions and Tribal Panel—Grant Opportunity Join colleagues from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to learn more about the grant programs available to minority-serving organizations, tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations. The session will provide an overview of available programs as well as highlight the application process.
Sandra Narva, Senior Museum Program Officer, Institute of Museum and Library Services; Julia Nguyen, Senior Program Officer, Division of Education Programs, National Endowment for the Humanities; Regina Sievert, Program Director, National Science Foundation; Sandra Toro, Senior Program Officer, Institute of Museum and Library Services; and Facilitator: Kate Pattison, Director, Grant Projects and Planning, Wake Technical Community College
It's Not Really Herding Cats; It Just Feels that Way Grant management sometimes feels like herding cats. Both new and seasoned project directors need to be reminded that grants have rules, and the college they work for have rules as well. Learn about an online solution—Project Director Certification—where project directors are required to complete the training before they start managing a grant. Discuss the steps they took to create a three-module certificate course that covers general grant management, hiring grant personnel, and grant budgets. Take time to think about your grant management challenges, to discuss topics that are most pressing at your college, and to create a plan of action. Kristeen Christian, Assistant Vice President; andLashon Henderson, Manager, Grant Administration and Development, Valencia College
4:45–6:00 Elective Sessions (choose one)
How the Feds Monitor and Enforce Accountability You've been awarded a federal grant. Now, learn how the Feds are going to monitor that grant and ensure accountability. This session explains the systems the Feds have in place to monitor your project performance and fiscal integrity. Learn what will raise red flags on a federal grant and how to avoid them. We will cover performance reports, two CFR 200 single audits, desk audits, program officer requests and responses, Office of Inspector General audits, the Risk Management System, whistle blowers, False Claims Act, Internet mining and Congressional intervention. Mike Gaudette, President, Lighthouse Consulting, Inc.
Live Long and Prosper: Developing a Logical Logic Model Developing a logic model to accompany a grant proposal can be a real conundrum. Using proven templates, this hands-on workshop walks through building a logic model step by step. To create a strong foundation for a logic model worth of submission, you are encouraged to bring an actual grant project to work on.
Leana Bowman, Senior Grants Specialist; and Sarah Schroeder, Senior Grants Specialist, Ellucian
Increasing Your Win - Playing Well in the Sandbox Working in grants, we spend a lot of time perfecting how we work with our institutional colleagues, but what about leveraging our relationships with each other to advance our work? “Playing Well in the Sandbox” with each other as fellow grant developers is critical to progressing as professionals. Learn how colleagues across the 28 State Colleges in Florida have increased their success rates by engaging with each other, even when competing against each other. Building off Stephen Covey’s Speed of Trust, this session will provide practical ways to engage your fellow grant professionals and maximize your time at the Conference by building relationships and making important connections. Jennifer Peterson, Director of Resource Development, Florida State College at Jacksonville; andKatie Shultz, Executive Director, Grants Development, St. Petersburg College
6:00–7:00 Welcome Reception
6:00–10:00 Shuttle Bus to Old Town Optional free shuttle provided by hotel. Stop by conference registration for details.
7:00–8:00 AM District Networking Breakfast Grab breakfast and network with colleagues from your CASE district.
8:15–9:30 Elective Sessions (choose one)
FFTF Debrief: Part I Hear the latest information from federal program officers! Between November 4-6, 65 members of the 2019 CASE Federal Funding Task Force visited with more than 40 federal program officers to discuss their grant programs, upcoming competition dates, and tips that help make stronger proposals. Facilitated by the Task Force Chair, Team Captains or Team Members will report on the programs visited in either the first or the second session. The sessions do not repeat and this format will leave time for questions from attendees. The PowerPoint presentation will not be available for participants prior to this session because it can only be completed after the Task Force concludes. The PowerPoint presentation will be posted in the CASE Community College Grants Community following the conference.
Your Next Steps as a Grants Professional: Certifications, Degrees, or Another Path? Grants management is a growing profession, and its practitioners come from many backgrounds. Unlike fields where there is a set educational pathway, grants management careers develop in diverse ways. Grants professionals have many options to develop their skills and expand their opportunities for professional development and leadership through both formal and informal processes. Two experienced grants professionals who have earned different types of grant certifications recently discuss pathways for community college grants professionals seeking to expand their skills and knowledge to benefit their institutions and their careers. Learn about several professional development opportunities, including professional certification, graduate education, and other ways to acquire professional expertise, and participate in a candid discussion of the opportunities and merits of these opportunities.
Anthony Funari, Grants Professional, Johnson County Community College; and Patricia Maloney, Manager, Grants and Sponsored Programs, Montgomery College
9:45–11:00 Elective Sessions (choose one)
FFTF Debrief: Part II Hear the latest information from federal program officers! Between November 4-6, 65 members of the 2019 CASE Federal Funding Task Force visited with more than 40 federal program officers to discuss their grant programs, upcoming competition dates, and tips that help make stronger proposals. Facilitated by the Task Force Chair, Team Captains or Team Members will report on the programs visited in either the first or the second session. The sessions do not repeat and this format will leave time for questions from attendees. The PowerPoint presentation will not be available for participants prior to this session because it can only be completed after the Task Force concludes. The PowerPoint presentation will be posted in the CASE Community College Grants Community following the conference.
Developing Uncommon Solutions for Complex Community and College Needs Ever find yourself in the situation of wanting to yell "The Emperor has no clothes!" while walking a tightrope between internal and external constituencies? Researching and creating solutions to complex issues and gaining support for them are two of the most critical tasks of development officers. This session provides a typology for differentiating issues and introduces integrative thinking strategies to provide for negotiating sustainable solutions. Combining examples of funded projects ranging from support services through career and technical education, you'll have the opportunity to apply both the analysis and solution approach in the session using small cases. Walk away with new approaches to some of the most vexing situations you encounter in balancing institutional and community priorities with funding source requirements. Mary A. Brumbach,Chief Strategy Officer, Dallas County Community College District
11:00–11:30 Networking Refreshment Break
11:30 AM–12:45 PM Choose between Elective Session or Rotating Roundtables (participants will select/rotate 4 times)
Federal Agency Session: Cybersecurity Grant Opportunities for Community Colleges This panel will discuss various cybersecurity grant for community colleges, as well as additional resources available. Corby Hovis, Program Director, National Science Foundation;Davina Pruitt-Mentle, Lead for Academic Engagement of the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education, National Institute of Standards and Technology; andFacilitator: Kate Pattison, Director, Grants Projects and Planning, Sponsored Programs, Wake Technical Community College, Christopher Smith, Management and Program Analyst, Office of Postsecondary Education, Strengthening Institutions Division, U. S. Department of Education
Roundtable #1: Finding Common Language to Bridge Disciplines in Project Planning How many grant professionals have been in a heated room, feeling like they are the only ones who see that both passionate sides of the table are actually saying the same thing? Different backgrounds, vernaculars common to specific fields, and pure passion can sometimes eek into discussions, turning a simpatico idea into warring factions. This session focuses on the vocal, facial, and body cues you, the conversation facilitator, can use to help your team realize they are just that, a team working toward a common goal. We will present tips, tricks, and tools that can be used to diffuse a situation and set project teams on a path toward cohesion.
Sarah Schroeder, Senior Grants Specialist, Ellucian
Roundtable #2: Determining ROI Determining a project’s Return on Investment (ROI) is a critical component of making go/no-go decisions regarding the pursuit of a particular grant opportunity. Financial outcomes such as future revenue potential or the offset of operating costs are fairly easy to ascertain. But what about calculating the ROI on student success initiatives or the impact of other activities that will cost the college money to implement?
Presenters will share techniques for different types of ROI determinations and ways to engage others in the calculation of long-term benefits of grant-funded projects and programs. Participants will receive a list of examples of ROI and discuss and share their ideas on the topic. Karla Hibbert-Jones, Grants Office Director, Sinclair Community College; and Melissa McCarthy, Grants Development Coordinator, Sinclair Community College
Roundtable #3: Are you in Compliance? In this session, participants will learn about some key compliance topics to consider during both the pre-award and post-award phases of grant administration. From planning in advance for compliant budgets, maintaining awareness of cost principles, assessing potential partners, adhering to conflict of interest guidelines and more, session attendees will be armed with proven techniques to avoid audit findings. Steve Bright, Grants Management Coordinator, Sinclair Community College
Roundtable #4: CASE Governance and Resources CASE member institutions voted in May to adopt a new volunteer leadership structure. This OneCASE model takes greater advantage of the work and input of volunteers to promote member engagement, talent management, thought leadership and global impact. We’ll cover what that means for you as a CASE member and also some other resources that CASE provides to help you advance your program. Beth Smith, Executive Director, Volunteer and Member Engagement, CASE
Roundtable #5: TRIO Student Support Services Come ask questions and learn a few best practices for pursuing a U.S. Department of Education Student Support Services TRIO project from a grant professional who has successfully obtained three SSS projects for her college. Heather Layton, Director of Grant Development, Mount Wachusett Community College
Roundtable #6: Data On and In Development This discussion will provide insights from some new research on the philanthropic priorities of higher education grant-makers and invites participants to share ways that they use data to develop compelling case statements, identify opportunities, cultivate relationships, and demonstrate impact to internal stakeholders. The discussion will also provide updates on some of CASE’s new benchmarking resources. David Bass, Senior Director of Research, CASE
12:45–2:00 Lunch on your own
2:00–3:15
Federal Agency Session: National Science Foundation Funding Opportunities for Community Colleges The session will present NSF programs of interest to community colleges including tips for proposal preparation. Programs in the Division of Undergraduate Education will be emphasized including, Advanced Technological Education, Improving Undergraduate Education in STEM, and Scholarships for STEM Programs. Updates on policy issues of interest to community colleges will also be discussed, including the National Science Board report on the “The Skilled Technical Workforce” and the President’s Council on the American Worker.The audience should come with questions and project ideas. V. Celeste Carter, Program Director, Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE), National Science Foundation
Community Colleges National Trends Panel Discussion
Featuring representatives from the American Association of Colleges & Universities, The Kresge Foundation and the Lumina Foundation, this panel discussion will provide a high-level overview of national trends that influence private foundation grant opportunities of interest to community colleges. Ashley Finley, Senior Adviser to the President and Vice President for Strategic Planning and Partnerships at AAC&U; Chauncy Lennon, Vice President for the Future of Learning and Work, Lumina Foundation; Bethany Miller, Program Officer, The Kresge Foundation’s Education Program; and Moderator: Katie Shultz, Associate Director of Grants Development, St. Petersburg College
3:30–5:00 Featured Sessions (choose one)
Featured Session: Catching Up with Capitol Hill: Federal Policy Issues Affecting Community Colleges What's going on in Washington that affects your institution and students? What are the latest developments with federal funding, the Higher Education Act Reauthorization, workforce and CTE programs, and more? The American Association of Community Colleges federal advocates answer these questions and bring you up to speed on the policy issues that impact your work. Brian Flahaven, Senior Director for Advocacy, Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE); and David Baime, Senior Vice President, Government Relations and Policy Analysis, American Association of Community Colleges
Featured Session: Ins and Outs of Preparing a Successful TRIO Talent Search Proposal The next competition for this five-year U.S. Department of Education TRIO grant takes place in late 2020 or early 2021. It is not too early to start the grant development process for a U.S. Department of Education Talent Search grant. Learn the tips and tricks for obtaining a new award in the next competition from a peer who has successfully helped her small community college receive two of these grants. Get a brief overview of the Talent Search project, learn how to identify target schools and make a need for the project, discuss the importance of the objective section, and identify best practices for setting objective percentages, learn how to develop a "winning" plan of operations, and review appropriate applicant, target school, and community commitment. Heather Layton, Director of Grant Development, Mount Wachusett Community College
