Why should you be excited about this year’s Conference for Community College Advancement? The planning committee has a few ideas…
“IT IS IN PERSON!!!!”
“LIVE and in the flesh! LOVE that we’re back in person!!”
“Being back in person.”
“The return of in-person education.”
“Ummm – being back in-person!”
It’s been three L-O-N-G years since we last gathered and had the unique opportunity that this conference—above all others—provides community college advancement professionals. We come together from around the country to share struggles and celebrate successes. This is a community that not only freely shares together but truly cares for each other:
“It’s a chance to be with all ‘my people’--the professionals who know and understand this profession and who want to support students,” said Kris McPeak, director of programs and alumni engagement at Pasadena City College Foundation, and this year’s conference chair. “Talking about work-life balance and self-care has always been very important to me, and I greatly appreciated being able to share my tips and strategies with other members of CASE.”
“I’m really interested in learning how others are rebuilding,” said Heather Beebe-Stevens, executive director of the Community Colleges of Spokane Foundation. “How is everyone keeping themselves going? There is nothing that I am dealing with that someone else hasn’t handled already. Sometimes just having a friendly face to talk to is absolutely key to being able to do this work.”
John Wolfkill, executive director of the Community College of Aurora and 2022 vice chair, and Diana Pollard, executive director of Dutchess Community College, talked about leveraging this opportunity to build and develop strategic relationships with college and foundation leadership. They brought their college presidents and board members to the conference and the Executive Institute for Community College Advancement, a shared learning experience tailored for community college presidents and their chief fundraisers.
As the planning committee dives into your session proposals this week, here are some of their recommendations on how you can maximize your experience this fall:
- Reach out to colleagues from your state. Make plans to meet up during the conference to connect (or reconnect) and reflect on what you are learning.
- Don’t forget to schedule time for self-renewal (e.g., morning run, afternoon swim, Disneyland, journaling by the pool). Do whatever you need to recharge. This is your time, too!
- Take lots of notes! Download the presentations and share them with your colleagues back on your campus.
- Attend EVERYTHING. Ask questions at every session you attend. Be a sponge!
“It has been an intense few years in fundraising,” John Wolfkill summarized. “I am ready to celebrate, laugh, cry, and learn with others. I look forward to a time of reflection, renewal and expanding my thinking.”
All of the above, John. Looking forward to all that’s in store for us in Anaheim this October!
This year’s conference is in the enthusiastically capable hands of the following community college champions:
Kris McPeak, Chair
Director of Programs and Alumni Engagement
Pasadena City College Foundation (CA)
John Wolfkill, vice chair
Executive Director, Foundation
Community College of Aurora (CO)
Amy Adams
Vice President for Planning and Advancement
Marion Technical College (OH)
Heather Beebe-Stevens
Executive Director, Foundation
Community Colleges of Spokane (WA)
Shannon Hair
Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Development
Danville Community College (VA)
Treva Kennedy
Associate Director of Advancement
Northwest Arkansas Community College
Dawn Magretta
Executive Director, Foundation
Schoolcraft College (MI)
Diana Pollard
Executive Director, Foundation
Dutchess Community College (NY)
