EAB Approved Schools Conference

Each year, the EAB holds a day-long conference for approved school officials and other interested persons. The conference provides an opportunity for EAB staff, school officials and other interested persons to discuss and learn about best practices and regulatory issues affecting for-profit and non-profit higher education institutions.

The 2011 conference "Listening to Employers Benefits Students" will be held at the Sheraton Madison Hotel on Thursday, November 17, 2011. and will explore why it is important for all institutions to use employer advisory committees and how students benefit from the advice and expertise of employers. Michael Cooney, EAB Board Chair, will start the day by giving a "State of the Career Education Sector" presentation.

Keynote speaker, Rob Curtain, Chief Applications Officer for US Education at Microsoft, will discuss how social and cloud computing are shaping consumer expectations for learning. He will be followed by Jay Hollowell, Vice President and Training Manager, MaxKnowledge, Inc. whose presentation about the "Role of Employer Advisory Committees" will provide practical information on creating and using employer input to improve programs, externship experiences and job placement for students.

Two afternoon panels will be moderated by Michale McComis, Executive Director of the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) - one panel of school officials who currently use advisory committees and another of employer representatives who are active advisory committee members.

For those attendees needing hotel accommodations, we have reserved a block of rooms at the Sheraton Madison Hotel at a special conference rate.  Please go to the link below for more information.  All reservations must be made no later than Friday, October 14.


Webcast Video Links- Coming Soon
>The State of Career Education
>How Social and Cloud Computing are Shaping Consumer Expectations for Learning
>The Role of Advisory Committees
>School's Panel
>Employer's Panel

Session PowerPoint Presentations
>The State of Career Education
>How Social and Cloud Computing are Shaping Consumer Expectations for Learning
>The Role of Advisory Committees

>Technology is the Future of Higher Education - Career Education Review Atricle

Prior Year Conference Information

Special Note: Webcasts of the 2007, 2008 & 2009 conference sessions and copies of corresponding PowerPoint presentations are available using the respective links. To facilitate viewing, each session's presentation is listed separately.

2010 "Quality Schools = Student Success" - The conference examined the important relationship between quality-focused schools and positive student outcomes. It featured morning presentations from Anthony Bieda, Director of External Affairs for the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools; and Robert Pavlik, Assistant Director of the Institute for the Transformation of Learning located at Marquette University. The afternoon consisted of a series of operationally-targeted workshops led by school officials focused on the topics of admissions (specifically compliance and best practices); teaching and learning; student academic progress and retention; and, externships and employment.

Webcast Video Links
 >Opening Remarks - Assessing the Regulatory Landscape
>For-Profit Sector Concerns
>Focusing on Quality for Student Success

Session PowerPoint Presentations
 >Opening Remarks - Assessing the Regulatory Landscape
>For-Profit Sector Concerns
>Focusing on Quality for Student Success
    -- Handout 1
   -- Handout 2
   -- Handout 3
>Admissions: Compliance & Best Practices
   -- Handout 1
   -- Handout 2
>Teaching & Learning
>Student Academic Progress & Retention
>Externships & Employment

2009 "Success for Students and Schools in a Challenging Economy" - The conference featured Terry Ludeman, retired chief economist for the State of Wisconsin who shared his perspective on the status of the state's current economy and its implications on jobs of the future, particularly as it relates to education and training at the postsecondary level.  Roger Williams, executive director of the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) discussed the importance of well-designed institutional systems, and the critical role they play in determining an organization's success in a challenging economic environment.  The afternoon consisted of a series of workshops led by various school officials from accredited and non-accredited, and large and small institutions at each workshop and discussed best practices in the areas of student enrollment, student retention, student support services, and graduation and employment.

Webcast Video Links
>Opening Remarks - Accountability & Outcomes
>The Current Economy & Future Trends
>Surviving in the New Economic Reality

Session PowerPoint Presentations
>Opening Remarks - Accountability & Outcomes
>The Current Economy & Future Trends
>Surviving in the New Economic Reality
>Student Enrollment
>Graduation and Employment 1
>Graduation and Employment 2
>Student Support Services
>Student Retention 1
>Student Retention 2

2008 "Planning for Success" - The conference featured Dr. Richard Oliver, CEO of American Sentinel University who spoke on "The Power of Planning," and Joan Gillman, Director of Special Industry Programs at UW-Madison, who discussed methods for schools to develop an institutional plan. Ms. Gillman also lead a panel discussion of EAB schools about developing and using institutional plans. Attendees also heard a panel of EAB schools on lessons learned from the employment verification process.

Webcast Video Links
>Opening Remarks - Another Way to Win
>The Power of Planning
>Developing an Institutional Plan
>Institutional Plans: Lessons Learned
>Employment Verification: Lessons Learned
 >The EAB: Past, Present & Future

Session PowerPoint Presentations
>Opening Remarks - Another Way to Win
>The Power of Planning
>Developing an Institutional Plan
>Employment Verification: Lessons Learned
>The EAB: Past, Present & Future

2007 "Moving Forward" - The conference theme reflected the changes being implemented as part of the EAB's modernization agenda. The keynote speaker featured John Lee, president of JBL Associates. He addressed demographics, accountability and the economic impact of career schools from a national perspective. The afternoon workshop presenter featured Chris Lambert, the associate director of commission relations for the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT). He talked about developing and using institutional plans.

The conference also provided EAB staff an opportunity to discuss the status of other changes that are being made as part of its modernization agenda. Information was shared about our efforts to redesign the school visit process. In addition to discussing the way school visits will be conducted beginning in 2008, EAB staff shared important information about data verification issues that will affect the annual school renewal process for 2009. Specifically, there was a discussion about the need for schools to provide information as part of the renewal will allow the EAB to verify employment data.

The conference also included a morning session state Representative Stephen Nass, one of the legislative authors of the EAB's modernization bill, who discussed its status and the legislative process.

Webcast Video Links
>Welcome & Opening Remarks
>National Perspectives: Demographics, Accountability & the Economic Impact of Career Schools
>EAB Modernization Update
>Legislative Update EAB's Modernization Bill – AB 281/SB 174
>Developing & Using Institutional Plans
 >Implementing EAB's Modernization: Employment Verification, School Visit Redesign & Institutional Planning

Session PowerPoint Presentations
>Opening Remarks
>National Perspectives: Demographics, Accountability & the Economic Impact of Career Schools
>Developing and Using Institutional Plans
 >Implementing EAB's Modernization: Employment Verification, School Visit Redesign & Institutional Planning

2006 "Schools that Work" - The conference underscored schools' primary purpose: educating and training Wisconsin residents for employment, and for career enhancement and advancement; reinforced the EAB's emphasis this year on the "employed" category of student outcomes as part of the school renewal process; and showed EAB's commitment to help all schools be more effective for students.

Session PowerPoint Presentations
EAB Modernization Update
Setting the Context: Accountability and Transparency
Data Driven Schools
Lessons Learned: Employed and Satisfaction Outcomes
Best Placement Practices
EAB Effectiveness Survey

2005 "Student Outcomes and Ethics" - Over 70 people attended the conference on November 10, 2005.  The keynote speaker was Denis Collins, an associate professor of business at Edgewood College, Madison, Wisconsin.  In his address, "The Role Ethics Plays in Reporting Results," Dr. Collins explored the relevance between ethical theory and student outcomes reporting.  Dr. Collins is also the author of the book Behaving Badly:  Ethical Lessons from Enron where he provides advice on creating and sustaining an ethical culture in any company.

2004 "Becoming Your Best" - Elaine Beaubien, who for the past 25 years has occupied the position of associate professor of business at Edgewood College, Madison, Wisconsin, delivered an energetic keynote address. In her address, "Foundation for Legendary Leadership: Capturing the Essence of Excellence", Ms. Beaubien challenged participants to cultivate their leadership potential.  The EAB also held a pre-conference workshop lead by Jacqui Sakowski owner of Sakowski Consulting LLC.  Ms. Sakowski used "Twelve Essentials to Providing Educational Excellence" to set the stage for the conference presentations.

Related Links