2026 Conference Concurrent Sessions
The National Association of Presidential Assistants in Higher Education is pleased to present the line-up of concurrent presentations for the 39th Annual National Conference and Business Meeting. Broad topics include Professional Development for Executives and Administrators, Communication and Influence, Workplace Dynamics and Management, Personal Growth and Well-being, Support During Organizational Changes, Event Planning, and Advanced Topics and Issues in Higher Education. Additional details, including session descriptions, will be included in the conference app, available to registered attendees prior to and during the conference.
Page updated March 5, 2026. Details subject to change without notice. The final schedule will be posted in our official conference app, available prior to the start of the conference.
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Session 1 - Thursday 3/12 at 9:30 - 10:30 AM
| Session Title | Speaker |
|---|---|
Behind the Search: Unwritten Rules for Managing Executive Searches | Steve Frieder |
High-Volume, High-Impact: Scaling Executive Event Planning with Technology and Institutional Knowledge | Paula Garza |
Building an AI-Ready Campus: The Presidential Assistant's Handbook | Josh Schwartz |
Lessons on Influence and Followership | Trina Smith |
The Strategic and Complex Role of Chiefs of Staff | Don-Terry Veal |
Session 2 - Thursday 3/12 at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
| Session Title | Speaker |
|---|---|
Beyond the Org Chart: Strategies for cross-boundary leadership in a matrixed management environment | Kendall Barton, Ed.D., PMP |
Congress, the Administration and Higher Education – A Washington Perspective | Mark Burnham |
From Preparation to Partnership: Best Practices for Supporting Searches in Higher Education | Jenny Carron |
Grow Your Role | Heather Fehn |
Blueprints for Growth: Building Your Professional Development | Sarah Myers |
Session 3 - Thursday 3/12 at 3:30 - 4:30 PM
| Session Title | Speaker |
|---|---|
AI Belongs in the Governance Record: What Higher Education Board Professionals Need to Know | Jody Carlson |
Lessons Learned the Hard Way | Heather Fehn |
Postmortem with Purpose: A Change Model Approach to Project Management | Madison Merrifield |
The Speed of Trust | Sheri Sargent |
From Transition to Transformation: Strategic Leadership Amid Shifting Institutional Landscapes | Dr. Bonnie Taylor |
Session 4 - Thursday 3/12 at 5:00 - 6:00 PM
| Session Title | Speaker |
|---|---|
Measuring Impact and Advocating for Yourself | Eddie Cullinane |
Building a Professional Community Within and Across Higher Education | Kathryn Enke |
The Art of Executive Onboarding: A Panel Discussion | Morgan Fradenburgh |
The AI-Powered Executive Office: Tools and Ethical Guidelines for the Future of Support | Paula Garza |
The Power of Presence: Executive Communication and Influence in Complex Systems | Dr. Bonnie Taylor |