Description

Join other first-timers to start the networking and gather useful information about BMI. This fast-paced orientation will be fun and informative as you jumpstart BMI and get the most out of the experience. 

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will:

• Hear about the top five things to know about getting the most out of BMI.
• Participate in Speed Networking activity.
• Meet new colleagues and learn about them.

Description

This session offers a practical and conceptual framework for aligning financial resources with institutional priorities in higher education. Participants will explore various budget models, strategic planning tools, and best practices that support transparency, data-informed decisions, and cross-campus collaboration. Through case examples, interactive activities, and real-world challenges, attendees will gain tools to lead or support strategic budgeting on their campuses. Emphasis is placed on aligning budgeting practices with mission-driven goals and performance outcomes to enhance institutional effectiveness.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Define strategic budgeting and describe its purpose within higher education.
• Explore tools such as scenario planning and cost-benefit analysis to support strategic resource allocation.
• Identify best practices for planning, governance, and stakeholder engagement.

Description

Higher education is in a state of constant flux, with high turnover, leadership transitions at all levels, and many questioning the value of what it brings. This presentation will cover strategies for leaders at all levels to inspire those around them (and keep their motivation) in a time of constant transition.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Differentiate between transition and change and why.
• Identify specific strategies for individual leaders to keep themselves inspired.
• Identify specific leadership practices to inspire others when the world keeps changing.
• Understand how different roles at your institution can support you and your team during transition.

* Program knowledge level that builds on a basic program, most appropriate for CPAs with detailed knowledge in an area. Such persons are often at a mid-level within the organization, with operational or supervisory responsibilities, or both. Ideally, participants are actively leading a team at a higher education institution. The concepts will be most applicable with real-world experience and may assume some leadership/management knowledge.

Description

A premium is placed on leveraging data for decision-making and effectively communicating a narrative around it. With the growth of cutting-edge AI technologies, this has become easier than ever. This session dives into the possibilities of using generative AI tools like ChatGPT and DALL-E to assist with data storytelling so you can make the most of your data.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Describe important aspects of data storytelling.
• Have a high-level understanding of generative AI.
• Use generative AI tools to create effective data visualization.

Description

Uncover your strengths and explore what makes you unique! In this energizing session, you'll learn the foundational concepts of CliftonStrengths, discover your top talents, and start turning them into strengths you can use every day. Whether you're brand-new to Strengths or need a refresher, you’ll gain fresh insights, greater self-awareness, and practical ways to grow and thrive. Get ready to activate your potential and lay the groundwork for collaboration, leadership, and long-term impact.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this sessions, participants will:

• Understand the language and framework of CliftonStrengths.
• Recognize individual talents and apply them productively to build strengths in yourself and others.
• Discover how a strengths-based approach can transform performance, engagement, and impact.

Description

Whether you have followed the Ted Lasso series or not, the leadership lessons will spotlight some ideas on navigating and positioning yourself as a leader. Some ideas within the session will challenge you to unlearn and relearn how to lead in today's environment. Join Diane Fennig as we embrace the changes and redesign how we lead, follow, and tell the stories for our team.  Remember, your leadership must always be practiced.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will:

• Be challenged to assess their leadership practices.
• Discover and experiment with some new success strategies in storytelling and leadership.
• Unlearn some practices that are not serving you and your teams as you move to your next.

Description

Risk Management in higher education is always evolving as new risks come on to the horizon and begin to impact our organizations. As new risks arise, and known risks are better understood, best practices for managing those risks are continuously fine‐tuned by experience. This session will dive into detail regarding some of the more challenging risk issues impacting colleges and universities today. Current hot topic risks include political and societal pressures, enrollment challenges, operational pressures, regulatory and legal compliance, data security, student mental health, and public safety. Attendees will be encouraged to bring forward risk topics from their own experiences at their institution through an open forum for discussion.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will:

• Develop an understanding of current high-impact risk areas facing colleges and universities, including political pressures, enrollment trends, data security, and student mental health.
• Increase awareness of how evolving best practices and real-world experiences inform the development of effective risk management strategies in higher education.
• Apply risk management principles to institutional case examples through open discussion, drawing from participants’ own experiences and peer insights.

Description

Fostering a sense of belonging can drive engagement, innovation and the overall success of an organization. This learning session delves into the core principles of inclusion and belonging, offering practical strategies for inclusive leadership practices that promote an inclusive culture. Attendees participate in interactive discussions and hands-on activities and learn skills to transform their organizations into places where everyone can thrive.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will:

• Define the core concepts of inclusion and belonging and identify behaviors and practices that contribute to or detract from a sense of belonging in the workplace.
• Apply inclusive leadership strategies to foster psychological safety recognize barriers to inclusion, and develop approaches to address and remove them.
• Practice skills through hands-on activities that reinforce inclusive communication, active listening, and collaborative problem-solving and commit to at least one actionable step to promote belonging within their sphere of influence.

Description

Insurance and Risk Management are an integral part of protecting our Colleges and Universities as they seek the achievement of strategic goals. Sooner or later, for every business officer, the dreaded topic of insurance will arise, with its confusing terminology and complex questions. This course will provide attendees with a foundational understanding of the various risk exposures associated with higher education and how insurance provides protection and security against these exposures. Attendees will be encouraged to present real-world experiences, both personally and professionally, involving insurance and risk. 

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify the primary risk exposures in higher education. 
• Describe the basic lines of insurance coverage, how they apply to higher education risk exposure, and learn how to recognize potentially problematic language. 
• Provide essential guidance to colleagues on the core principles of insurance and sound risk management. 

Description

We live in a world inundated with data, which presents a pressing question: how do we make sense of and communicate those data in an effective way? This session is aimed at addressing and closing the data literacy gap between the "experts" (e.g., data analytics specialists) and everyone else - particularly leadership - in the organization that need to successfully leverage the data they have. 

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Describe important aspects of data literacy.
• Build a data literacy plan.
• Effectively communicate insights using data storytelling techniques.

Description

One of the positive results of the global pandemic includes a deeper look of how we want to spend our time on earth. The relationship between work and life is a constant ebb and flow of time, attention, and energy, and there are tools to help establish and nurture harmony between them. In this interactive session, you will explore the myth of "work-life balance," and be introduced to an integrated perspective and pragmatic approach to addressing often competing responsibilities. You will discover support, tools, and strategies, that encourage the necessary mind shifts and ultimate transitions to the new, more effective, and less stressful integrated world of work-life. Be prepared to leave with new tools and actions you can implement right away as you strategize to navigate your work-life integration going forward.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will:

• Experience practices and tools to enhance work-life harmony.
• Take a deep dive into concepts of self-care, resilience, boundaries, gratitude, and the importance of meaning in work.
• Create a practical action plan to optimize your functioning both professionally and personally, maximizing your work-life integration strategies. 

Description

This advanced session explores how strategic budgeting principles can be applied to real-world financial challenges through the lens of two active campus cases: one from an academic college and another from a central administrative unit—both currently facing structural budget deficits. Presenters will guide participants through the root causes of the deficits, including enrollment shifts, cost drivers, historical budget practices, and operational inefficiencies. Participants will then engage in interactive, scenario-based work groups to analyze each case and develop strategic, data-informed budget solutions that consider institutional priorities, stakeholder engagement, and long-term sustainability.

 Learning Objectives

 By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Analyze the financial and operational factors contributing to structural deficits in academic and administrative units.
• Develop strategic budget solutions that align with institutional goals and address both immediate and long-term challenges.
• Apply scenario-based planning techniques to evaluate trade-offs, build consensus, and support informed decision-making in budget development processes.

Description

This session introduces higher education professionals to the fundamentals of workforce planning and organizational design to strengthen institutional effectiveness. Participants will learn strategies to assess staffing needs, align human capital with strategic goals, and design agile organizational structures. The session will also explore data-informed decision-making and change management approaches to support successful implementation.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify the core principles of workforce planning and organizational design in a higher education context.
• Evaluate change management strategies that support the successful implementation of organizational design initiatives.
• Apply core concepts of organizational design to structure teams and departments for improved efficiency, collaboration, and impact.

Description

Ready to take your CliftonStrengths to the next level? In this engaging session, we’ll build on your Strengths foundation, and dive deeper into applying your talents to collaborate, lead, and drive impact. We'll explore theme dynamics, the four Strengths domains, and practical strategies for leading projects, influencing others, and navigating challenges. Discover how to apply practical tools to lead with greater authenticity and purpose, build strong partnerships, and turn your talents into a superpower for you and your team.

 Learning Objectives

 By the end of this session, participants will:

• Explore theme dynamics and the four domains of strengths.
• Deepen self-awareness and apply talents strategically to strengthen collaboration and success.
• Navigate "watchpoints" and manage perceptions to lead with greater authenticity, and maximize your impact by using your strengths consistently, strategically, and intentionally every day.

*Participants should have completed a previous WACUBO BMI strengths course such as “Discover Your Strengths” or “Activate Your Strengths,” or another previous CliftonStrengths course.

Description

Enhance your AI prompting skills in this workshop designed specifically for higher education professionals. We'll move beyond basic commands to explore practical strategies and frameworks for crafting effective prompts. Through specific, relevant examples, you'll learn how to get the most out of AI to support your work, from research and content creation to administrative tasks. Leave with a clear, actionable approach to confidently integrate AI prompting into your professional toolkit.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Construct effective prompts using structured frameworks to achieve specific academic or administrative goals.
• Differentiate between various prompting techniques and apply the most suitable approach for different tasks, such as content creation, research summarization, or instructional design.
• Evaluate the output of generative AI and refine prompts to improve accuracy, relevance, and overall quality.

Description

In this interactive session, we will discuss how we work in 2025. Two team development ideas will be detailed, and customizable materials will be shared. The first, Operators Manual, will help you re-norm your groups and reintroduce your teammates to each other. The second will focus attention on the individual players within your teams and their contributions in Stay Interviews.  If you are ready to reframe some of your team development work with a focus on retention, join us for this conversation.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Re-think their strategies on retention.
• Review and customize two potential staff development ideas for their teams.
• Build success in creating a retention strategy for their teams.

Description

This session explores the dynamic relationship between effective leadership and high-performing teams within higher education environments. Participants will examine leadership models, team development frameworks, and evidence-based strategies that support collaboration, trust, and accountability. Through interactive discussions and scenario-based activities, attendees will deepen their leadership capabilities and learn how to cultivate team cultures that drive institutional success. The session is designed for professionals with foundational leadership experience who are ready to expand their impact and influence.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Evaluate leadership principles and practices that enhance team performance in higher education settings.
• Apply strategies to strengthen communication, collaboration, and trust within teams.
• Implement practical tools to lead and develop high-performing teams in real-world organizational contexts.

*Participants should have a foundational understanding of leadership principles and some experience working in or managing teams. Familiarity with organizational dynamics in higher education or similar settings is recommended.

Description

This session explores the dynamic relationship between effective leadership and high-performing teams within higher education environments. Participants will examine leadership models, team development frameworks, and evidence-based strategies that support collaboration, trust, and accountability. Through interactive discussions and scenario-based activities, attendees will deepen their leadership capabilities and learn how to cultivate team cultures that drive institutional success. The session is designed for professionals with foundational leadership experience who are ready to expand their impact and influence.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Participants will be able to define what makes a conversation courageous, including recognizing the significance of these discussions for personal growth and organizational development. They will apply the key principles of inclusive dialogue and identify common barriers to engaging in courageous conversations, along with strategies to overcome these obstacles.
• Develop Active Listening and Empathetic Communication Skills: Through practical exercises, participants will enhance their ability to listen actively and express empathy, crucial for understanding diverse perspectives. They will gain skills in articulating thoughts and feelings honestly and respectfully, ensuring clear and effective communication.
• Create Personal Action Plans and Strategies for Promoting Open Dialogue: By the end of the training, participants will have developed personal action plans for initiating and sustaining courageous conversations within their contexts. They will also learn strategies for fostering an environment that encourages continuous, open dialogue, contributing to a culture of growth and learning.

Description

One of the most effective, yet untapped professional development tools available, is “informational interviewing.” No matter where you are in your career, having a focused conversation with a professional who works in a position, career field, or organization that interests you, can help you gain a greater perspective on your own professional pursuits. If you want to re-energize your career goals whether in-person or virtually, join this interactive session and you will leave with tips and tools ready to explore the art of informational interviewing.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Review the key components to successfully prepare for, conduct, and follow-up on informational interviews.
• Choose informational interviewing questions that resonate and will be used by participant.
• Practice mock informational interviews in the role of the information seeker and the role of the interviewer.

Description

This session offers a general grants management overview to provide administrators with a general grants management foundation. Understanding key concepts and identifying value-added activities that are key to successfully managing sponsored research in higher education. Join us as we build a network of colleagues who have similar roles and responsibilities and who face many of the same challenges and opportunities.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Navigate the “Grants and Contracts Life Cycle” (from beginning to closing) for Sponsored Research.
• Review elements of sponsored programs.
• Evaluate value added activities that strengthen collaboration and a culture of compliance.

Description

Life is filled with negotiations. Join us to learn some skills to build your awareness and maximize your opportunities. Viewing negotiation as an opportunity for insightful communication and potential collaboration can lead to big success. Can you turn disputes into partnerships? Can you build better partnership deals? Learn to navigate tension and create opportunities to get the very best offers in your role and in executive job search. Negotiating is a critical leadership skill that can propel you to the next level.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• By the end of this session, participants will be able to identify and articulate their value as university business officers and prepare a persuasive case for their desired compensation and benefits.
• Participants will be able to apply effective negotiation strategies that leverage their strengths, address potential challenges, and achieve win-win outcomes for themselves and their organizations.
• By the end of this session, participants will be able to practice and refine their negotiation skills through role-playing exercises, feedback, and coaching from the instructor and peers.

Description

The Track 2 curriculum provides a stimulating and challenging environment in which students work closely with colleagues and BMI faculty. The case study process introduced on Tuesday morning, August 6 is put into practice with Case Study Small Groups discussing the participants’ individually prepared case studies.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will:

• Build confidence and gain awareness / new perspectives.
• Learn new strategies for how to tackle difficult challenges.
• Meet new people from other institutions - build your network!

Description

The most effective business officers in higher education are those who approach people and projects with positivity and a sense of curiosity. Innovative organizations have leaders who serve as a “coach”— someone who enables a culture where ongoing, coaching conversations about performance and professional development are a common practice throughout the year. In this interactive session, you will explore how to get to the heart of meaningful matters in moments through the art of asking powerful, open-ended questions. You will gain useful tools and techniques to increase your effectiveness in creating coaching conversations that employees want, and that inspire their best work.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will:

• Compare and contrast coaching, advising, counseling, mentoring, training, consulting.
• Practice using “powerful questions” to create coaching conversations people want.
• Reflect on potential actions for creating coaching conversations at work.

Description

Track 3 is the capstone course at BMI.  Class participants will be exposed to theory and practical application of strategic planning principles.  Topics include Balanced Scorecard, Values/Vision/Mission, Strategic Goals/Initiatives/Measures, Change Management, etc. 

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Understand the reasons organizations engage in strategic planning, and the benefits of doing so.  
• Increase awareness of challenges in transforming and organization's mission into practical initiatives that move the organization forward.  
• Develop skills that can be used in working with others in the organization to accomplish common goals and initiatives.

*Prior attendance at BMI is helpful, especially Track 2 (case studies).  3-5 years' experience in a higher education setting is also helpful.  Participants should have a personal interest in advancing in their organization to management level, if not already there.

Description

In today's data-driven world, effective data literacy is invaluable for leaders. Leveraging data to inform decision-making and craft compelling narratives is crucial. With generative AI advancements, unlocking data insights has become more accessible than ever. In this session, discover how cutting-edge tools like ChatGPT can amplify decision-making, enabling you to unlock hidden data potential and communicate insights with clarity and impact. Participants will walk away equipped with practical strategies to elevate their data literacy and drive business success through AI-powered insights.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Describe important aspects of data literacy.
• Have a high-level understanding of generative AI and associated tools.
• Use generative AI tools to examine their data and effectively communicate insights from those data.

Description

This session introduces the essential concepts of strategic planning and organizational culture within higher education. Participants will explore how strategy and culture influence each other and why engaging stakeholders is important in shaping effective plans. Through guided discussions and simple interactive activities, attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how strategic thinking supports institutional goals. The session is designed for those new to strategic planning or looking to build a foundational understanding of how culture and collaboration contribute to successful outcomes.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will:

• Identify the basic principles of strategic planning and their role in higher education settings.
• Recognize the importance of stakeholder involvement in shaping strategic direction.
• Understand how organizational culture can influence and support strategic goals.

Description

Building on foundational knowledge, this workshop dives into more intermediate and advanced prompting techniques for today's leading generative AI models, including ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. Participants will learn how to go beyond simple text generation and create complex, multi-layered prompts that yield more precise and tailored results. We will also explore how to leverage these tools for content creation, including generating images and infographics to enhance professional materials. This session is designed to equip higher education professionals with the skills to master AI for a wider range of creative and analytical tasks.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will:

• Apply intermediate and advanced prompting techniques to generate highly specific and nuanced outputs from ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.
• Utilize generative AI for visual content creation, including designing and producing images and infographics for professional and academic use.
• Critically evaluate and refine AI-generated content across different models and modalities to ensure accuracy, relevance, and alignment with their intended purpose.

Description

What if success didn’t lead to happiness—but happiness led to success?  We’ll explore how the latest research in positive psychology and organizational behavior—led by thought leaders like Shawn Achor and Adam Grant—offers a transformative lens on leadership, fulfillment, and achievement. Designed specifically for you, this session offers actionable tools to ignite personal joy, elevate professional performance, and build more connected, purpose-driven networks. Through evidence-based practices and real-world insights, we’ll examine how happiness is not a byproduct of success, but a powerful driver of it. You’ll learn how to: •        Rewire your mindset for authentic optimism and resilience •        Amplify your strengths while expanding the impact of your network •        Lead with joy, compassion, and clarity—even in high-stakes environments Together, we’ll create space to celebrate the success of others—without comparison, scarcity, or burnout. This is a call to move beyond surviving in our careers and toward thriving—as individuals and as a collective.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will:

• Discuss the concept of positive psychology.
• Develop professional presence- considering how it is interpreted and how to demonstrate your gravitas, leadership and communication skills for maximum impact.
• Articulate leadership goals and develop action plans.

Description

Your campus has invested in you and BMI as your professional development; how will you curate your next steps now? This interactive session, led by Diane Fennig, former Career Management Director, College Administrator, and now Search Consultant, will give you some strategies and tactics for getting your career on track or re-inventing yourself for your next career appointment.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will:

• Review and reflect on your career path and set important milestones for success.
• Consider alternatives in reinventing your career and career path.
• Examine personal and career goals and verify that they align with your aspirations and desired results.

Description

This course covers the conceptual framework for creating financial statements for higher education institutions.  Along with this framework, the course explains the elements of financial statements, as well as some tools for understanding the various statement disclosures.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will:

• Understand the role of GASB and FASB in determining the conceptual framework for financial statement reporting in higher education institutions.
• Increase comprehension of the elements of financial statements and why their display and disclosure are important. 
• Develop appreciation for the role of financial analysis and how it assists the readers of financial statements in determining the financial health of the institution.

*Attendees should be familiar with basic financial statements and their purpose.