Featured Speakers

Opening Session Speaker

Benjamin Zander

Monday, March 24, 5:45 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Benjamin Zander has been the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic since it was founded in 1979. He also travels the world as a guest conductor, performing with orchestras such as the Israel Philharmonic, Philharmonia Orchestra, St. Petersburg Philharmonic, the orchestras of Belfast, Dublin, St. Louis, and the Youth Orchestra of the Americas.

During his 35-year tenure as conductor of the New England Conservatory Youth Philharmonic, Zander has taken the orchestra on thirteen international tours, made five commercial recordings, and several television documentaries for PBS. This year's tour took the orchestra on a twelve-city tour of China. He has taught at the New England Conservatory in Boston for the past 40 years.

Zander is one of the most sought-after speakers on leadership in the world today. His dynamic, transformational experiences invariably evoke rapturous reactions. He has appeared four times as a speaker at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he was presented with the Crystal Award for "outstanding contributions in the Arts and International Relations." The best-selling book, The Art of Possibility, co-authored with his partner, leading psychotherapist Rosamund Zander, has been translated into sixteen languages. He was the recipient of the "Caring Citizen of the Humanities Award" from the United Nations.

Closing Session Speaker

Juan Williams

Thursday, March 27, 10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
"The Changing Face of America: The Powerful Mix of Money, Race, and Age in the New Century"

Juan Williams is one of America's leading political writers and thinkers. He is senior correspondent for National Public Radio (NPR), a political analyst for FOX Television, and a regular panelist for FOX News Sunday. In addition to prize-winning columns and editorial writing for The Washington Post, he has also authored six books.

With the release of his sixth book, Enough: The Phony Leaders, Dead-End Movements, and Culture of Failure That Are Undermining Black America – and What We Can Do About It, Williams has created a national furor and ignited debate everywhere with his point-blank analysis of black leadership in this country.

As one of the nation's most influential journalists, Williams is in constant contact with American political leaders from the President to members of Congress and the Supreme Court. His understanding of American history and his inside access to Washington politics give him a unique and informed voice as an analyst of current events.

Prior to writing bestsellers, Williams was a political columnist and national correspondent for The Washington Post. In a 21-year career at The Post he served as an editorial writer, op-ed columnist, and White House correspondent. As senior correspondent for NPR's "Morning Edition" and host of "America's Black Forum," a nationally syndicated weekly news program, Williams is at the cutting edge of America's culture and politics.

Featured Speakers

Clifford Adelman
General Session Presenter
Wednesday, March 26, 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
"Making Graduation Rates Matter"

Cliff Adelman is Senior Associate at the Institute for Higher Education Policy. Previously, Adelman served as an academic administrator before joining the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) in 1979, where he remained for 27 years. During his tenure, Adelman took on the task of editing and analyzing three national longitudinal studies databases. In the course of this effort, he authored several studies that served as benchmarking tools in education and agenda-setting content for policymakers.

Reynaldo V. Casas
Cultural Diversity Luncheon Presenter
Tuesday, March 25, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Reynaldo Casas serves as Manager of Outreach & Educational Services for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) in Washington, D.C. He is responsible for providing outreach to Latino students and parents to prepare them for college. He also oversees the Institute's national scholarship program, which awards students with financial need and who exhibit consistent active participation in public service-oriented activities.

James A. Drake
General Session Presenter
Tuesday, March 25, 2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
"When Leadership Makes a Difference: The Story of an Unparalleled Partnership"

James A. Drake was named President of Brevard Community College in March 2007, after serving as Interim President since October 2006. Prior to his appointment at BCC, Drake served as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Director of the UCF Southern Region campuses, in partnership with BCC. During his tenure, he has worked closely with the BCC administration and with community leaders to increase access to affordable higher education.

Madeleine Green
General Session Presenter
Wednesday, March 26, 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
"Internationalizing U.S. Higher Education: Are We There Yet?"

Madeleine Green serves as Vice President for International Initiatives at the American Council on Education (ACE). As head of internationalization initiatives, Green leads ACE's work on the following programs: research on the internationalization of U.S. higher education; programs and services that support and enhance internationalization of colleges and universities; advocacy; and cooperation with international partners on higher education issues that have a global impact.

David T. Harrison
General Session Presenter
Tuesday, March 25, 2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
"When Leadership Makes a Difference: The Story of an Unparalleled Partnership"

Dave Harrison is Vice Provost for Regional Campuses at the University of Central Florida. In this role, he oversees all activities at 11 campus locations in 7 counties throughout Central Florida. His work with the Central Florida Higher Education Consortium guarantees admission to graduates of partner community colleges, and more UCF degrees are now offered on community college campuses than ever before. Prior to joining UCF, Harrison was chief academic officer at Seminole Community College from 2000 to 2004. Before coming to Florida, he was Dean of Business Technologies at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio and was the founding Director of the Advanced Integrated Manufacturing (AIM) Center.

E. Ann McGee
General Session Presenter
Tuesday, March 25, 2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
"When Leadership Makes a Difference: The Story of an Unparalleled Partnership"

E. Ann McGee has been President of Seminole Community College since 1996. SCC enrolls approximately 30,000 students annually in programs that range from adult basic education to workforce education to transfer studies. Recently, she was honored by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) with the 2006 Marie Y. Martin Award recognizing her as the top CEO in the nation. Phi Theta Kappa honored her in 2005 with the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction, and the Seminole Chamber of Commerce honored her in 2004 with the "Lifetime Achievement Award" for making a difference in the quality of life in Seminole County.

Charles R. Mojock
General Session Presenter
Tuesday, March 25, 2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
"When Leadership Makes a Difference: The Story of an Unparalleled Partnership"

Charles R. Mojock, fifth President of Lake-Sumter Community College, has served in the position since July 1, 2002. He came to LSCC from Daytona Beach Community College where he was employed for 23 years, starting on the faculty and most recently as Senior Vice President for Planning and Institutional Advancement. Mojock is heavily involved in the community and he received the Lake County Community Service Award for 2006-2007. He is President of the Southern Association of Junior, Technical, and Community Colleges (SAJTC) and he served as the Chair of the Florida Community College Council of Presidents for 2006-07.

Barmak Nassirian
General Session Presenter
Tuesday, March 25, 2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
"Washington Update"

Barmak Nassirian has served as Associate Executive Director of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) since 1998. Nassirian has been active in higher education policy for nearly two decades, focusing on access and financing issues, educational privacy, and federal regulations.

Sanford C. Shugart
General Session Presenter
Tuesday, March 25, 2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
"When Leadership Makes a Difference: The Story of an Unparalleled Partnership"

Sanford C. "Sandy" Shugart serves as the fourth president of Valencia Community College. Valencia, the second largest producer of graduates in the country, is especially well regarded for its learning-centered approach to higher education, its economic development programs, and its outstanding academic programs. Shugart came to Valencia after serving as President of North Harris College in Texas and Vice President of the North Carolina Community College System. He received his doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Nadine Strossen
Graduate and Professional Schools Luncheon Presenter
Tuesday, March 25, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Nadine Strossen has written, lectured, and practiced extensively in the areas of constitutional law, civil liberties, and international human rights. Since 1991, she has served as president of the American Civil Liberties Union, the first woman to head the nation's largest and oldest civil liberties organization.

The National Law Journal has twice named Professor Strossen one of "The 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America." In 1996, Working Woman Magazine listed her among the "350 Women Who Changed the World 1976–1996." In 1997, Upside Magazine included her in the "Elite 100: 100 Executives Leading The Digital Revolution." In 1998, Vanity Fair Magazine included Professor Strossen in "America's 200 Most Influential Women." In 1999, Ladies' Home Journal included her in "America's 100 Most Important Women."