Check in at the PDG Registration & Information desk to pick up your name badge and conference materials. Conference staff are here throughout the conference to answer your questions.

Meet exhibitors with creative technology and service solutions in the Exhibit Hall. Don't forget to get your PDG passport stamped at each exhibitor table to be eligible for fun giveaways.

Presenter: Steven Selander - President, Professional Development Group

Presenter: Lori Hartung - COHEAO, ECSI

Join Lori Hartung, President of the Coalition of Higher Education Assistance Organizations (COHEAO), as she shares an update on the higher education related activity in Washington D.C. and topics relevant to higher education institutional staff and their third-party service providers.

Enjoy coffee and tea in the ballroom foyer while you network and visit with exhibitors on service/product offerings.

Presenters: Karen Reddick - National Credit Management and Maria Livolsi - State University of New York

This presentation will provide a high-level overview of state & federal compliance laws and current regulatory activity affecting higher education collections. The CFPB has been very active in higher education and this presentation will provide an overview of their activity and areas at risk. The presentation will address existing transcript laws, pending transcript legislation and the status of such. The presenters will guide us in adhering to this ever-changing environment in order to mitigate liability for institutions.

Learning Objectives:

• Explore the impact of recent changes in regulation on your institution and with your third-party servicers.

• Discuss best practices for collections in a highly regulated environment.

Presenters: Brett Cassell - University of Colorado Boulder and Brian Carchedi - Flywire

With anticipated legislative changes on the horizon in how higher education institutions can collect unpaid debt, institutions need to be forward thinking, anticipate the impacts change may bring to campuses, and find innovative ways to navigate the road ahead. Join this session to hear how the University of Colorado Boulder is leveraging technology to automate and streamline collections, keeping more students enrolled, increasing cash flow, and improving efficiencies.

Discover best practices and ways to improve efficiencies and save costs by:

• Customizing payment terms to meet unique financial circumstances

• Reaching out when there’s a gap in a student’s ability to pay

• Engaging with students via contemporary communication channels

• Rescuing delinquent accounts to avoid collection agency fees

Presenters: Christina Cardinale - Manhattan College and Caleb Rosenberg - Troutman Pepper

The presenters will be discussing how to incorporate and develop ideas to prepare for new laws that will prevent withholding transcripts. There will be a review of current laws that have been enacted along with pending state laws and the rule introduced by the CFPB. Our presenters will discuss what we can do to adapt our policies and procedures to protect our institutions financially. We will also discuss other relevant state laws that have been introduced and passed that may impact your school.

Presenter: Lottia Windham - Austin Community College

"Game On" - You will need your game face for this session! Join us for an interactive session that is guaranteed to empower you. Financial wellness is a game worth playing, and in this session, we will explore critical elements such as credit, debt management, and building an emergency fund.

Whether a student or an employee, achieving financial wellness requires dedication and hard work at any stage of life. Participating in this session will allow you to gain valuable insights, dive into best practices, and build a toolbox of resources. The aim is to foster informative conversations among our campus staff, students, and families so that together, we can master the financial game and emerge as winners. Don't miss this opportunity to gain momentum and help others to secure their financial future!

Join your colleagues for a reception at Geraldine’s on the 4th floor of the Hotel Van Zandt. Thank you to Transact for sponsoring the reception.

PDG conference staff are available during this time if you have any questions.

Meet exhibitors with creative technology and service solutions in the Exhibit Hall. Don't forget to get your PDG passport stamped at each exhibitor table to be eligible for fun giveaways.

Join your colleagues for a hearty breakfast in the Ladybird I & II Ballroom at the Van Zandt Hotel.

Presenters: Linda Wilson & Karrol Leary - Transact Campus

In today’s ever-evolving landscape of higher education, sponsored payments have emerged as a crucial component of online payment functionality. Join us for an insightful session as we delve into the challenges associated with implementing sponsored payments and how Transact is spearheading the expansion of current online payment platforms to address these obstacles. Our session will focus on enabling seamless connections between bulk payments and various payors within your higher education ecosystem.

We will explore how these enhanced integration capabilities empower institutions to overcome the limitations of highly manual methods by embracing self-service solutions.

Enjoy coffee and tea in the ballroom foyer while you network and visit with exhibitors on service/product offerings.

Presenter: Sean Steinmarc - TFC Tuition

Financial concerns are a top factor in a student’s ability to persist and continue their education, while cash flow and revenue are vital for a school’s ongoing success. This session will provide you with some proven student financing strategies to boost enrollment, retention, and student success while maximizing overall tuition revenue and minimizing defaults.

Presenter: Lori Hartung - COHEAO, ECSI

Examine the three step formula to developing and maintaining policy writing success. You will learn the difference between policies, procedures, and work instructions, and how these three items, when coupled with an audit/monitoring system, will create a lifecycle flow that helps ensure compliance in your office.

Presenters: Annamaria Veneziano - Salem State University and Robert Mirabal - Wesleyan University

Two higher education institutions, both alike in dignity, in fair New England where we lay our scene. One, where financial need is met fully, payments are due prior to the start of the term and students will be administratively withdrawn if payments are not made. The other, where aid is not met fully, a humble state school that does not require payments up front and will not drop for non-payment.

Which school is ready for the changing landscape ahead of them? With enrollment numbers dipping and transcript laws increasing, how are these two very opposite schools preparing for what is to come. Can both survive in an unknown world of politics and numbers?

Presenters: Karen Reddick - National Credit Management and Maria Livolsi - State University of New York

Whether through an RFP or open contract process, contracting with a third-party servicer can be a time-consuming and complex process due to the extensive regulatory requirements that must be considered.

This session will review the type of information you should include in an RFP, a rating model for evaluating bids, issues to consider in an open contract process, and the type of information you should review on a regular basis to ensure your third-party agencies are in compliance with contract requirements.

Learning Objectives :

• Review common RFP elements and structure.

• Discuss best contracting practices.

• Review vendor oversight requirements.

Enjoy lunch at Geraldine’s on the 4th floor of the Hotel Van Zandt.

Presenter: Brad Smith - NACHA

Join us for an insightful session that will delve into the transformative power of ACH for B2B, tuition and other payments at colleges and universities. We will explore the value of leveraging ACH to provide your school with a fast, reliable, safe, and secure method to make and receive payments. In this session we will share practical insights and data from recent research to help you unlock the full potential of ACH. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how to revolutionize your schools' financial transactions.

Presenter: Brett Cassell & CJ Llewellyn-Ryan - University of Colorado Boulder

CU Boulder had a hybrid work model in place before, but COVID changed the way we approached the hybrid work environment. While many employees enjoyed a more hybrid and flexible work schedule, employers faced a unique challenge on how to keep staff engaged and to keep morale high. CU Boulder will share some of the techniques they used to help address these issues, such as stay interviews, flexible work schedules, and virtual activities.

Enjoy coffee and tea in the ballroom foyer while you network and visit with exhibitors on service/product offerings.

Presenter: Jennifer Lightfoot - Texas A&M University

Cash payments have long been a staple in university financial transactions. However, Texas A&M University-College Station recognized the need for modernization and embarked on a mission to eliminate cash payments within their Bursar’s Office. This presentation outlines their successful journey, highlighting the benefits and challenges encountered along the way. As educational institutions strive for efficiency and innovation, eliminating cash payments emerges as a pivotal step. Join us to explore the Texas A&M success story and discover what’s holding you back from creating a seamless payment processing environment.

Presenter: Chris Selmi - Wespay

Thieves are always looking for cracks in today’s payment systems. This session will cover payment fraud trends across the U.S.’s payment systems, including phishing, spoofing, and identity theft, as well as mitigation sound practices to help your organization develop policies and procedures to protect itself from this ever-evolving threat.

Presenter: Peggy Carey - Texas A&M University

This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of the regulations, processes, and best practices for issuing refunds for Title IV credit balances and the return of Title IV funds. It aims to equip institutions with the necessary knowledge and tools to effectively manage Title IV funds and ensure compliance with federal regulations. The presentation will delve into the intricacies of the refund process, discuss common challenges, and propose effective strategies for overcoming these hurdles.

Presenter: Kevin Monroe - Bottomline

Automating your AP process can drive significant value not only in your institution’s business office, but also campus-wide. To make it happen though, you’ll need buy-in from multiple stakeholders. Since this can take some effort, we’d like to help.

Join us for a workshop to learn how to write a clear, compelling, and winning business case for AP and payments automation. You'll learn the 7 key sections your business case must have and get actionable advice on how to craft each one. In particular, you’ll learn how to best articulate:

• Where your AP processes are today

• What the future state of your AP department could be

• The potential return on investment with the right AP automation solution

You’ll walk away knowing how to secure the commitments needed for upgrading and modernizing your AP.

PDG conference staff are available during this time if you have any questions.

Meet exhibitors with creative technology and service solutions in the Exhibit Hall. Don't forget to get your PDG passport stamped at each exhibitor table to be eligible for fun giveaways.

Join your colleagues for a hearty breakfast in the Ladybird I & II Ballroom at the Van Zandt Hotel.

Presenter: Special Agent Jose Porras - Department of Education Office of Inspector General

Listen to an experienced criminal investigator from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) unravel the complex world of education fraud investigations. The presenter will discuss real cases and provide examples of fraud indicators to help you detect and prevent potential misuse of U.S. Department of Education funds. The presenter will also provide guidance on how to report potential fraud to the OIG.

Enjoy coffee and tea in the ballroom foyer while you network and visit with exhibitors on service/product offerings.

Presenter: Brett Cassell - University of Colorado Boulder and Rosemary Irvine - California State University, Northridge

With the rising cost of a degree for students, colleges and universities are trying to find ways to make college more affordable. CU Boulder describes tools they have utilized to try to ease the financial burden for students and families. From revamping payment plan offerings to providing scholarships to targeted student groups, among others, CU Boulder has changed many processes and policies to benefit their students.

Presenter: Annamaria Veneziano - Salem State University

In an ever changing landscape, retaining a happy staff is not what it used to be. With a new generation of workers coming into higher education, we will have to take a look at who we are as leaders to retain a happy staff. This presentation will show us how leadership is changing, how we need to take an introspective look at our own leadership style and what we can do to retain a happy staff.

Presenter: Lottia Windham - Austin Community College

Financial aid simplification is here and is not the only 'hot topic' in the financial aid world. The intricate relationship between financial aid and the bursar's office is crucial and can be effectively demonstrated through communication, data, and knowledge sharing. Whether you are an experienced bursar or new to the role, this session promises to expand your understanding and provide the necessary tools to optimize financial aid for your campus.

We will delve into techniques for streamlining financial aid disbursements, managing student accounts, and resolving common issues throughout the financial aid lifecycle. Be ready to engage in case studies and group discussions; you will have the opportunity to analyze real-life scenarios and develop practical solutions.

Presenter: Peggy Carey & Jennifer Lightfoot - Texas A&M University

“It takes a village to raise a child.” Similarly, it takes a collaborative effort to ensure the triumph of a one-stop shop in higher education. Let’s explore the key pillars that support this multifaceted endeavor. Remember, the success of a one-stop shop isn’t solely about technology—it’s about collaboration, communication, and commitment. Join us as we build a roadmap for excellence, one process at a time. Together, we’ll ensure that the village thrives, and the one-stop shop becomes a beacon of efficiency and support.

Enjoy lunch at Geraldine’s on the 4th floor of the Hotel Van Zandt.

Presenter: Christina Cardinale - Manhattan College

This is intended to be a high level overview of the functions in the Bursar’s Office.

We will discuss: billing, financial aid impacts on a student account, payments, payment options, refunds, collections, student/ customer service, and compliance.

We want this to be an interactive session, please raise your hand to share and ask questions!

Presenter: John Mealy - Touchnet

Colleges and universities are leaning on technology and exploring innovative ways to deliver flexibility and balance, work more efficiently, and provide students (and staff) with a positive campus experience. The right technology solution is vital to meeting student expectations and improving student service.

Join us and discover how an integrated, compliant payment technology platform delivers campuswide commerce that’s streamlined, transparent, and secure. This session will cover how payment software that integrates with student and financial systems can enable student self-service while also helping administrators automate and better manage daily operations. We’ll also explore how technology helps streamline financial aid disbursement, collect accounts receivables, and positively influence student behavior.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand how technology supports in-person, virtual, and hybrid experiences for students and staff in a secure and compliant payment system

• Discover how automation frees up staff time to focus on complex, select student matters

• Explore the benefits of real-time connectivity to the student information system

Join your colleagues for a closing town hall to share and learn from one another in small group round table discussions about the topics most important to us all. Following this session we’ll end with closing remarks from Steven Selander, President - Professional Development Group and drawings for a variety of giveaways.