AI is no longer a future-state conversation, but it is a leadership one. But too often, institutions swing between high-level ambition and disconnected pilot projects, without a clear path between the two. In this panel, senior leaders across the CASE district will come together to unpack what an effective AI approach really looks like, where strategy and execution meet. We’ll explore how leaders across alumni relations, development, and marketing are setting AI priorities at the leadership level, and how those decisions translate into practical, real-world applications that actually move the work forward

In an innovative collaboration, UTA’s Philanthropy students took MavsDay from the classroom to real-world application. Through their service-learning project, students partnered with each college and school to promote area-specific funds, gaining hands-on experience while amplifying giving day awareness. This session will explore how engaging students as partners benefits both their academic growth and the university’s fundraising success.

In this interactive session, attendees will learn what makes a compelling social story and how to apply those principles in higher education communications. The session includes a brief foundation on storytelling, followed by hands-on work using adaptable templates to develop real story concepts. Participants will leave with practical tools and ideas they can immediately put into action on their campuses.

Your institution is sending hundreds—maybe thousands—of messages each year to alumni, donors, and friends. But is the story being told the one you think you’re telling? After analyzing two years of email communications, we discovered that less than 3% expressed the “why” behind giving to our university. In other words, the core narrative of impact and mission was getting lost in a flood of generic updates and transactional messages.

This session explores how to reclaim control of your institution’s narrative using data-informed analysis and story-driven strategy. We’ll unpack practical methods for auditing communications, identify the hidden stories already shaping how your audiences perceive you, and share how intentional messaging shifts can lead to stronger engagement and donor growth.

Grant oversight can be more than just compliance, it can be a meaningful form of support that builds relationships, empowers stakeholders, and drives successful outcomes. This session explores how Dallas College reimagined post-award grant oversight by adopting a service-first mindset. Beginning in June 2024, the grants team shifted from a traditional compliance-centric framework to one rooted in responsiveness, relationship-building, and proactive engagement. Panelists will walk through the process of designing and implementing the model, including stakeholder engagement, communication strategies, and internal training. This session will highlight how key performance metrics were tracked to assess impact. Lessons learned from year will be shared, offering attendees practical insights to inform their own efforts to enhance grant oversight through a customer service lens.

Transformational gifts within a university setting require strategic alignment, thoughtful planning, and strong internal collaboration. This session equips participants with tools to strengthen relationships across departments and units a key component in advancing institutional initiatives. As development professionals, much of our success depends on engaging in thoughtful, strategic conversations with internal stakeholders. Through the lens of a corporate and foundation engagement professional, attendees will learn to assess institutional goals, identify high-impact initiatives, and explore how alumni engagement strategies can be aligned with corporate and foundation interests to build stronger internal partnerships and position projects for success.

Discover how Rice University’s Alumni Relations and Annual Giving teams joined forces to transform Homecoming & Reunion Weekend into a powerful, unified engagement and fundraising experience. Through strategic collaboration, an integrated framework was created that brings together digital platforms, signature experiences, coordinated messaging, class gift promotion, and personalized outreach from class volunteers. This holistic approach ensures alumni enjoy a unified and meaningful reunion journey across every touchpoint. This session will unpack our shared planning process, cross-team communications strategy, and creative programming tactics that sparked increased alumni participation and class giving. Whether you're looking to break down silos, enhance reunion engagement, or boost alumni giving, this session will provide actionable insights and inspiration.

What can social media managers learn from chefs? A lot. Both disciplines rely on prep work, clear menus, balancing flavors, and fast-paced service. In this session, Stanford’s Senior Social Media Manager shares a fresh framework for running high-performing social campaigns through the lens of a professional kitchen. From “signature dishes” (signature content) to “service rush” (real-time engagement), participants will leave with practical strategies to sharpen creativity, manage resources, and scale big results — even as a team of one.

What does the future hold for educational advancement? Step into our metaphorical tent as we peer into the crystal ball to uncover what the next decade may bring. This lively plenary panel—featuring leaders of development, strategic engagement, and information strategy teams —will read the signs, interpret the data tea leaves, and predict how strategy, storytelling, and technology will shape the future of our work. Expect bold predictions, practical insights, and a little magic as we explore what’s ahead.