Laura Ullrich, Director, Community College Initiative, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

Laura Ullrich is a regional economist and senior manager at the Charlotte branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. In the latter role, she oversees the team in the Regional and Community Analysis unit that produces the Richmond Fed Survey of Community College Outcomes.

Aligning the incentives of community colleges, students and employers is imperative to maximize credential attainment and workforce outcomes. The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond aims to improve employment outcome and to better align incentives with their Survey of Community College Outcomes. Results from this year’s survey highlight the variety of ways colleges are serving their students and the local workforce, and highlights the role non-credit programs play in the higher education ecosystem.

The Crucial Role of Apprenticeships in the Workforce Ecosystem

Bill McKinney, Senior Director, Higher Education Initiatives, CAEL 

A nationally recognized teacher, scholar, and academic leader, McKinney has extensive experience in strategic enrollment management, student success, community and civic engagement, strategic planning, curriculum development and assessment, alumni relations, and fundraising. In all of his leadership positions, he has prioritized the public purpose of higher education by building strong relationships between educators, elected officials, business leaders, and employers. 

SNAP Employment & Training 101: Learn about how you can leverage SNAP E&T to serve more low-income students

Speakers:

Rachel Hirsch, Vice President, Public Partnerships, CAEL

As VP of Public Partnerships, Rachel Hirsch coordinates expanding CAEL’s relationship with policymakers by surfacing common goals and initiatives to engage public sector stakeholders with the organization’s vision and mission. She also focuses on directing the work of CAEL’s SNAP E&T grant initiative. 


Deanna Rader, Senior Consultant, Seattle Jobs Initiative (SJI)

Deanna Rader is a Senior Consultant for SJI, and is an advocate for low-income populations and a well respected expert in Welfare Reform.

Paige Hernandez, Foundation for California Community Colleges

Building California’s Workforce: A Fireside Chat with Abby Snay

Join Abby Snay, Deputy Secretary for Workforce Strategy at the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, for an insightful fireside chat on The Master Plan for Career Education. This discussion will explore how California is strengthening career pathways, prioritizing hands-on learning, and advancing access and affordability to prepare all learners for the workforce of tomorrow. Learn how streamlined collaboration and innovative partnerships are shaping a future where every Californian can navigate toward career-sustaining jobs.

Abby Snay, Deputy Secretary for Workforce Strategy at the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency

Abby Snay is Deputy Secretary for Workforce Strategy at the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency. She has worked to increase economic mobility for opportunity youth, immigrants and refugees and people with disabilities, to create a new healthcare workforce initiative in partnership with the California Health and Human Service Agency, to expand apprenticeships in California, and to develop training and workforce opportunities through the state’s climate strategies.

Preparing to Be AI Enabled: Navigating Technology and Generative AI within the Workforce Ecosystem

This one-hour session is crafted to provide employers and educators with a comprehensive understanding of how Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly Generative AI (GAI), is both disrupting and supporting the Workforce Ecosystem. Participants will explore the dual roles of technology in transforming workplaces and educational environments and gain actionable strategies to become AI-enabled organizations and institutions.

Krystal Rawls, PhD, Director, Workforce Integration Network, California State University-Dominguez Hills

Rawls' innovative work with the Workforce Integration Network (WIN) has drawn attention to California State University-Dominguez Hills, leading to frequent invitations for her to speak to fellow educators at conferences across the globe. Her proudest contribution to the campus is her involvement with the Open Skills Network Open Recognition Workgroup, which focuses on identifying the skills and strengths of first-generation and exploring students.

Partnering Through SNAP E&T to Increase Collaboration: Everyone in the workforce ecosystem has a role they can play.

Learn more about collaboration through SNAP E&T between workforce boards, postsecondary education, community-based partnerships, and employers.

Speakers:

Vanessa Preston, Executive Vice President, Grant Associates

Vanessa Preston, Executive Vice President at Grant Associates, is an innovative workforce development leader. With a focus on empowering individuals and communities, Vanessa excels in creating and implementing effective strategies that enhance workforce skills and opportunities. 



Brandy Whisman, OE Consultant, American Public Human Services Association (APHSA)

Brandy brings over 10 years of project management, facilitation, training, and human services experience to the OE team. Prior to joining APHSA, Brandy worked at the Council of State Governments as a Policy Analyst managing the Medicaid Policy Academy, serving as a staff liaison for the Healthy States National Task Force and Future of Work National Task Force, and first chairing the Shared State Legislation Committee.

Putting It All Together:  Informal Roundtable Conversations

In this 60-minute informal session, CAEL Initiatives Team members will facilitate roundtable conversations based on takeaways gleaned from the day’s sessions. During the roundtable discussions, we will learn from other attendees about their innovative work and find new ways that the diverse range of session topics can be leveraged to enhance regional workforce ecosystems. 

Bill McKinney, Senior Director, Higher Education Initiatives, CAEL 

Bill serves as senior director of higher education initiatives at CAEL, joining the organization in 2023 and directing projects that directly enhance the lives of all adult learners.

Ashley Wilhelm, Senior Director, Initiatives, CAEL

Ashley manages CAEL’s workforce & economic development projects focused on data analysis, targeted industry pathway development, and national/regional stakeholder engagement that maximizes client impact for adult learners.

It Takes a Village: Exploring Institutional and Statewide Roles in PLA Implementation

Successfully implementing Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) or Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) requires a coordinated, institution-wide and statewide effort to ensure a seamless and effective process for students. Academic departments must evaluate and validate prior learning credits to align with curriculum standards, while administrative teams develop clear policies that comply with accreditation and state regulations. Student services and advising play a crucial role in guiding students through the PLA/CPL process, and articulation offices ensure accurate documentation and credit transferability. Sustaining a rigorous, fair, and transparent system also requires ongoing communication, training, and collaboration. This session will explore strategies for fostering shared ownership and enhancing coordination across all stakeholders to support successful PLA/CPL implementation.

Rose Rojas, director, center for curriculum and transfer articulation at the Maricopa community colleges (Arizona)

Rose Rojas has established Maricopa as a national leader in student transfer by creating a university partnership model adapted by community college systems across the country. Rose has demonstrated strengths in the coordination, planning and management of academic and student affairs, curriculum development, transfer operations, and prior learning assessment. She is a recognized leader with a record of achievement in program management, partnership cultivation and long-term strategic plans for organizational growth and success. In previous roles, Rose worked in faculty support, marketing, and financial aid. Rose is a community college graduate, and holds a B.A. in psychology from Arizona state university and an M.A. in education leadership from northern Arizona University.

Sponsored By: National University

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