Keynote Speakers

Opening Keynote: Why Change in Higher Education Is So Hard and What to Do About It

Carolyn NordstromChange is always challenging; it often seems that no matter how hard we try, something always gets in the way of a completely successful change effort.  Kaplan University (KU) has made many rapid changes over its history.  Dr. Carolyn Nordstrom has found that there are clear change response patterns based upon individuals’ motivations and needs.  Using David McClelland’s Needs Theory, she will how needs for achievement, power, and affiliation should be considered in developing any change plan.  To do so, she will on KU’s change experiences with competency-based education, a new learning management system, and the creation of a culture of research-driven decision-making.

Dr. Carolyn Nordstrom is the Vice President, Faculty and Academic Resources for Kaplan University. In this role, Carolyn has oversight and responsibility for the Center for Teaching and Learning, the library, extra curriculars, student relations and alumni. In addition, she manages the University’s campuses. She maintains an office at Kaplan University’s Indianapolis campus.  Dr. Nordstrom joined Kaplan Higher and Professional Education (KHPE) in 2007. She has held various senior leadership positions including Associate Provost for Kaplan University and Provost for Kaplan Higher Education Campuses. Carolyn’s work has included policy, curriculum, faculty development, accreditation, assessment and institutional effectiveness. Most recently she served as the Interim Senior Vice President for Kaplan University Ground Operations.  Previously, Dr. Nordstrom’s experience includes leadership roles in both public and proprietary institutions of higher education, as well as 10 years as CEO of a Chicago corporate membership organization that worked in the city and state on education and economic development projects.  Dr. Nordstrom earned her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, Masters in Counseling Psychology and Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Policy Analysis from Northwestern University.


ICCHE Innovation Award Winner Presentation: Collaborative Learning Across Borders

Layne MorschTo promote development of disciplinary language, while also facilitating an international experience, students at two universities completed a series of collaborative homework assignments. Dr. Layne Morsch will share evidence from the study and explore issues related to initiating collaborative learning projects between institutions. He will identify strategies for meeting the goals of your collaboration while minimizing the impact of technological, social, and disciplinary barriers.

Layne Morsch, PhD is an Associate Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Illinois Springfield. Dr. Morsch received his PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Illinois Chicago in 2002. His research interests focus on using active learning to improve student engagement through flipped classroom pedagogy as well as disciplinary language development utilizing interinstitutional collaborative student partnerships. Dr. Morsch is an Apple Distinguished Educator and a Senior Faculty Fellow for the UIS Center for Online Learning Research and Service (COLRS).


Closing Keynote: Your Role in Institutional Change

Andrew CarrIn any organization each actor has a role to play.  To implement change in any organization each significant stakeholder has to be identified and have an active role in the process.  During this interactive closing keynote, Andrew Carr will lead a discussion about what actions each stakeholder has to take for fundamental and lasting change to occur.

Andrew Carr, MBA is Assistant Professor of Business and Finance, Chair of Business, Finance, Marketing and MBA Programs for the Dunham School of Business and Public Policy at Aurora University in Aurora, IL. In addition, Mr. Carr is also principal consultant with A. L. Carr Group, providing business development and advisory consulting services and training programs to businesses, non-profit organizations and individuals. Previously Mr. Carr was the Executive Director of the Rainbow PUSH Wall Street Project, an initiative of the Citizenship Education Fund, a non-profit organization founded by civil rights leader Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. The Wall Street Project works with Fortune 500 corporations to create economic forums where minority and women-owned businesses can compete. In this capacity, Mr. Carr facilitated the participation of several minority investment banker firms on some of the largest IPOs in U.S. history. In addition, He has held Investment Banking positions at A.G. Edwards & Sons Inc. and at UBS/PaineWebber Inc.. In addition to key business relationship position at JPMorgan Chase, where he served as advisor to a portfolio of 400 small businesses and managed a $16 million portfolio of business deposits, credits and investments.