2015 TRACS Annual Conference
“In Defense of a Christian Worldview”
Hyatt Regency DFW Airport
Dallas, TX
October 28 – 30
************* Tentative Schedule may be modified as needed *************
Wednesday, October 28
5:00 p.m.
Introduction - Commissioners
Official Opening Reception
(Made in Texas Hall)
Sponsored by Weber & Associates, Inc.
Music:
Mark and Elisabeth Sooy
Thursday, October 29
7:00 a.m.
(Made In Texas)
Breakfast on your own
Registration
(Made In Texas 1)
8:00 - 8:55 a.m.
WORKSHOP 1
(Made in Texas 2)
Application Process
Ron Cannon, D.Min., John Harbison, D.Min., and Tanmay Pramanik, D.R.E.
This workshop will discuss the application process, Institutional Eligibility Requirements (IERs),
documentation, timelines, and costs in order to familiarize corresponding and applicant institutions with
the process of becoming members of TRACS.
WORKSHOP 2
(Made in Texas 4)
Critical Issues in the Development, Implementation, and Management of Distance
Education Programs
Jeff McCann, Ph.D.
The development, implementation and management of distance education programs require planning and
a focus on making the programs effective. This workshop discusses such critical issues as mission
compatibility; state authorization; resource requirements of faculty, finances and library; measuring
student learning; meeting federal requirements, such as defining credit hour and faculty interaction;
governance and administration; IT infrastructure; and other logistical issues, as class size and teaching
model.
WORKSHOP 3
(Made in Texas 6)
Making Student Success a Priority
Gino Pasquariello, Ed.D., D.Min.
Effective educational practices matter! One of the most significant ways to increase educational
effectiveness is to develop a clear understanding of how student engagement contributes to student
success. The goal of this presentation is to heighten your awareness of how vital institutional conditions
and effective educational practices have a dramatic impact on the personal development of your students
and the effective accomplishment of your institutional mission.
WORKSHOP 4
(Made in Texas 8)
The Current State of Lobbying at the State Level
David Casas, M.Div.
Lobbying our government has become a necessary operation for business and non-profits alike. As a
federal system with fifty autonomous states, lobbying quickly becomes a daunting task, especially for
national organizations. How do lobbying efforts differ from federal to state level? Is it possible for
organizations like TRACS to implement a comprehensive lobbying effort in all the states? How do
national accrediting organizations go about communicating their interests and their needs? These and
other questions regarding policy lobbying will be explored.
9:00 - 9:55 a.m.
WORKSHOP 1
(Made in Texas 2)
Self-Study
Ron Cannon, D.Min., John Harbison, D.Min., and Tanmay Pramanik, D.R.E.
TRACS staff members will present an overview of how to prepare and submit a self-study proposal and
will provide guidelines on the process and content of a successful self-study submission.
WORKSHOP 2
(Made in Texas 4)
The Typological Symbology and Assessment
Henry D. Wells, D.R.E.
In this workshop, you will learn how to use a symbol to create a unified assessment structure that is easy
to remember: From the Christian imperative to evaluate, to an Institution's required assessment.
WORKSHOP 3
(Made in Texas 6)
Best Practices for eLearning
Susan Lovett, Ed.D.
According to the National Center of Education Statistics, of the 20.4 million students enrolled in
undergraduate and graduate programs in fall 2013, 27.1% of them took at least one online class. Thirty
percent of graduate students study exclusively online, and 11.1 % of undergraduates are doing the same
thing. Let’s examine some best practices for administrators, teachers, and students of online programs.
WORKSHOP 4
(Made in Texas 8)
Eight Steps to Successful Strategic Planning
Shelette Stewart, D.B.A.
When we connect our work and plans with God, then we will succeed (Proverbs 16:3). When you fail to
plan, you plan to fail. How can you leverage strategic business planning techniques to take your
educational initiatives to a Higher level of excellence? This interactive and engaging session offers
practical insights, tools and a step-by-step process for effective strategic business planning that will
position you for achieving your organizational goals so that you leave a positive, lasting legacy.
10:00 - 10:15 a.m.
Break Coffee Station
10:15 - 11:10 a.m.
WORKSHOP 1
(Made in Texas 2)
Financial Aid 101
Carl Hammack, Ph.D.
This presentation is for all institutional representatives who are considering the process to become
eligible to participate in the Federal Aid HEA Title IV Programs. Specific topics will include: what you need
to know before applying to participate; what you must do to start an application; what the full approval
process includes; and how long the process generally takes to complete. The session will also address
the various preparations needed to prepare for the U.S. Department of Education’s review. These
include: what the Department’s reviewer will request during the review; policies and procedures required;
and what institutions can do to be prepared for questions.
WORKSHOP 2
(Made in Texas 4)
Assessing and Promoting Institutional Effectiveness
Gino Pasquariello, Ed.D., D.Min.
Assessing and promoting institutional effectiveness is accomplished through a composite analysis
incorporating three major areas: 1) Educational Alignment and Mission Fit, 2) Measures of Student
Achievement, and 3) Direct links to strategic planning and budgeting. The goal of this presentation is to
better inform and equip you for the development and implementation of Best Practices in Institutional
Effectiveness.
WORKSHOP 3
(Made in Texas 6)
Be a Leader People Will Follow – Part 1
Alan Pue, Ed.D., The Barnabas Group, Inc.
Without strong leadership, organizations struggle. As Gayle Beebe, president of Westmont College notes,
"The fortunes of every organization, whether great or small, rise and fall based on the effectiveness of its
leadership.” In these two workshops we will explore key essentials to effective leadership.
Part 1: The Essential Qualities of an Effective Leader
WORKSHOP 4
(Made in Texas 8)
Reading and Understanding Financial Statements
Dan Campbell, Capin Crouse LLP
A successful higher education institution is dependent on financial stability. This session is designed to
aid decision makers in sorting through the myriad details contained in the audited financial statements in
order to find the essential data need to track financial stability. The session will use actual June 30, 2015,
audited financial statements from a regionally accredited Bible college. Participants are encouraged to
bring their institution's financial statement to enhance their experience. Participants will be able to identify
key performance indicators contained in the external, independently audited financial statements and will
learn how to incorporate those into the institution's strategic planning.
11:15 a.m to 12:10 p.m.
WORKSHOP 1
(Made in Texas 2)
Assessment for Beginners
Keiona Middleton, D.Sc.
There is much confusion about assessment, especially for beginners. This workshop is designed to help
participants see the “Big Picture” of assessment in institutional effectiveness by exploring introductory
assessment concepts and utilizing “Best Practices” for creating an Institutional Assessment Plan.
WORKSHOP 2
(Made in Texas 4)
Preparing Students to be Directly Accountable to God by Being Able to Defend Their
Faith in a Secular World
Steven Adamson, Ph.D.
Having taught apologetics at the seminary and Bible college levels, I have discovered that nearly all
students know what they believe, many know why, but few can share or defend their faith. In our secular
world it is crucial for Christian schools to graduate students that are able to defend their faith. These
students represent the future of Christianity in America, and if they cannot defend their faith then they are
not directly accountable to God with respect to 1 Peter 3:15, and we have failed them. Through small
group discussions and classroom debates, I have found a way to better prepare students to meet the
evangelistic and apologetic challenges they will face in life.
WORKSHOP 3
(Made in Texas 6)
Be a Leader People Will Follow – Part 2
Alan Pue, Ed.D., The Barnabas Group, Inc.
Without strong leadership, organizations struggle. As Gayle Beebe, president of Westmont
College notes, "The fortunes of every organization whether great or small, rise and fall based on
the effectiveness of its leadership.” In these two workshops we will explore key essentials to
effective leadership.
Part 2: The Essential Obligations of an Effective Leader
WORKSHOP 4
(Made in Texas 8)
Collections IQ: A Holistic Approach for the Whole Student
Cindy Schick, B.S.
Can you look at your student accounts and tell who is challenged to meet the demands of
paying for their education? You can use business metrics to trigger intervention, communicate
account status more effectively and care for the whole student by helping them face what they
owe. Collections IQ is a holistic approach to address the issues affecting student debt at the
campus level by integrating best practices in financial literacy, student account management
and student account recovery. The results of applying this concept generates a principled
approach: students are more informed and prepared to meet their obligations and schools
experience fewer defaults and delinquencies.
12:15 - 1:40 pm
Presidents’ Luncheon and Address
Mathew D. “Mat” Staver, J.D.
(Munson’s)
Lunch for all other Attendees
(Aviators B)
1:45 - 2:45 p.m.
Plenary Session I
What can be done, “In the meantime?”
Dr. Timothy W. Eaton, Ph.D.
(Maverick)
2:50 - 3:45 p.m.
WORKSHOP 1
(Made in Texas 2)
Should You Use a Consultant to Help You through Accreditation?
David Agron, Ph.D.
Since 1999, Agron & Associates, Inc. has been specializing in helping Christian colleges achieve initial
accreditation. That experience enables us to point out the benefits and possible pitfalls of using a
consultant. With a good consultant, your college or graduate school is more likely to achieve
accreditation, achieve it sooner, and emerge from the process as a stronger school.
WORKSHOP 2
(Made in Texas 4)
Weaving the Fabric of Faithfulness
Alan Pue, Ed.D., The Barnabas Group, Inc.
In a culture in which education is viewed primarily as a "passport to privilege," how do we communicate
the real value of Christian schooling? This presentation, based on research by Dr. Steven Garber, will
provide you with a compelling answer to that question.
WORKSHOP 3
(Made in Texas 6)
The Church at Ephesus as a Case Study in Safeguarding the Institution from Worldview
Drift
Christopher Cone, Ph.D
The demise of the church at Ephesus illustrates how difficult it is to safeguard the worldview core of an
institution. The church there had every advantage, including the personal ministries of Paul and Timothy.
Yet, within 30 years, that church had abandoned the first principles of their worldview: the church left its
first love. As educational leaders we need to be aware of how rapidly and why worldview drift can take
place. This workshop examines the Ephesus model and demise in order to uncover steps that we as
educational leaders, can take to safeguard the mission and worldview core of the institutions with which
we have been entrusted.
WORKSHOP 4
(Made in Texas 8)
Legal Update
Ellen Babbitt, Franczek Radelet
This workshop will give helpful tips for navigating the legal pitfalls of faith-based organizations.
3:45 - 3:55 p.m.
Afternoon Break
4:00 - 4:55 p.m.
WORKSHOP 1
(Made in Texas 2)
Marke-DATING – Getting Prospects to Ask Your Institution Out
Jeremy Fern, Seventh Point Marketing Firm
To help higher ed professionals in admissions or marketing areas understand better the tactics and
strategies within content marketing. The goal of any marketing effort is to attract prospects to the
institution so that they see their educational need fulfilled by that college or university. Furthermore, the
pinnacle of this attraction is the solid lead that is captured and then nurtured through the admissions
process to produce an enrolled student who fits, retains, and thrives at the institution. We’ll take a deeper
look at how colleges can attract prospects through consistent and integrated content marketing.
WORKSHOP 2
(Made in Texas 4)
Teaching the Bible as Story to Convey Truth to a Culture Obsessed with Tolerance
Brad Smith, D.Min.
Whoever controls the stories of a culture shapes the values of that culture. Hollywood, news, music, and
entertainment have created a culture-at-large that dampens the desire to pursue the Bible. This even
affects Christian students. Yet the Bible is at heart a true story, and when taught that way without
compromise it connects in new ways. Learn how this approach has been learned in a cross-cultural
environment and applied in the development of a new international study Bible project. This has huge
implications for the classroom, chapels, program design, and even for recruitment.
WORKSHOP 3
(Made in Texas 6)
Leveraging the 5th “P” of Marketing: Your Platform
Shelette Stewart, D.B.A.
Marketing is fishing. As His ambassadors we are all fishers of men and marketers of God (Matthew
28:19). Many of us have heard of the infamous 4 “P’s” of Marketing: price, product, place, and promotion.
This session introduces you to the 5th “P” of marketing - - your Platform. We will leverage insights from
today's leading organizations such as Nike, Apple, Chick-fil-A, and The Coca-Cola Company. This
innovative program helps you understand what a platform is, how to identify yours, and strategies for
reinforcing it in every aspect of your organization for Kingdom purposes.
WORKSHOP 4
(Made in Texas 8)
Roundtable Discussion for Korean Schools
Kyu Hyun Lee, D.Min.
TRACS is hosting this Roundtable for all schools with Korean leadership of Korean programs. Participants will be
able to hear testimonies from fellow Korean leaders regarding the value of TRACS membership. (Offered in the
Korean language.)
5:00 p.m.
Dinner on your own
Friday, October 30
7:00 - 8:10 a.m.
Prayer Breakfast for Seminaries –
James Flanagan, Ph. D.
Sponsored by
(Cattle Barons)
Breakfast for all other attendees
(Aviators B)
8:15 - 9:30 a.m.
Music/Devotion – Mark and Elisabeth Sooy
Plenary Session II
T. Paul Boatner, Ed.D.
(Maverick)
(Maverick)
On the occasion of his retirement
Sponsor: Christian Healthcare Ministries
9:40 - 10:35 a.m.
WORKSHOP 1
(Made in Texas 2)
Using Creative Techniques to Develop an Exemplary Self-Study Document
Jeff McCann, Ph.D.
A self-study must include clear narrative which tells an institution's story. Every claim must be welldocumented. The era of a paper self-study document is over! While some traditional techniques in
preparing a self-study are always in order, the focus of this workshop is creating a website for the selfstudy and using links to documents to create an exemplary self-study. Two examples will be reviewed.
WORKSHOP 2
(Made in Texas 4)
Assessment 2.0
Gino Pasquariello, Ed.D., D.Min.
Over the last five years there has been a dramatic increase of literature on the processes and best
practices of assessment, particularly related to student learning outcomes. While institutions have
scrambled to become up-to-date with the development and management of necessary systems, the
areas of communication, collaboration, and utilization around assessment findings remain under-realized.
If we truly want to "Close the Loop" and build a "Culture of Assessment" within our institutions we need to
take assessment to a more organic, integrated, and inspirational level; we need to move toward
Assessment 2.0.
WORKSHOP 3
(Made in Texas 6)
The Art and Science of Pricing: How Best to Determine What Tuition You Should Charge
Alan Pue, Ed.D., The Barnabas Group, Inc.
In this workshop, it will be my goal to take the mystery out of setting tuition. Come prepared to discuss
your struggles with setting tuition rates at your school.
WORKSHOP 4
(Made in Texas 8)
Restoring Religious Liberty: Living and Learning in a Culture that Says You Can’t
Jeremy Dys, Esq., And Chelsey Youman, Esq., Liberty Institute
In a world where hostility toward religion is on the rise, it’s not a matter of if, but when, religious
institutions will be faced with damaging, anti-religious legal attacks. In these sessions, Liberty Institute
looks at solutions that will provide maximum possible legal protection for your institution to freely hold and
act upon your ministry's sincerely-held religious beliefs.
10:40 – 11:35 am
WORKSHOP 1
(Made in Texas 2)
Measuring Spiritual Formation in Program Designed to Deeply Root Students in the Midst
of Culture Increasingly Hostile to Christians
Brad Smith, D.Min.
Balanced Program Design, Course Design and Outcome Measurement includes: 1) Application to Life; 2)
Skills Learned; 3) Knowledge Demonstrated; 4) New Perspectives and Thinking Skills Obtained and 5)
Spiritual Formation seen and measured. How do you include and measure something so important, yet
so difficult and even invasive to measure? Learning from over 30 years of spiritual formation programs at
Dallas Seminary and BGU.edu, there are basic principles, pitfalls, and examples that make sure spiritual
formation is front and center in design and measurement.
WORKSHOP 2
(Made in Texas 4)
Biblical Worldview: Vision or Vernacular
Leslie Barkley, Master of Dental Hygiene
You've heard it said many times, "If you’re going to talk the talk, you’ve got to walk the walk." In a
nationwide survey completed by the Barna Research Group, they determined that only 4 percent of
Americans held a "biblical" worldview. With this staggering percentage, how can educators in Christian
colleges reverse this trend for the next generation? We first must answer the question, whether biblical
worldview is in our “vision” or in our “vernacular.” This presentation will build a case for biblical worldview
within the walls of academia. Attendees will have opportunities to discuss this topic in small groups as
well as explore methods of incorporating biblical worldview in courses they teach.
WORKSHOP 3
(Made in Texas 6)
Keeping the Strategic Plan Alive!
Gene Reid, M.H.R.
This workshop will give practical tips on how to keep the strategic plan alive through budget linkage,
evaluation, and analysis of annual accomplishments.
WORKSHOP 4
(Made in Texas 8)
How to 'Religify' Your Ministry
Jeremy Dys, Esq., And Chelsey Youman, Esq., Liberty Institute
In a world where hostility toward religion is on the rise, it’s not a matter of if but when religious institutions
will be faced with damaging, anti-religious legal attacks. In these sessions, Liberty Institute looks a
solutions that will provide maximum possible legal protection for your institution to freely hold and act
upon your ministry's sincerely-held religious beliefs.
11:40 am – 12:35 pm
WORKSHOP 1
(Made in Texas 2)
Christian Worldview “Nuts and Bolts” for Educational Programs
Doug Garland, Ed.D.
Nearly every Christian college or university claims to teach Christian worldview. Our institutions
incorporate worldview language into mission statements, catalogs and course descriptions. We
encourage our faculty to teach from a Christian worldview perspective. Do our students learn and
embrace a Christian worldview? Faculty must deliberately teach Christian worldview if students are to
learn. In this session, we will explore various pedagogical methods for incorporating Christian worldview
at the program and institutional levels. We provide suggestions on how to assess the Christian worldview.
WORKSHOP 2
(Made in Texas 4)
Understanding the Lifecycle of Academic Program Assessment
Mark Nicholas, Ph.D.
This workshop will take participants through the stages in the lifecycle of developing a program
assessment plan:
• Developing a mission statement
• Writing clear program learning objectives
• Mapping the curriculum
• Identifying student artifacts for assessment
• Identifying assessment methods and time tables
• Developing a program assessment plan
Participants will be provided with tools to develop an academic program assessment template that can be
implemented uniformly across academic programs in an institution. These plans can serve as the basis
for collecting and analyzing data on student learning and can be used to demonstrate how programs are
effectively accomplishing mission and educational objectives.
WORKSHOP 3
(Made in Texas 6)
Engaging Public Officials to Achieve Institutional Goals
O. Jerome Green, J.D.
Session will present a case study of Shorter College's success at utilizing support from local state and
federal officials to strengthen the college's market place position and achieve strategic plan objectives.
WORKSHOP 4
(Made in Texas 8)
Presidential Perspective of Title IV Compliance
Sara Grenier, BKD LLP
This presentation will discuss what a president should be doing related to Title IV compliance and how an
institution can leverage Title IV to grow their campus.
12:35 – 1:35 pm
Lunch on your own
1:35 - 2:30 p.m.
WORKSHOP 1
(Made in Texas 2)
Seven Essentials for Institution Review and Accountability
Sukhwant Bhatia, Ph.D.
Each Christian higher education institution needs to regularly monitor various areas of its operations to
not only accomplish its purpose and achieve goals but also strive for excellence in all aspects. I have 20+
years of experience on both sides of the fence, serving with an accreditation agency, serving as a Chief
Academic Officer, and then the founding and serving as president of a seminary. From what I have
learned and taught over the years, I have narrowed down seven essentials that every institution need is
to monitor and maintain what the accreditation agency needs to evaluate.
WORKSHOP 2
(Made in Texas 4)
Biblical Worldview: Weaving a Tapestry that Glorifies God
Leslie Barkley, Master of Dental Hygiene
If you could step back and view your institution as a tapestry woven by those in the past and the present,
what design would you see? Can you find the thread of biblical worldview running throughout your
institution? Is this woven theme visible, in need of repair, or is it vibrant and easy to trace throughout your
tapestry? Attendees will take a look at areas within their institution that directly affects the lives of
students. This includes such areas as the classroom, dorm life, the gym, convocation, applied learning,
and more! What are we doing with the infinite possibilities in these areas to weave a tapestry that glorifies
God?
WORKSHOP 3
(Made in Texas 6)
“If the student has not learned, the …” Really?
Doug Garland, Ed.D.
Most seasoned educators tremble when a parent or pundit quotes the often used “If the student has not
learned, the teacher has not taught.” Examples of teaching fill our institutions. But, how do we know, or
how does anyone know if the student is learning? Proof of student learning is one of the hottest issues in
higher education today. Proof starts with a well-defined learning outcome and ends with effective
assessment. In this session, we will explore how to design measurable learning outcomes at the course
and program levels. Participants will be able to create outcomes that are learner-centered, measurable
and academically challenging.
WORKSHOP 4
(Made in Texas 8)
Guilds of Morthland College: Organizations Committed to the Vision of Morthland
College
Tim Morthland, Ph.D.
In an era where colleges are closing across the country, citing fiscal troubles, the Guilds of Morthland
College LLC’s, bound to the college through licensure agreements, were established in 2013. These
external LLC’s are unapologetically for-profit, businesses designed to provide financial subsidy, enhanced
resources, and additional personnel to the primary 501(c)(3). In southern Illinois, the Guilds of MC have
stood in the gap for Morthland, when state subsidies, revenues from a community tax base, and other
lines of revenue were not available. Now in our third year of operation, the Guilds are two years younger
than MC itself, with budgets now quadrupling that of the college. This session will explain how this model
can be propagated on TRACS college campuses throughout the country, ensuring the fiscal stability and
additional jobs in the communities in which our colleges reside.
2:35 - 3:30 p.m.
WORKSHOP 1
(Made in Texas 2)
Peer Evaluator Training
Ron Cannon, D.Min.
Peer evaluation is at the heart of the accreditation process. To ensure objective assessment of
institutional compliance in a variety of situations, TRACS utilizes peer evaluators on Evaluation Teams,
on Focus Teams, and as Peer Reviewers for Institutions participating in the Interim Fifth-Year Review
(IFYR) process. Peer Evaluators review materials submitted by institutions, and participate in institutional
visits as required, to determine how well the institution meets TRACS Standards while carrying out its
mission. The success of these review processes requires the participation of all TRACS institutions in
providing qualified members to the Peer Evaluator Pool. This workshop is designed for those who desire
to receive training in the various peer evaluator processes and be included in the TRACS Peer Evaluator
Pool.
WORKSHOP 2
(Made in Texas 4)
Social Media in Higher Ed: Go Hard or Go Home
Jeremy Fern, Seventh Point Marketing Firm
To expand the conversation about the power of social media including what social media monitoring can
deliver for outreach strategy in higher ed, how social conversations are the future of inquiries, and why
social media swag is a key component of your social strategy. To share today’s latest digital strategies
related to social in the paid, owned, and earned media areas.
WORKSHOP 3
(Made in Texas 6)
Evaluation Team Chair Training
Tanmay Pramanik, D.R.E.
Have you been serving on peer evaluation teams? Do you feel confident that you could lead a team? If
not, let us train you. Over the next several years, TRACS anticipates a monumental increase in the
number of institutions seeking TRACS accreditation. Well-trained team chairs are essential to the future
of TRACS. If you are an experienced evaluation team member, this workshop is for you.
WORKSHOP 4
(Made in Texas 8)
Korean Team Training
Kyu Hyun Lee, D.Min.
Peer evaluation is at the heart of the accreditation process. When teams are sent to institutions, the team
members evaluate the institution’s self-study and determine how well the institution meets the TRACS
standards in all areas, while carrying out the mission of the establishment. The success of this process
requires that all institutions provide team members. Without trained team members, the responsibility falls
on a small overworked cadre of trained individuals. This workshop is designed for those who need
training in the peer evaluator team training process, and is presented in the Korean language. TRACS
encourages each Korean institution to provide individuals for this training.
6:00 p.m.
Keynote Banquet and Address
Sponsored by
Keynote Speaker:
(Aviators B)
Dr.Voddie Baucham –
Sponsored by
Texas and Oklahoma Area Institutions