ACBSP kicks off its 21st annual conference, Celebrating Global Diversity with an Opening Luncheon featuring Matt Leavy, CEO of Pearson eCollege. Drawing on his extensive experience in education technology and as a for- mer president of the Pearson Education Latin American Group, Leavy will offer his perspective on the business of technology solutions in education. He will explore the current challenges facing this rapidly evolving market, where it came from and the future it’s headed toward.

In his keynote address, Leavy will cover the relationship between education and business, including business leadership in early private online education. He will also discuss the fast growth of for-profit online education, presenting case studies and identifying the successful attributes of leading institutions that traditional schools may emulate.

The success of education is driven by more than just technology. Leavy will explore the innovative methods that many institutions use to create quality programs while relying heavily on fundamental and standard educational practices, such as ACBSP’s learning outcomes. He will also highlight other powerful tools, like academic analytics suites that place student performance and activity data in educators’ hands.

Leavy will also discuss the use of proven content from publishers, including eTextbooks and other digital solutions. He will highlight an institution’s use of interactive content solutions. Leavy will explore how these content solutions offer engaging instruction on campus or online.

With his extensive practical knowledge and personal insights, Matt Leavy will examine the evolution of technology in education and deliver compelling examples of growth and opportunity in the business of online education.

This Keynote General Session will focus on the two themes of this conference. The first 30 minutes will focus on Celebrating Global Diversity, as we introduce the content for a series of concurrent sessions to be held Saturday afternoon. ACBSP has established key partnerships with similar associations around the world. Representatives from each will be introduced for brief remarks and to describe the content for afternoon sessions. Speakers include: Jorge Talavera, executive director, Latin American Council of Management Schools; Bryan Holden, executive director, European Council for Business Education; and Shuai Yang from CIBT China. A representative from the Russian Association for Business Education may also be there.

The remaining hour will focus on A Gathering of Minds in Challenging Economic Times. A panel of deans from nonprofit, for-profit, and community college institutions will discuss their experiences and leadership strategies for promoting teaching excellence in uncertain economic times.

Excellence in teaching is a defining cornerstone for business schools and program effectiveness. A wide range of leadership strategies must be used to help faculty excel, many of which are budget driven. This interactive session will identify strategies and offer suggestions. Freda Hartman, dean, John Sperling School of Business, University of Phoenix, will serve as moderator. Panelists include: Bob Bisking, dean, School of Business and Leadership, Our Lady of the Lake University; Kim Donaldson, dean, Ken Blanchard College of Business, Grand Canyon University; and Blair Carruth, dean, School of Business, Salt Lake Community College.

The Saturday Keynote Luncheon will feature Martin VanDerWerf, director, Chronicle Research Services, a new division of The Chronicle of Higher Education Inc. VanDerWerf will highlight the first report from Chronicle Research Services. The report, called Financial Uncertainty and the Admissions Class of Fall 2008, was released in December. It is the first comprehensive analysis of how the declining economy, falling housing values, and the shortage of student loans is affecting college admissions, and how increasing numbers of students are asking for more financial aid. He will discuss the response of others, as he has presented the report in a variety of forums since its release.

VanDerWerf will also discuss data gathered for three additional reports on the College of 2020. Chronicle Research Services has been putting together a series of reports, focusing on students, technology, faculty and facilities. The reports help illuminate the fundamental changes that colleges can expect to undergo in the next decade.

For 40 years, authoritative reporting and research has made The Chronicle of Higher Education the leading source of news, commentary and information in higher education. Chronicle Research reports examine important issues and perceptions in depth, providing a way for those in higher education to stay informed and engaged.

Fran Tarkenton, highly regarded athlete and entrepreneur, is the speaker for the Sunday evening Accreditation Banquet. As one of the NFL’s all time greats, he was inducted into the NFL and Collegiate Football Halls of Fame. As quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, he took his team to the 1973, 1974 and 1976 Super Bowls. He has also launched 15 companies over the last 25 years with revenues of up to $142 million.

Tarkenton is often asked about the similarities that exist between sports and business. Here are his thoughts. “The relationship between success in sports and success in business is closely aligned. In football, I learned fast as a quarterback that I could throw the football. But that’s not all it takes to win a game. As a team you share the onus of success. Nobody has all of the answers, so it’s incumbent upon business leaders - the good ones - to assemble a team that brings together the best of everything. I’m talking about fashioning a team that’s motivated by winning customer’s respect, by answering their needs, and by providing the highest level of service and commitment possible.”

Today, Tarkenton continues to advise and counsel businesses. He helps identify new opportunities in fast changing environments and develop innovative channels of distribution. His philosophy is that there is only one reason for a business to exist — to provide products and services that enhance and improve the quality of life of its customer.

Tarkenton created GoSmallBiz.com to share his experiences and lessons in creating small businesses by developing a toolkit focussed on starting and developing a small business. In 2009, he created the Tarkenton Institute to bring this toolkit into the classroom for those who will be the future small business owners. Tarkenton Institute is an exhibitor at the conference and Fran Tarkenton will be at the booth on Sunday afternoon to discuss his philosophy and for photo opportunities.

The President’s Panel during the Closing General Session assembles top leaders from the three largest regional accrediting bodies, who will share their insights on the regional accrediting process, how they view specialized accreditation, and their expecta- tions regarding federal regulatory and legislative issues. They will also describe how the current economy is impacting them as regional accrediting bodies and how schools in their regions are being impacted.

Dr. Belle Weelan, (top left) president of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, is the first African American and first woman to serve in this capacity. Her career spans 35 years and includes the roles of faculty member, chief student services officer, campus provost, college president and Secretary of Education.

Dr. Sylvia Manning (middle left) serves as president of the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Commission is the regional institutional accreditation agency for some 1,000 member institutions across 19 states. Her work has been marked by commitment to high academic standards, broad access, student achievement, research and scholarship, and civic engagement.

Dr. Elizabeth H. Sibolski (bottom left) is executive vice president of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the U.S. regional accrediting agency that serves member institutions in the Mid-Atlantic area, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as some international institutions. Dr. Sibolski is a co-author of Integrating Higher Education Planning and Assessment: A Practical Guide. For the second year, LiveText will sponsor the Closing General Session. Bob Budnik, president, LiveText, will give an update on the various activities underway as a valued partner with ACBSP.