MPSEOC Summer Conference 
speaker & session overview

August 7-8, 2023  |  Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

Goals For The Conference

GOALS FOR THE CONFERENCE ARE SIMPLE!
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 |  To celebrated education & all the good work you do!

 |  To give you the opportunity to connect with your colleagues across the Montana and beyond.

 |  To provide information you can use in your daily working life and to offer professional development.


THE CONFERENCE OFFERS SOME EXCITING FEATURES


Nationally Renowned Keynote Speakers
We are bringing to the table so many inspiring and talented presenters from around the nation to share their wisdom with us!  Each year we work hard to bring the latest and greatest topics, presenters, and sessions to you.  We are so grateful to all the presenters who are coming together across the nation to make this event a success!
  
New Professional Institute
If you are just beginning your professional career, we invite you to attend this workshop. We will have seasoned professionals and admissions  veterans provide information about:  the MPSEOC organization, admissions, recruitment, travel tips, enrollment services in Montana, and overall trends in higher education.  This conference will offer many great opportunities to meet new and seasoned professionals across the state!  
  
MPSEOC’s Future Goals
As the future of Montana Higher Education changes, it is MPSEOC’s goal to try and adjust to these new trends to better help our member institutions and Montana students.  This conference will offer an opportunity to share feedback and vision for MPSEOC’s future goals.  
  
General Sessions & Workshops
We have designated certain topics to be appropriate for all professional levels. These sessions will give you an opportunity to learn more about subjects that impact everyone’s professional life.  It is at this annual event that you will hear the latest news and trends from some phenomenal professionals in their field.  You do not want to miss this year’s Conference! 
 
Social & Networking Opportunities 
What a unique last few years it has been, and we really tried hard to create an event that was based on your feedback!  Our members shared that it was a priority this year to really have a chance to reconnect in-person.  We are working hard to bring some fun social and networking opportunities to this conference like never before!  You do not want to miss this chance to reconnect with your friends and colleagues.  

Social Evening & Dinner
We are excited to offer a special night at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort!  This will include plenty of time to relax, have a nice dinner, socialize, and share some laughs together.  We look forward to sharing this special time together!
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REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 
  • July 15, 2022
HOTEL RESERVATION DEADLINE: 
  • July 15, 2022

| keynote presentations

| FEATURED SPEAKERS, PRESENTERS, & REPRESENTATIVES

THIS CONFERENCE OFFERS GREAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLABORATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT!
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James Robilotta


|  EXPERIENCE 

James Robilotta is an improv comedian, professional speaker, author, and host of the podcast Diner Talks with James. He speaks to willing and unwilling audiences internationally about authentic leadership and promoting memorability. As a speaker, he is doing the two things he loves the most: causing audiences to think critically about their leadership journeys and making people laugh! His thought-provoking talks are infused with self-awareness and comedy stemming from his background as a trained stand-up and improv comedian.

​James loves to help people get out of their own ways to live the lives they deserve and be the leaders they are capable of becoming.
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James T. Robilotta Website:  jamestrobo.com


|  EXAMPLE PRESENTATIONS
Leading Imperfectly: The Value of Being Authentic For Student Leaders and Human Beings
IMPROV Your Teamwork and Communication​


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Reno Charette


|  EXPERIENCE 

Reno Charette currently serves as the Networking Project Director for American Indian Higher Education Consortium | AIHEC.

"Reno knew early on she wanted a career that would include helping other Native American students achieve success.  It’s her work as Montana State University Billings’ director of American Indian Outreach for which Charette was named one of this year’s 20 Exceptional Women by the Billings Gazette.  ​Reno worked at MSUB for nearly a decade and in the director of American Indian Outreach since 2009."

“My purpose on this earth is to nurture and develop successful adults,” Reno said. “That’s the approach I took as a parent. I’m not here to be your friend. I’m here to fulfill my responsibility.”

“As an undergraduate and student myself I started analyzing the university system and the common obstacles we faced how I would do things differently,” Reno said.

Reno, who grew up on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation and is a member of the Crow Tribe in Crow Agency, Montana, has leaned on her desire for education and lessons learned as a single mother of three to mentoring young Native American students.

“My favorite conversations I have are the ones where we find solutions,” she said. “Coming from a disadvantaged background, every student has a different story and needs a different toolbox.”

Quoted langauge from:  Reno Charette | MSU Billings
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|  MORE INFORMATION
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Our Staff – AIHEC
Western Native Voice Community Spotlight: Reno Charette - WORC
Reno Charette | LinkedIn

Meshayla Cox


|  EXPERIENCE 

Meshayla is a black/bi-sexual/cis-gendered woman, originally from Southern California. She moved to Missoula to attend the University of Montana where she graduated with her degree in African American Studies. For nearly a decade Meshayla has been a fierce advocate for racial equity in Montana and is committed to supporting company cultures that nurture and value the inherent dignity of every person. Meshayla has educated over 1,700 people in the public and private sectors - from philanthropy & technology to conservation. Meshayla has given workshops and trainings across the nation—including as a TEDx speaker. She is a Certified Diversity and Inclusion Professional through Cornell University, and she serves on the board of Earthtone OutsideMT and ForwardMT.

Meshayla is the definition of “it takes a village” and was raised by 5 different guardians throughout her life. Meshayla attributes all of her tenacity, passion, and love of people to the amazing women she has had in her life but gives special mention to her nana Judy who immigrated to the US from Bermuda and dedicated herself to building a better life for her family. Meshayla works to honor her in all that she does. When she is not working she is spending time with her wild bug-eyed pug, Prince Odie, and enjoying the sunshine with her fiancé and friends. Meshayla is a buffalo wings connoisseur and is always on the hunt to find the best hot wings in Montana! ​

​Meshayla Cox is an equity and inclusion consultant, anti-racism educator, facilitator, and resource who works alongside several consulting agencies such as Level Equity Consultants, Widerstand Consulting, She Geeks Out, and DF Analytics. Meshayla attended the University of Montana where she pursued a degree in African American Studies. For nearly a decade Meshayla has been a fierce advocate for racial equity in Montana and is committed to supporting company cultures that nurture and value the inherent dignity of every person.
 
In 2019, she received a Defending Democracy Fellowship from the Western States Center to fight against growing white nationalism throughout the country. In 2018, she created and founded the Black Solidarity Summit. In 2017, she was named a recipient of the prestigious Ulysses S. Doss African-American Studies Scholarship.
 
Meshayla has educated over 1,700 people in the public and private sectors - from philanthropy & technology to conservation. Meshayla has given workshops and trainings across the nation—including as a TedX speaker. When she is not working you can find Meshayla munching on hot wings and playing with her pug puppy, Odie. 

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Meshayla Cox Website:  About | Level Equity Consultants
LinkedIn:  Meshayla Cox (she,ella) CCDP | LinkedIn
​Race equity and justice: Montana conference set for October (kbzk.com)

|  EXAMPLE PRESENTATIONS
Race, Equality, & Inclusion
Montana Racial Equity Project
My Educational Story & The Importance of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion in Education
Building Connection, Inclusion, & Growth Within Your Team​


eric Groves

|  EXPERIENCE 

Dr. Eric Groves has spent 23 years in Higher Education, serving Colleges and Universities around the country. Prior to coming to RNL in 2014, Eric served 15 years at Point Loma Nazarene University, in San Diego, CA. There, Eric led the Admissions Team to grow incoming student enrollment, increased academic benchmarks each year, and doubled the percentage of racial/ethnically diverse students in the incoming class.

​At RNL, Eric has served institutions in the west for most of the last 8 years, including many institutions in the state of Montana. In January of this year, Dr. Groves decided to head back to a campus, and served as the Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management at Washington & Jefferson College in Pennsylvania, a prestigious 241 year old Liberal Arts institution.  ​Following his time at W&J, Eric has come back to RNL and now works directly with Boards. Presidents, and Executive Leaders, to help colleges and universities to fully live into their mission.
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Dr. Groves speaks about Strategic Enrollment Planning, the State of Higher Education, Financial Aid Optimization, Higher Education Revenue Generation, and Enrollment Marketing at conferences all over the world. Eric has a Ph.D. in Higher Education, where his research area is Student Success, particularly in 2-year institutions. Dr. Groves lives in Happy Valley, Oregon (outside of Portland) and has 2 kids in college, which he references often in his conversations with campuses.


|  EXAMPLE PRESENTATIONS
Lessens Learned from RNL's 2022 High School Student College Planning Report
Student Latest Reports & Data Sharing
Recruitment & Retention Best Practices

Bryan Peterson


|  EXPERIENCE 

Bryan A. Peterson, PHR, SHRM-CP, Vice President, Human Resource Services

Bryan Peterson has been with Associated Employers since 2007 and provides member services in the areas of organizational and staff development and training. Bryan specializes in professional and staff development to include: leadership and management development, personality assessments, communication, conflict management, team building, performance management, discipline and termination.

Bryan also provides member services in the area of regulatory and preventative training to include drug and alcohol testing reasonable suspicion for supervisors, harassment and discrimination prevention, and workplace violence prevention.

Bryan has a B.S. degree in Business Administration from North Dakota State University, and his Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification. He is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) on the local and national level.

|  EXAMPLE PRESENTATIONS
Understanding the 5 Generational in the Workplace and In Student Recruitment 
Team Communication & Management Best Practices

& many more speakers / Topics


Aaron anciaux
Meadowlark Counseling & Neurofeedback 
Topic:  MentaL Health / Work-Life Balance 
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Nicolette Weston, Erin Red Shirt, Krystyna Cisneros
american Indian college fund
Topic:  Helping Native American / Indigenous Students - REsources & Best Practices
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travis anderson
Montana university system & gear up
topic:  Sharing updates from the Office of the MT commissioner of higher education.
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mike ouert & Matt allen
Montana state university & university of montan western
Topic:  New Professionals Insitute
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Melissa Clater
University of Portland
TOPIC:  Best Practices in Orientations, Campus Programs, & Retention
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ali smith, joey ditonno, & emily ferguson-Steger
Blackfeet community college, chief dull knife college, university of montana
Topic:  Montana Tribal College Team
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admissions & new students services panel
Sean Coleman, stephanie cowen, danielle dinges, anders groseth, austin mapston, & juan perez
Topic:  Sharing Our Story & Wisdom
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montana virtual task force updates
Committee chairs:  Sean Coleman, anna ebert, brittany smith, & chrissy stokes
Topic:  new!  statewide calendar, montana gives back, career exploration, & more!
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mpseoc board of directors
mike ouert- president, chrissy stokes -past president, AUSTIN MAPSTON- vp, JOEY DITONNO - TRIBAL COLLEGE RELATIONS CHAIr, elizabeth zimmerman - secretary, danielle dinges, ben malouf, Kateyln marsik, 
Topic:  mpseoc membership meeting & conference leaders

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  • AN EDUCATION CELEBRATION!
  • UNDERSTANDING & CONNECTING WITH TODAY'S STUDENTS
  • WORKPLACE MANAGEMENT & COMMUNICATION
  • LEADERSHIP, TEAM WORKING SKILLS, & NETWORKING
  • ORIENTATIONS, CAMPUS VISIT PROGRAMS, & RETENTION
  • ADMISSIONS BEST PRACTICES & ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT
  • UNDERSTANDING GENERATIONAL GAPS WITHIN YOUR TEAM AND FOR RECRUITMENT 
  • STUDENT RECRUITMENT AND MARKETING
  • BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS MONTANA
  • NEW PROFESSIONAL’S INSTITUTE
  • MONTANA STUDENT DATA, SEARCH TOOLS, & FUTURE OUTLOOK
  • MENTAL HEALTH - WORK / LIFE BALANCE AFTER COVID
  • ​MONTANA TRIBAL COLLEGE TEAM 
  • DIVERSITY & INCLUSION BEST PRACTICES
  • TRAVEL TIPS & HIGH SCHOOL VISITS
  • ​& MORE!​
*TOPICS SUBJECT TO VARY IN FINAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS.


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