Dr. Karen A. Stout has served as president and CEO of Achieving the Dream (ATD) since 2015, leading a national network of community colleges focused on whole-college transformation that directly addresses student inequitable outcomes.

“Our colleges will only be as successful as the success of our most marginalized students.”

Madeline Pumariega is the first female president appointed to lead one of the nation’s largest educational institutions, Miami Dade College (MDC), which offers more than 20 CCB programs. Adding to the historic nature of this appointment is the fact that Pumariega is an alumna of MDC and the first female and Hispanic chancellor of the Florida College System (FCS).

“We are living during a period when the futures of individuals, communities, and the nation rest significantly on the ability of community colleges to ensure student success.”

Dr. Tonjua Williams became the first woman and first African American president of St. Petersburg College  , which was the first Florida community college to offer CCBs and is now home to more than 25 CCB programs, on July 3, 2017. A St. Petersburg native, Dr. Williams began her tenure with the college in 1986 as a student, rising through the ranks in various academic and administrative roles.

“As the president, everything you do, every decision you make needs to be for the purpose of students succeeding and having a better life.”

Inspired by the theme “Growing Talent for Local and Global Impact” and, with the support of Strada Education Foundation, Conference 2024 will feature an interactive Industry Panel with nationally-recognized representatives from high-demand industries who will answer questions and share their reasons for supporting community college baccalaureates and what they hope to see from program graduates. They will also discuss promising practices highlighting collaborative CCB program development and strategies for establishing effective advisory committee relationships.

Moderated by Dr. David Harrison, President of Columbus State Community College and featuring:

• Dr. Kristi Wellington-Baker, Higher Education Strategy Lead – Student Experience, Amazon Web Services;
• Ron Davoli, Chairman of the Board, Wharton-Smith Construction Group;
• Dennis Lemma, Sheriff, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office and
• Dr. Ann Pohl, RN DNP, Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer, Lima Memorial Health System

Melanie Heath is the strategy director for participation at Lumina Foundation, an independent, private foundation in Indianapolis committed to making learning opportunities beyond high school available to all. Melanie leads a portfolio of work designed to increase student enrollment and re-enrollment in bachelor’s degree programs. Hear her perspective on the community college baccalaureate and the role it can play in improving attainment rates among adult and non-traditional learners.