2016 Annual Conference

Keynote Speakers

Keynote Speaker Wednesday, February 17, 2016

The Future of Post-Secondary Education

Jeffrey Selingo
Author, Columnist, and Riveting Speaker, Orlando, Florida

Jeffrey Selingo has spent his journalism career covering colleges and universities worldwide. His book, College (Un)Bound: The Future of Higher Education and What It Means for Students, explores the college of tomorrow. The text includes insights on how families will pay, what campuses will look like, how students will learn and what skills will lead to success in the job market.

Selingo’s work has been honored with awards from the Education Writers Association, Society of Professional Journalists and the Associated Press. He has been the keynote speaker before dozens of associations and universities, appearing regularly on regional and national radio and television programs, including NPR, ABC and CBS.

The former top editor of The Chronicle of Higher Education, Selingo worked for 16 years in a variety of reporting and editing roles. His writing has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and The Huffington Post. He is a contributor to the LinkedIn Influencer program, where users can follow his groundbreaking blog posts on higher education.

Selingo serves as an adviser to Global Citizen Year and the Education Design Lab. He received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ithaca College and a master’s degree in government from the Johns Hopkins University.

A contributing editor to The Chronicle and professor of practice at Arizona State University, Selingo’s renowned work and speeches focus on the innovative practices of colleges and universities, along with what they might mean for students, education and businesses in the future.


Brunch Keynote Thursday, February 18, 2016

Fresher & Fiercer: Bringing Your Best Self to Work & Life

Paul Wesselmann
The Ripples Guy, Leadership Trainer, Keynote Speaker and Creator of “The Ripples Project,” Cincinnati, Ohio

Over the past two decades, our closing keynoter has shared inspirational stories and practical strategies at hundreds of conferences around North America, encouraging people to bring their FULL and BEST selves to work, school and life. Paul holds degrees in psychology and higher education, and worked at several colleges and nonprofits before transitioning into full-time self employment in 1997. A few years later, he began sending out a weekly splash of inspiration that earned him the nickname, “The Ripples Guy.” Over 30,000 people currently subscribe to his Ripples emails, and thousands more engage with him on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. His presentations consistently receive rave reviews, and we are excited to have him provide a sectional on personal development and then wrap up our conference with his unique blend of stories, strategies and fun.

Paul spent 20 years living in Wisconsin and has spoken at dozens of staff trainings and professional development conferences around the state. He recently moved to Ohio, but assures us his Facebook and Twitter feeds are still jam packed with Wisconsinites so he’s kept up to date with the Packers, the Brewers and everything else he loved about the state. He says he misses the summers fiercely, but the winters, well, not so much.

You can learn more about Paul’s work at http://TheRipplesGuy.com and you’re welcome to contact him either before or after the conference with feedback or questions: WSCA@UnleashRipples.com.