Today’s students come from all walks of life — working parents, career changers, veterans, and first-gen learners — each with unique challenges and goals. Are your programs meeting their needs?
Join us to explore how you can assess and improve your higher ed programs to better serve nontraditional students. We’ll cover how to spot program gaps, use data to drive change, and implement strategies that enhance equity and engagement.
In this session, you’ll discover:
Panelists:
Moderator: Glenn Phillips, Senior Insights Consultant, Watermark
Michelle Milliken, EdD, is the Director of Learning Resources and Student Success at Sampson Community College. Her research focuses on supporting adult learners’ persistence in community college, with a particular emphasis on adult women in gateway courses. Dr. Milliken’s recent dissertation explored customized interventions to promote success among this population, and she continues to advocate for equitable, student-centered support strategies in higher education.
Dr. Brandi Newkirk is a higher education leader with nearly two decades of experience in institutional effectiveness, accreditation, and strategic planning. As Assistant Vice President at Morehouse School of Medicine, she leads initiatives that integrate assessment and data-informed decision-making to support academic excellence and continuous improvement. Her work is grounded in fostering a culture of evidence-based decision-making and supporting faculty and staff in aligning assessment practices with institutional mission and advancing outcomes for learners in various educational contexts.
Dani Walker is the Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation/SASCOC Liaison at Louisiana Delta Community College, bringing 10 years of higher education experience. With a doctorate in Higher Education from Texas A&M-Commerce, she specializes in SACSCOC accreditation, policy, and curriculum organization. Dani’s leadership has been recognized through programs like Leadership Ouachita (2021) and Leadership Franklin (2023), as well as a Top 20 Under 40 honors in 2022. Passionate about student success, Dani’s work is grounded in the mission of community colleges. Outside of work, she enjoys life with her husband, Wade, and their two adventurous kids, Preston (6) and Celia (5).
Janet Macias is a Partnerships Account Manager with a background in customer success and education administration. Her work focuses on serving direct-to-institution entities in the higher education space.
