Career College Central

Subscribe at www.careercollegecentral.com 35 The familiar format — and even the guest list — for the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities' Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida, will be changing this year. ese facts were among many revelations shared by APSCU President and CEO Steve Gunderson in our March/April issue. e APSCU Convention, which will be held June 6-8, is still the single largest gathering of career college professionals every year. And while many regular attendees have become acquainted with the event's usual arrangement, APSCU is intentionally shaking things up, effectively broadening its reach. In this edition of Career College Central, we conclude our two-part interview with Gunderson. And in this portion of our discussion, he shares even more about what convention-goers can expect at this year's event. Career College Central: Are there any particularly hot topics you're anticipating this year? Why are those topics gaining so much attention at the moment? Gunderson: ere is an obviously hot topic that defines everything related to this sector, which is the ongoing assault on our sector by the administration with no desire to engage in constructive conversations. In the short term, this is all about survival of a new gainful employment regulation. In the longer term, it is all about preparing for the future while under such a heavy assault. I'm highly anticipating the convention this year. e opening plenary, held on June 6, will unveil some of the exciting changes for both the association and the sector. e plenary on June 7 is an especially timely one for our sector, as it will be presented by Alec Ross, who served as senior advisor for innovation to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Alec is a technology policy expert who recently released a book, "Industries of the Future." is keynote will be particularly interesting to our sector, as it highlights the growing fields and employment areas that so critically need our programs. e closing plenary of the convention is especially close to APSCU membership because it is delivered by some of the membership's top innovators. A panel of visionaries from Campus Management Corp., Cengage Learning, Elsevier, McGraw-Hill and Pearson will discuss their thoughts on the future of education in the coming years. is panel will be moderated by Mario Armstrong, the digital lifestyle expert regularly on the "Today" show, CNN, HLN, the American Urban Radio Networks and NPR's Morning Edition. CCC: What presenters/guests are you looking forward to welcoming this year? Gunderson: One of the greatest experiences each year at the APSCU Convention is welcoming the top thought leaders in higher education to present and network together at one gathering. We see the progress come out of our own member institutions and the dynamics and developments within the sector. CCC: Why should educators/executives/professionals in the sector attend the convention? Gunderson: e sector and the future of higher education are changing, so it is important we adapt with it. e 2016 convention is set to focus on the innovations shaping the future of higher education and creating the networks necessary to stay ahead. e annual convention is evolving into the gathering place for the sector. Along with the planning task force, presenters and staff, we intend to deliver on that idea to make the event in June the place that aligns the future of career college education for the developments ahead. "I'm highly anticipating the convention this year. e opening plenary, held on June 6, will unveil some of the exciting changes for both the Association and the sector." Steve Gunderson, president and CEO of the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities

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