PRE-CONFERENCE SESSIONS

ADVISOR TRAINING

Strong advisors are critical to the success of our chapters. During this session we will focus on three main topics: chapter leadership continuity, what to do when you hit a “dip” in a year, and finally, the results of our advisor focus groups. This will be an opportunity to have a discussion-based interaction, to get to know other advisors and build your network, and finally be able to ask more in-depth questions about the advisor experience.

Dr. Patience Whitworth (The Ohio State University, 2003)

CAREER CONNECTIONS: APPLYING YOUR CHARACTER STRENGTHS AS A LEADER

Our unique combination of strengths and values drives our leadership across a variety of contexts – as a student, peer leader, employee, community member, and more. This session will introduce VIA Character Strengths, help you reflect on your top strengths, and consider how to apply your strengths to your leadership now and into the future. All attendees should complete the free online assessment at viacharacter.org prior to the session and bring their results.

Dr. Jen Pelletier (University of Puget Sound, 1999)

Dr. Jen Pelletier is a higher education leadership educator with over 20 years of experience supporting leadership programs, student organizations, student learning, and staff professional development. She currently works as a consultant in human resources at The Ohio State University, focusing on leader development and coaching. Jen joined Mortar Board in 1999 at the University of Puget Sound.

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY MORTAR BOARD TOUR

Enjoy a tour of The Ohio State University campus, with special attention to Mortar Board landmarks. The tour will leave from the 2nd Floor Foyer of the hotel at 1pm on Friday via charter bus and travel to campus, which is five miles from the hotel. The group will then walk through campus with tour guide and OSU student, Olivia Beckett. The tour will meet the bus at 2:40pm and travel back to the hotel. Wear walking shoes!

Olivia Beckett (The Ohio State University, 2024)

SERVICE PROJECT: “FANS IN THE STANDS”

Throughout the conference, we will have a “Fans in the Stands” service project in which attendees can engage. Special Olympics Ohio will provide supplies to make “good luck” notes for athletes competing in the fall games (equestrian, golf, flag football, and softball). There will also be paper and templates for volunteers to cut out shapes that will be used at Performance Stations during the games. At the Performance Stations, athletes write on cut-outs how they commit to living healthier lives. Both of these activities can be done on a stop-in basis but make a huge impact on the attitudes of the athletes who receive them!

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SESSIONS

CONSIDERING GRADUATE SCHOOL? TIPS AND ADVICE FROM THE INSIDE

Join this panel of experts to gain valuable insights into the application process, the graduate student experience, Mortar Board fellowship opportunities, and more. Representatives from two graduate schools, along with current graduate students (and Mortar Board fellows!), will share their insider knowledge on the intricacies of applying to and thriving in graduate school.

Rani Bawa (The Ohio State University, 2020)

Jennifer Forney, American University (Purdue University, 1984)

Jennifer Forney hails from the Midwest with degrees from the Big Ten institutions of Purdue and Indiana University, respectively. At Purdue, Jennifer played for the women’s basketball team, while earning her degree with high distinction being selected Phi Beta Kappa, serving as Vice President of the Barbara Cook Chapter of Mortar Board, and serving as the commencement speaker representing her graduating class. Jennifer began her twenty plus year career in graduate enrollment as a recruiter for the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University-Bloomington. After serving as vice president for membership and advocacy for the local Chamber of Commerce and as director of marketing and community relations for a large multi-specialty medical practice, Forney returned to the O’Neill School to serve over a decade as their director of student services. The broad purview of the role at O’Neill spanned recruitment, admissions, merit aid allocation, and yield for the School’s range of master’s and dual degrees, graduate certificates, as well as current student services. The mentorship during the O’Neill tenure by some of the best faculty in the field continues to be credited for her continuing commitment and passion for students interested in careers in the Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration fields. Concurrent to working at O’Neill, Forney also served as a Big Ten color commentator for Indiana University women’s basketball, offering her the privilege to remain close to the game, league, and its exciting evolution. At present, Jennifer serves as the assistant dean of graduate enrollment for the School of Public Affairs (SPA) at American University in Washington, D.C. Under the entrepreneurial leadership of Dean Vicky Wilkins and now, Interim Dean Alison Jacknowitz, she has had the privilege to rebuild the School’s graduate admissions operation and continues to evolve the graduate enrollment strategy to confront the increasingly competitive landscape. Forney has been recognized with three SPA awards, two for innovation and, this past year, supervisory excellence. She also was recently awarded NASPAA’s (the accrediting body for over 276 schools of public affairs and policy) Professional Staff Award at the 2023 annual conference. She is regularly asked to speak to faculty, administrators, and prospective students on topics related to graduate recruitment, application, admissions, and financing. Her new favorite pastime of Pickleball pales in comparison to her greatest joys in life, her four adult children and the incredible people they continue to become, their valued and interesting life partners, and her four precious granddaughters.

Dr. Amy Elizabeth French, Bowling Green State University

Dr. French is an Associate Professor in the School of Counseling, Higher Education and Leadership Foundations at Bowling Green State University.  She also serves as program coordinator for the College Student Personnel master’s program.  Dr. French holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Indiana State University, a Master of Arts in Social Justice from Loyola University Chicago, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Kentucky Wesleyan College. Her research interests include social justice issues related to race, identity, equity, access, and disability.  She also examines the student affairs profession from a programmatic and competency lens. Dr. French’s teaching areas include student development theory, leadership and administration, and student affairs history. She approaches the field of student affairs with a scholar-practitioner lens.

FAR FROM LAZY: A CONVERSATION WITH AN AWARD-WINNING CEO

Join Alumni Achievement Award Winner, Melinda Whittington, for an intimate conversation as she shares her experience as a corporate leader and change agent. Melinda serves as President and CEO of furniture manufacturer La-Z-Boy Inc. Initiated into Mortar Board in 1988, Melinda has had an illustrious career. Starting out in Finance at lifestyle conglomerate, Procter & Gamble, Melinda then went on to become Senior Vice President at Kraft Foods Group (now The Kraft Heinz Company), before becoming CFO for Allscripts Healthcare Solutions then moving on to be CFO and eventually CEO at La-Z-Boy Incorporated in 2021. Melinda will share her own insights and how to successfully navigate career advancement and professional development.

Melinda Whittington (The Ohio State University, 1988)

Melinda Whittington is President and Chief Executive Officer of La-Z-Boy Incorporated, one of the world’s leading residential furniture producers and retailers, and serves on its Board of Directors. Prior to her appointment in 2021, she served for three years as Chief Financial Officer for the company.  Since graduating summa cum laude earning her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree at Ohio State, Melinda Whittington has held a number of finance roles of increasing responsibility including with The Proctor and Gamble Company, The Kraft Heinz Company and now as the President and CEO of La-Z-Boy Incorporated. Melinda is an innovative and inspiring leader who finds time to support the personal and professional development of others, particularly other women.  She is passionate about giving back and generously gives her time serving on several corporate and non-profit boards including Best Buy Co., Inc., the American Home Furnishings Alliance, the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame, Business Leaders for Michigan, and the YMCA of Monroe, Michigan, and the Dean’s Advisory Council of the Fisher College of Business. Melinda resides in Michigan with Steven, her husband of 36 years. They have two adult children, and all four Whittington’s are proud Buckeyes. In their limited spare time, they enjoy traveling to spend time with friends and family in interesting places, ballroom dancing, and getting outside to boat and bike.

KEYS TO SUCCESS: BUILDING AN AWARD-WINNING CHAPTER

Over the past five years, the Tassels chapter at the University of Mississippi has transitioned from campus obscurity to celebrity. On the national stage, the chapter moved from, “Did we submit the required reports?” to “Which awards should we pursue this year?” This presentation will highlight key leadership and operational strategies that have fostered the chapter’s evolution. Participants will leave informed and inspired with new ideas to help strengthen their own chapters. Both story and strategy will be woven throughout the presentation. Mortar Board is fortunate to have many strong, award-winning chapters, so audience members will be encouraged to share their own ideas and successes.

Parker Brown (University of Mississippi, 2023)

Parker Brown is a recent graduate of the University of Mississippi, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in Public Policy Leadership. Parker was inducted into the Tassels Chapter of Mortar Board in 2023 and served as President during the 2023-2024 academic year. For the upcoming year, Parker will serve as a Regional Coordinator for Region 2. Beginning in the fall, Parker will further his education at the University of Mississippi School of Law.

Aabha Mantri (University of Mississippi, 2024)

Aabha is a rising senior from Meridian, Mississippi. She is majoring in International Studies at the Croft Institute for International Studies at the University of Mississippi. Aabha was inducted into the Tassels Chapter in 2024 and is the current President. On campus, she is also the Croft Student Body President and the Vice President of the UNICEF chapter. After graduation, she plans to further her education in international relations and public policy.

Dr. Brent A. Marsh (University of Mississippi, 2023)

Dr. Marsh has served as Assistant Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students at the University of Mississippi since August 2019, which is when he also began advising the Tassels Chapter. He earned a B.A. in Sociology and an M.S. in College Student Personnel from Kansas State University and his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Bowling Green State University. Dr. Marsh was inducted into the Tassels Chapter as an honorary member in 2023 and was recognized with the Excellence in Advising Award in June 2023.

MY BIPOLAR SUPERPOWER: THE CRITICAL ROLE OF SELF-ASSESSMENT TO DEFINING YOUR CAREER PATH

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”–Aristotle. By sharing her own winding journey to becoming a successful freelance legal content writer and editor, presenter Olivia G. McCarthy will discuss key components of the self-assessment process. This seminar will take you step-by-step through developing your own self-assessment, using what you know, don’t know, or are afraid to know about yourself in order to design your unique career path.

Olivia G. McCarthy (University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 2014)

Olivia is a freelance legal content writer and editor. She has an expansive work background from her first job as a bank teller to her time as an attorney. Her passion for writing and learning eventually put her on the path to merging her law and public relations background into a successful freelance legal marketing career. Lisa was President of her chapter at UW-Eau Claire, where she earned her B.A. in mass communications and public relations. She then went on to earn a J.D. at the University of Wisconsin Law School.

THE POWER OF A MULTI-GENERATIONAL TEAM

Sometimes our differences create challenges, but those same differences create huge opportunities for creativity, innovation and growth. Explore generational characteristics and learn ways to work together to make those characteristics strengths on any team. Learning how to leverage and thrive as part of a multi-generational team is a recipe for future personal and professional success!

Lisa Merz Russell (The Ohio State University, 1998)

With over 20 years of learning and talent development experience, Lisa nurtures talent by focusing on the unique contributions leaders can make to grow their teams and the organization. Lisa translates insights into meaningful outcomes by highlighting the intersection of learning, connection, and strategic thinking.

 

After growing up in East Palestine Ohio, Lisa established her family and career in the Columbus area. She has her Bachelors and Masters degree in Human Resources from The Ohio State University. Lisa was inducted into Mortar Board in 1998, serving as the fundraising chair and celebrated the 25 anniversary of her induction in 2023. As a Mortar Board alumni, she recently served on the Mortar Board Scholarship Review Committee through which 48 scholarships were awarded to carry on the ideals of Mortar Board – scholarship, leadership, and service.

 

Lisa has demonstrated leadership abilities in progressive roles within internationally-known organizations including Macy’s, L Brands, Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, and Safelite Autoglass. She has brought her talents to Kane Learning; a boutique consulting firm with expertise in team effectiveness, people leadership, human resources, strategic planning, communications and marketing. Kane Learning has Fortune 500 companies, small business, and non-profits on their client list, all of whom benefit from custom delivered solutions.

 

Lisa is active in the community alongside her husband and 4 teenage children through mission work, coordinating volunteers for Pelotonia, and involvement with the non-profit Lead the Way Leadership Academy.

UNIFIED LEADERSHIP

Join Special Olympics Ohio Manager of Athlete Leadership, Andrea Headley, and Athlete, Maxwell Damron, for a fun and interactive session focused on facilitating those without intellectual disabilities to recognize and adapt the inclusive practices they use in their clubs, organizations, and communities. We will identify how leaders can find meaningful leadership opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to be included in their professional and social groups.

Maxwell Damron, Athlete, Special Olympics Ohio

Maxwell Damron is a Franklin County Special Olympics Athlete. For the past six years, Max has played bocce in the summer and skills basketball in the winter. Maxwell is a certified Athlete Leader, a Special Olympics Health Messenger, and a trained Unified Leadership facilitator. Max lives independently in the campus area, where he enjoys getting to watch every OSU sport available. Go Bucks!

Andrea Headley, Manager of Athlete Leadership, Special Olympics Ohio

Andrea Headley has been a Fairfield County Special Olympics Coach and Coordinator since 2012. She coaches track, swimming, softball, and equestrian. Andrea began working for Special Olympics Ohio in 2021 and is the Manager of Athlete Leadership. This program combines her love of coaching and supporting athletes as are trained in leadership skills and pursue their leadership goals.