Sessions and Events

(Please note: A separate fee is required, and advance registration is recommended for this Pre-Meeting Workshop. It is recommended that individuals attend and participate in all sessions scheduled within the workshop. Coffee breaks, and a box lunch on Thursday will be provided.)

This workshop is intended to address several of the most important and pressing areas of concern faced by art and design leaders in the early years of their administrative careers. Faculty members with an interest in administration, and those aspiring to take on administrative roles in the future, are also welcome to attend. Each segment will involve a basic briefing on a topic followed by ample opportunity for interaction and discussion. The content will focus on principles and approaches applicable to all types of institutions. Newly minted administrators will have an opportunity to share with and learn from their peers.

This workshop is designed for 1) individuals attending the 2025 NASAD Workshop for Visiting Evaluators, 2) individuals attending the 2025 NASAD Workshop for Experienced Evaluators, 3) currently trained NASAD visiting evaluators, 4) representatives from institutions scheduled for NASAD comprehensive accreditation reviews within the next three years, including individuals who will have the responsibility for leading the accreditation process and/or writing Self-Studies, and 5) individuals preparing materials for review by the Commission on Accreditation. The primary focus of the workshop will be the NASAD Handbook and will include discussion of the Constitution, Bylaws, Rules of Practice and Procedure, Code of Ethics, Standards for Accreditation, and Appendices. Attendees will devote a substantial amount of time to discussing the standards—including the role they play in NASAD evaluative review processes and their application. Attendees will have the opportunity, using case study materials, to consider various scenarios which will explore the application of standards and guidelines.

(Please note: Individuals attending the Workshop for Visiting Evaluators or Workshop for Experienced Evaluators [Thursday, October 16 from 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.], and/or the Briefing for Evaluators [Friday, October 17 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.] are asked to attend this session in preparation for these invitational training sessions.)

All pre-meeting workshop attendees, presenters, and facilitators are invited to this informal reception, which will provide an opportunity for individuals to meet, greet, advance conversations, establish mentor/mentee connections, and cultivate valuable professional relationships with other art and design administrators. Attendees are welcome and encouraged to continue the conversations begun during the day’s sessions.

(Please note: A separate fee is required, and advance registration is recommended for this Pre-Meeting Workshop. It is recommended that individuals attend and participate in all sessions scheduled within the workshop. Coffee breaks, and a box lunch on Thursday will be provided.)

The responsibilities of the art/design administrator are diverse and multifaceted. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities. Over time, the roles and responsibilities of an administrator often expand, change, and evolve. This pre-meeting workshop, especially designed for administrators with five or more years of experience, will include both short presentations and discussions related to various issues affecting the work of the experienced art/design administrator. The issue of succession planning will be addressed, along with other topics of interest that will be established by the group. Experienced administrators from all types of institutions and from all levels of administration are welcome. However, individuals new to art and design administration may wish to attend the Pre-Meeting Workshop for Individuals New to Art and Design Higher Education Administration offered on Wednesday, October 15 from 1:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m., and Thursday, October 16 from 8:00 a.m.–1:15 p.m.

This briefing will provide instructions, expectations, and helpful guidelines to Annual Meeting session facilitators, moderators, and recorders. All individuals who have agreed to serve in one of these capacities should plan to attend this briefing.

This session will address NASAD’s functional role as an independent accrediting organization, with particular focus on its structural and organizational connections to regional (now referred to as “institutional”), national, and specialized (some as “institutional” and others as “programmatic”) accrediting bodies; state and federal governing bodies; and applicant and member institutions. It will also provide an overview of the structure, resources, operations, and decision-making patterns of NASAD, with special attention to the benefits and responsibilities of accredited institutional membership.

In addition, this session will provide an overview of specific annual reporting requirements for NASAD member and applicant institutions, including the Accreditation Audit, Affirmation Statement, Supplemental Annual Report, and the HEADS Data Survey. The session will close with a brief look at the NASAD website, highlighting the location of various online resources designed to assist institutions to develop and maintain successful programs in art and design.

Attendees will be directed to NASAD’s extensive library of supplemental publications designed to assist art and design administrators, and member and applicant institutions. These publications touch upon issues including faculty work, promotion, and tenure; the duties of administrators; planning and futures analysis; assessment; and communication with others which explains the principles, aspirations, and suggested considerations for the development of effective and quality programs in art and design. Individuals attending the NASAD meeting for the first time are encouraged to attend. Time for questions will be provided.

This session will provide an in-depth review of procedures for online submission of the HEADS Data Survey for degree-granting institutions. A section-by-section overview of the Survey will explain in detail the Survey submission process, types of data collected, and suggested collection mechanisms. Additionally, this session will offer an overview of the HEADS Navigable Dashboards, providing to members the ability to sort, organize, and compare data points, and to create customized report views in table and graph/chart formats. Attendees will learn how to create longitudinal reports and consider how these reports can be used to capture, analyze, and present available data in ways which may convincingly support art/design unit initiatives. Questions will be taken throughout the presentation.

Under the law, the federal government does not control higher education. However, the federal government does play a major role in developing conditions for the work of higher education, primarily through laws and regulations defining conditions for institutional participation in grant and student loan programs, and tax policies that influence economic conditions affecting education and the arts.

Following a brief introduction to the higher education and policy landscapes, this session will address the current political climate; various pressures on institutions; and current and prospective federal policies, laws, and regulations affecting higher education and the arts. This briefing will take a non-partisan policy analysis approach, looking at the ramifications and costs of various options and probabilities. Time for questions and discussion will be provided.

The NASAD Annual Meeting provides an opportunity for art and design executives to gather in community to consider and discuss issues important to the fields of art and design; to explore options and possibilities that enable art/design executives to advance their work and that of their institutions; to share good practices and lessons learned that inform planning and projections; and to establish and nurture life-long professional relationships and personal friendships—those that are rekindled without pause or hesitation at every NASAD Annual Meeting. NASAD welcomes attendees to this extraordinary community of administrators, academicians, educators, practitioners, colleagues, and friends and encourages active participation in all aspects of the NASAD Annual Meeting.

During the 2024 Annual Meeting, attendees considered together the importance of developing and having at-the-ready effective talking points to be used to guide, if not lead, discussions intended to emphasize the inestimable value of art and design study to students, institutions, and the communities they serve. Attendees worked together to develop a list of talking points to be used in varying situations and for various audiences.

During today’s session, attendees will return to this important conversation—sharing thoughts and expanding ideas which will assist art/design administrators to develop cogent and well-conceived advocacy campaigns which outline issues, challenges, action plans, risks, solutions, and potential results. Having framed the discussion, presenters will then explore with attendees sources of data available today and how this data can be used by art/design administrators to support findings and advance points of view—to “make the case”. The afternoon will conclude with the opportunity for attendees to roll up their sleeves and work with the data found in the NASAD HEADS Navigable Dashboards, exploring both the operation of the Dashboards and the breadth and depth of data available.

Call to Order
Determination of Quorum
Welcome to Members and Guests
Introduction of Newly Accredited Institutional Members
Report of the Commission on Accreditation
Report of the Committee on Ethics
Report of the Treasurer
Announcements
Report of the Executive Director
Action on Proposed Handbook Changes
Election of Officers
Report of the President
New Business
Adjournment

Art and design units face increasingly complex and ever-evolving financial pressures both from within and beyond the institution, including: reductions in operating funds, reductions in force and retirements, declining enrollments, the need to maintain equipment and technology as current, aging facilities and associated maintenance costs, mergers with other units on campus, and the like. Adding to these challenges, administrators often begin their tenure without the formal training or mentorship necessary to maintain financial accountability of the art/design unit or understand the unit’s financial positioning within the institution. This session is intended to help demystify financial responsibilities and to provide an overview of the basic knowledge necessary to have in hand if the art/design administrator is to ensure the successful financial management of the art and design unit.

Presenters will begin with the basics, discussing the various types of budget models; providing an overview of standard terminology necessary for informed communication within institutional financial cultures; as well as describing the information that must be in hand, such as the art/design administrator’s knowledge of assigned financial responsibilities, sources and uses of the art/design unit’s funds, actual dollar amounts under the control of the art/design administrator, and the role of the faculty in the budget conversation.

Presenters will then turn to the fundamentals of budgeting. Discussion will focus on the personnel arts administrators will encounter within the institutional infrastructure and those who make decisions regarding how monies are spent; how budgets inform planning; and how/if budgets are aligned with the mission, goals, and objectives of both the art/design unit and the institution. The presenters will outline practices and approaches that tend to contribute to sound fiscal management.

Categories of revenue and expenditures within budgets will be explored, including but not limited to, the function of operational lines—such as facilities, equipment, and supplies; compensation for faculty, staff, and student assistants; scholarships—both institutional and endowed; and other lines such as marketing, recruiting, and alumni development. Once identified, presenters will use these categories to highlight best strategies for building, submitting, and advocating for proposed budgets. Presenters will also outline strategies for operating under a balanced budget, balancing monthly expenses, and the responsibility of the art/design administrator to identify new revenue streams, such as working with advancement personnel to identify new donors, applying for external grants, etc. Time for open discussion and questions will be provided.

This annual briefing is offered for individuals currently trained and serving as NASAD visiting evaluators. It will provide an opportunity for evaluators to refresh their knowledge of NASAD procedures, protocols, and standards, with particular focus on recent changes to the Procedures and the Handbook. Helpful reminders regarding the format, preparation, and required content of Visitors’ Reports will be provided. The potential impact of the activities of external constituencies, such as the federal government, states, and other review bodies, which may impact the accreditation process, will be discussed. Documentation required of institutions and evaluators will be highlighted, as well as sources and uses of helpful and informative publications aimed to assist institutions in the preparation of Self-Studies and evaluators in the preparation of Visitors’ Reports.

(Please note: This session is by invitation only. Service as an NASAD visiting evaluator is highly recommended. Representatives from accredited institutional members interested in becoming NASAD evaluators are encouraged to contact the National Office staff for consideration for training in 2026.)

(Please note: Individuals attending this training session are encouraged to participate in the Pre-Meeting Workshop: The NASAD Handbook—Working with National Standards and Guidelines on Wednesday, October 15 from 3:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.)

Whether developing and preparing comprehensive applications for accreditation and reaccreditation, Responses, Progress Reports, and/or applications for Plan Approval, Final Approval for Listing, and/or Substantive Change, clear and cogent material which articulates activities at the institution while addressing standards is necessary in order to conduct a successful conversation with the Commission on Accreditation. This session will offer an overview of the Handbook and the use of its contents in preparing Commission correspondence. Helpful ideas and suggestions will be provided for attendees who are in the process of developing materials for Commission review and for those who plan to develop materials for review in the future.

This session is designed for individuals interested in deepening their knowledge of 1) the national standards pertaining to art and design study at the collegiate level as found in the NASAD Handbook, 2) the role these standards play in the accreditation process, and 3) their importance as an indicator of the rigor expected of students enrolling in collegiate programs of art and design study at NASAD-accredited institutions.

The session will explore the various sections of the NASAD Handbook, including the Rules of Practice and Procedure, Code of Ethics, Standards for Accreditation, and Appendices. Attendees will devote a substantial amount of time to discussing the standards and guidelines, as well as the assistance and guidance they provide to representatives preparing accreditation applications. Attendees may wish to secure a hard or electronic copy of the Handbook in advance and become conversantly familiar with the Handbook prior to the session.

(Please note: Individuals attending the Workshop: Preparing for NASAD Evaluation on Saturday, October 18 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. are encouraged to attend this session.)

From time to time and for a variety of reasons, art/design units may decide to undertake the complex task of designing new undergraduate degree programs. There are many issues that must be considered, such as the existing mission of the institution and art/design unit, how the degree will dovetail with and support these missions, the students to be served, the coursework necessary to develop desired competencies, the availability of applicable faculty expertise, and the conditions and realities of the market. As well, resources must be considered and consensus must be built. Only with these understandings can the architecture of a degree program begin to take shape.

This session will focus on the structure of undergraduate degree programs. Differences between liberal arts and professional baccalaureate degrees will be addressed, as will structural differences between majors, minors, and areas of emphasis. Issues that arise regarding title and content consistency will be discussed. The effective use of the standards to promote and embrace creative and innovative curricular programming will be explored. In addition, application procedures and submission guidelines will be discussed with an intent to assist art/design administrators to streamline review timelines.

(Please note: Individuals attending this session may wish to attend the Pre-Meeting Workshop: The NASAD Handbook—Working with National Standards and Guidelines on Wednesday, October 15 from 3:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.)

This session will provide information and guidance concerning the self-study and visitation processes for members whose institutions are to be visited in the next two to three years, institutions planning to begin the NASAD evaluation process, and those formally engaged in the process. A step-by-step walk-through of the accreditation process will be provided, including confirmation of timelines and deadlines and information regarding accreditation procedures, Self-Study formats, on-site reviews, the Visitors’ Report, the Optional Response, and Commission action. Questions will be addressed during this nuts-and-bolts session. All interested individuals are welcome.

(Please note: Individuals attending this training session may wish to attend the Pre-Meeting Workshop: The NASAD Handbook—Working with National Standards and Guidelines on Wednesday, October 15 from 3:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m. or the session, The NASAD Handbook—Understanding the Role and Value of National Standards and Guidelines on Friday, October 17 from 4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.)

These pre-scheduled individual appointments are intended to provide to Annual Meeting attendees who indicated interest in advance an opportunity to meet with experienced administrators to discuss topics related to the work of art/design executives.

These pre-scheduled individual appointments are intended to provide to Annual Meeting attendees who indicated interest in advance an opportunity to meet with staff to discuss topics of an accreditation nature.

Health and safety practices as they pertain to the use, storage, and disposal of materials used in art/design-making have been and continue to be issues of importance requiring ongoing attention in art/design units. During today’s session, the presenter will discuss many of the substances used in the making of art and design, offering for consideration suggestions for safe practices as they pertain to the use, storage, and disposal of these materials. In addition, attendees will give thought to developing environmental protocols and associated practices that address applicable state and federal requirements and encompass the safe handling of these materials. Time for questions and discussion will be provided.

This session will offer to attendees an opportunity to explore and discuss with other experienced administrators, topics of note, interest, and concern. Offered as an open forum, all meeting registrants are welcome to attend and participate. Open dialogue and exchange are encouraged.

This session will offer to attendees an opportunity to explore and discuss with other new administrators, topics of note, interest, and concern. Offered as an open forum, all meeting registrants are welcome to attend and participate. Open dialogue and exchange are encouraged.

This session is designed to provide a forum where ideas and concerns relevant to faith-related institutions may be explored and discussed. Attendance is open to all interested individuals. Participants may wish to give consideration to topics of interest in advance.

This session is designed to provide a forum where ideas and concerns relevant to historically Black institutions may be explored and discussed. Attendance is open to all interested individuals. Participants may wish to give consideration to topics of interest in advance.

This session will provide an opportunity to brainstorm and discuss ideas and best practices of particular relevance to community and two-year colleges, such as articulation agreements, curricular alignment, and credit-hour transfer between 2- and 4-year institutions. Participants will be encouraged to share information and issues of concern faced in their daily work, as well as initiatives and successes. Participants may wish to give consideration to topics of interest in advance. Attendance is open to all interested individuals.

Art and design executives from free-standing postsecondary institutions will have the opportunity to discuss topics of specific relevance or concern and consider challenges and opportunities faced today by independent institutions. Topics such as fiscal planning, allocation of resources, curricular planning and programming, connecting with the community, mergers and acquisitions, and higher education law and regulation will be addressed, as will those topics of interest to participants. Participants may wish to give consideration to topics of interest in advance.

Administrators from small art/design units, typically with fewer than 100 majors, will have the opportunity to discuss topics of specific relevance or concern with colleagues facing similar challenges and opportunities. Attendance is open to all interested individuals. Participants may wish to give consideration to topics of interest in advance.