2025 Financial Aid & School Management Conference: Full Schedule

10:30am PDT

The Clery Act Chronicles

Thursday May 22, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am PDT

This on-going series continues to be a top 10 compliance issue for all institutions. What is required of the small mom and pop schools? What is required to be in your CSR? Where does Title IX belong? These questions and more will unfold over time.

Speakers

Chris DeLuca

Founder, DeLuca Law LLC

Chris DeLuca is the founder of DeLuca Law LLC, and Of Counsel with Rouse Frets Gentile Rhodes, LLC. Chris has over 25 years of experience providing legal, financial and management services to school administrators and business owners. In addition to being a licensed attorney, Chris... Read More →

Thursday May 22, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am PDT
Royal Ballroom

Management

11:30am PDT

Owner's Forum

Thursday May 22, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm PDT

Royal Ballroom

Speakers

Ricky Alfaro

General Manager, CEO, Fame

As General Manager of Fame, Mr. Alfaro is responsible for growing Fame's business through key initiatives and bringing new products to market. He has 18+ years of management and process improvement experience and 14+ years of experience working with student information systems, financial... Read More →

Thursday May 22, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm PDT
Royal Ballroom

Management

1:30pm PDT

Cybersecurity Spotlight

Thursday May 22, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm PDT

Royal Ballroom

Cybersecurity is always a topic in the spotlight. Data breaches continue to occur at major businesses and institutions across the globe. This session reminds you of the requirements and how to best protect the students and your institution.

Speakers

Brandon Sherman

Saul Ewing

Thursday May 22, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm PDT
Royal Ballroom

Management

2:30pm PDT

Who's Who of Washington, DC

Thursday May 22, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm PDT

Royal Ballroom

Who's Who of Washington, DC is an up-to-date news program giving you an inside look at the players, current activities, and possible impact on our industry.

Speakers

Tom Netting

CEO, TEN Government Strategies

Tom Netting has more than 30 years of experience working in government relations and public policy and has established himself as a leader in strategic policy development and advocacy in the fields of higher education and workforce development, elementary and secondary education... Read More →

Thursday May 22, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm PDT
Royal Ballroom

Management

4:00pm PDT

Retention = Revenue: How to Keep Students Engaged, Enrolled, and Graduating

Thursday May 22, 2025 4:00pm - 4:50pm PDT

Royal Ballroom

Retention = Revenue: How to Keep Students Engaged, Enrolled, and Graduating
Student retention is one of the biggest challenges facing trade schools today—yet it’s also one of the most critical factors impacting school revenue, accreditation, and reputation. In this powerful session, school owners and administrators will gain actionable strategies to help students stay motivated, engaged, and on track to graduate.

This session will explore:
✔ The real reasons students drop out and how to address them before it’s too late
✔ Proven strategies to improve student engagement, support, and career motivation
✔ The financial impact of retention and how completing more students leads to higher revenue
✔ A hands-on group activity where attendees will develop a Retention Rescue Plan

If you’re looking for practical, high-impact solutions to improve retention and school outcomes, this session is a must-attend!

Speakers

Beauty Cast Network

Founder, Beauty Cast Network

Penny Burns – Founder, Beauty Cast NetworkWith nearly four decades in the beauty industry, Penny Burnsis a passionate advocate for career success in the beauty andwellness space. As the founder of Beauty Cast Network, shebrings a wealth of experience—from owning and managingnine... Read More →

Thursday May 22, 2025 4:00pm - 4:50pm PDT
Royal Ballroom

Management

9:00am PDT

States - Hour Reduction & Deregulation

Friday May 23, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am PDT

Royal Ballroom

Speakers

Cecil Kidd

Friday May 23, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am PDT
Royal Ballroom

Management

10:30am PDT

Aaron Lacey

Friday May 23, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am PDT

Royal Ballroom

Speakers

Aaron Lacey

Co-Chair, Thompson Coburn LLP

The Co-Chair of Thompson Coburn’s Higher Education Practice, Aaron has over two decades of experience assisting institutions to navigate complex legal and policy matters. He and his colleagues are valued for their deep understanding of the postsecondary regulatory framework, including... Read More →

Friday May 23, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am PDT
Royal Ballroom

Management

11:30am PDT

The Audit Panel Unscripted

Friday May 23, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm PDT

Royal Ballroom

This interactive, off-the-cuff panel of experts will discuss some ongoing issues such as Title IV credit balances, 90/10 issues, and financial responsibilities.

Speakers

Sally Samuels

Director of Compliance, Fame

Sally is one of the country’s leading authorities on Federal financial aid administration with 41 years of “in the trenches” experience. As a respected Industry leader, she is frequently called upon to speak at School, Accrediting, Regional and State conferences as well as... Read More →

John Mazurek

CPA, Partner, Sikich

Eileen Keller

Partner, SST Accountants & Consultants

Eileen has 25 years of public accounting experience and is nationally known for her specialization in audit and accounting services for career schools and colleges. In addition to her role as partner, she serves as the firm’s director of career services overseeing the management... Read More →

Ben Sanders

Compliance Manager, Lightheart Sanders and Associates

Ben Sanders, Compliance Manager, has been with Lightheart Sanders and Associates (LSA) since 2009. He primarily oversees the compliance audits for Title IV schools to ensure clients stay compliant with the rules and regulations set forth by the Department of Education. Ben received... Read More →

Friday May 23, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm PDT
Royal Ballroom

Management

1:30pm PDT

You're Probably Missing Out on 115% More Clicks to Your Website. I'll Show You How to Get It!

Friday May 23, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm PDT

Royal Ballroom

Are you leaving students (and revenue) on the table? Discover the one strategy that can generate a staggering 115% more clicks to your beauty school's website: Blogging. Many beauty schools are missing out on this powerful tool, or doing it wrong, and this session will show you exactly how to harness its potential. Learn how to attract more prospective students, boost your online presence, and ultimately grow your enrollments. Don't miss this opportunity to unlock explosive growth for your school!

Speakers

Chris Linford

CEO, Oozle Media

Chris is the CEO of Oozle Media, an online marketing agency who specializes in helping schools own their markets online. Chris is also the co-founder of Beauty as a Business, who partnered with Pivot Point and Milady to provide social media curriculum to many thousands of hair and... Read More →

Friday May 23, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm PDT
Royal Ballroom

Management

3:00pm PDT

Understanding Default Prevention Essentials and Strategies That Support Institution and Student Success

Friday May 23, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm PDT

Royal Ballroom

Dive into regulatory changes, default prevention strategies and ways schools can engage in proactive loan repayment. Gain a greater understanding of how defaults impact the borrowers and institutions. Explore the changes and challenges of the pandemic programs that have ended.

Speakers

John White

Champion Col-EDGE Solutions

Friday May 23, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm PDT
Royal Ballroom

Management