The National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) provides finance and business professionals working in higher education with resources, support, and — through the organization’s annual conference — opportunities for networking, collaboration, and learning.
This year’s annual NACUBO meeting was held in Chicago from July 20-23. Attendees included higher education business officers, VPs of finance and administration, budget directors, managers, analysts, and COOs.
As a leader in the Workday ecosystem, we were proud to be there and contribute to the exchange of ideas and solutions.
Let’s dive into a brief recap of what happened each day at this year’s event.
Saturday
NACUBO has a long tradition of giving back to its host cities. This year, the 17th meeting included a community service project benefiting Thomas Kelly College Preparatory, a public high school on the southwest side of Chicago. Participants in the project met early in the morning to collaborate on painting and beautifying the school.
Later in the day, the opening event offered a perfect blend of food, drink, and live music on the scenic terrace of Lakeside McCormick Place. It was an excellent opportunity for participants to reconnect with colleagues and forge new connections. Prior to the opening, we hosted a welcome happy hour with Workday, allowing attendees to unwind and socialize before the main event began.
Sunday
The first full day of activities began with a main stage presentation by Second City Works, the corporate educational arm of the famous Second City improv group. Their presentation demonstrated how anyone can leverage the tenets of improv to stand out from the crowd and become a “star” employee.
Following the main stage presentation, attendees had a wide variety of sessions to choose from throughout the day. Topics included:
- Change management best practices within finance
- Attracting and retaining higher education talent
- Using AI to reduce procurement and finance operation costs
OneSource Virtual was active on the expo floor (as well as during subsequent days), answering questions about how we can help institutions streamline and improve their Workday processes with our payroll, tax, benefits, and accounts payable services.
Monday
Monday’s events were bookended by the conference’s other two main speakers.
In the morning, social psychologist and NYT bestselling author Amy Cuddy discussed how professionals can lead confidently and be more influential. In the afternoon, Chuck Todd, current NBC political analyst and former moderator for “Meet the Press,” analyzed the current political landscape and offered insights into Washington politics.
Topics for Monday’s sessions included:
- Using AI to enhance enrollment growth, student retention, and financial aid distribution
- How to modernize systems and assess ROI effectively
- The benefits of investing in internal talent and developing staff career pathways
Tuesday
The annual meeting’s final day was short but informational nonetheless, with sessions focusing on:
- The challenges and benefits of transitioning to cloud-based ERP systems
- Bold strategies for adapting to dynamic forces in higher education
Networking with like-minded individuals
Participants could join networking sessions during the conference for specific groups, such as young professionals, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and leaders of color. These sessions provided a platform for attendees to make meaningful connections, discuss challenges, share solutions, and support each other in their professional journeys.
Discover how OneSource Virtual can help your organization
The NACUBO annual meeting was a great success, providing valuable insights, networking opportunities, and engaging sessions. We were honored to participate and contribute to the lively exchange of ideas and solutions. We are excited about continuing our collaboration with higher education institutions and supporting their mission to achieve financial excellence and student success.
Explore our services to learn how the combination of Workday and OneSource Virtual can equip your institution for success.
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