ER Summit Updates

Energize: to raise to a higher energy level
Expand: to grow vigorously

This new virtual world has opened new opportunities for us to expand connections in ways that previously seemed impossible. As employer relations professionals, connection is at the core of what we do; we connect with employers to eventually connect those employers with students, and we are all ready to take our teams and efforts to the next level! The two-day Employer Relations Summit will highlight best practices, utilizing technology and data analytics, and leveraging partnerships that will Energize & Expand Connections for you and your team.

Join us virtually on June 23-24 for the 7th annual SoACE Employer Relations Summit. Read below for more information on registration and call for proposals.

Registration Information

Registration Rates
SoACE Members: $50
Non-Members: $75
Registration fees include two-days of programming (keynote speaker, breakout session, employer panel & spotlights) and optional networking event(s). Additional features possible and dependent on virtual platform. Register Today!

Call for Proposals
Deadline: March 31
The Program Committee is looking for current critical topics relevant to Employer Relations. Our mission is to craft a two-day program that addresses topics pertinent to the needs of career services professionals and employer campus recruiters specializing in employer relations and university recruiting, respectively.
For more details, please review the official Call for Programs page.

We look forward to seeing you this summer at the 2021 Employer Relations Summit!

Questions? Please contact the ER Summit Chair, Beth Mannella at bmannella@elon.edu.

Post by Sheri Blight, Kennesaw State University, SoACE ER Summit Planning Committee

Join Us Virtually June 24-25, 2020

We hope you will join us virtually on June 24-25 for the sixth annual SoACE Employer Relations Summit. Please see below for tips for success at a virtual conference and information on Roundtables and Breakout Sessions.

Registration is still open until Friday, June 19, 2020!

Registration Rates:

SoACE Members: $25

Non-Members: $50

Registration fees include: keynote speaker, breakout sessions (Weds & Thurs), networking coffee chat, roundtable discussions (Wednesday), and an employer spotlight panel and industry spotlights (Thursday).

Register Today!

Top 5 Tips for a Great Virtual Conference

1. Get technology working on your side.

With a virtual conference, getting your technology set up correctly is the first step to have a great experience. We will be using the Crowdcast platform for the virtual ER Summit. Crowdcast works best with Chrome and Firefox internet browsers. Avoid Internet Explorer and Safari if possible. Set yourself up in a space with good quality, high-speed internet for best results. There may be times during the conference when you choose to engage via microphone or video, so adjust your microphone and camera settings using the platform settings, and please be conscious of your background.

2. Pre-register for smooth navigation.

You should have received an email from the SoACE ER Summit Committee with the subject line “ER Summit | Build your personalized Summit experience!” Click the link in this email to build your personal itinerary for the two-day event. In response, you will receive a customized list of links to each of the sessions you selected. This will allow for easy-to-follow, smooth navigation at all times throughout the conference.

3. Engage fully with other participants.

As with any other conference, one of the greatest benefits of the virtual Employer Relations Summit is the opportunity to connect with colleagues in Employer Relations and Campus Recruiting. Network with other participants through engaging in the chat function, turning on your video during roundtable discussions and the virtual coffee chat, attending the Industry Spotlight sessions, and connecting via LinkedIn or Twitter. As a reminder, our colleagues outside of the SoACE region have been invited to join us!

4. Participate in social media contests and dialogue.

We have lots of fun activities and contests planned via Instagram and Twitter during the summit. Be sure to follow along using the hashtags #ERSummit20 and #SoACEERKG to join in on the conversation and competition. This is another great way to make lasting connections with fellow ER and Campus Recruiting professionals.

5. Take ample screen breaks to walk and stretch.

It can be easy to lose track of time when engaging in so many informative, inspiring sessions and programs! Be sure to take advantage of the built-in breaks to get up and away from your screen to rest your eyes, stretch, take a walk, or grab a snack.

Continue reading “SoACE Employer Relations Summit – Info & Tips for a Great Virtual Conference”

Join Us Virtually June 24-25

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the SoACE Board of Directors has changed the format for the 2020 Employer Relations Summit from in-person to virtual. We feel this adjustment is in the best interest of our members to ensure everyone remains safe during this time of uncertainty while still allowing for the exchange of ideas and best practices.

The planning committee has put together an excellent event, and we are excited that hosting the event virtually will allow even more members to participate!

We hope you will join us virtually on June 24-25 for the sixth annual SoACE Employer Relations Summit. Please see below for information on our keynote speaker and employer panelists. More details on roundtable and breakout session topics coming soon!

Registration is still open!
Registration Rates:
SoACE Members: $25
Non-Members: $50
Registration fees include: keynote speaker, breakout sessions (Weds & Thurs), networking coffee chat, roundtable discussions (Wednesday), and an employer spotlight panel.
Register Today!

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Karen Lindsey
Rebranding, Rebuilding, and Reimagining Amid a Pandemic

Dr. Karen Lindsey will share strategies that employers and employer relations professionals might consider as every industry, institution and individual will need to be rebranded and reimagined post the COVID-19 pandemic. Join us for this motivational, practical, timely and informative keynote on Wednesday, June 24 at 10:15am EST.

Karen Lindsey, Ph.D. currently serves as a professor of Strategic Communication at Texas Christian University and a communication consultant to higher education leaders across the country. Dr. Lindsey’s extensive experience encompasses corporate public relations and higher education career center leadership.

Employer Panelists

To kick off day two of the virtual ER Summit, we are excited to host an employer panel with representatives from BNSF Railway, The Walt Disney Company, Fidelity Investments, and State Farm. The employer panel will be held on Thursday, June 25 from 10-11:15am EST and moderated by Matthew Battista, Manager of Employer Development at the University of Tampa.

KIM CUMMINGS, Assistant Vice President, Human Resources and Diversity | BNSF Railway

Kim Cummings, SCP, SPHR is assistant vice president, Human Resources and Diversity at BNSF Railway. In this role, Kim has responsibility for BNSF Railway’s diversity and inclusion efforts, EEO and HR Compliance. She also provides leadership to the HR matrix teams supporting Law, State/Federal Govt Affairs, Corporate Communications, Claims, Compliance and Audit Services, and Technology Services.

Kim has spent over 20 years in leadership roles encouraging and promoting employee engagement in companies that include Belo Broadcasting, Burger King Corporation, Dell and Target Corporation. Kim is a thought leader in the space of Diversity & Inclusion receiving numerous community service and business awards that include “HR Professional of the Year” designation by Ogletree Deakins Law Firm and the Dallas Chamber of Commerce, DiversityFIRST™ Award from the National Diversity Council, Texas Most Powerful Business Women by Texas Diversity Magazine.

Kim received her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Texas State University graduating from the University’s Emerging Leader program and was inducted into Who’s Who in College & Universities students. Kim received her master’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin. She holds a Senior Professional designation in Human Resources and certified employee relations credentials. Kim is a professional member of the Fort Worth Human Resources Group and National Society of Human Resource Management.

WAYNE HAMPTON, Campus Recruitment | Walt Disney Company

Wayne Hampton graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Mass Communications and worked for a media company in Burbank, California for three years upon graduation. After that, Wayne began his career with the Walt Disney Company 29 years ago by working in Operations (all four Florida theme parks and four of the Florida resorts) and then in recruiting (both domestically and internationally). Currently, Wayne is part of Campus Recruitment, and his direct reports recruit students for internships within Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products.

MARK PULLAM, University Talent | Fidelity Investments

Mark A. Pullam works in the University Talent group at Fidelity Investments. His primary responsibility is building relationships with Colleges and Universities in the SW Region of the US. These states and sites include the following: Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Florida, and Utah.

With more than 24 years of professional experience, Mark’s strengths are communication and relationship building. Prior to working for Fidelity Investments, Mark was an Associate Director for Employer Relations at the University of North Texas Career Center, under the leadership of Dr. Bonita Vinson. Mark also serves as an Adjunct Instructor in the G. Brint Ryan College of Business at the University of North Texas. He instructs the course: BUSI 2200 Critical Thinking and Decision Making.

Additionally, Mark has served in the role(s): Campus Executive Officer for National American University, Campus Director ITT Technical Institute (Nashville, TN) and Regional Manager for Kaplan University. Mark has a passion for higher education and helping students reach their potential both academically and in earning professional positions.
Mark is originally from Fort Worth, Texas. He is proud graduate of O.D.Wyatt HS (1990), Lindenwood University (BA,1994), University of Phoenix (MBA, 2006), Walden University (Ed.S, 2013), and currently a doctoral student pursuing an Ed.D in Learning and Organizational Change at Baylor University.

ERIC SCHULTING, Director of Talent Acquisition | State Farm

Eric Schulting is a Human Resources leader with 25 years’ experience in several different HR disciplines including Talent Acquisition, Employee Relations, HR Consulting, Talent Management, Performance Management, and Total Rewards. His experience also includes working for two different Fortune 100 companies in two different industries; insurance and retail. Currently, Eric is the Director of Talent Acquisition for State Farm Insurance Companies, located in Richardson (Dallas), Texas.

We look forward to seeing you online next month at the 2020 Employer Relations Summit!

Questions? Reach out to the Summit Committee Co-Chairs Kim Satz or Beth Mannella.
Post by Brittany Mulcahey, University of Georgia, SoACE Employer Relations Summit Planning Committee