The Power and Limits of the System_LP Graphic

LIVE WEBINAR

What can a system accomplish that its institutions can't do alone?

Public higher education systems are being asked to solve problems no single institution can tackle on its own. Enrollment pressures, workforce alignment, student mobility, and rising costs all point to the same question: What belongs at the system level, and what should stay with individual institutions?

Join leaders operating at both the system and campus level for a candid conversation about what collaboration looks like from both sides, including:

  • Where systemwide collaboration creates real advantages, and where it falls short.
  • What tends to create resistance, and how it gets resolved.
  • How institutions and systems decide what stays local versus what moves to the system.
  • What's likely to reshape the relationship between systems and campuses in the years ahead.

Who should attend: State system leaders with oversight of enrollment functions, along with institutional leaders navigating their system's coordination efforts.

Join us for a discussion about where centralization helps, where it doesn’t, and how higher education leaders are sorting that out in real time.

Speakers

The Power and Limits of the System_Headshot_Circular_Ashley Crocker

Ashley Crocker
Regional Vice President, Higher Education Systems, Liaison

Ashley Crocker is the Regional Vice President for Higher Education Systems at Liaison. She works with institutions to improve the student experience from recruitment through graduation and brings prior experience as a director of admission and student development professional. She is a first-generation college graduate.

The Power and Limits of the System_Headshot_Circular_Lisa Karch

Lisa Karch, Ph.D.
Interim President, North Dakota State College of Science

Dr. Lisa Karch is Interim President of North Dakota State College of Science, where she leads with a vision focused on advancing student success, workforce excellence, and community impact. She returned to NDSCS in July 2026 after previously serving as Vice President for Instructional Affairs, Executive Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs. During Dr. Karch’s earlier tenure at NDSCS, she helped reverse a six-year enrollment decline, expand dual credit opportunities, and launch more than 55 new academic programs and certificates. In addition, she led the institution's successful Higher Learning Commission reaffirmation resulting in a full 10-year accreditation with no follow-up actions and helped establish the Career Innovation Center in Fargo. She also spent more than a decade at Minnesota State University Moorhead as a faculty member and academic leader. Dr. Karch holds a Ph.D. in Human Development with an emphasis in Counselor Education from North Dakota State University.

The Power and Limits of the System_Headshot_Circular_Scot Lingrell

Scot Lingrell, Ph.D.
Former Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, University System of Georgia
Founder and Principal Consultant, GSD Higher Education Consulting

Dr. Scot Lingrell is founder and principal of GSD Higher Education Consulting, which advises state systems, colleges, and workforce agencies on enrollment strategy, direct admissions, and career navigation. He is Project Lead for the Georgia Connect Career Navigation Initiative for the Governor's Office of Education and Workforce Strategy, has served on the Lead Team for Georgia MATCH Direct Admissions since 2022, and sits on the Governor's Workforce and Education Strategy Team.

Dr. Lingrell was the first Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs in the University System of Georgia, serving as the system's chief enrollment and student affairs officer. In 21 years with USG he also served as Vice President for Enrollment Management at Georgia Southern and Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at the University of West Georgia. He holds a master's from Bowling Green State University and a doctorate from Ohio University.

The Power and Limits of the System_Headshot_Circular_Paul Shepherd

Paul Shepherd, Ed.D.
Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Minnesota State System of Colleges and Universities

Dr. Paul Shepherd is a higher education leader dedicated to helping institutions create the conditions for student success. As Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Minnesota State, he works across academic and student affairs to advance equitable outcomes, strengthen institutional effectiveness, and enhance the student experience. Throughout his career, Paul has served in leadership roles at both the campus and system levels, leading strategic initiatives through collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to equity and inclusion. His work focuses on building student-ready institutions that remove barriers and promote engagement, persistence, and completion.

A collaborative and relationship-centered leader, Paul is passionate about aligning people, resources, and purpose to foster innovation and continuous improvement in service of students and their success. He holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.

The Power and Limits of the System_Headshot_Circular_Susan Park

Susan Park
Associate Vice President, Higher Education Systems, Liaison

Susan Park is the Associate Vice President for Higher Education Systems at Liaison, bringing more than 15 years of higher education experience, including leadership roles in admissions and enrollment management. She is passionate about expanding access to higher education and helping systems and institutions better serve students. In her current role, she works with higher education leaders to advance systemwide and institutional strategies that strengthen the student experience and improve outcomes.