Join us for the keynote address at Higher Education Shared Services and Outsourcing Week as we explore the UCPath journey from inception to value-added partner. UCPath, is the University of California’s HR Systems, Payroll, and Benefits Administration shared services center for its more than 240,000 employees, and it is the largest similarly situated shared service center in U.S. Higher Education. Calvin Turner will share how the University of California navigated the challenges of initial stakeholder buy-in and implementation hurdles, and how it is evolving into a value-driven model across UCs 20 campus locations, medical centers, school of law, national laboratories, and staff offices. Learn from the pivotal moments of UCPath’s transformation journey as we cover must-know topics including: 

• The 3 Ps of Shared Services Success
• The absolute imperative to listen to stakeholders.
• Establishing service performance objectives that align to stakeholders’ priorities and “pain points.”
• Measuring performance to demonstrate stakeholder value.
• Combat the most frequent challenges across every stage of implementation and growth. 

Calvin Turner Jr.

Executive Director, UCPath
University of California

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“Doing More with Less” is the motto of shared services across all industries all sectors. Nowhere truer, perhaps, than in Higher Education where budgets are tight and the red tape is endless. In this panel discussion, experts will delve into the strategic practice of capacity modeling, focusing on the delicate balance of achieving greater productivity with these limited resources. Speakers will talk on many subjects including: 

• How to identify bottlenecks and optimize workflows. 
• Employee Burnout and how to avoid it. 
• Techniques to keep your organization flexible and agile regardless of resources. 

Brandon Gaines

Shared Services Director
Princeton University

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Shelley Clayton

Associate Vice President, Shared Advancement Services
The University of North Carolina System

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Linda Specker

Director of Shared Services
Washington University in St. Louis

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NousCubane will host a panel discussion bringing an international perspective and insights from university shared services leaders across Canada and Australia.

This session will explore how UniForum benchmarking and workforce analytics data has been used to highlight the business case for shared services, how they impact service delivery across the entire institution, and opportunities for improvement. The panel discussion will include:

• Establishing the Business Case for Shared Services
• How to articulate the value proposition of shared services to gain support from academic/institutional leaders?
• What role do data insights play in a strong business case? 
• Implementing a Shared Services Centre
• How to assess the right sequence of services to transition to a Shared Services Centre?
• When should you focus on redesigning efficient processes before a transition, as opposed to leveraging a ‘move then improve’ approach?
• Accountability, Scalability, and Benefits Realization
• How can you extend scope to bring in new services? How do factors such as simplification, economies of scale, and standardized processes support scalability?
• Embedding a culture of continuous improvement.

Sponsored by: NousCubane

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Haseeb Kamal

Managing Director, North America
NousCubane

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Chantel Laventure

Director Shared Services & Relationship Management
University of Saskatchewan

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Nicole Gower

Vice President, Professional Services
Macquarie University

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Todd Gilchrist

Vice President, University Services
University of Alberta

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Ria Ames

Associate Vice President, Shared Services
University of Alberta

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Embark on a journey of discernment as we navigate the distinctions between ERPs and best-in-class solutions, unraveling their impact on service center efficacy. We will explore: 

• The functionalities, scalability, and customization capabilities of each solution. 
• If you should consider an ERPs comprehensive integration versus the Best-in-Class’s tailored performance. 
• How to navigate the technology landscape effectively to ensure maximum value creation. 

Michelle Fullem

Executive Director, Enterprise Applications
University of Pittsburgh

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Navigating the dynamic realm of shared services presents many obstacles, particularly for institutions in the process of establishing their footing. This session will showcase how a C-Suite leader orchestrates customer expectations, determines the optimal services for centralization, and addresses pivotal factors that bolster the endurance and viability of shared services initiatives. Attendees will gain insights into how they: 

• Develop Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to uphold delivery standards and meet customer expectations. 
• Implement robust reporting and monitoring mechanisms to ensure accountability and performance transparency. 
• Facilitate challenging budget allocation discussions to optimize value across all institutional functions. 

Kellie Campbell

Chief Information Officer
Vermont State Colleges System

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Success in shared services takes many forms. Different stakeholders look for different measures of success, and knowing what to measure to define that success is critical. This panel of experts from high-maturity service centers dissect their personal blueprint for excellence in Shared Services. In this session, we discuss real-world successes and challenges to help understand: 

• The KPIs that are imperative to measure success in a service center. 
• The communication between shared services and leadership to promote the offerings of your SSC. 
• The soft skills required for new hires to succeed in the shared services environment. 

Patrick McClain

Executive Director HR Shared Services
University of California – San Francisco

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Pam Gabel

Executive Director, Shared Services Center
University of Michigan

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Elizabeth Cumpston

Director Financial Operations
The Ohio State University

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In the realm of higher education, navigating change is inevitable. In this session, we will delve into the pivotal strategies for seamless transitions. Focused on change management, communication, and stakeholder engagement, it unveils essential components vital for success. This session will focus on the most pivotal challenges of stakeholder engagement including: 

•  Proactive communication channels for increased visibility across the institution. 
• Techniques to bring your stakeholders into the conversation dynamically rather than passively. 
• Adaptable change management frameworks to implement sustainable changes to service delivery at the institutional level. 

Chantel Laventure

Director Shared Services & Relationship Management
University of Saskatchewan

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In this case study, we will explore the dynamic leadership at Duquesne University, which led the 100% "Lift and Shift" transformation of the Shared Services Center (SSC). Witness how their vision, meticulous planning, and stakeholder engagement navigated challenges to consolidate disparate functions into a unified model.  

• Learn the A to Z of Duquesne’s remarkable transformation.  
• Find out how to turn the resistance to change into an appetite for improvement. 
• Unpack the strategic leadership principles and effective communication that must be at the forefront of your planning. 

Sherry Guernsey

Executive Director of Shared Services Center
Cornell University

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