The Committee on Transfer and Articulation (COTA) Conference is a one day in-person learning opportunity to address the changing issues presented in higher education with respect to student transfer, credit vs. non-credit, articulation agreements, and fostering institutional policy to vigorously support transfer student degree attainment. The aim of the conference is to aid participants and their institutions to navigate new territory, to identify institutional infrastructure impediments, and to offer insight into inclusionary practices for transfer students, with a particular focus on adult learners. The conference is designed with a goal of guiding institutions to think broadly and generously so that students do not have credits that are stranded. As a participant, you will gain practical and research-based strategies, build connections, and we encourage individuals from all functional areas at community colleges, universities, and other organizations to attend.

Our in-person format will offer opportunities for learning across the state, to engage scholars at the forefront of their fields, and to boldly consider new ways to remove barriers that learners face in higher education. Our conference will offer synchronous participation in workshops, featured speaker sessions, and trend topics.

The theme for the 2025 COTA Conference is Rethinking Policies, Practice, and Partnerships. The sessions proposed should align with the central theme.

Featured Speaker Sessions: 45 Minute Speech followed by 15 Minute Q&A

Workshop Sessions: 90 Minutes

Trend Talks: 20 Minute Speech followed by 10 Minute Q&A

Accreditation

Adult Learners

Advising Transfer Students

Assessing Prior International Education

Change Management

Communications and Marketing Plans

Credential Fraud

Credit for Prior Learning

Data Systems Management

Dual Credit / Enrollment

Emerging Technologies

Holistic and Systemic Training

Institutional Research Strategies

Inter-Collegiate Relationships

Interpretation of Institutional and External Data

Diversity and Inclusion

Enrollment Technology

Interstate Passport

Leadership and Management Strategies

Military Credit

Recordkeeping and Data Stewardship

Reporting Progress Towards Enrollment Goals

Social Media Utilization

Stackable Credentials

Strategic Staffing Organization

Student Displacement

Student Journey Mapping

Test Optional Movement

Transfer Credit Evaluation

Transfer Guides

Transfer Pathways

Transfer Patterns and Institutional Supports

Transfer Recruitment and Admissions

Upgrading Credit Mobility Infrastructure

7:30 a.m. — Registration; continental breakfast provided

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. — Networking with COTA

9:15 – 9:30 a.m. — Opening Convocation

9:30 – 10:30 a.m. — Keynote Address

10:30 – 10:45 a.m. — Break

10:45 – 11:45 a.m. — Featured Session ( 3 Concurrent Options)

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. — Lunch (provided)

1:00 – 2:00 p.m. — Featured Session (3 Concurrent Options)

2:00 – 2:15 p.m. — Break 

2:15 – 3:15 p.m. — Final Group Session

3:15 – 3:30 p.m. — Closing Session

1. Focus the speaker biographical information to include experience relative to the topic of the presentation. Reviewers are interested in Presenter qualifications relevant to the specific topic, not a general CV.
2. Identify ONE topic area for the program committee to be able to balance the conference.
3. Draft an abstract that is clear and concise. Add a description of the presentation. Know the abstract will be made available to conference attendees to help them select their schedule for the event.
4. Submit a program description that is clear, well organized, and grammatically correct. It is helpful to include a statement on how the topic is important to transfer student resources or practices in higher education.

COTA is attuned to nominations for a session that showcases transfer success, whether it be programming in a Transfer Center, a new initiative at an institution, a significant change in practice that showcases process improvement that removes barriers for transfer students, or additional transfer-focused successes.

MDHEWD Accepts proposals with the following set of expectations:

• All presenters shall demonstrate expertise on proposed content.
• Topics are forward thinking, bold, and challenging.
• Presentations shall be given in a visually engaging format.
• Presenters are required to provide handout materials on session content for accessibility and post-conference display.
• All materials and presentations must be available in ADA accessible formats.
• Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat all provide an Accessibility Checker feature, which verifies your content against a set of rules that identify possible barriers for people with disabilities.
• All handouts and slides must PASS the Accessibility Checker.

COTA will evaluate proposals on the following criteria:

• Alignment with Conference Themes and Constructs
• Clarity and Relevance of Topic
• Content Appropriate for Length of Session
• Innovative Approaches Offered
• Accuracy and Completeness of all Required Information
• Accessibility for Conference Participants
• Viable takeaways for session participants: Goal Setting Opportunities or Directives

MDHEWD reserves the right to amend these policies as necessary, without notice. Submission of a proposal is a binding statement of your agreement with the following policies:

1. Originality: The presenter represents to MDHEWD that the work presented is original except for material in the public domain and those excerpts from other works, as may be included with the written permission of copyright holders. Additionally, the presenter represents the work to be presented is not libelous, obscene, nor infringes on any trademark or copyright.
2. Changes: If there are substantial changes to the accepted presentation content or presenter between confirmation and the conference, the main presenter will notify the conference organizer immediately. Continuation of the session is at the discretion of the conference organizer.
3. Presenter will complete complimentary registration by December 20, 2024. All Presenters are required to register.
4. Handouts and Slides: The Presenter will provide MDHEWD with handouts, slide decks, action plan, checklists, etc., by January 10, 2025, to be posted online for attendee reference.
5. Availability: Submission of a proposal is an agreement to present on the conference date (March 7, 2025) if proposal is accepted.
6. MDHEWD reserves the right to re-package recorded programming for use in formats other than the originally produced format.
7. Professional Conduct: MDHEWD is engaging the Presenter as a professional. Presenter agrees to conduct himself or herself in recognition of the fact that the success of the conference depends, to a great deal, on public respect. Presenter agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold MDHEWD harmless from any claims, causes of action, expenses, damages, or costs, including reasonable attorney’s fees, arising from, or related to the acts and omissions of the Presenter.
8. Alcohol/Illegal Substances: Presenter agrees not to use or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances while at the conference for presentation.
9. Independent Contractor: Presenter is not an employee of MDHEWD. Presenter shall be responsible for all wages, payroll tax withholdings, workers’ compensation coverage, and unemployment compensation for any members of the Presenter’s team.
10. Force Majeure: This agreement is subject to immediate termination upon written notice to the other party in the event of illness, accidents, weather, riots, epidemics, acts of God, or any other legitimate conditions beyond MDHEWD’s control. In the event that this agreement is terminated pursuant to this paragraph, MDHEWD shall not be obligated to compensate or make any payments to the presenter.
11. Complete Agreement/Modifications: This is a fully integrated Agreement. It is understood that this constitutes the full agreement between MDHEWD and the Presenter and this document supersedes any other terms, agreements, obligations, covenants, proposals, statements or conditions, oral statements, not expressly set forth herein. It is understood and agreed that this Agreement may not be changed, modified, or altered except by mutual agreement of both parties.
12. Assignment: This Agreement may not be assigned without the written consent of the other party.
13. Governing Law: This Agreement shall be governed by and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the State of Missouri. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held illegal, unenforceable, or in conflict with any law governing this Agreement, the validity of the remaining portion shall not be affected.
14. Authority: Each party certifies that it has all necessary authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations thereunder. Upon execution, this Agreement will be a valid and binding obligation of each party and enforceable in accordance with its terms.
15. Emailed: Any signed document transmitted by scanning and sent via email shall be considered an original document and shall have the binding and legal effect of an original document. The signature of any party upon a scanned and emailed document shall be considered an original signature.

The Virtual Conference will record all sessions for on demand access after the conference for a time not to exceed 24 months.