Affordable Degrees-at-Scale Symposium
The Affordable Degrees-at-Scale (ADSS) Symposium is the preeminent event for higher education leaders to engage in intensive conversations on the strategies, trends, and challenges associated with scaled degree programs. First held in 2017, the Symposium has since grown into a dynamic convergence around Higher Education’s most pressing topics where leaders collaborate and innovate.
One of the core benefits of this symposium is its ability to facilitate candid, meaningful conversations among participants. Attendees (both virtual and in-person) will explore best practices that enable institutions to create, grow, and sustain at-scale, affordable degree programs. For that reason, our theme this year is an exciting one - A Decade of Scaled Degrees. In honor of the 10-year anniversary of OMSCS – the degree that broke the mold – we'll be developing a compelling agenda that explores what we have learned, where we are now, and the future of where we are going.
Registration Now Open
Early Registration for In-Person Attendance - $400 - Thru August 30, 2024
2024 Program Details
Symposium Schedule
Monday, October 14
On-site Check-in | 2:00- 3:00 p.m.
Symposium Sessions* | 3:15-5:45 p.m.
Reception | 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 15
Breakfast | 8:00 – 8:45 a.m.
Welcome and Keynote| 8:45 – 10:15 a.m.
Symposium Sessions* | 10:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Lunch | 12:30-1:15 p.m.
Symposium Sessions | 1:15-5:45 p.m.
Dinner | 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 16
Welcome and Breakfast | 8:00-8:45 a.m.
Symposium Sessions | 8:45 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
Closing and Lunch | 12:30 p.m.
*Sessions offered for virtual attendees
All in-person events will be held in the Global Learning Center, located in Tech Square.
Keynote Speaker
Raj Echambadi became the 10th president of Illinois Institute of Technology in August 2021. Echambadi’s vision for Illinois Tech is centered on a new path to preeminence driven by four principles: first, honoring and strengthening the university’s role as an engine of opportunity and a national leader in economic mobility; second, pursuing growth through reimagining education to serve learners at all stages of life; third, fueling future innovation by empowering students; and fourth, exemplifying purpose-driven citizenship in service of the Bronzeville neighborhood, Chicago, and the world. Previously, Echambadi served as the dean of D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University.
Before joining Northeastern, Echambadi served in various roles, including as senior associate dean of strategic innovation, at Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he was a driving force behind a scaled online M.B.A. (iMBA) program that was lauded as one of the best educational innovations in the past decade. Echambadi received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Anna University in India and a doctorate in marketing from the University of Houston. His academic research focuses on strategic innovation within organizations and how firms should balance current and future opportunities. He has won numerous teaching and research accolades including the prestigious Academy of Management Journal Best Paper Award for his work on employee entrepreneurship.
State of Scale Survey
We are collecting input from the community on the current state of scale. In this short survey, you can provide your feedback on the growth and challenges scaled programs have seen over the last 10 years.
2024 Advisory Board
Nerissa Brown, Associate Dean, Gies School of Business, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Eric Busch, Director for Online Programs, University of Texas at Austin
Maaike van Buul, Delft University of Technology, Extension School for Continuing Education, Portfolio and Product Manager
Jarrett Carter, Associate Vice President for Integrative Learning Design, University of Maryland Global Campus
Yakut Gazi, Vice Provost for Learning Innovation and Digital Education, Duke University, Professor of the Practice, Social Sciences Research Institute
Randall Fullington, Assistant Vice Provost and Executive Director of Academic & Learning Innovation, Office of Academic and Learning Innovation, University of Colorado Boulder
Tawnya Means, Assistant Dean for Education Innovation and Chief Learning Officer, Gies College of Business, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Quentin McAndrew, Academic Strategist, Coursera and former Assistant Vice Provost & Executive Director, Strategic Transformation, University Financial Futures, University of Colorado Boulder
Symposium Location
The in-person portions of the symposium will be held at the Georgia Tech Global Learning Center in Midtown Atlanta in the heart of Tech Square - Atlanta's thriving innovation community. Easily accessible from Interstates 75/85 and just 15 miles from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Attached to the Center is The Tech Square parking deck that offers convenient hourly and daily rates.
