2021 Annual Report - HighEdWeb Association

Note: The next Annual Report is planned for early 2024. It will be a two-year report covering 2022 and 2023.

The mission of HighEdWeb is to educate digital professionals who work at higher education institutions.

Our approach

We accomplish our mission by providing educational resources and opportunities that develop knowledge, skills and abilities, all with a focus on the digital issues facing colleges and universities.

Professional development

We provide opportunities for higher education digital professionals to learn and grow through conferences, workshops and on-demand access to recorded sessions.

Community

We offer opportunities to connect with HighEdWebbers on an ongoing basis, through our Slack workspace, community group discussions and other networking events.

Advancing higher education

HighEdWeb offers its members resources and opportunities that benefit their institutions.

Our values

Our core values provide the foundation for how HighEdWeb operates.

Trustworthy

We are ethical in our decision-making. We strive for transparency in our actions.

Open

We embrace open access to knowledge and resources. We value and respect the contributions and feedback of our members. We seek diversity and promote inclusion.

Collaborative

We encourage collaboration over competitiveness. We foster a culture of service within the organization.

Membership

HighEdWeb membership connects a community of professionals to share knowledge, resources, and experiences. We welcome everyone involved in the digital efforts at a college or university. Membership options include individual and institutional pricing. There is also a free option for faculty and staff.

1,543

Total members

29

Institutional members

467

Colleges and universities represented by members

College and university members

HighEdWeb has institutional members from the United States and Canada. Faculty, staff and students of these institutions receive paid member benefits at no additional cost.

Map of 29 HighEdWeb 2021 institutional members

Arizona State University
Belmont University
Bemidji State University
Cedarville University
Daemen College
Eastern Kentucky University
Grambling State University
Grand Valley State University
Grinnell College
Harvard University
King’s University College at Western University Canada
Lasell University
Lorain County Community College
Louisiana Tech University
McHenry County College
National Park College
Penn State University
Peru State College
Providence College
Roosevelt University
Saint John Fisher College
Soka University of America
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
University of Hartford
University of Kentucky
University of Rhode Island
Upstate Medical University
Virginia Military Institute

(Membership list from December 30, 2021. Access the current list of institutional members.)

From our members

The value of individual membership:

HighEdWeb is worth it.

The conference and summits are a rare chance to network and brush up on skills specific to your challenges in higher ed while also gaining inspiration to try new things instead of doing it the way you’ve always done it.

Mackenzie Huber

Associate director of digital communications for Lawrence University

It’s been a great way to connect with others in the postsecondary world.

It’s been a great way to learn about new trends and gather new ideas — all in an affordable way that upper management can get behind!

Elizabeth Glaseman

Marketing manager for Assiniboine College

It is really nice to be able to connect with others around the country that are facing the same challenges and learn from them.

I have been to marketing conferences, web development conferences and higher ed conferences but having a number of resources that are all dedicated to higher ed marketing and web development is much more helpful.

Scott Kadera

Director of web development for Fort Lewis College

The value of institutional membership:

Across the university, there are over a thousand digital communicators who can now take advantage of all member benefits.

But especially the Professional Development Library — access to previous conference presentations and materials.

Aaron Baker

Associate director of content strategy for Harvard University

Events

HighEdWeb continues to offer quality events annually that provide professional development and networking opportunities. The events include an annual conference, one-day summits and community group discussions.

5

events hosted

1,227

attendees

From the evaluations

Indulging my inner nerd!

One session down, and I’m already feeling the information overload. Yay for data!

2021 Analytics Summit attendee

The summit was very good overall.

I got a lot of great information and resources that I will be using.

2021 Accessibility Summit attendee

I liked everything about this conference.

I guess if I have to choose my favorite thing — is that every single presentation was relevant to something I’m working on…or have dealt with in the past.

2021 Annual Conference attendee

Professional Development Library

Paid members of HighEdWeb have on-demand access to professional development resources. This includes all recordings of conference sessions.

73

Sessions added in 2021

Volunteering

HighEdWeb operates on volunteer power. We value and appreciate our volunteers, who share their expertise and knowledge as presenters, committee members, session moderators and more.

208

total volunteers

2,926

hours volunteered

From our volunteers

I am very proud of the programming variety and quality that we were able to host in 2021.

I am a second-time volunteer as programming chair for the HighEdWeb Accessibility Summit. My involvement has benefited me professionally primarily by expanding my network, but this experience has also been my most comprehensive exposure to how a summit of this scale is hosted. Working with HighEdWeb has prepared me to better host digital events at my own organization, and I look forward to utilizing those skills!

Lindsey Sneed

Accessibility specialist for The University of Mississippi

HighEd Web is a wonderful organization run by amazing people!

My role as design coordinator has allowed me to meet incredible people from all over the country and see their amazing talents in action. I was very nervous to take on new tasks that are outside of my comfort zone, but when I did, everyone was very generous and took their time to explain how things work.

Veronica Adinegara

Assistant director of creative services – design for Missouri State University

I’ve always been impressed with the dedication and contributions of the volunteer community.

I joined the HighEdWeb Membership Committee as the job board manager. It has been a rewarding experience donating my time and efforts in helping HighEdWeb succeed in its core mission that has also allowed me to further develop new professional and personal connections.

Mark Nakamura

Web manager for Stanford University

Sven Aas, Mount Holyoke College
Veronica Adinegara, Missouri State University
Josie Ahlquist, Dr. Josie Ahlquist
Elana Altman, Barnard College
Mark H. Anbinder, Cornell University
Holly Anderson, University of Oklahoma
Steve App, Campus Sonar
Khaled Arnaout, Harvard University
Adam Arrowood, Georgia Tech
Aaron Baker, Harvard University
Beatriz Barreto Saalfeld, The University of Edinburgh
Waylon Baumgardner, California Baptist University
Jody Benedict, Cornell University
Jennifer Benike, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Blake Bertuccelli, Edupack
Jess Berube, Capacity Interactive
Joseff Betancourt, Modern Language Association
Lougan Bishop, Belmont University
Jennifer Bland, University of Mississippi
Christine Boehler, Harvard University
Erika Boltz, Virginia Commonwealth University
Krista Boniface, University of Toronto
Colleen Brennan-Barry, Northeast College of Health Sciences
Natalie Brown Allen, OHO Interactive
Ashley Budd, Cornell University
Darron Bunt, Campus Sonar
Sheryl Burgstahler, University of Washington
Bridget Burke, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
David Cameron, ICF Next
Lisa Catto, Western Oregon University
Adam Chaboryk, Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Joshua Charles, Rutgers University-Newark
C. Daniel Chase
Janice Cheng-McConnell, Syracuse University
Rachel Cherry, WPCampus
Georgy Cohen, OHO Interactive
Amy Cole, University of Arkansas
Rachel Comerford, Macmillan Learning
Garrett Conti, University of Dayton
Christy Cousino, Montana State University
Susan Craigo, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Chris D’Orso, SUNY College at Brockport
John Dailey, Northwest Missouri State University
Matthew DeLoach, University of Mississippi
Bri Diaz, University of Connecticut
Alison Diefenderfer, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Jeff Dillon, University of California-San Diego
Joshua Dodson, VisionPoint Marketing
Glenn E. Donaldson Jr., Ohio State University
Catherine Donnelly, University at Buffalo
Adam Erickson, Four Kitchens
Alan Etkin, British Columbia Institute of Technology
Simon Fairbanks, University of Nottingham
Noel Fisher, OHO Interactive
Katherine Fisne, American Public University
Brianne Fleming, University of Florida
Brendan, Morehead-Cain Foundation
Ashi Franke, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Kristin Gasser, Arizona State University
Rebecca George-Burrs, University of Minnesota
William Gill, University at Albany
Paul Gilzow, Platform.sh
Morgan Goff, West Virginia University
Kaitlyn Goodall, Montana State University
Mark Greenfield, University at Buffalo
Liz Gross, Campus Sonar
Laurie Gyalog, Red Hat
Donna Habersaat, The University of Texas at Austin
Karen Hackett, Penn State University
Rachael Hagerstrom, Smith College
Margaret Hair, University of Kansas
Joni Halabi, Georgetown University
Rebecka Hall, Old Dominion University
Kristin Hanson, Kristin Hanson Writes
Alexa Heinrich, St. Petersburg College
Mike Henderson, NewCity
Mike Herchel, Lullabot
Matt Herzberger, Purdue University
Robert Heyser, Tarrant County College
Kerri Hicks, Providence College
Randy Hollowell, Miami University-Oxford
Sarah Horton, University of Southampton
Mackenzie Huber, Lawrence University
Todd James, Modern Campus
John Jameson, Princeton University
Elizabeth Jenike, Miami University-Oxford
Erin Jorgensen, University of Missouri-Columbia
Laura Keenan, Augustana College
David Dashifen Kees, Georgetown University
Meg Keniston, St. Lawrence University
Dayana Kibilds, Pickle Jar Communications
Aaron Knight, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Deborah Kohl, University of Baltimore
Sandra Koranteng, Mindgrub Technologies
Jeff Koslofsky, University of Rochester
Jen Kramer, JenKramer.org
Dan Laird, SUNY College at Oswego
Maria Laitan, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Chris Lastovicka, Cornell University
Jesse Lavery, University of Mary Washington
Erika Lee, Indiana University
John Lee, California Polytechnic State University
Melissa Lesica, Harvard University
Sarah Lewthwaite, University of Southampton
Jenny Li Fowler, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Carolyn Lister, Arizona State University
Lo Magee, University of Mississippi
Sandy Manor, Northland Pioneer College
Nikki Massaro Kauffman, Penn State University
Emily Masters, University at Albany
Sarah Maxell Crosby, OHO Interactive
Christopher McComas, Marshall University
Keith McGuffey, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Greg McMullen, Xavier University
Michael Miles, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Molly Miles, University of Rochester
Beth Miller, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Andrea Mostyn, Missouri State University
LaTonya Motley, Northland Pioneer College
David Myers, Drexel University
Mark Nakamura, Stanford University
Tim Nekritz, SUNY College at Oswego
Jodi Neufeld, Barcelona Graduate School of Economics
Lisa Nguyen, University of California-Davis
Chris Nichols, New York University
Sylvia Nicosia, Farmingdale State College
Arbazz Nizami, Claremont Lincoln University
Will Noble, Squiz
Sean O’Connor
Kelly O’Foran, OHO Interactive
Lori Packer, University of Rochester
Lacy Paschal, Vanderbilt University
Joyce Peralta, McGill University
Kate Percival, SUNY College at Oswego
Carrie Phillips, Arkansas Tech University
Brian Piper, University of Rochester
JP Rains, Laurentian University
Ben Rapin, Grand Valley State University
Aaron Rester, Roosevelt University
Marty Romero, Central Washington University
Jacqueline Rowe, Stony Brook University
Erik Runyon, University of Notre Dame
George Sackett, St. Louis Community College
Christian Santillo, College of the Holy Cross
Carmen Schafer, University of Missouri-Columbia
Laura Schlauderaff, Tarrant County College
Jeff Sechler, Penn State University
Eric Sembrat, Georgia Tech
Catherine Seraphin, Harvard University
Danielle Sewell, York College of Pennsylvania
Carolyn Shannon, Pantheon
Alice Shapiro, Penn State University
Andy Shearouse, Augustana College
Tracy Shipp, University of Memphis
Andrew Shooner, University of Kentucky
Martin Sickafoose, Purdue for Life Foundation
Janell Sims, Harvard University
Amanda Smith, Illinois State University
Hillary Smith, Clemson University
Lindsey Sneed, University of Mississippi
Caryn Sobieski-VanDelinder, University at Buffalo
Brenden Sparks, San Jose State University
Adam Spencer, AbleDocs
Jenna Spinelle, Penn State University
Curt Squires, University of Minnesota
Jon-Stephen Stansel, Stansel Social Media Services
Mike Steffel, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Jeff Stevens, University of Florida
Jeremy Streich, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Heidi Strohl, McGill University
Robin Sullivan, University at Buffalo
Justin Sumner, University of Kentucky
Donna Talarico, Stories & Such/Hippocampus Magazine
Michelle Tarby, Le Moyne College
Crystal Tenan, NC State University
RJ Thompson, University of Pittsburgh
Terrill Thompson, University of Washington
Jeremy Tiers, Tudor Collegiate Strategies
Andrea Tripp, University of Southern Maine
Doug Tschopp, Augustana College
Allison Turcio, Siena College
Rachell Underhill, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Kyle Unzicker, Modern Tribe
Kristin Van Dorn, University of Minnesota
Cherie van Putten, Binghamton University
Joel Vertin, Michigan Tech
Jackie Vetrano, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Jaymi Victor, Peru State College
Leah Villa, University of Minnesota
Joseph Vugteveen, Grand Valley State University
John Wagner, Princeton University
Gale Wallace, Pantheon
Maren Walz, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Lori Waters, California Polytechnic State University
Kathryn Weber-Hottleman, Deque Systems, Inc.
Curtis Wech, Wisconsin Lutheran College
Amy Grace Wells, 10up
Karyn Wendrow, SUNY Oneonta
Desiree White, Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Mark Whittaker, Southern Utah University
Isaac Williams, Daemen College
John Williams, Ozmo
Tom Wojciechowski, Daemen College
Jason Woodward, State & Plain
Rebekah Wright, Southwest Baptist University
Eric Yarberry, World Services for the Blind
Andres Zapata, idfive
Daniel Zhang, McGill University

New initiatives

HighEdWeb continually seeks to grow and improve the resources and opportunities we offer.

Strategic plan set for 2021-23

The board approved a strategic plan to guide the association through 2023. In everything that we do, HighEdWeb considers diversity, equity and inclusion as well as financial responsibility. With that in mind, our goals include increasing membership and access to member resources, ensuring community awareness of offerings and providing meaningful opportunities for engagement.

First Analytics Summit held

HighEdWeb hosted its first Analytics Summit on April 29, 2021. This event was facilitated online and focused on utilizing web analytics more effectively in higher education. Topics addressed included Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Google Data Studio, social metrics, email metrics and SEO. The second Analytics Summit will be held in April 2022.

Member discounts to events

Paid memberships now have the benefit of receiving discounts ranging from $10-50 off registration for events including the Accessibility Summit, Analytics Summit and Annual Conference. Additional discounts are offered at select regional events.

Educational events model to guide operations

Professional development options continue to grow for HighEdWeb members. The Accessibility Summit, Analytics Summit and community groups are examples of some of the recent additions. To ensure the training meets higher education’s needs and the Association’s quality standards, we created an operational model to guide the event planning. HighEdWeb will revisit this model annually and update with lessons learned and industry trends.

Monthly e-newsletter launched

In August 2021, the HighEdWeb marketing and communications committee launched a monthly e-newsletter to provide members with regular board updates, highlights from the Link Journal, links to podcasts and other digital resources, and event reminders.

Free institutional memberships for HBCUs

HighEdWeb — and the higher education community — is at its best when a broad range of ideas are shared and understood. To create a pathway for a more diverse community, the Association invites accredited HBCUs to become institutional members at no cost through 2030.

Leadership

What sets the HighEdWeb Association apart is that our community is so much more than its Annual Conference.

It’s really about the people and how they stay connected throughout the year on Slack, through sharing resources, through community discussions, through volunteering and more. With the help of our volunteers, expect more opportunities for connection in 2022 and beyond.

Nikki Massaro Kauffman

HighEdWeb president

Board of Directors

Nikki Massaro Kauffman, president

Instructional experience designer for Penn State University
Elected president in 2021.

Aaron Knight, vice president

Supervisor of information systems development for SUNY ESF
Elected vice president in 2021.

Ben Rapin, treasurer

Chief technology officer for Grand Valley State University

Lisa Nguyen, secretary

Executive director of marketing and communications for UC Davis College of Engineering
New board member and elected secretary in 2021.

Waylon Baumgardner

Adjunct professor of computer information technology for California Baptist University

Chris D’Orso

Associate director of admissions for SUNY Brockport
New board member in 2021.

Robert Heyser

Director of web communications for Tarrant County College
New board member in 2021.

Brian Piper

Director of content strategy and assessment for University of Rochester
New board member in 2021.

Christian Santillo

Web communications director for College of the Holy Cross
New board member in 2021.

Jackie Vetrano

Assistant director of prospect management and marketing for UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

Sara Clark

Operations director for HighEdWeb Association

Financials

HighEdWeb has a strong financial foundation and is in a good position to continue meeting the learning needs of our community.

Generated revenue provides seed funding for new events and member benefits. That profit also provides a financial safety net for uncertain times.

2021 Statement of Financial Position