2026 Iowa-CUPA HR Chapter Conference

From Thrive to Drive - Powering What's Next in Higher Ed HR

April 16, 2026 · Grandview University

Join HR professionals from across Iowa for a day of connection, innovation, and action in higher education HR.

What you can expect:

Engaging keynote and breakout sessions
Practical insights tailored to higher education HR
Statewide networking opportunities
Earn professional SHRM/HRCI credits
Affordable registration for all HR roles!

Be a part of Iowa's premier higher-ed HR event focused on education and community!

Network. Learn. Thrive!

Agenda

Thursday, April 16

8:00 AM

Event Start

8:00 AM - 8:45 AM

Breakfast & Registration

Join us early for registration, breakfast, and networking!

8:45 AM - 9:00 AM

Opening Remarks

Welcome & Opening Remarks

9:00 AM - 10:15 AM

Morning Keynote - Tom Hicks

Embracing Failure and Growth Through Juggling

10:15 AM - 10:30 AM

Break

Visit our exhibitors!

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Breakout Session: Coffee, Culture, & Connection: Onboarding & Retention

Principle A Monica Frank, Recruitment & Retention Coordinator, University of Iowa

Breakout Session: From Compliance to Culture Neurodivergence Is Already Here—Is HR Ready?

Principle B Dr. Autumn K Wilke--Associate Chief Diversity Officer for Accessibility & Disability Resources

Breakout Session: Planning and Implementing Reorganizations, Reductions in Force, and Terminations on Campus: A Playbook for Reducing Risk

Principle C Emily Pontius & Katie Atkinson Overberg

11:30 AM - 11:45 AM

Break

Visit our exhibitors!

11:45 AM - 1:15 PM

Sponsored Lunch: Ahlers & Cooney, P.C. Legal Update

Miriam Van Heukelem & Rebecca Reif

1:15 PM - 1:30 PM

Break

Visit our exhibitors!

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Breakout Session: Beyond Pay-Total Rewards Trends in Private Higher Education

Principle B Sara Dickinson, Vice President, Employee Benefits, Cottingham & Butler Jenna Bidwell, Director of Total Rewards Consulting, Cottingham & Butler

Breakout Session: Building Career Pathways: UI’s Roadmap to a Future-Ready Workforce

Principle C Jiongting Hu, Assistant Director, Compensation/Classification & HR Data Management, UI Abigail Schaver, Employee Experience Specialist, Organization Effectiveness, UI

Breakout Session: From Reactive to Proactive: Transforming Recruiting in Higher Education

Principle A Eric Smith, YBI Recruiting

2:30 PM - 2:45 PM

Break

Refresh with a snack and visit our exhibitors

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM

CUPA-HR Hot Topics Networking & Discussion

Ayesha L. Kidd, Associate Vice President - Organizational Development & Effectiveness Tracey Pritchard, Associate HR Director, Office of the Provost, UI

3:45 PM - 4:00 PM

Conference Closing & Raffles

4:00 PM

Event End