Keynote Speakers

14th Annual Florida Higher Education Summit - FACRAO/FCRAO

Thank you for your interest in our 14th Annual Florida Higher Education Summit. 

Distinguished speakers who appeared at the 2023 Summit included:

Keynote Speaker - Opening Session
Sunday, June 4, 2023

Isis Artze-Vega, Ed.D.

Straddling Silos to Advance Shared Goals: The What & How of Collaboration beyond Enrollment Units & Colleagues

Isis Artze-Vega, Ed.D. serves as college provost and vice president for academic affairs at Valencia College in Central Florida, a Hispanic-Serving Institution that serves about 65,000 students annually and has long been regarded one of the nation’s best community colleges. She provides strategic leadership for the college’s seven campuses, in addition to the areas of curriculum, assessment, faculty development, distance learning, career and workforce education, and partnerships for educational equity.

Prior to joining Valencia, Isis served as assistant vice president for teaching and learning at Florida International University (FIU), leading such efforts as a gateway course project, a hybrid course initiative, and the comprehensive redesign of teaching evaluation. Prior to joining FIU, she taught English composition and enrollment management at the University of Miami.

Most importantly, she is the proud wife of visual artist Sinuhe Vega; the proud mami of Kamilah, 16, and Delilah, 14; and forever indebted to extraordinary parents, Mayra and Elias. Her work is fueled by a commitment to equity and justice, implemented through love and service. 

Plenary and Closing Speaker

Monday, June 5 - Plenary - Are You The Leader You Wish You Had?

Wednesday, June 7 - Closing

Jacqueline Carter, AACRAO President

Jacqueline Carter is the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Manager at Washington University in St. Louis Olin School of Business.  In her current role, Jacqueline is responsible for leading initiatives and programs aligned with the EDI strategic plan to create an equitable and inclusive environment for students, staff, and faculty.

In her previous roles at Jacqueline served as a Registrar and Student Affairs Advisor. Jacqueline provided leadership and support in recruitment, retention and advance for women and underrepresented students through policies, initiatives and practices.  She also served as an academic advisor, student development advocate and club advisor.  She serves on many committees from Title IX, University’s Diversity Delegates, MLK Commemoration, Undergraduate Honors and Awards Program, Co-Chair Diversity and Inclusion Forum for Faculty & Staff and Executive Board for Black Faculty and Staff Cabinet at Washington University in St. Louis.

Jacqueline is the current President of the Board of Directors for the American Association of Collegiate Registrar and Admission Offices (AACRAO).  In AACRAO, she has served as Vice President at Large on the Board of Directors, Program Coordinator for the 2021 and 2022 Annual Meetings, Chair of Student Access and Equity, Chair of Nominations and Elections, Chair of Professional Access and Equity, and Chair of Black Caucus.

She has had the honor to work in higher education for more than two decades with a background in student services and affairs, admissions, financial aid, registrar and diversity, equity and inclusion.  Jacqueline knows her purpose is to be an inclusive change agent and advocate to collectively build and increase knowledge to create an environment of equity, inclusion and belonging for all.  She sees education as a human right that should open up opportunities for advancement.  She knows an inclusive environment will allow anyone to thrive to their fullest potential

Jacqueline is a first-generation college graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business management from National-Louis University, a master of business administration degree from Fontbonne University, and a Veteran of US Army Reserves.

Jacqueline is from St. Louis, Missouri, and enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, live music, cycling, and sporting events.  She is married with two children.

Plenary Speaker

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Jay Galbraith 

How to Navigate Our Democracy – a question and answer session with Jay Galbraith about the work of public affairs and advancement staff for our institutions

James “Jay” Galbraith joined Valencia College in Central Florida in March 2014.  He serves as the vice president of public affairs and advancement, and interim president for the Valencia College Foundation. He directs the college’s state and federal public affairs, communications, community engagement, economic development, marketing and advancement.

Prior to joining Valencia, Jay served almost eight years as vice president for state and domestic affairs at Sea World Entertainment, responsible for the company’s government and industry relations in Florida, Texas, California, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Jay served on the staff of two members of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Michael Bilirakis and Congressman Bill Grant, both from Florida. His professional experience also includes stints as executive director of government affairs for the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, associate vice president of institutional advancement at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina, and vice president of development for the Pinellas Education Foundation in Largo, Florida.

Jay is a graduate of Indian River State College, where he earned his associate in arts degree, and Florida State University, where he earned a bachelor’s in political communication. He serves on the board of the Florida Chamber Foundation, West Orange Chamber of Commerce, Kissimmee Chamber of Commerce, Central Florida Sports Commission and Advent Hospital Winter Garden Community Advisory Board. He and his wife, Carrie, an attorney, have four children.