Session #1
Student Aid In Action
October 9, 2025
Join us for an engaging, interactive half-day event in the Leading Forward series, led by Krista Clark of Discovery Community College. Designed for education leaders, financial aid professionals, and policy experts, this session takes a deep dive into the evolving world of student aid with a focus on the Pan-Canadian Framework for Student Financial Assistance. Together we will explore how the framework’s principles of accountability, quality, and performance are shaping funding access, regulatory compliance, and institutional strategy across Canada.
In a dynamic and fast-changing funding environment, this is your opportunity to move beyond theory and discover practical, results-driven approaches for using the framework to strengthen your institution’s support for learners. Through insightful presentations, high-level discussions, and interactive activities, you will leave with actionable ways to maximise access to government programs, enhance institutional aid models, and align with national standards while staying ahead of regulatory change.
Session Highlights
Keynote Presentations
Set the context. Spark momentum.
Krista Clark anchors the event with forward-looking presentations that frame the challenge, clarify aims, and highlight what’s working across Canada. Expect clear takeaways, practical frameworks, and a shared language you can bring back to your team.
Case Study Deep Dives
Real stories. Real results.
Walk through concrete examples that trace challenges from start to finish. Each case study highlights the choices, tools, and outcomes involved, offering a grounded view of how innovative strategies are applied successfully in the field.
Expert Exchanges
Diverse voices. Fresh insights.
Industry leaders and third-party experts share perspectives on how to approach today’s challenges in different ways. These conversations open space for new ideas, practical advice, and varied experiences you can adapt to your own institution.
Interactive Activities
Learn it. Apply it.
Guided exercises move ideas from theory into practice. Participants will test concepts in real time, work through structured activities, and collaborate with peers—ensuring new strategies feel practical, relevant, and ready to use beyond the event.
The Speakers
Krista Livingstone Clark,
CEO, Discovery Community College
With over 20 years of experience in the regulated career college sector, Krista Livingstone Clark is a passionate advocate for specific skill training, firmly believing that everyone is employable.
Throughout her career, she has held various positions, including Instructor, Student Services, Admissions, and Operations. Currently, she serves as the CEO of Discovery Community College, a leading contributor to the BC healthcare workforce.
Bonnie Gardner
VP of Student Enrollment and Financial Services
Bonnie is the Vice President of Student Enrolment and Financial Services , allowing her to ensure the student journey from start to finish is based on success and outcomes. Using the same philosophy for in person or online students shouldn’t be hard, it should be a focus and outcomes will follow.Bonnie has 20 years in the education field and has been an instructor, Healthcare Faculty Head, and Campus Director. She is a strong believer in student engagement and the philosophy of teaching it, seeing it, doing it, even in an online setting .
The Agenda
Pan-Canadian Student Aid Framework - 12:00 PM ET | 10:00 AM MT | 1:00 PM AT
This segment will cover what the framework entails, high-level administrative responsibilities, compliance, and student eligibility.
Breakout Rooms - 1:00 PM ET | 11:00 AM MT | 2:00 PM AT
Group Summaries - 1:45 PM ET | 11:45 AM MT | 2:45 PM AT
After the breakout sessions, we’ll reconvene to summarize.
Networking Break - 2:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM MT | 3:00 PM AT
Maximizing Student Aid - 2:30 PM ET | 12:30 PM MT | 3:30 PM AT
The next agenda item will focus on strategies for maximizing student aid.
RAP and Retention Breakout Rooms - 3:30 PM ET | 1:30 PM MT | 4:30 PM AT
We’ll then have breakout rooms dedicated to RAP and Retention strategies.
Closing Remarks - 4:30 PM ET | 2:30 PM MT | 5:30 PM AT
We’ll conclude the conference with closing remarks.
Registration Details
1 Session Pass
Standard Pricing- Access to 1 live session
- Earn Certificate of Learning from NACC
- Recording included
- Share recording with staff/faculty
- One seat per session
- Flexible – choose only the sessions you want
1 Session Pass - Early Bird
Limited time offer!- Pricing available to the first 200 registrants
- Earn a Certificate of Learning from NACC
- Access to 1 live session
- Recording included
- Share the recording with staff/faculty
- One seat per session
All Session Pass
Bundle Option- Access to all 3 live sessions
- All recordings included
- Share recordings with staff/faculty
- Earn Certificate of Learning from NACC for all Sessions
- One seat per session
- Full access to the complete series