2025 HEMAC Partner Convening

Charting the Path: 

Understanding the Choices of Young Men in Education and Careers

For more information, please contact Melinda Brock, HEMAC Program Manager, at melinda.brock@utk.edu

April 7-8, 2025 | Belmont University | Nashville, Tennessee

Please join us for the inaugural HEMAC Partner Convening, where we will bring together experts and thought leaders from across the country to examine why and how young men make decisions about going to college, choosing a major, and building a community. This page will serve as an ongoing resource to keep you informed about the agenda and logistics for the event.

Keynote Speakers

Isabelle and Scott Black Professor of Political Economy, Harvard Kennedy School of Government
Bio

David Deming

New York Times opinion columnist
Bio

David French

Presenters and Panelists

  • Richard Reeves, President, American Institute for Boys and Men (AIBM)

  • Marianne Wanamaker, Dean, UT Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs

  • Libby Morse, SVP of Brand Strategy, Yes& | Lipman Hearne

  • Alexia Koelling, SVP and Team Lead, Yes& | Lipman Hearne

  • D’Angelo Taylor, Belmont University, Vice President for Hope, Unity, and Belonging

  • Dr. Don Bruce, Director of the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  • Dr. Mike Kofoed, Assistant Professor of Economics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  • Brad Gioia, Educator-in-Residence, College of Education, Belmont University

  • Dr. Andrea Guzman, Vice President for Access and Community Engagement, University of Central Florida

  • Ravan Hawrami, Research Assistant, American Institute for Boys and Men (AIBM)

  • Kelly Nolin, Director of Admissions, University of Montana

  • Allie Youngren, Student Success Advisor, Carthage College

  • Victoria Garcia Allen, DNP student at Belmont University

  • Dr. Michael J. Rovito, Associate Professor, University of Central Florida

  • Dr. Steven Busby, PhD FNP-BC, Belmont University

Agenda

Monday, April 7

9:00 am - Registration & Breakfast

9:30 am - Welcome & Overview

  • Richard Reeves, President, American Institute for Boys and Men (AIBM)

  • Marianne Wanamaker, Dean, Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at the University of Tennessee

9:45 am - Keynote Address by David Deming

11:00 am - Panel Discussion: “What Drives Young Men’s College Decisions? Exploring Key Influences”

Moderated by Richard Reeves

  • Libby Morse, SVP of Brand Strategy, Yes& Lipman Hearne

  • Alexia Koelling, SVP and Team Lead, Yes& Lipman Hearne

  • D’Angelo Taylor, Belmont University, Vice President for Hope, Unity, and Belonging

12:30 pm - Buffet Lunch and Networking

1:30 pm - Research Presentation: “Understanding the Decline in Male College-Going: Recent Trends in the Aggregate Data”

Q&A facilitated by Marianne Wanamaker

  • Dr. Don Bruce, Director of the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee

  • Dr. Mike Kofoed, Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee

    Author: Dr. Ed Taylor, Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee

3:00 pm - Work Session: “Top 5 Things to Do to Recruit 18-Year-Old Men”

Facilitated by Libby Morse and Alexia Koelling, Yes& Lipman Hearne

3:45 pm - Keynote Speaker: David French

Fireside chat facilitated by Dr. Andrea Guzman, Vice President for Access and Community Engagement, University of Central Florida

5:00 pm - Day Recap and Closing Remarks

We look forward to welcoming you to Nashville on April 7 and 8. Here is the current agenda. More updates will be made in the coming weeks.

Tuesday, April 8

8:30 am - Breakfast and Overview

9:00 am - Presentation and Panel Discussion: “Male Students’ Majors of Choice”

Ravan Hawrami, American Institute for Boys and Men, Research Assistant (AIBM)

Panel discussion: Moderated by Richard Reeves

  • Kelly Nolin, Director of Admissions, University of Montana

  • Allie Youngren, Student Success Advisor, Carthage College

10:00 am - Panel Discussion: “From the Voices of Students and Parents”

Moderated by Brad Gioia, Educator-in-Residence, College of Education, Belmont University

10:30 am - “From Myths to Medicine: The Truth About Men in Healthcare”

Moderated by Ed Magee, COO, Frist College of Medicine at Belmont University

  • Victoria Garcia Allen, DNP student at Belmont University

  • Dr. Michael J. Rovito, Associate Professor, University of Central Florida

  • Dr. Steven Busby, PhD FNP-BC, Belmont University

11:30 am - Group Breakout

12:00 pm - Boxed Lunch and Optional Transport to Airport

Costs

Registration costs, meals, and transportation during the convening are covered by your HEMAC partner fees. Partners are responsible for lodging and transportation to/from Nashville as well as meals during travel.

Lodging & Meals

HEMAC has secured a room block at the Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt University. Please book your room using the button below. The $209/night room rate expires on March 14.

HEMAC is providing meals during the convening, including a relaxed networking dinner on Monday evening. Please note any dietary restrictions on the registration form.

Venue and Transportation

The convening will be held at the Inman Center on the campus of Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.

Transportation will be provided between the hotel and Belmont University. One trip is also available from the hotel to the airport (BNA) on Tuesday afternoon.