Alyson Baxter

Assistant VP Finance and Operations Shared Administrative Services University of Alabama

Main Conference Day One, Tuesday, June 3, 2025

10:50 AM Panel: Break Down Silos for Unified Cross-Department Impact

In today’s educational landscape, breaking down silos between departments is essential for maximizing the effectiveness of shared services. This session will examine the barriers that hinder a unified institutional vision and provide actionable strategies for fostering a culture of teamwork across various departments. Participants will learn how to create an environment that encourages open communication, knowledge sharing, and collaborative problem-solving, ultimately leading to enhanced service delivery and improved outcomes for the institution. 


Key Takeaways: 


  • Identify the key barriers to cross-department partnerships and develop tailored approaches to dismantle these silos. 
  • Explore the best practices for facilitating open communication channels and promoting transparency among departments. 
  • Assess how to leverage technology and collaborative tools to enhance teamwork and streamline processes across the organization. 

4:15 PM Cultivate Continuous Improvement as a Shared Priority

Creating a culture of continuous improvement is vital for the long-term shared services success. This session will delve into the principles and practices that foster an environment where innovation and process enhancement are integral to daily operations. Participants will explore how to engage staff at all levels in identifying improvement opportunities, implementing best practices, and measuring the impact of changes, ultimately leading to increased efficiency and effectiveness across the institution. 


Key Takeaways: 


  • Identify key elements that contribute to a successful culture of continuous improvement and how to implement them within your organization. 
  • Uncover strategies for encouraging employee involvement in improvement initiatives and recognizing their contributions to the process. 
  • Explore methods for establishing metrics and feedback loops that measure the effectiveness of improvement efforts and drive ongoing progress. 

Check out the incredible speaker line-up to see who will be joining Alyson.

Download The Latest Agenda