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Meet our 2025 Keynotes:

AHEPPP's 2025 National Conference will feature two dynamic keynote speakers. These thought leaders bring a wealth of experience and insight to the field of parent and family engagement. Their sessions will inspire, challenge, and energize attendees as we look toward the future of higher education. Learn more about Brian Watkins and Dr. Andrea Malkin Brenner below. 

 

Brian L. Watkins is Assistant Dean of Students and founding director of the Thrive Center for Essential   Needs at the University of Maryland. In this role, he leads education, prevention, and emergency relief   efforts focused on core basic needs—food security, housing stability, financial wellness—and other   essential resources that impact student health, well-being, belonging, and academic success.

Brian began his tenure at Maryland in 2005 as Director of Family Engagement, a role he held for 19   years. Nationally, he has served as president of AHEPPP: Family Engagement in Higher Education and   completed two terms on its Board of Directors.

 With more than 30 years of experience in higher education, Brian has held leadership roles supporting  new student and family transitions, student engagement and success, equity and inclusion, leadership  development, and crisis response. A first-generation college graduate, he holds a Master of Education degree in higher education and student affairs administration from the University of Vermont and a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Hope College. He also completed doctoral coursework in American Studies at the University of Maryland and remains a lifelong scholar. Brian’s contributions have been recognized with several honors, including the AHEPPP Founders’ Outstanding Professional Award, the University of Maryland Division of Student Affairs Outstanding Service Award, and induction into Omicron Delta Kappa.

A passionate advocate for equity, access, and opportunity, Brian is proud to work at the intersection of higher education and social justice. He is a firm believer in radical hospitality—which also explains why he’s a dog person.
 
Brain is speaking on November 18, 2025 at 12:45pm
Dr. Andrea Malkin Brenner is the President of AMBrenner, LLC and Founder of the Talking College™ brand. She’s a speaker and college transition educator who brings 25 years of experience to her presentations for college and high school audiences, with a focus on parents of college-bound and first-year college students. Andrea is co-author of How to College: What to Know Before You Go (and When You’re There) and creator of the Talking College™ card decks which include insider tips and discussion prompts for college-bound students and their parents/guardians.

Andrea was a sociology professor and first-year administrator at American University in Washington, DC for 25 years, teaching classes to undergraduate students, serving as the Faculty Director of the University College program, and creator and Director of the university's mandatory first-year experience program. Dr. Brenner has received multiple awards for her undergraduate teaching and program design, and also served as a faculty fellow at the University of California National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement.

Andrea holds a BA in sociology and education from Brandeis University; an MA in curriculum, instruction and administration in higher education from Boston College; and a PhD in sociology from American University.

Andrea is speaking on November 19, 2025 at 12:15pm