Keynote Speakers
16th Annual Florida Higher Education Summit - FACRAO/FCRAO
Thank you for your interest in our 16th Annual Florida Higher Education Summit.
Distinguished speakers who will appear at the 2025 Summit include:
Keynote Speaker - Opening Session
Sunday, June 8, 2025
 Andrea N. Brvenik, J.D., MBA
Pasco-Hernando State College, PHSC Acting President, Vice President of Government Relations and General Counsel
Andrea N. Brvenik currently serves as the Acting President of Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC), the Vice President of Government Relations and General Counsel for PHSC, where he has been a valued member of the team for over four years. Bringing extensive experience to this role, Mr. Brvenik has previously held significant positions such as Chief Academic Officer, Academic Dean, and Professor, showcasing his deep commitment to academic excellence. More recently, Mr. Brvenik held the position of Acting President at PHSC during a presidential transition period.
As a licensed attorney in Florida and the Federal Bar, Mr. Brvenik is well-versed in the legal landscape and brings a wealth of knowledge to PHSC. His expertise extends to lobbying and negotiation, complemented by his background as a former Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator in Civil and Family matters and a Florida Approved Arbitrator. Additionally, he has held executive roles in the private sector, further broadening his perspective and skills.
Mr. Brvenik's legal acumen and leadership are instrumental in effectively engaging with government agencies and officials, advocating for the needs and interests of PHSC's students, faculty, and staff. His seasoned practice as an attorney and his diverse professional background enhance his ability to navigate the complexities of government relations and legal counsel, ensuring PHSC's strategic objectives are met with proficiency and integrity.
AACRAO Greeting Speaker and Session Presenter
Hala ABou Arraj, PhD
AACRAO, VP for International Relations | Idaho State University, Registrar
Hala Abou Arraj is the Registrar at Idaho State University since June 2022 and the Vice President for International Educational at AACRAO since 2023. She accumulates an experience in higher education of 29 years. She is responsible for the daily operations of the Registrar’s Office including supervision of staff, catalogue production, calendar production, maintenance of an automated record keeping system, and certifications.
Hala Abou Arraj received her PhD degree in Political Science from the Lebanese University in November 2017. She received her Master’s degree and her Bachelor’s degree from the American University of Beirut in 2000 and 1994 respectively. Her most recent contributions include a chapter in a book entitled: “A Resource for International Education Professionals”, published in 2016 by the Library of Congress (ISBN:97815785811) as well as two articles published in international journals. Hala has facilitated the REG101 course since 2021. She served as a content coordinator for the Records and Academic Services Group in AACRAO in addition to serving on many committees including the Academic Progress and Graduation Committee at AACRAO, and the Steering Committee of the Ellucian European User Group Conference (2011-2014).
Distinguished Speakers and Session Presenters
 Nicole Newlon, J.D.
Vice Chair, PHSC District Board of Trustees
Special Session Presentation: Governing with Integrity: The Role of Accountability in College Board Leadership
Nicole is an attorney with Johnson, Newlon & DeCort, P.A., where she practices commercial litigation. Nicole earned her law degree from Stetson College of Law and both her Masters in Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Florida. Nicole serves as Vice-Chairman of the Pasco Hernando State College District Board of Trustees and on the Board for Habitat for Humanity East and Central Pasco County.
|
