Q&A with HLC’s Meetings and Events Director

You may not notice Renee Dew at HLC’s annual conference.  That is because she is busy at work behind the scenes handling details both big and small. A LinkedIn post once described her as “amazing. She misses nothing in planning events.” This includes once spotting a pigeon in the grand ballroom foyer during her first HLC Annual Conference in 2023 the evening before the HLC president took the stage to give the conference’s welcome address to thousands of conference goers.  

When and how did you first learn about accreditation?  

I first learned about accreditation through my mother, who taught for 43 years at a Virginia institution accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). As a child, I vividly recall her preparing for a reaffirmation of accreditation visit. At that time, SACSCOC had “must statements” that institutions needed to address. I remember her sitting at home with a stack of folders, diligently working on addressing those statements.  

How do you explain your work with HLC to people who aren’t familiar with accreditation, in 10 words or less?  

I plan conferences and meetings for higher education quality assurance professionals. 

Why did you want to get involved with HLC?  

Higher education has always been an integral part of my life. As a child, my mother enrolled my brother and me in non-credit courses at the local community college while she taught during the summer. In high school, I participated in dual enrollment, becoming the first student from my school to do so. This enabled me to earn my bachelor’s degree in business administration at the age of 20 from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise and to complete my MBA at East Tennessee State University at age 23. While I was in college, I had numerous part-time jobs as a tutor, admissions recruiter, and graduate assistant. I also spent the first 11 years of my career at Chattahoochee Technical College where I worked in student affairs, institutional effectiveness and career services. I then served as meeting planning specialist for SACSCOC before moving to the private sector where I was a meetings and events senior manager. I always knew I would return to higher education, and my private sector experience reinforced this passion. It’s exciting for me to be able to contribute positively today to the accreditation process and to enhance the quality of education. At the same time, I’m also able to do what I love, which is to plan for major meetings and events. 

What aspects of your background have been particularly helpful in your work with HLC?  

My background has been particularly beneficial in my work with HLC due to my 11 years on a college campus, three of which were dedicated to preparing for the college’s reaffirmation visit. Additionally, I spent 7.5 years with SACSCOC, where I was part of the team responsible for planning the accreditor’s conferences.  

What has been one of your most memorable experiences working with HLC?  

One of my most memorable experiences working with HLC occurred during my first Annual Conference. As you can imagine, when planning a conference for 3,000 to 4,000 attendees, there can be many unexpected situations that unfold behind the scenes. The evening before the president of HLC was scheduled to deliver her welcome address, I spotted a pigeon casually strolling through the grand ballroom foyer at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. At that moment, my event planning instincts kicked in, and I knew this could be a problem – a huge problem! Although the hotel’s security didn’t catch the pigeon, I was relieved when it didn’t make an appearance the next morning! 

What do you like to do outside the office?   

Outside the office, I enjoy spending time outdoors, whether it’s hiking, taking walks in my neighborhood, or just soaking up some sun. I love being with family and friends, often at sporting events. Traveling with my husband is a passion of mine as well; we love exploring new places and cultures, with our favorite trips being to Hawaii and Aruba. Additionally, we recently purchased a new house, so I’ve been spending many weekends painting, choosing new tile and countertops, and updating light fixtures and hardware.  

When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up?  

As a kid, I aspired to be a teacher. I found it exciting to watch my mother prepare for class, grade papers, and give lectures. However, as I grew older, I discovered that I much preferred overseeing something behind the scenes rather than at the front of the room. 

What is your greatest career or life achievement so far?  

One of my greatest life achievements so far was running a half-marathon a few years ago. At that time, I definitely wouldn’t have considered myself a runner—I actually detested running—but a few close friends encouraged me to join them for the race. Once I committed to the challenge, I dedicated myself to training every day for the next seven months. On race day, standing at the starting line with my friends, I couldn’t help but question what I had gotten myself into. As I ran those 13.1 miles, I focused on putting one foot in front of the other, reminding myself that I could do this. Not only did I cross the finish line, but I also completed the race 30 minutes faster than I had hoped. That experience taught me that I can face any challenge and achieve anything I set my mind to. 

What’s your favorite part of being a member of the HLC community? 

My favorite part of being a member of the HLC community is knowing that our collective efforts have a positive impact on students and play a role in shaping the future of education while doing a job that I love.