Dr. Caitlin Riegel Hosts International Conference in South Africa

Dr. Caitlin Riegel, assistant professor in the College of Education and president of the International Society for Educational Planning, hosted the 2024 ISEP conference in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), South Africa, Oct. 7-10, 2024. The event, which was co-sponsored by Nelson Mandela University, St. Cloud State University, and Niagara University, brought together presenters and attendees from across eight countries to discuss ways of "Imagining Education Through Engagement: Planning to Unlock the Full Potential of Individuals and Communities."

"The theme of this year's conference invited delegates to reimagine education through institutional, community, national, and global engagement, which is both timely and critical," said Dr. Riegel. "In a world where education is rapidly evolving to meet the demands of a changing society, this theme challenged delegates to break down traditional boundaries and create systems that are responsive, inclusive, and future-oriented."

Dr. Riegel presented two sessions at the conference. One focused on "Engaging with Partners for Program Improvement: Exploring the Use of the KAI Inventory in Educator Preparation" and the other discussed "K12 Educators and AI."

Other faculty from the College of Education also presented at the conference:

• Dr. Walter Polka, professor, and Dr. John McKenna, assistant professor -"Strategies for Dealing with the Urgent Educational Challenge: Promoting Social-Emotional Well-Being among Teachers, Students, and Families" and "Creating Dynamic Collaborative Cultures: Engaging, Empowering, and Inspiring Teacher"
• Assistant professors Dr. Elizabeth Falzone and Dr. Karen Poland-"College Admissions Practices in Relation to the Seals of Biliteracy and Civic Readiness: A First Look at Institutional Engagement of Higher Education in P-12 Initiatives"
• Dr. Haoua Hamza, associate professor -"Preparing Pre-Service Teachers to Foster a Global Classroom Community in the Service of Social Justice: A Case of Institutional Engagement for Inclusive Pedagogical Practices"
• Drs. Polka and McKenna with Dr. Sushma Marwaha, adjunct professor in Ontario-"Customizing Teaching and Learning in our Global Village: Employing more Constructivist Practices in Diverse Settings to Improve Learning for All"
• Dr. Debbie McCleary, assistant professor, Niagara University in Ontario-"Sharing Truth and Reconciliation, Calls to Action and Indigenous Pedagogies through International Education"
• Ontario faculty Dr. Asma Ahmed, assistant professor; Matthew Aslett, lecturer; and Dr. Carol Doyle-Jones, associate professor -"Catalysts of Change: Exploring the Dynamics of Student Council in a Binational Teacher Education Program in Ontario"
• Matthew Aslett-"A Synthesis of Community Engagement Initiatives Through a Teaching and Learning Lens"

"As delegates gathered to discuss and explore topics related to the theme, they did not forget that events like this are more than just an exchange of ideas-they are catalysts for action," said Dr. Riegel. "They actively participated in the sessions, engaged in meaningful dialogue, and seized the networking opportunities before them. Whether addressing disparities in access, harnessing the power of technology to transform learning, or responding to the complex social and economic factors impacting education, the ISEP conference served as a crucial platform for planning that can shape the future of education at every level."

ISEP was founded in 1970 to improve education through the application of planning processes. Each fall, its members meet to discuss relevant issues in the field of educational planning and present papers which are often published in Educational Planning, the refereed journal published quarterly by the ISEP.