ACHE 2024 Call for Proposals

“Embracing Care and Collaboration Through a Culture of Wellness”

We send warm wishes of solidarity and well-being to our members and friends in the continuing higher education community. Join us as we gather for our 86th annual conference in Palm Springs, CA, October 14-16, 2024! We are pleased to invite you to submit a conference presentation proposal.

This year’s conference theme, “Embracing Care and Collaboration Through a Culture of Wellness,” invites members to share experiences and research about improving access, affordability, and success within their institutions and building environments that prioritize the well-being of students, faculty, staff, and organizations. Topics for proposals include but are not limited to:

• Student Success/Access and Support 
• Credit for Prior Learning 
• Program Development 
• Faculty Development 
• Leadership 
• Marketing and Business Development 
• Equity and Inclusion 
• Teaching and Learning
• Technology and Digital Innovation
• Workplace Readiness 
• Partnerships 
• Health and Well-Being

ACHE Conference target audiences include:

1. Continuing Education Leaders 

• Provosts
• Deans/Associate Deans/Assistant Deans 
• Academic Directors/Program Directors 
• Continuing Education Administrators
• Anyone aspiring to the above roles/reporting to these roles 

2. Continuing Education Faculty Members and Researchers

3. Continuing Education Teaching and Learning Professionals

• Faculty members 
• Program chairs/Directors
• Program coordinators/Program managers  
• Curriculum developers/Instructional designers 

4. Prior Learning Professionals 

• Prior Learning Managers/Coordinators 
• PLA practitioners
• PLA researchers

5. Continuing Education Support Roles

• Career or Academic Advisors
• Student success professionals 
• Academic coordinators 
• Enrollment services professionals 

6. Marketing and Business Development Professionals 

• Marketing coordinators 
• Marketing managers/communication professionals 
• Service providers
• Vendors to CE programs 

Proposals can be submitted by:

• Provosts/Deans/Assistant Deans 
• Academic and Program Directors 
• Continuing Education Administrators
• Faculty members 
• Researchers
• Program Chairs/Directors
• Program Coordinators/Program Managers 
• Curriculum developers/instructional designers 
• Career or Academic Advisors 
• Prior learning Managers/Coordinators
• Student Success Professionals 
• Academic Coordinators 
• Enrollment Services Professional 
• Marketing Coordinators 
• Marketing Managers/Communication Professionals 
• Service Providers 
• Vendors to Continuing Education Programs 
• Students

Note: For Business Partners/Vendors who are interested in sponsorship opportunities, please contact Julie Shankle at julie.shankle@ucf.edu.

Proposal Format/Submission

Proposals should be submitted via the Proposal Space platform by Monday, April 1, 2024.  Those submitting proposals will be notified of acceptance by Monday, May 20, 2024, in conjunction with the conference registration deadlines. There are three session types:

1. **Lightning Sessions (20 minutes):**

Do you have a quick-fire idea, case study, or tip that you're eager to share? Our lightning sessions offer the perfect platform to showcase your expertise in just 20 minutes! These fast-paced sessions are ideal for delivering concise and impactful content that will leave attendees energized and inspired. Whether you're unveiling a new technique, sharing best practices, or highlighting emerging trends, this is your chance to captivate the audience and ignite their curiosity.

2. **30-Minute Presentations:**

Take center stage and dive deeper into your topic with a 30-minute presentation. Whether you're a seasoned speaker or a rising star in your field, this format allows you to delve into your subject matter, engage the audience, and leave a lasting impression. From thought-provoking discussions to practical demonstrations, your presentation should offer valuable insights, actionable takeaways, and plenty of opportunities for interaction.

3. **45-Minute Panel Discussions:**

Join forces with fellow experts for a dynamic panel discussion that explores key themes, challenges, and opportunities facing our industry. Panel discussions provide a platform for diverse perspectives, lively debates, and collaborative problem-solving. Whether you're leading the conversation or contributing as a panelist, your goal is to inspire, inform, and engage the audience with insightful dialogue and thought-provoking discourse.

Submission Guidelines:

• Proposals should be submitted electronically by April 1, 2024 via Proposal Space.
• Each proposal should include a title, abstract (max. 250 words), detailed session outline, and presenter(s) bio(s).
• Please indicate your preferred session format (lightning session, presentation, or panel discussion) and specify the duration.
• Presenters may submit multiple proposals, but each proposal must be submitted separately.

 

Pre-Conference Workshops

ACHE is seeking dynamic and engaging workshop proposals for our Pre-Conference Workshops. These workshops offer attendees the opportunity to delve deeply into specific topics in a hands-on, interactive environment. We invite workshop presenters who can offer enriching experiences that empower participants with practical skills and actionable insights to problem-solving and professional development within the Continuing Education context. The pre-convention workshops will have an additional fee for participants, but presenters will not receive compensation.

We are offering two formats of the pre-convention workshops:

• 2 half-day/3-hour workshops
• 1 full day/6-hour workshop

Criteria for Proposal Submission:

• Interactive and Practical Approach: Proposals should outline a workshop that is highly interactive and hands-on, allowing participants to actively engage with the content and apply concepts in real-time.
• Clear Learning Objectives: Clearly articulate the learning outcomes participants can expect to achieve by the end of the workshop. These objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
• Participant Experience: Describe how participants will actively participate in the workshop, including any group activities, discussions, or exercises. Emphasize the experiential learning elements that will make the workshop engaging and memorable.
• Expertise of Presenters: Highlight the qualifications and expertise of the workshop presenters, demonstrating their ability to facilitate an engaging and impactful learning experience. Include any relevant credentials, experience, or accolades.
• Relevance to Audience: Ensure that the workshop topic is relevant and timely for our audience, which consists of professionals seeking practical skills and strategies to enhance their work in their respective fields.
• Duration and Logistics: The workshop should be designed to fit within a 3-hour time frame, with consideration given to logistics such as room setup, materials required, and any technological needs.
• Evaluation and Feedback: Outline how the workshop will be evaluated for effectiveness and participant satisfaction. Describe any feedback mechanisms that will be implemented to gather insights for future improvement.

Submission Guidelines:

• Proposals should be submitted electronically by Monday, April 1, 2024 via Proposal Space.
• Each proposal should include a title, abstract (max. 250 words), detailed workshop outline, and presenter(s) bio(s).
• Please indicate any special requirements or accommodations needed for the workshop.
• Presenters may submit multiple proposals, but each proposal must be submitted separately.

We look forward to receiving your innovative workshop proposals that will inspire and empower our participants to excel in their professional endeavors. Should you have any questions or need further clarification, please contact Sherry Blok at sherry.blok@concordia.ca. Thank you for your interest in contributing to our Pre-Conference program.