MEDIA ADVISORY

March 31, 2003       

CONTACT: 
Bryan Armstrong (859) 246-3146
Lisa Brosky, (502) 213-2400

                                                                                               

Scholars, educators from U.S., abroad to gather in Louisville

Conference addresses challenges in higher education

The Society of Educators and Scholars will hold its 26th annual international conference at the Camberly Brown Hotel in Louisville April 2-5.

With the goal of adapting to changing educational environments, participants tackle a diverse range of topics from the use of technology in the classroom to the challenges of meeting the educational needs of people with disabilities.

The theme of the 2003 conference is “Colleges for the 21st Century.”  The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is host to this year’s conference. Jefferson Community College is a sponsor.

      The conference features 48 presentations by 75 scholars and educators from across the United States. Topics include “Program Assessment: Getting Buy-In from Faculty by Use of a Usable Matrix,” by Dr. Farzin Madjidi, associate professor at Pepperdine University; “Doctoral Programs in Educational Leadership,” by Dr. Edward Graham, research scientist at UCLA’s Cancer Detection Section, and Dr. Kaetlyn Lad, St. Mary’s College of California; and “Preparing New Faculty for Learner Centered Education,” by Dr. Barbara Hornum, associate professor of anthropology at Drexel University in Pennsylvania.

Several local educators will participate, presenting topics including,  “Incorporating Web Testing in Your Classroom,” by Gwen Davis, instructor of information technology at Gateway Community and Technical College in Northern Kentucky; “From Infancy to Stephen Hawking: The Mystery of Word, Concept, Thought,” by Maria Flynn, coordinator of the development education program at West Kentucky Community and Technical College in Paducah; and “Fun with Fundamentals: Addressing Kentucky Education Reform,” by Marlisa Austin, associate professor of English at Jefferson Community College.

      The conference will feature a keynote session on “Emerging Priorities Facing Education in the 21st Century.” Participants are former Kentucky Gov. Martha Layne Collins; Saul B. Wilen, M.D., CEO, International Horizons Unlimited; Dr. James L. Applegate, vice president of Academic Affairs, Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education; Dr. Candace Gosnell, KCTCS vice president; Dr. Richard Kruse, president of the Society of Educators and Scholars; and Dr. John F. Hanel, Jefferson Community College professor of psychology, as facilitator.

 Kentucky Rep. Kathy W. Stein, D-Lexington, is a luncheon keynote speaker, Stein, a former high school history teacher, is a member of the House Education Committee and a strong supporter of Kentucky’s Bucks for Brains program.

Registration is still open. Anyone wishing to attend may call (859) 246-3138 ext. 1233 or register on site at the Camberly Brown Hotel on Thursday and Friday. Passes to sessions are available free of charge at the conference registration desk.