MARCH 31 & April 1, 2025 | Miami, FL
2025 National Conference
Transformational Education for Lifelong Wellbeing
The Coalition for Transformational Education’s National Conference is an opportunity to share and learn with others dedicated to evidence-based, learner-centered education that lays the foundation for wellbeing throughout life.
This year’s conference will bring together thought leaders, educators, and innovators to explore the most pressing challenges and exciting opportunities in higher education today. Together, we will share insights, build connections, and chart a path toward transformational learning environments.
Sunday, March 30
Welcome Reception
SALT Waterfront Restaurant
Sunday, March 30, 2025
5:30 – 8:00 pm
Monday, March 31
Conference Day 1
Lakeside Village Expo Center
8:00 AM – Breakfast
Buffet breakfast with opportunities to meet and interact with other attendees.
8:30 AM – Welcoming Remarks
Dr. Kathi Kern is the Senior Vice Provost for Education
Guillermo (Willy) Prado, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Keith Buffinton, Executive Director, The Coalition for Transformational Education
8:45 AM – Meeting Overview
Richard Miller (President emeritus of Olin College of Engineering) on the mission and goals of the Coalition.
9:00 AM – Keynote Remarks
Michael Lamb, Executive Director of the Program for Leadership and Character, Wake Forest University
10:00 AM – Networking Break
Dr. Lamb will be signing free copies of his book, Cultivating Virtue in the University (Oxford University Press, 2022), following his remarks.
10:30 AM – Ignite Talks
Quick presentations by Coalition members featuring their projects, as well as advice for others interested in implementing similar projects. Featuring:
- Bill Whitney, Assistant Vice Provost for Experiential Learning Programs and Michelle Spada, Program Manager, Lehigh 360, Lehigh University
- Laura Perille, Executive Director, 4D Experience, University of Denver
- Drs. Karen Paisley, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs and Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and Lindsay Coco, University Innovation Alliance Fellow and Special Assistant to the Vice Provost for Student Success, University of Utah
11:00 AM – Community-Building and Storytelling Exercise
Facilitated by Urmila Venkatesh, Assistant Director of Alumni Career Engagement, Stanford University
12:00 PM – Panel: Higher Ed Media and the Perception and Value of Higher Ed
- Doug Lederman, Founder and former editor of Inside Higher Ed
- Scott Carlson, Senior writer and columnist at The Chronicle of Higher Education, and co-author of Hacking College: Why the Major Doesn’t Matter—and What Really Does
- Nick Anderson, Vice President for Higher Education Partnerships and Improvement at ACE, formerly a senior reporter covering higher education for The Washington Post
- Moderated by Archie Holmes, Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at The University of Texas System
12:45 PM – Lunch
Buffet lunch with opportunities to meet and interact with other attendees
1:30 PM – Group Photo
1:45 PM – The Cane Commitment at the University of Miami
2:15 PM – Keynote Remarks:
Eric Mazur, Balkanski Professor of Physics and Applied Physics, Harvard University
3:15 PM – Panel: Life Design, Helping Students Navigate College and Beyond
- Adrienne Ausdenmoore Bowling Green State University
- Laura Shaw, Arizona State University
- Dustin Liu, New York University
4:00 PM – Networking Break
Scott Carlson will be signing free copies of his book, Hacking College: Why the Major Doesn’t Matter—and What Really Does
4:30 PM – University of Florida Faculty Learning Community
5:00 PM – Summary of Day and Close
5:15 PM – Poster Session and Social Hour
An opportunity for attendees to learn more about Coalition programs at member institutions and to engage with others and reflect upon and discuss the conference before dinner.
Dr. Burnett will be signing free copies of his book.
6:15 PM – Dinner
7:00 PM – Keynote Remarks
Graham Burnett, Henry Charles Lea Professor of History Princeton University
Tuesday, April 1
Conference Day 2
Lakeside Village Expo Center
8:00 AM – Breakfast
Buffet breakfast with opportunities to meet and interact with other attendees.
8:30 AM – Keynote Remarks
Mary Murphy, Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana University
9:30 AM – Student Panel: Gen Z Mental Wellbeing
10:15 AM – Networking Break
Dr. Murphy, will be signing free copies of her book, Cultures of Growth (Simon & Schuster, 2024)
10:45 AM – Panel: Inter-Institutional Wellbeing Efforts
- Nance Roy, Chief Clinical Officer, The Jed Foundation
- Lori Collins-Hall, Project Director, Endeavor Mental Health Initiative
- Gerard Senehi, Founder, The Question Project
11:30 AM – Storytelling Exercise, Part II
Facilitated by Urmila Venkatesh
12:15 PM – Conference Summary
Richard Miller
12:30 PM – Lunch
Buffet lunch with opportunities to meet and interact with other attendees
1:30 PM – Optional Tour of the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
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D. Graham BurnettHistorian of Science and Professor at Princeton University, Graham brings a unique perspective on attention and the experimental humanities. His work offers fresh insights into how we can cultivate focus in higher education. Learn more here. |
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Michael LambExecutive Director of the Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University, Michael brings a wealth of expertise in virtue ethics, leadership development, and the integration of character education into public and professional life. Learn more here. |
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Eric MazurBalkanski Professor of Physics and Applied Physics, Harvard University, widely known for his work on Peer Instruction, an interactive teaching method. Learn more here. |
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Mary MurphyAward-winning Social Psychologist and Professor at Indiana University, whose research focuses on the growth mindset, motivation, performance, and intergroup relations. Learn more here. |
Hotel
THesis Hotel Miami
1350 S Dixie Hwy, Coral Gables, FL 33146
Please reserve your accomodations here by 2/28 to receive the conference rate.
Transportation
- 5pm shuttle departure from THesis Hotel for Welcome Dinner at SALT Waterfront Restaurant (4600 Rickenbacker Cswy, Miami, FL 33149)
- 8pm return shuttle from SALT Waterfront Restaurant to THesis Hotel
- 7:45am shuttle departure from THesis Hotel for Lakeside Village Expo Center (1280 Stanford Dr Room 1078, Coral Gables, FL 33146)
- Breakfast buffet at 8am upon arrival
- 8:15am shuttle departure (second wave) from THesis Hotel for Lakeside Village Expo Center
- 8:30am programming begins upon arrival
- 8pm shuttle departure from Lakeside Village Expo Center to THesis Hotel
- 7:45am shuttle departure from THesis Hotel for Lakeside Village Expo Center (1280 Stanford Dr Room 1078, Coral Gables, FL 33146)
- Check out and bring luggage on shuttle, to be stored on site at Lakeside Village Expo Center
- Breakfast buffet at 8am upon arrival
- 8:15am shuttle departure (second wave) from THesis Hotel for Lakeside Village Expo Center
- Check out and bring luggage on shuttle, to be stored on site at Lakeside Village Expo Center
- 8:30am programming begins upon arrival
- Please note: there is not a shuttle at the conclusion of the conference, though there is an optional tour of the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden for individuals extending their stay.
