2024 Call for Proposals

The Association for Continuing Higher Education is excited to invite you to join us in Palm Springs, California from October 14-16, 2024 for the 86th Annual Conference and Meeting of ACHE! This year’s conference theme, “Fostering Care and Collaboration Through a Culture of Wellness,” invites members to share experiences and research 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

Who should submit proposals?

ACHE membership includes professionals across the continuing education spectrum, including continuing education administrators, continuing education faculty members and researchers, prior learning professionals, continuing education support staff, and marketing and business development professionals. Thus, the conference planning committee invites proposals from and appealing to this diverse professional community. Proposals can be submitted by:

• Provosts/Deans/Associate 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.

Types of Sessions:

• 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 participants energized, inspired, and curious about new practices.

• 30-Minute Presentations:

Take center stage with a 30-minute presentation, which 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.

• 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, designed to inspire, inform, and engage the audience with insightful discourse.

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 May 20, 2024 in conjunction with the conference registration deadlines. Please address the following in your proposal:

• Title, abstract (max. 250 words), detailed session outline, and presenter name(s) and bio(s)

• Preferred session format (lightning session, presentation, or panel discussion) and specify the duration

• Target audience

• Connection to the conference theme

• Application of content to practice 

• How you will engage the audience

Presenters may submit multiple proposals, but each proposal must be submitted separately.

SUBMIT HERE!

Pre-Conference Workshops

ACHE is also 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 15, 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.

SUBMIT HERE!

THANK YOU for your interest in submitting a proposal for the conference!