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86th Annual International Conference (2024) Summary

The 86th Annual International ACHE Conference, themed "Fostering Care and Collaboration: Through a Culture of Wellness," took place from October 14-16, 2024, in Palm Springs, California. This conference focused on promoting wellness and collaborative practices in continuing higher education.
Snapshot of Attendance

The conference welcomed over 155 attendees from across the country, representing a diverse array of institutions and organizations committed to advancing continuing higher education.

Location Snapshot

The conference was held at the Hilton Palm Springs, located at 400 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262-6605. This venue provided a comfortable and convenient setting for attendees. The Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) was conveniently situated just 2.5 miles (4 km) from the Hilton Palm Springs. Attendees were able to reach the hotel easily using taxis, rideshare services, or shuttle transportation.

Keynote Speakers

The conference featured distinguished keynote speakers:

Dr. Niki Elliott: A clinical professor of education at the University of San Diego and director of the Center for Embodied Equity and Neurodiversity. Dr. Elliott presented "Mind-Body Tools You Can Use: A Polyvagal-Informed Approach for Educators and Helping Professionals," offering insights into mind-body techniques to enhance well-being and performance in educational settings.

Dr. Louise Kelly: A professor at the University of La Verne, specializing in Management, Strategy, and Leadership. Dr. Kelly discussed "Authentic Leadership and Innovation: Educating and Reinventing Through Life's Crucibles," providing tools for authentic leadership development and strategies for fostering innovation.

Conference Schedule

Detailed information on sessions, workshops, and events was provided to attendees through the Whova App and Website.

Favorite Sessions

ACHE members voted, and the top concurrent sessions from this conference were included in thie 2025 Spring Webinar Series:

  • "Meeting Where We Are: Engaging Cross Campus Collaboration for Improving Continuing Education" by Dr. Dallas Snider from the University of West Florida. 

  • "Beyond Tradition: Innovating Recruitment and Admissions Strategies and Academic Policies for Nontraditional Students" by Dr. Janine Guerra from Drexel University.

  • "Case Study: Using Generative AI to Analyze Continuing Education Participant Feedback" by Kiel Norris from the University of Georgia. 

  • "Supporting Adult Student Success & Wellness Through Engaging Online Coursework" by Dr. Thomas Teague from the University of Louisville.
  • "Fostering student wellness through community: one university’s strategy and best practices for adult learners in an online environment" by Dr. Eva Mika and Dr. Jennifer Gettings from Loyola University - Chicago.

These sessions were highly acclaimed for their impactful content and relevance to current challenges in continuing higher education.

Networking Opportunities

The conference offered a variety of networking opportunities to connect with peers, including:

  • Welcome Reception: Attendees met and mingled with fellow participants on the first evening.

  • Evening Socials: Participants enjoyed Palm Springs' vibrant culture during planned evening events.

  • Collaborative Workshops: Hands-on sessions sparked collaboration and innovation.

Awards Luncheon

At the 86th Annual International ACHE Conference, ACHE proudly celebrated excellence in continuing higher education by presenting three individual awards and four program awards. These awards recognize outstanding contributions, innovation, and leadership that advance the mission of adult and continuing education. For complete details, please refer to the 2024 Awards Program.

Individual Awards
The ACHE Leadership Award honors individuals for exceptional contributions to leadership, theory, and practice in continuing higher education on a national or international scale. This distinguished award highlights impactful achievements that extend beyond the Association's activities. The recipient of the 2024 ACHE Leadership Award is Amy Johnson, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs at East Tennessee State University, Quillen College of Medicine.

The Meritorious Service Award honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, performance, and dedication to continuing higher education, both at their institution and within the Association, for at least five years. The recipient of the 2024 ACHE Meritorious Service Award is David Grebel, retired Director of Extended Education at Texas Christian University.

The Rising Star Award recognizes outstanding emerging leaders and program developers at ACHE member institutions or organizations. Eligible recipients have no more than five years of experience in adult and continuing education and have significantly contributed to the development or expansion of an exceptional program or division within a continuing education unit. The recipient of the 2024 ACHE Rising Star Award is Hannah Regitz, Instructor of Strategic and Personal Communication at Liberty University.

Program Awards

The Distinguished Program Awards honor exceptional credit and non-credit programs at ACHE member institutions. Programs must demonstrate originality in areas like audience, delivery, marketing, or collaboration and show success through positive outcomes and budget alignment. The 2024 ACHE Distinguished Program Award – Credit is awarded to the Military Transition Program at Drexel University, Goodwin College of Professional Studies, led by Dr. Tina Marie Coolidge, Director of Programs and Recruitment.

The Palmetto College iCarolina Lab Network at the University of South Carolina, Palmetto College, received three prestigious honors at the 2024 ACHE Awards: the Distinguished Program Award – Non-Credit, the Outstanding Services to Underserved Populations Award – Non-Credit, and the Creative Use of Technology Award. The program is coordinated by Dr. Susan Elkins, Chancellor of the University of South Carolina, Palmetto College.

The recipient of the Older Adult Model Program Award – Non-Credit is the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at California State University, Dominguez Hills, recognized for its exemplary contributions to lifelong learning for older adults.

The University of La Verne, La Fetra College of Education, received the Outstanding Services to Underserved Populations Award – Credit for its impactful Dyslexia Teacher Training program and the Older Adult Model Program Award – Credit for its exceptional Preliminary Administrative Services Credential program, highlighting its commitment to lifelong learning and service to diverse communities.
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