Purdue Global's General Education Conference set for April 21-23
WEST LAFAYETTE - We are excited to announce that registration is now open for the Purdue Global School of Multidisciplinary and Professional Studies General Education Conference (GEC)! We warmly invite you to join us as our guest for this year's event.
The 2026 conference will be held April 21–23, with special Earth Day programming kicking off on Monday, April 20. This annual gathering provides a dynamic space for sharing ideas, exploring innovative practices, and fostering collaboration across the Purdue Global community and beyond.
Click here to visit our conference site for more details and to register.
Featured Keynote Speakers
Monday, April 20
Dr. Joan Salge Blake
Earth Day Keynote Speaker
Session: Why Professors Need to Be Talking Trash
Dr. Joan Salge Blake explores the critical issue of food waste, its environmental, economic, and social impacts, and how education can drive meaningful change.
Dr. Joan Salge Blake, EdD, RDN, LDN, FAND, is a dietitian and nutrition professor at Boston University (BU), author of Nutrition & You, and the host of the popular nutrition & health podcast, Spot On!
Tuesday, April 21 | 11:00 a.m. ET
Chris Mayer
Director of Philosophy, United States Military Academy (West Point)
Chris Mayer is a career U.S. Army officer and Director of Philosophy in the Department of Law & Philosophy at West Point. He has also served as Department Head of English and Philosophy and Associate Dean for Strategy and Initiatives. His research focuses on the future of higher education, including curriculum design, employability, and strategic leadership.
Wednesday, April 22 | 11:00 a.m. ET
Eva Nodine
CEO, Purdue Global
Session: Be the Change: From Adult Learner to CEO
Eva Nodine was recently appointed CEO of Purdue Global, bringing extensive leadership experience across finance, operations, and strategic planning. Passionate about student success, she is committed to expanding opportunities for working adult learners. Her journey as a working adult student uniquely informs her leadership and vision for the future of higher education.
Featured Presentations
Plenary Panel
Presenters: Kristin Early, Sara Sander, and Karen McGregor
Building the Future of Adult Higher Education: AI, Targeted Support, and Data-Driven Course Design for Student Success
AI Exploration Hub (Daily at Noon)
Join us each day for interactive, hands-on sessions exploring AI tools and practical applications in teaching and learning.
Special Sessions & Highlights
Lightning Sessions
Taking place on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., featured lightning sessions include:
- Hearing the Voice of Bilingual Students and How to Create an Inclusive Environment
- Inspirations in the Math Department
- O, Beehive!
- Seeing Is Not Believing: A Lightning Tour of Optical Illusions
- The Algae Advantage: Algae-Based Biofuels
Closing Session (Thursday at 5:30 p.m. ET):
Featuring remarks from Maricel Lawrence
We look forward to your participation in what promises to be a thought-provoking and inspiring event.
About Purdue Global
Purdue Global is Purdue’s online university for working adults who have life experience and often some college credits. It offers flexible paths for students to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, military service and previous college credits, no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and backed by Purdue University. For more information, visit https://www.purdueglobal.edu.