Third Annual Conference:
“Leading Together”
The Office of
Institutional Engagement and Excellence and the College of Education and Human
Development is proud to present the Third Annual Chicago Southland Educator
Consortium Conference.
- Thursday, June 12, 2025
- 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Governors State University, University Park, IL 60684
- Hall of Governors (main entrance)
- Continental breakfast, lunch, and snacks included
Overview
The Chicago Southland Educator Consortium Conference provides a dynamic forum for exchanging knowledge and best practices for PK-22
and Higher Education administrators, educators, school support personnel,
educator candidates, scholars, and other experts to share innovative leadership
and mentoring practices across diverse fields in education. Hear from current
and legendary educational leaders like Reginald Weaver, who served as the
president of the National Educational Association.
In education, leadership is more than just titles—it’s about
commitment, collaboration, and impact. Leading Together brings into
focus school administrators and educators dedicated to fostering learning
environments rooted in empowerment, mentorship, and equity. Through engaging
keynotes, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities, participants
will explore strategies for leading with purpose, strengthening communities,
and ensuring all students thrive. Whether you lead from the front of a classroom
or the head of a district, this conference will equip you with the tools and
inspiration to drive meaningful change. Join us as we learn, grow, and lead
together. Conference Registration
$75.00 registration fee. Conference includes continuing education
units, resources, great presenters, networking, breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
Please REGISTER
by June 5, 2025.
Request to Present
Peer Reviewed Proposals Due May 1, 2025
We welcome proposals that promote an atmosphere of mutual respect
and learning, where diverse perspectives can come together to advance academic
excellence. This is an opportunity to collaborate with individuals, and
organizations dedicated to promoting advancement, individual and collective
responsibility, and community well-being.
Proposal
Guidelines
The Leading
Together Conference invites dynamic educators, researchers, candidates, and
school administrators to submit proposals for engaging presentations that
inspire collaboration, empowerment, and equity in education. This year’s theme
highlights the power of shared leadership and the essential role educators play
in mentoring, fostering inclusion, and driving meaningful change.
We seek
proposals for interactive workshops, panel discussions, and presentations that
provide practical strategies, innovative approached, and research-based
insights. Topics may include leadership development, equity in education,
student empowerment, mentorship, and community engagement.
Conference Structure
Selected
proposals will be presented in the following formats:
- Brief
paper submissions about leadership development (grouped by similar topics
for a panel discussion)
- Poster
Presentations demonstrating leadership research and/or best practices
- Workshop
presentations on leadership development, mentorship, or community
engagement.
We encourage
interactive, participatory presentations that engage attendees in meaningful
dialogue.
Submission
Date and Method
Proposals must
be submitted via Proposal
Template to coe@govst.edu by May
1, 2025, by 5:00 pm CST. The deadline ensures fairness and ample time
for review. We strongly encourage early submissions to avoid technical issues.
You will
receive a confirmation receipt within five days of submission. Please note that
supplemental materials will not be accepted after an initial submission. We
recommend limiting your file size to ensure successful delivery, as large files
may be rejected or challenging to open.
Conference
Location
Governors
State University (GovState) proudly hosts the 2025 Chicago Southland
Consortium Conference. As the only regional comprehensive public university
in Chicago’s Southland, GovState is a leader in diversity, equity, and
inclusion. Our diverse student body and faculty contribute to a rich learning
environment, and we are committed to advancing our commitment to community
engagement and excellence.
Selection
Process
Proposals will be reviewed by a panel of peer
reviewers trained in a standardized scoring process. The maximum score for any
proposal is 50 points, based on the following criteria.
Proposal
Template Completion | 15 |
- Purpose and Expected Outcomes
- Clear
Alignment with the Conference Theme
- Clear
Goals and Objectives
| 5
5
5 |
Relevance
and Impact | 20 |
- Relevance
to Leadership, Collaboration, and Mentorship
- Uniqueness
and Innovation
- Measurability
and Impact
| 10
5
5 |
Interactive
Engagement | 15 |
- Ability
to Engage Participants
- Scalability
and Applicability
| 10
5 |
Total
points | 50 points
|
Commitments
By submitting a proposal, presenters agree to:
- Participate
in a virtual pre-conference meeting with session facilitators.
- Arrive
on time and fully participate in scheduled sessions.
- Submit
presentation materials in advance (bio, professional photo, presentation
slides, handouts).
Contact
Information
For questions or additional information, please contact us at coe@govst.edu .
We look forward to receiving your proposal and working together to
advance restorative justice worldwide.
For the
most updated information on this and past events,
please visit our Office
of Institutional Engagement and Excellence events webpage.