Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) is honored to host the 2022 National Learning Communities Conference (NLCC) November 17-19, 2022, at Gila River Hotels & Casinos - Wild Horse Pass.
The theme for this year’s NLCC is “Like Water in the Desert: Learning Communities Replenished, Renewed, Reimagined.” This theme explores how, often scarce and unpredictable, the presence of water in the desert southwest is precious and life-affirming. In uncertain times, rains that punctuate or even end droughts replenish and renew the landscape. They help reimagine a more sustainable future.
Learning communities may play a similar role in education. This conference seeks to explore how responses to pandemic-era challenges help to reimagine a future for learning communities that is innovative, inclusive, vibrant, and resilient.
“I am genuinely excited, and anticipate an impactful experience based on the conference theme of ‘replenishing’ learning community opportunities, courses, and programs,” said Christopher Reider, CGCC Co-Coordinator for Learning Communities and Chair of the NLCC Planning Committee. “Attendees will no doubt bring this momentum back to their closest colleagues and home institutions, where they—in turn—can water their gardens and pay it forward.” Reider also says that the conference will be a dynamic experience for conference attendees because of the emphasis placed on recruiting innovation and interactivity.
The conference is held annually and the NLCC is ideal for college faculty, staff, and administrators interested in the initiative of learning communities, integrative assignments, and high-impact practices. Their mission is to foster college student learning, success, and development through the production and dissemination of knowledge.
Featured speakers will include Dr. Emily Lardner, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Highline Community College; Brad Lancaster, Water Conservation Advocate and Practitioner from Tucson; and Dr. Jillian Kinzie, Co-Director of the National Survey of Student Engagement at the Center for Postsecondary Research, Indiana University School of Education. Participants will also be treated to a performance by Indigenous Enterprise, a Native American Dance Troupe.
“We have chosen plenary speakers who are key voices in the learning community field who will share thoughts and research on the aspects of learning communities that best help all students learn and grow,” said Chris Schnick, Dean of Arts and Sciences at CGCC. “Tied to our water theme, our third speaker, Brad Lancaster, is one of the leading practitioners of harvesting water, and his work to empower people to solve problems will inspire attendees to consider how they can provide students with the opportunity to improve their communities. In addition, a mid-conference performance by Indigenous Enterprise will energize and lift the audience as they progress in their work at the conference.”
The cost to attend 2022 NLCC in-person is $399, and includes pre-conference activities. For those unable to attend in-person, access to a virtual track of presentations is offered at a discounted rate of $150.
Find out more and register at https://www.cgc.edu/campaign/nlcc. For questions, email nlcc@cgc.edu.
