2025 Forum for Excellence: Request for Presentation (RFP)

2025 Forum for Excellence: Request for Presentation (RFP)

The 2025 theme is The Power of WE: Collaborative Strategies for Educational Excellence

2 Day Forum Details

September 17-18, 2025 - Fully In Person

Embassy Suites by Hilton - East Peoria
Riverfront Hotel and Conference Center
100 Conference Center Dr.
East Peoria, IL 61611

Request for Presentations
• Each presentation request requires a separate submission.
• Presentations are approximately 60 minutes in length. An ideal session includes 45 minutes of content and 15 minutes for questions and answers.
• All accepted submissions will include two complimentary registrations for presenters.
• Additional presenters or attendees must register at the conference rate.
• All presenters are expected to be in person for their session.
• Request for presentations must be submitted by May 16, 2025.

PLEASE NOTE: Sessions that include sales of products or services are not permitted. If you are interested in becoming an exhibitor at the Forum for Excellence, contact Amber Fornaciari at afornac@siue.edu

We are seeking presentations that address one or more of these themes:


- Data and Accountability
Share innovative practices, research, and methodologies related to data collection, visualization, analysis, data-driven decision-making, performance measurement, evaluation, and accountability frameworks.

- Partner Development / Service Integration
Share program/college, community, and WIOA collaborations that make a difference for your students. What are some of the external relationships driving success? Which campus/program relationships are key? How have you developed and implemented workforce literacy programming? How have you developed and maintained partnerships? Please share replicable models for success.

- Mental Health Support
Share ways that you are providing mental health support for students, faculty, and staff. What access to mental health services is available at your college/program and in the community through partnerships? Share examples of faculty and staff wellness programs, hotlines, virtual counseling services, mental health first aid training, trauma-informed instructional supports, etc. What mental health best practices for the classroom can you share?

- Supporting Student Success
Share promising practices for comprehensive communication with students concerning barriers in learning about student needs and promoting appropriate wrap-around services. What are effective strategies for learning about student needs and barrier reduction? In what way should wrap-around service information be compiled and shared? How does a program ensure these services are aligned with recruitment and retention practices?

- Supporting Effective Classroom Instruction
Share best practices for engaging classroom instruction. What strategies do you use to evaluate lessons for reaching and teaching ALL students? How have you infused Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Standards into your teaching practices?

- ICAPS Highlights
Share your successful ICAPS models and replicable resources emphasizing one or more of the following components: partnerships between Adult Education and training/CTE, braided/blended funding, collaborative teaching, and creating pipelines, including Bridges, to move students to and through ICAPS.

- Digital Transformation
Share implementation and instructional strategies around digital enhancement, quality distance learning, hyflex, and AI implementation. What are proven methods in CTAE instruction that enhance the educational experience and prepare learners for employment through digital instruction?

- Transitioning of Students
Share best practices in engaging with Bridges, Career Services, implementing the Essential Employability Skills Framework, and developing student outcomes. How does your program engage with business to create opportunities for students and ensure successful employment, or apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship opportunities?


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