The Challenging the Paradigm Conference 2024, at the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Watson College of Education will be hosted on February 22-23, 2024. Our theme and presentations this year are focused on Partnerships that lead to purposeful pathways and successful education Journeys.
We are accepting proposals based on our theme and would encourage you to submit a proposal here. All presentations are plenary presentations to all attendees.
Topics include:
The conference registration is $150.00 and food is provided during the conference times. We will be reviewing proposals for a final agenda and will make it available on the website. We look forward to connecting with colleagues and expanding our networks around our important work for the success of our students. Registration Link Here.
We have two amazing keynote speakers this year who will share their experiences and hope for the future: Dr. Chris English, President of Southeastern Community College, and Mr. Perry Piper, Pueblo Community College Southwest Campus Regional Academic Director in Durango Colorado. They will bring messages on their successful work in creating pathways for all students.
We look forward to broadening our networks and getting to know you. Please contact us should you have questions at hennningd@uncw.edu, or by phone (910) 859-4889.
Dr. Christopher English is the President of Southeastern Community College, located in Columbus County, NC where he has served as President since 2020. Prior to his presidency, Dr. English served as the Vice President for Economic and Workforce Development at Blue Ridge Community College, located in Hendersonville, NC. He has served in the North Carolina Community College System for 23 years in a variety of leadership roles.
Dr. English, with degrees from Greenville Technical College, Pennsylvania College of Technology, New Mexico State University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Western Carolina University, is a strong advocate for student success and workforce development. His vision for advancing the community college mission is recognized through strong academic programming and innovative approaches to instruction.
Dr. English’s responsibilities include leading the organization’s strategic direction through oversight of organizational operations, comprehensive partnerships with key stakeholders, academic and workforce programming, financial resource development, and by serving on local and state boards that are pertinent to the economic development of Columbus County.
As a former automotive mechanic, garage owner, educator, and state leader, his life’s work has been focused on community and student success through workforce education.
O. H. Perry Pepper IV, graduated from Mount Desert Island High School in 1988. It was in the years between high school and entering the education profession that Perry worked in the skilled trades. Starting as a laborer and advancing to an apprentice carpenter, he pursued for the next 4 years in Aspen, CO. After moving to Durango, CO he then became a construction foreman, superintendent, and General Contractor. It was at this point Perry returned to college and completed his BA in United States History at Fort Lewis College in 2009 and then earned his MA in Humanities and US History from Adams State University in 2013. In 2015, Perry started teaching history classes for Pueblo Community College and Fort Lewis College. In 2018 Perry began his work in administration where he has served as Regional Academic Director for Pueblo Community College at the Southwest campus.
Perry believes in the power of partnership and working with indigenous communities. It is through this work that he has focused his energy on developing educational programs in indigenous communities to meet learners where they are and collaborate with community members to offer academic instruction. Perry has worked extensively with the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Tribes of Colorado to offer programs that are driven by community interest and need. He has worked closely with tribal education departments, Elders, tribal council members, and indigenous students. These programs are the product of numerous conversations and listening to what these tribal members wanted to see happen in their own communities. Based on the feedback, Perry has offered courses taught by community members and Tribal elders, has written, and received grants, and built meaningful partnerships with the Ute people, the college and local industry.