Society For Experiential Education

𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 Society for Experiential Education's 𝟓𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞! Join us Sunday, October 25 to Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Savannah in Savannah, Georgia, USA.

This year’s theme, 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: 𝟓𝟓 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭, 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲, celebrates more than five decades of experiential education shaping learners, strengthening communities, and inspiring new approaches to teaching and engagement. Together, we’ll honor this legacy while exploring the future of community-engaged learning, work-integrated learning, research, and other immersive practices.

What you can look forward to:

• 𝐀 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 recognizing 55 years of leadership and transformative practice

• 𝐀 𝐝𝐲𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭 designed to deepen learning and spark meaningful conversation

• 𝐀 𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 across the experiential education landscape, including the return of Poster Sessions

• 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐡’𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦 through optional dine-arounds and local excursions

We hope you’ll join us for this special anniversary year as we come together to learn, connect, and celebrate the impact of experiential education.

𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, 𝟏𝟏:𝟓𝟗 𝐩.𝐦. 𝐄𝐓

Registration: https://nsee.memberclicks.net/2026seeannualconference #/

Draft Program: https://nsee.memberclicks.net/conference-program

The Society for Experiential Education's inaugural IGNITE Regional Collaborative is one month away! If you’ve been thinking about attending, this is a great time to secure your spot.

IGNITE is designed to be different — not just talking about experiential education, but actively practicing it.

✔️ Three 75-minute interactive sessions
✔️ Hands-on, applied learning
✔️ Built-in networking with educators and practitioners
✔️ Immediate takeaways you can bring back to your work

Whether you’re designing programs, teaching, or supporting student experiences, this event is built with you in mind.

📍 The University of Texas at San Antonio (Downtown Campus)
📅 June 5, 2026
🔗 Register here: https://nsee.memberclicks.net/see-ignite-regional-collaborative

Upcoming Submission Deadlines!

𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭: 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟓, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Experience Matters grants fund projects. Collaborative projects are recommended and consist of two or more scholars working together to advance experiential learning through research, assessment, program innovation, or knowledge synthesis that contributes to the field's evidence base and theoretical foundations. Details and Submissions: https://www.societyforee.org/experience-matters-grant

𝐒𝐄𝐄 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

SEE is proud to celebrate the individuals, programs, and organizations that are shaping the future of experiential learning. Through our Awards of Excellence, we recognize outstanding contributions, innovation, and leadership across K–12, higher education, community-based initiatives, and other impactful areas of practice. Details and Submissions: https://www.societyforee.org/awards-of-excellence

The Society for Experiential Education is excited to spotlight our keynote speaker for the inaugural IGNITE Regional Collaborative: Dr. Erica Clark.

As Director of Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship at The University of Texas at San Antonio, Dr. Clark brings a powerful blend of lived experience, scholarship, and practice. Known for her authentic leadership and engaging presence, she creates spaces where participants don’t just listen – they reflect, engage, and take action.

Her work focuses on:

• First-generation student success
• Challenging traditional pathways in higher education
• Expanding access to innovation and opportunity

At IGNITE, she will help set the tone for a day centered on applied, experiential learning.

📅 June 5, 2026
📍 University of Texas at San Antonio (Downtown Campus)
🔗 Register here: https://nsee.memberclicks.net/see-ignite-regional-collaborative

The Society for Experiential Education is proud to celebrate the individuals, programs, and organizations that are shaping the future of experiential learning. Through our Awards of Excellence, we recognize outstanding contributions, innovation, and leadership across K–12, higher education, community-based initiatives, and other impactful areas of practice.

Award Recipients will be recognized at SEE’s Annual Conference in Savannah, Georgia from October 25-28, 2026.

Awards of Excellence categories include:

🏆 Anna Julia Cooper Excellence In Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in Experiential Education Award

🏆Outstanding Experiential Education Program Award

🏆Outstanding Leader in Experiential Education: Higher Education Award

🏆Outstanding Leader in Experiential Education: K-12 Award

🏆Outstanding Leader in Experiential Education: Community-Based Organization Award

🏆Outstanding Leader in Experiential Education: Corporate or Foundation Award

🏆Outstanding Experiential Education Rising Leader Award

🏆Outstanding Experiential Education Research Award

🏆Dissertation of the Year Award

For more information and to submit a nomination: https://nsee.memberclicks.net/2026-see-awards-nominations

Submit your nomination by May 29, 2026.

Exciting update about the Society for Experiential Education's upcoming Student Insights & Experiences from the Field panel. There will now be student representatives from four different institutions: Clemson University, University of Nebraska at Omaha, The University of Georgia, and Boston University. Student speakers include:

◼️ Holly Hessner - Boston University; Advisor - Erin Salius

Holly Hessner is a senior majoring in Political Science. She has interned extensively for political campaigns, at various government offices, and for law firms. On the federal level she interned for three members of Congress and on national campaigns. Earlier this year, she co-founded a non-profit in Long Island dedicated to getting young people involved in civic life. As a result of her work, this semester, she was invited by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to a roundtable conversation about getting out the vote.

◼️Nagesh Paluskuru - University of Nebraska at Omaha; Advisor - Julie Dierberger, Ph.D.

Nagesh is a graduate student who is doing meaningful work developing predictive analytics for school districts about dropout. He also is a graduate assistant in the Office of Engagement and Service-Learning Academy and works with faculty members from UNO and P-12 schools to implement service-learning course work. He just won a campus-wide research award for his poster about his experiential learning research.

◼️Harshil Joshi - The University of Georgia; Advisor - Andrew Potter

Harshil is from Leesburg, GA and is majoring in Regenerative Bioscience. He is passionate about innovating the medical field through strategic health initiatives and the development of novel therapeutics. On campus, he is actively involved with several organizations, including the Thomas Lay After School Program, the UGA Kickstart Fund, and Stethoscope Magazine. Outside of academics, Harshil enjoys working out, reading, listening to music, gardening, and hiking.

From Clemson University with Panel Facilitator Abby Baker, Ph.D.:

◼️Lexi Hanushek, Graduate Marketing Assistant for Clemson Experiential Learning (Marketing MS major)

◼️Samone Middleton, Graduate Qualitative Research Assistant for Clemson Experiential Learning (Sociology & Public Policy major)

◼️Christian Afonso, Lead Undergraduate Intern for Clemson Experiential Learning (Management major)

◼️Cadence Freehling, Associate Lead Undergraduate Intern for Clemson Experiential Learning (Financial Management & Accounting major)

Register for FREE: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/WwAOyCb8RpqDfMGop_bJDA #/

Melonie Sexton investigates how scaffolded engagement with research articles and structured reflection can improve scientific literacy in an online psychology course.

The study highlights how intentional experiential design can reduce opportunity gaps and support deeper learning for diverse student populations.

Read the full article at societyforee.org/elthe.

In the latest edition of ELTHE, Kristin Bassett and Tara Grier explore how educational escape rooms can strengthen clinical reasoning and teamwork in undergraduate nursing education.

Grounded in experiential learning theory and Universal Design for Learning, the article offers practical guidance for designing immersive, inclusive learning experiences that connect theory to practice.

Read the full article at societyforee.org/elthe.

Featured in the latest edition of ELTHE, Joseph Fees, Erin Perchiniak, and Alexa B. Silver examine how faculty professional development can expand experiential learning across the curriculum.

Drawing on a summer training initiative, the authors show how structured mentorship, reflection design, and collaborative cohorts increase faculty confidence and classroom implementation.

Read the full article at societyforee.org/elthe.

The proposal deadline is 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞! Submit your proposals for the Society for Experiential Education's 55th Annual SEE Conference by Friday, April 3.

This year's theme, Experience Matters: 55 Years of Impact, Innovation, and Community, explores how community-engaged, work-integrated learning, and research create high-impact experiences.

As we celebrate 55 years of experiential education, we welcome submissions that highlight innovative practices, research, partnerships, and approaches that advance experiential education across the field. For those interested, please submit your proposal here: https://site.pheedloop.com/portal/event/EVEIIBTTBRKGV/submission/CALMPO2RARBMBK3/application

𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄

This year's conference is happening Sunday, October 25 to Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Savannah in Savannah, Georgia. Expect a vibrant program, meaningful networking, and the chance to experience Savannah’s historic charm through optional dine-arounds and local excursions. To view more information and updates on the 55th Annual SEE Conference, visit: https://www.societyforee.org/2026-conference

Join the Society for Experiential Education on April 23 for a panel presentation with current students from Loyola University Chicago and Clemson University. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/WwAOyCb8RpqDfMGop_bJDA