Madison College’s Institute for Equity and Transformational Change (IETC) 2026 Thrive Conference will explore strategies to strengthen retention, voice and engagement in education. Individuals interested in presenting at the conference should submit a proposal by Feb. 15.
The free April 17 event, themed “Beyond Inclusion,” will bring together educators, administrators, student services personnel, and community membe
UW-Milwaukee Assistant Professor Dr. Crystasany R. Turner will deliver the morning keynote address. As a third-generation early childhood educator, Dr. Turner has authored numerous articles and book chapters that interrogate institutionalized anti-Blackness and the systemic oppression of children and families with marginalized social identities. She is especially committed to illuminating the narratives of Black and Latina women as they care for and educate young children.
UW-Madison Professor Emerita Gloria Ladson-Billings delivers this year’s lunch keynote address. Author of the critically acclaimed books The Dreamkeepers: Successful Teachers of African American Children and Crossing Over to Canaan: The Journey of New Teachers in Diverse Classrooms, Ladson-Billings spent decades researching successful pedagogical practices that support African American students.
Attendees may register for the conference through Friday, March 27. Learn more on the 2026 Thrive Conference webpage.
