ANCHORING HIGHER EDUCATION CONFERENCE

The P3 Collaboratory for Pedagogy, Professional Development, and Publicly-Engaged Scholarship is pleased to announce our 3rd Anchoring Higher Education Conference: "Rooted in Relationships: Cultivating Learning through Human Connection" to be held on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026, at Rutgers University, Newark.

 

The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Peter Felten, an expert on student engagement and co-author of the books "Relationship-Rich Education:  How Human Connections Drive Success in College" and “Connections Are Everything: A College Student's Guide to Relationship-Rich Education”.

 

Proposals are invited for dynamic sessions to share innovative pedagogical, professional development, and public-engagement practices that leverage relationship-building. The conference seeks to showcase how these strategies cultivate effective learning environments and foster learner engagement and success. 

 

Proposed sessions may address a wide range of relational approaches, including but not limited to: inclusive and trauma-informed pedagogy; service and community-engaged learning; mentoring and advisement; digital relationships and virtual communities. Sessions that explore how artificial intelligence can be ethically and effectively integrated to support or enhance human-centered approaches are encouraged. 

 

Session formats include interactive workshops, round table and panel discussions, demonstrations, oral presentations, and poster presentations. Proposals that highlight learner perspectives and feature students and external community members as co-presenters or co-facilitators, are welcome. 

 

Proposals should include a 250-word description of your session and list any technological or physical requirements for the presentation. Submit your proposal by Friday, December 5, 2025, via our online portal. This call is open to all faculty, staff, and graduate students in instructional and student-centered roles at Rutgers University-Newark, within the Rutgers University system, and beyond.

 

The Anchoring Higher Ed Conference is a one-day convening that gathers scholars, instructors, students, researchers, and community members to share their work and insights on teaching, learning, and community engagement in and around the academy. It reflects our mission as an anchor institution, in and of the City of Newark, and demonstrates a commitment to access, transformative learning, and radical inclusion.