CAEL To Unveil New Global Credit For Prior Learning Resource at 50th Annual Conference

Discounted registration remains for the preeminent event in postsecondary education and workforce development, complimentary virtual attendance available to members of the media  

INDIANAPOLIS – From Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, New Orleans will be the adult learning capital of the world. That’s when the city will play host to CAEL’s 50th annual conference. Thousands of thought leaders representing educators, employers, workforce developers, chambers of commerce, industry groups, and other mission-aligned organizations will gather to advance individual and collective solutions for better-serving adult learners and workers.

During the conference, CAEL will announce a groundbreaking initiative that will enable more seamless connections between adult learners and the institutions committed to championing their needs. “Our new initiative will have major implications for not only recruiting adult learners and workers but shortening their paths to completion and post-credential success in the workforce,” said Christine Carpenter, CAEL chief of staff. 

Keynote speakers include:

• George Siemens, AI expert and professor and director at the Centre for Change and Complexity in Learning at the University of South Australia. Siemens is also co-founder, chief scientist, and architect of Southern New Hampshire University’s SNHU’s Human Systems.
• Ruth Watkins, president of postsecondary education at Strada Education Foundation.
• Motivational speaker Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch.
• Dr. Mark Milliron, award-winning leader, author, speaker, and president of National University. 

Siemens and Watkins will lead a discussion on the future of AI and its profound impact on postsecondary education. Castillo Kickbusch’s keynote will draw upon her experiences as an author and veteran who has empowered future leaders in education and community service. During Dr. Milliron’s keynote, he will lead a discussion about 21st century workforce development needs with executives representing several global corporations. 

CAEL will also present several annual awards during the conference. They include Adult Learner of the Year; the Pamela Tate Rise Award, which recognizes those who forge connections between higher education and the workplace; the Morris T. Keeton Award, which recognizes a person whose work, commitment, and ideals reflect and extend the values of CAEL’s founding president; and the Adult Learner Impact Award, which recognizes the significant impact institutions and organizations create for working adult learners and embodies CAEL’s vision that “Every adult can navigate lifelong learning and career pathways that fuel economic mobility and community prosperity.” The 2024 conference will also mark the second annual Community Impact Award, which recognizes organizations in the host region for their service to the broader higher education and workforce development community. 

Registration for in-person and virtual attendance can be completed at cael.org. Members of the media can contact Elizabeth Warner at ewarner@cael.org to receive complimentary registration for virtual attendance.

About CAEL
Recognizing that adult learners are the backbone of the U.S. economy, CAEL helps forge a clear, viable connection between education and career success, providing solutions that promote sustainable and equitable economic growth. CAEL opens doors to opportunity in collaboration with workforce and economic developers, postsecondary educators, employers and industry groups, and foundations and other mission-aligned organizations. By engaging with these stakeholders, CAEL fosters a culture of innovative, lifelong learning that helps individuals, and their communities thrive. A national membership organization established in 1974, CAEL is a part of Strada Collaborative, a mission-driven nonprofit. Learn more at cael.org and  stradacollaborative.org.

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