Keynote Information
Join us on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. for our Keynote speaker
Scott Van Pelt
Scott Van Pelt, along with Arthur Levine (President, Brandeis College), is co-author
of "The GreatUpheaval: Higher Education's Past, Present, and Uncertain Future" and
its forthcoming sequel, to be released in Winter 2025. Drawing on the trends explored
in the book, Scott has presented on the factors shaping the future of higher education
to state education systems, faculty associations, and colleges and universities across
North America.Professionally, Scott has held a diversity of roles across higher education
in areas such as academic advising, admissions, instructional technology, and teaching
and learning. Currently, Scott is the Director of Research and Faculty Affairs at
the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. In this role, Scott designs
programs and initiatives to support faculty success at Penn GSE. Scott is also an
experienced educator and facilitator, and has taught courses, workshops, and other
learning engagements for organizations such as the Wharton School of the University
of Pennsylvania, Penn GSE, and the Fulbright Scholars Program.
Title: The Future Was Yesterday: Higher Education's Great Upheaval & the Needs of the New Learner
Session Description: The United States is undergoing a profound transformation. As the world evolves into a highly interconnected knowledge economy, the forces of technological innovation, globalization, and shifting demographics present both unprecedented challenges and boundless opportunities. But these macro trends tell only part of the story. Even before the pandemic, institutions stood at a crossroads; today, student needs have shifted rapidly and dramatically, even as online education and the growing integration of AI tools in classrooms and workplaces have introduced new complexities, new risks, and new possibilities. In this session, Scott Van Pelt, co-author of The Great Upheaval and its forthcoming sequel, will explore how institutions can adapt to meet the evolving needs of learners in a time of sweeping change.