Keynote Information

Join us on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. for our Keynote speaker

Scott Van Pelt

Headshot image of Scott Van PeltScott 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.