The 2025 P-12 Education Summit united IU faculty and staff, P-12 leaders, state education officials, and community partners to explore fresh collaborations and tackle today’s most urgent education topics.
P-12 Education Summit
2025 Summit
View the program agenda below for session descriptions, resources, and presenter information.
8:45 a.m. — Check-in & Continental Breakfast
9:15 a.m. — Welcome & Overview with Ken Iwama
Title: Legislative Updates 2025: Implications for Higher Education and P-12 Communities
In the Indiana 2025 legislative session, there were 43 bills related to K-12 education! Learn about the bills and their implications from legislative experts. The Indiana University director of state relations will discuss the implications of the legislation as it relates to higher education in the state of Indiana. The executive director of the Indiana School Boards Association (ISBA) will discuss the bills and their implications for K-12 education communities.
Presenters:
- Zach Smith Howard, Director of State Relations, Indiana University
- Terry E. Spradlin, Executive Director, Indiana School Boards Association
Title: Redefining Readiness: Indiana’s Vision for the New High School Diploma and Seals
This session will provide an overview of the diploma framework, explore implementation strategies, and highlight opportunities for collaboration between K-12 schools and higher education institutions like Indiana University. Learn how this initiative aims to enhance student preparedness and create flexible, future-ready pathways.
Presenters:
- David Buyze, Chief Policy Officer, Office of the Indiana Secretary of Education
- Ron Sandlin, Chief Innovation Officer, Indiana Department of Education
- George Philhower, Superintendent, Eastern Hancock Schools
Title: Launching the Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway
The Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway (INCAP) provides new opportunities for education and career training for students who want to learn through hands-on, real-world experiences, and for employers committed to developing talent in their industries to fill workforce needs.
In this session, learn more about INCAP, which is inspired by Switzerland's successful Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) system, and how newly established Industry Talent Associations are developing and launching INCAP high school apprenticeship programs and adult career training programs in 2026 and beyond.
Presenters:
- Kami Nielsen, Senior Director of Programs, Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation
- Chris Fisher, President & CEO of the Financial Services Academy
12:25 p.m. — Lunch & Collaborative Huddles
1:05 p.m. — Breakout Session A
Title: P-12 Attendance and Absenteeism
As policy around data collection and management of attendance for P-12 students has changed in Indiana, we explore the work of Indiana scholars and organizations whose work has implications for P-12 school communities and are critical in changing attendance policies.
Discover systems, practices, resources and materials for the implementation of new approaches to attendance and absenteeism and explore the opportunities for making a positive impact in your district, school, youth, and communities.
Moderator:
Carolyn Gentle-Genitty, Professor and inaugural Dean of Butler University's Founder's College
Panelists:
- James Taylor, Director of Student Services, MSD of Warren Township
- Stephen Balko, State Attendance Officer, Indiana Department of Education
- Chris Hess, Workplace Coordinator, Logansport Community School Corporation
- Mark Fairchild, Executive Director, Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana
Title: The Role of Higher Education in the Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathways
In this session, we will explore the ways in which higher education institutions and partners will play a critical role in the success of Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway (INCAP).
INCAP provides new opportunities for education and training for both high school and adult students, offering an option that combines relevant coursework and on-the-job education and training to learn professional skills that meet industry needs and help strengthen Indiana.
INCAP is a complementary option to the traditional high school-to-college route, allowing students who complete INCAP programs to pursue a career or continue onto further education and/or training.
Presenters:
- Kami Nielsen, Senior Director of Programs, Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation
- Erica Viar, Vice President of Workforce Strategies, Ascend Indiana
Title: Work-Based Learning Strategies for Teacher Workforce Development: Apprenticeship Pathways in Action
Registered apprenticeship and certified pre-apprenticeship programs are emerging as powerful workforce development strategies to address teacher shortages and strengthen educator pipelines. This session will explore how these models are being applied to the education sector, with a focus on Indiana’s collaborative efforts.
Join us to learn how the IU Registered Apprenticeship for K-12 Teachers—a degree-integrated apprenticeship—and the IU High School Education Professions programs—as a certified pre-apprenticeship—are creating structured, scalable pathways into the teaching profession.
Speakers from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development’s Office of Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship, Indiana University, and K-12 school partners will share insights, implementation strategies, and lessons learned.
Moderator:
Leah Nellis, Assistant Vice President for School Partnerships, Indiana University
Panelists:
- Jason Graves, Senior Director of Office of Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeships, Indiana Department of Workforce Development
- Jerry Wilde, School of Education Dean, Indiana University East
- Matthew Rhoda, Superintendent, Community Schools of Frankfort
- Beth Bates, Career Pathways Coordinator, Alexandria School Corporation
Title: Unlocking Readiness: Credentials of Value, Work-Based Learning, and Partnerships
This session offers a deep dive into the Enrollment and Employment Readiness Seals, exploring the credentials of value they include, the criteria for selection, and how new credentials can be proposed and added.
Participants will also gain a clear understanding of work-based learning (WBL) requirements embedded in the seals, including definitions and types of WBL experiences.
Finally, we’ll explore innovative opportunities for Indiana University and P-12 school partnerships to expand access to credentials and WBL experiences—empowering high school students to graduate with a competitive edge.
Presenters:
- David Buyze, Chief Policy Officer, Office of the Indiana Secretary of Education
- Ron Sandlin, Chief Innovation Officer, Indiana Department of Education
1:55 p.m. — Break & Popcorn
2:05 p.m. — Breakout Session B
Title: Opportunities for Leading and Shaping AI in P-16 Education
This session explores the transformational power of AI in P-12 school communities and higher education by encouraging educators to engage and innovate in the teaching of and learning by P-16 students.
Join us to learn more about how to navigate AI decisions and approaches so that education leaders and practitioners can shape its role, and integrate AI literacy into every discipline—not just computer science. Discover how to encourage project-based learning where students build AI-assisted solutions and outcomes, and how to partner with industry to provide real-world connections and opportunities for learning while focusing on critical thinking and creativity.
Moderator:
- Anne Leftwich, Professor, Instructional Systems Technology, School of Education; Associate Vice President for Learning Technologies, UITS, Indiana University Bloomington
Panelists:
- Justin Hodgson, Strategic Director of GenAI Faculty Initiatives for IU's UITS Learning Technologies; Associate Professor of Digital Rhetoric in English, Indiana University Bloomington
- Jeremy Price, Associate Professor and Faculty Fellow in Community Engaged Research, Indiana University Indianapolis
- Charles Sutton, Assistant Professor in the Department of Library and Information Science in the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering, Indiana University Indianapolis
Title: Strategic Stewardship in Action: Insights from IU’s Dual Credit Ecosystem Leaders
This session invites IU program leaders and P–12 educators to explore how the Office of School Partnerships and Precollege Programs is investing in dual credit initiatives to advance institutional priorities, meet legislative mandates, and support Indiana high schools.
Rebecca C. Itow will open with an overview of current practices and future goals, highlighting IU’s commitment to expanding access to dual credit and improving student outcomes.
Next, a dynamic panel of leaders from IU’s dual credit ecosystem—including Advance College Project, Indiana University High School Online, and prematriculation advising—will engage in a lively conversation about IU’s approach to designing and delivering dual credit programming, the values that guide this work, and how responsive strategies are driving meaningful change in schools across Indiana.
Moderator:
Rebecca C. Itow, Assistant Vice Provost for School Partnerships and Precollege Programs
Panelists:
- Troy Byler, Director, Advance College Project
- Jessica Geiger, Pre-Matriculation Student Pathways Coordinator
- Rhonda Bates, Director, Indiana University High School Online
- Addison Lively, Assistant Director, Indiana University High School Online
- Dennis Maloy, High School Indiana College Core Coordinator, Indiana University Bloomington
Title: Admissions Partnerships for Indiana Students
In this session you will discover how to help your students by learning about the options available to Indiana college applicants and Indiana University’s admissions gateways and partnerships.
- Meet IU Enrollment officers and learn how your students can earn admissions through the new Indiana Resident Admissions Program as well as other state and campus initiatives.
- Understand the timing and content of communications sent to students about programs that can accelerate their admissions journey.
- Explore the Seamless Admission partnerships available through IUI and IU’s Regional Campuses and how they simplify the transition to college, plus more opportunities for community collaboration to simplify the transition to college.
You'll return to your school with the information you need to guide your students through admissions processes.
Presenters:
- Sean Kilpatrick, Associate Vice President, University Enrollment Services, Office of the Vice President for Student Success, Enrollment, and Institutional Effectiveness, Indiana University
- Sacha Thieme, Associate Vice Chancellor and Executive Director of Admissions, Office of Enrollment Management, Indiana University Bloomington
- Molly Vanderpool, University Director of Admissions Operations, University Enrollment Services, Office of the Vice President for Student Success, Enrollment, and Institutional Effectiveness, Indiana University
Title: Emerging Case Examples: IU Regional Campuses, Industry, and P-12 Partnerships Preparing for Local Impact
This moderated panel features early examples of how IU Southeast and IU South Bend are proactively engaged with industry partners and P-12 schools to reimagine the role of higher education in Indiana’s evolving educational landscape.
As campuses prepare for the implementation of the new Indiana high school diploma and readiness-seals, presenters will share initial strategies and ideas for aligning academic programs, exploring curricular implications, and recognizing prior learning and work experiences to better serve future IU students.
Attendees will gain insight into the formative stages of cross-sector collaboration and are invited to contribute to the ongoing conversation about innovation and alignment across education systems.
Moderator:
Debbie Ford, Chancellor, Indiana University Southeast
Panelists:
- Michelle Williams, Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Indiana University Southeast
- Michael Schroyer, President, Baptist Health Floyd
- Raman Adaikkalavan, Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management, Indiana University South Bend
- Connie Peterson-Miller, Director, Office of Admissions, Indiana University South Bend
3:00 p.m. — Whole Group Session & Cupcakes
Title: P-12 School Leaders Panel: Opportunities for Innovation and Partnership During Educational Change
Engage in a moderated conversation about the lived experiences of district leaders, the transformative potential of university partnerships, and the opportunities drawn from new educational legislation and policy.
Step into the shoes of educational leaders as they share their experiences navigating the complexities of leading P-12 school communities for change.
Objectives:
- Learn about the opportunities and challenges of current pressing P-12 issues from educational leaders in Indiana
- Explore innovative practices and strategies that help leaders navigate new state policy
- Uncover innovative initiatives that are promising solutions to educational complexities
Moderator:
Lezlie Winter, Director of P-12 Engagement, Indiana University Kokomo, Retired Superintendent
Panelists:
- Markay Winston, Superintendent of Monroe County Community School Corporation
- Keith Burke, Superintendent of Union-North United School Corporation
- Brent Comer, Superintendent of Borden-Henryville School Corporation
- Jennifer Luce, Director of Curriculum, Assessment, and Data, Hamilton Heights School Corporation