13th Annual Future World Changers in the Academy National Conference
"Empower, Elevate, and Excel: Leading the Academy into the Future"
FWCA CONFERENCE OVERVIEW
Join us for an unparallel professional development experience, at the 13th Annual Future World Changers of the Academy (FWCA) Conference, “Empower, Elevate, and Excel: Leading the Academy into the Future," taking place April 10–13, 2025, in Arlington, VA.
This conference is a cornerstone event for faculty, administrators, post-docs, and graduate students in higher education, offering a focused platform for professional development and academic growth. Through engaging sessions, intentional networking, and collaborative knowledge sharing, participants will gain tools and insights to advance their careers and amplify their impact within the academy.
This year’s FWCA Conference will explore key themes such as leadership development, research excellence, career advancement, and scholar activism. Whether you are navigating the challenges of early academic roles or seeking strategies for continued success, FWCA is designed to equip you with actionable insights and a supportive community dedicated to advancing the future of higher education.
FWCA Keynote Speakers
Dr. Natalie Stites Means (Lakota/Dakota)
Organizer, Social Entrepreneur, Executive Director of the COUP Council since May 2023
Dr. Gloria Ladson Billings
American pedagogical theorist Professor Emerita at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
Dr. G. Cristina Mora
Associate Professor of Sociology and the Co-Director of the Institute of Governmental Studies at UC Berkeley
FWCA Leadership Panelists
Dr. Amy Sueyoshi
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at San Francisco State University
Dr. La Jerne Terry Cornish
The 10th president of Ithaca College in New York.
Naelys Luna, PhD, MSW
Founding Dean and Professor
College of Social Work and Criminal Justice at Florida Atlantic University
Joely Proudfit, Ph.D. (Luiseño/Payómkawichum/Tongva)
Department Chair of the American Indian Studies Department and Director of the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center at California State University San Marcos