Conference on Meaningful Living and Learning in a Digital World 2025

Savannah, Georgia, is a picturesque city known for its well-preserved historic architecture, charming cobblestone streets, and expansive, moss-draped oak trees. Founded in 1733, it is the oldest city in Georgia and boasts a rich history evident in its beautiful squares and historic homes. The city's vibrant cultural scene includes art galleries, museums, and a renowned culinary landscape. Savannah's waterfront along the Savannah River offers scenic views, bustling markets, and a lively atmosphere.

The Brice Kimpton in Savannah, Georgia, is a boutique hotel that seamlessly blends contemporary style with historic charm. Located in the heart of Savannah's Historic Disctrict, the hotel offers a unique and vibrant atmosphere with elegant accommodations, modern amenities, and a pet-friendly policy.

Guests can enjoy the outdoor pool, lush courtyard, and on-site dining at the popular restaurant, Pacci Italian Kitchen & Bar. The Brice Kimpton is known for its exceptional service, making it a favorite choice for travelers seeking both comfort and a touch of Southern hospitality.

Select your room using our discount link!

We invite you to submit your proposals for engaging presentations that delve into the challenges and opportunities presented by the digital world in fostering meaningful living and effective learning experiences. You can opt for either:

45-Minute Presentations: Deep-dive into your research, case studies, and innovative ideas. Share your expertise with a captive audience eager to learn and engage.

7-Minute Simple Talks: Concisely communicate a unique perspective in, a powerful idea, or an inspiring story in 21 slides. Leave a lasting impact with a succinct yet compelling presentation.

Join us in shaping the discourse on how we can navigate the digital landscape while fostering purposeful living and transformative learning. Submit your proposals by October 15, 2024, to ensure priority consideration for this conference.

General Conference Topics (for 45-minute presentations or 7-minute simple talks):

• Reconciling Humanity and Technology in the Classroom
• Humanistic Instructional Design
• Work-Life-Learning Balance
• Health & Wellness in the High-Tech Workplace
• Minimalism and Simplicity
• Coaching and Mentoring Distance Learners
• Sustainable Technology Solutions
• Social Equity and Educational Access
• Learning Science

The conference holds special significance for a diverse range of professionals including online educators and leaders, instructional designers, psychologists, sociologists, trainers, social scientists, communication researchers, healthcare practitioners and researchers, librarians, media specialists, and education administrators.

Submit A Proposal For The Waiting List

Conference Registration is Now Open!

Registration includes Sunday Reception, Monday Box Lunch, Tuesday Reception, Wednesday Lunch, and breaks.  

Early Bird: $400

Regular: $485

Register Today!

Be mindful that attendance capacity is limited.

Download the Meaningful 2025 Conference Schedule (PDF, 54.K)

Opening Keynote Speaker

Dr. Crystal Neumann

Master the Art of Mindfulness & Emotional Hygiene in the Digital World

Monday at 9:00 AM 

As higher education professionals, we juggle countless responsibilities, often pushing through stress, guilt, and emotional exhaustion to support students and colleagues. But what about our own emotional well-being? While we take care of our physical health, we often neglect emotional pain—like anxiety or burnout. It’s time to change that. 

At this keynote address, discover how to incorporate emotional hygiene into your daily routine, even in the digital workspace. Transform your relationship with yourself. Through mindfulness techniques, such as loving-kindness meditation and self-compassion, learn how to manage stress, quiet your inner critic, and build emotional resilience. These practices not only benefit you personally, but also improve your professional interactions. Such improvements help you foster more compassionate relationships in the virtual classroom and among your peers. Join us to explore practical strategies for emotional self-care and bring a renewed sense of well-being into your online and professional life. 

Dr. Crystal Neumann serves as the Assistant Provost for the business department at American College of Education. She has a doctorate in business administration, MBA, and master’s in adult education. Dr. Neumann previously worked in marketing and market research before she transitioned to higher education to work with and motivate adult learners. In addition to her research and academic side, she is a huge proponent of the “body, mind, spirit” philosophy as a certified hypnotherapist and registered yoga teacher.

Monday, 10:00 AM – Concurrent - Session I 

Surviving the Grind: A Q Methodology on How Working, Online Doctoral Students Cope 
Michelle Bartlett, Old Dominion University 
Carrol Warren, University of North Carolina 
Angie Smith, North Carolina State University 
Griffon Room A 

Simulating Real-Life Scenarios in Online Graduate Programs: Two Case Studies in AI-assisted Instruction  
David Noffs and Shannon Castle 
Northwestern University 
Griffon Room B 

Hunting Rather than Fishing: Using Direct Messaging to Engage Online Learners  
Lisa McNeal and Katie Brooks 
College of Coastal Georgia  
Slate Room

Monday, 11:00 AM – Concurrent Session II 

Beyond the Stereotypes: Mental Health in a Multigenerational Workplace 
Christine Delatorre 
Collin College 
Griffon Room A 

Strategies for Sharing Research Across Audience Platforms 
Sarah Moukhliss 
University of North Florida 
Griffon Room B 

AI with Intention: Empowering Educators for a Meaningful Digital Classroom 
Jason Armstrong and Sarah Kuck 
Albany State University  
Slate Room

 

7-MINUTE SIMPLE TALKS 
Monday, 1:30 PM 
Griffon AB Room 

Hope-Mapping & Digital Naturalism for Humanizing EdTech 
Naomi Latini Wolfe, University of North Georgia & GDG Brunswick

Embracing Equity with Micro-Credentials 
Mary McGinnis, College of Coastal Georgia 

The Rest Stop: A Low-Tech Location for Disconnecting in a High-Tech Educational Environment 
Erica Dillard and Chrissy Pigg, Stephen F. Austin State University 

Going Hyperlocal: Connecting Students to Place and Purpose 
Melissa Dickson Jackson and Rebecca Smith, University of West Georgia 

AI Fridays 
Nancy Linden and Jane Nichols, Savannah State University 

Tech - Human Harmony: Navigating Discomfort and Bridging Gaps in Education 
Angela Reid and Mickey Jones, USG eCampus

Tuesday, 8:00 AM – Concurrent Session III 

Getting the Word Out and About: Academic Librarian Podcasting on Library Databases, Instruction Services, and Virtual Reality Applications 
Beryl White-Bing and Lauren Odom 
University of North Florida 
Griffon Room A 

Building Spaces for Humanity: The Role of Reflection and Ungrading Practices in Online Courses 
Tyler Watts, Mercer University 
Karen Bunch Franklin, Georgia Tech 
Griffon Room B 

Creation of Unified Professional Development for Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in Higher Education Institutions 
Taylor C. Rodriguez and Michelle Bartlett 
Old Dominion University 
Slate Room

Tuesday, 9:00 AM – Concurrent Session IV 

Inclusive Intelligence: Harnessing AI to Foster Automation, Diversity, and Personalization in Higher Education 
Kimberly Bell 
Athens State University 
Griffon Room A 

The Art of Mindful Engagement: Integrating Creativity, Leadership, and Technology in Digital Learning 
Alison Binger and Michael Woody 
Southern New Hampshire University 
Griffon Room B

Student Wellness Oasis: ACE’s Hub for Health, Happiness, and Success! 
Eleazar Neumann 
American College of Education 
Slate Room

Tuesday, 10:00 AM – Concurrent Session V 
Future Casting:  Looking Forward Through the Lens of Technology Tools 
Valerie Mercer 
Middle Georgia State University 
Griffon Room A 

eSports and Inclusive Learning Environments 
Christine James 
Valdosta State University 
Griffon Room B

Creating Contemplative Pauses in High-Tech Classrooms 
Alison Umminger 
University of West Georgia 
Slate Room 

 

Tuesday, 11:00 AM – Concurrent Session VI 

Supporting Families by Supporting Teachers 
Margaret Machara and Beatrice Harris 
Tennessee State University 
Griffon Room A 

Business Course Spreadsheet Skills Applied to Life Events in Personal Finance 
Donald R. Dean 
Georgia State University Perimeter College 
Griffon Room B 

The Selling Point: Promoting Student Agency in the Classroom to Enhance Engagement and Retention   
Ashley Dycus 
University of West Georgia 
Slate Room 

 

Tuesday, 1:15 PM – Concurrent Session VII

Life Balancing Self-Care Strategies for Educators: Toward a Mindful Practice of Trauma Stewardship 
Sean Camp, Jan Thornton, and Becky Montoya 
Utah State University
Griffon Room A

Per my last email: What to do when your colleagues are not listening 
Kirsten Zoller, Lisa Shappee, and Heather Wagoner 
Kansas State University Salina 
Griffon Room B 

Mindset Messaging: Harnessing CRM Technology to Motivate, Engage & Retain Students 
Aimee Berger  
USG Academic Affairs 
Slate Room

 

7-MINUTE SIMPLE TALKS 
Tuesday, 2:15 PM 
Griffon AB Room 

Real Uses of Artificial Intelligence 
Brad Prince, University of West Georgia 

Co-Teaching: A Model Approach for Coaching and Supporting Distance Learners 
Chrissy Pigg and Erica Dillard, Stephen F. Austin State University

Humanizing Technology 
Alicia Edwards, Old Dominion

It’s Hot in Here! Supporting Learners as Active Participants in Their Own Learning 
Without Losing Your Mind 
Nicole D. Alemanne and Lenese M. Colson, Valdosta State University 

What Do You Meme?: The Written Word & Canva Collide in the High School AP Language & Composition Classroom 
Duane Theobald, Trinity Christian School/USG eCampus

Simplify to Succeed: Minimalist Approaches to Help Desk Support 
Samuel Horsley, USG eCampus

Wednesday, 8:00 AM – Concurrent Session VIII 

Teach Me How to Advise, Instruct, and Lead You: Learning from the Students We Lead 
Vantrel Mainor 
Savannah State University 
Griffon Room A 

Old Meets New: Strategies for an Inclusive, Synchronous Lecture Delivery  
Celine Greene 
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health 
Griffon Room B

Wednesday, 9:00 AM – Concurrent Session IX 

Understanding Online Doctoral Students’ Expectations and Experiences of Faculty Mentoring  
Michelle Bartlett and James Bartlett 
Old Dominion University 
Griffon Room A 

Promoting Meaningful Teaching, Learning and Engagement in Online Environment 
Hieu Ngo 
University of Calgary 
Griffon Room B

 
Wednesday, 10:00 AM – Concurrent Session X 

The mix! Key ingredients to providing superb student support and faculty assistance in online courses  
Jacquelyn Cato and Harriet Watkins 
Instructional Connections 
Griffon Room A 

Moving Beyond Mere Text: Stimulating Creativity Through Visual Journaling 
Jennifer Luetkemeyer 
Appalachian State University 
Griffon Room B 

Digital Detox Yoga - Monday at 3:00 PM

Take Advantage of the opportunity for deep de-stressing with Angela Reid.  Bring your mat provided in each Brice hotel room (extra ones available if you forget) to the Pool Lawn.

Angela Reid, EdS is the Assistant Director of Instructional Design and Development and LMS administrator at USG eCampus for eMajor Programs. She holds an EdS in Media and Instructional Technology from the University of West Georgia and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. Recently, she earned a Master of Science in Integrative Health from the University of West Georgia as part of the inaugural class.  Angela loves practicing yoga in the community and is passionate about helping others achieve their health and wellness vision. She is an active member of The Breathe for Change Educator Collective, which supports educators in fostering a culture of wellness. In her spare time, Angela enjoys spending time with family, exploring nature, traveling, and volunteering at health and wellness events. A lifelong learner,  she believes continuous learning enriches both her career and overall well-being.

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Hand-Held Labyrinth - Tuesday at 3:15 PM 

Come take a contemplative pause and learn how to "walk" a hand-held labyrinth with Alison Umminger. This nimble tool can be used for personal reflection, and also for guided meditations in the classroom. Labyrinths are ancient and archetypal tools that have been used for millennia, and after leaving this session you may be inspired to explore simple ways to incorporate them into the 21st century classroom.

Dr. Alison Umminger is a Professor of English at the University of West Georgia, where she teaches creative writing and contemplative learning. She is also a certified Spiritual Director and facilitates retreats at Ignatius House and other retreat centers in the Southeast.  In July of 2024, she trained as a Labyrinth facilitator with Veriditas, and is integrating this tool into faculty wellness workshops and other spaces of spiritual exploration. You can find her on Linkedin, where she posts about all that is human in a digital world.

We extend our thanks and ask you to support our sponsor who helps to make this experience more meaningful.

Advantage Office Solutions offers life-friendly products and design services for business and work-environments. usaadvantage.net

For information or clarification regarding the Call for Proposals, please contact Marty Davis at gdavis@westga.edu or 678.839.6614.

For assistance with registration, billing, or to pay by phone, please contact Erika McClain at emcclain@westga.edu or 678.839.6611.