NISOD’s International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence

Of all the resources NISOD brings to its members, the hallmark is NISOD’s International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence, held each May, in Austin, Texas. NISOD Member Colleges use the conference as a powerful team-building experience. One community college president said it best: “Faculty learning with others away from the college adds value! Participating in NISOD’s conference is important for faculty; it’s not just a perk.”

The heart of the conference is its vast array of presentations. From the general keynote sessions by inspiring and motivating national speakers to the breakout sessions about leadership and organizational development, faculty development, student success, diversity, economic and workforce development, educational technology, and more—the pulse of NISOD’s International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence is quick and strong as participants learn best and promising practices designed to improve student achievement.

During over 40 years, NISOD has remained true to its conference traditions—teaching and learning specialists, experts on the important issues facing today’s community and technical colleges, exemplary practices and programs, exhibitors and sponsors demonstrating products and services, upper-level administrators sharing real-world solutions, NISOD Member Colleges promoting campus innovations, and a recognition and celebration of NISOD Excellence Awards recipients, the real stars of this annual celebration!

Each year, Excellence Award recipients are recognized and honored during the Excellence Awards Dinner and Celebration during which they receive their medallions, learn about the history of the award, enjoy the company of family and colleagues, and drape the Excellence Awards medallions around their necks to wear during the remainder of the conference. The room is full of smiling faces and wonderful stories. When asked about what receiving the award has meant to them, recipients declare that receiving the NISOD Excellence Award is one of their proudest and most cherished accomplishments.

It is this rich legacy, purpose, and spirit that student applicants should be mindful of as they develop their artwork to be used as the front cover for the International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence Conference Program.