CHICAGO SUMMIT 2026 SPEAKERS

Panel Discussion

Topic: Leading the Next Era of Educational Transformation:

From Vision to Measurable Impact

D. Antonio "Dean" Cantù, Ph.D.

Dean

College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences, University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, AR

Cynthia Bice, Ed.D.

Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate Studies

Missouri Valley College, MO

Radhi Al-Mabuk, Ph.D.

President

Ad Astra Research Institute and Professor Emeritus of Education, Department of Educational Psychology & Foundations, University of Northern Iowa, IA

Presenters

The Summit is bringing together leading voices and inspiring perspectives!

Theresa O'Neil, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

College of Health & Natural Sciences, Franklin Pierce University, AZ

Yuki Hasebe, Ph.D.

Professor of Educational Psychology

School of Education at COEHS
Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL

T.L. Brink, Ph.D.

Professor of Psychology

Crafton Hills College, CA

Christina Frasher, Ph.D.

Visiting Assistant Professor of Practice

School of Education, the University of Pittsburgh, PA

Mabel Okojie, Ph.D.

Professor of Education and Workforce Development

Mississippi State University, MS

Larry J. Walker, Ed.D.

Associate Professor and Academic Coordinator

Department of Educational Leadership and Higher Education at the University of Central Florida, FL

Matthias Grünke, Ph.D.

Full Professor and Chair

University of Cologne, GERMANY

Enikő Tóth

Assistant Lecturer

Department of Social Psychology, University of Szeged, Hungary
Doctoral Student, Doctoral School of Human Sciences, University of Debrecen, HUNGARY

Victor Uwaifo, Ph.D.

Professor of Vocational and Technical Education

Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, NIGERIA

Muhammad Shakir, Ph.D.

Chairman and Associate Professor

Department of Educational Training
Faculty of Education
The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, PAKISTAN

Madison Westley

Doctoral Student

Manager, Mental Health in the Digital Age Lab

Ontario Certified Teacher

Doctoral Student, Ontario Tech University, CANADA

Janell Harvey, Ph.D.

Founder & CEO

Harvey Nonprofit Consulting Group &
Harvey Nonprofit Consulting Academy, IN

Vincent Connelly, Ed.D.

Associate Professor of Special Education

The University of New Hampshire, NH

Tinukwa Boulder, Ph.D.

Professor of Practice

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Leading (TLL), School of Education, University of Pittsburgh, PA

Scott Richardson, Ph.D.

Associate Professor and Foundational Sciences Content Coordinator

College of Health & Natural Sciences, Franklin Pierce University, AZ

Melina O'Grady, M.Ed.

Consultant and Trainer

Walker Therapeutic & Educational Programs, MA

Jennifer Laffier, PhD, RCAT, RP

Assistant Professor

Director, Mental Health in the Digital Age Lab
Assistant Professor, Frazer Faculty of Education, Ontario Tech University, CANADA

Isaiah Harvey

Rising Senior

Merrillville High School, IN

Student Panel Discussion

Topic: Student Voices: Navigating the Transition to Higher Education

This 30 minutes dynamic panel brings together student voices at three pivotal points along the educational journey to explore what it truly takes to transition successfully into and through higher education.

Andrea Vargas

Graduate Student

Loyola University Chicago, IL

Layla Moore

College Freshman

Roosevelt University, IL

Isaiah Harvey

Rising High School Senior

Merrillville High School, IN

Jessica Rule

High School Senior

Legal Prep Charter Academy