Wilmington College’s Dennis Kelly was among 39 university administrators and industry leaders that participated in a forum designed to re-imagine higher education’s potential to lead global social impact.
Executive track sessions for the 8th annual Millennium Campus Conference earlier this summer were hosted by The White House, Department of State and Howard University in Washington D.C.
PICTURED: (LEFT) Dennis Kelly is photographed in The White House. (RIGHT) Some 39 university administrators and industry leaders had an executive track session in the West Wing of The White House.
Kelly, WC’s chief enrollment officer, was selected to attend by the Millennium Campus Network (MCN), a global, non-profit organization committed to talent development for the global development sector. MCN places an emphasis on promoting sustainability, social awareness, peace and social justice.
Kelly, who was the lone representative from any Ohio institution, said his selection resulted from a combination of his experience in higher education and Wilmington College’s commitment to MCN’s core values of sustainability, social awareness and peace/social justice.
“They said I fit the profile of a decision-maker at a certain type of institution,” Kelly said. “Global curriculum, peace, social justice — Wilmington College has the whole package. I was happy the College received this recognition.”
Kelly initiated discussion highlighting his belief that one of the most effective ways in which to develop the next generation of global development leaders is to infuse such values as sustainability and social awareness into educational activities as early as elementary school.
“We want to get ahead of the curve rather than first address those issues when they get to college,” he said.
The college executives and industry leaders interfaced with government leaders and had the opportunity to network with hundreds of college students attending the conference. Sessions included such topics as ‘Opportunities for Universities to Champion Global Change” and “Preparing Undergraduates for Social Impact Careers.”
The executive track in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at The White House West Wing featured personnel from The White House: Office of Public Engagement, Council on Women and Girls, and Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.