IACE 2026 Faculty Development Conference
RILEY CONFERENCE CENTER | FORT WORTH, TEXAS | MAY 20-22, 2026
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
2:00 pm Registration and Check-in
3:00 pm Welcome, Introductions, Prayer, Scripture Reading, and Affirmation of Faith
Address: “Faith and Learning Revisited,” Nathan A. Finn, North Greenville University
4:30 pm Break
5:00 pm Dinner in The Lane
6:15 pm Address: “Faith, Learning, and Christian Worldview Formation,” Chris Morgan, California Baptist University
7:30 pm Adjourn
Thursday, May 21, 2026
7:15 am Breakfast
8:30 am Devotional Reflections
Address: “Teaching, Research, Writing, and Scholarship,” Tommy Kidd, Midwestern Seminary
9:30 am Break
9:45 am Provost Panel Discussion on “Teaching Effectiveness and Expectations for Faculty,” Leah Zuidema, Dordt University; Chris Mathews, Crown College; Jeff Green, Arizona Christian University; Melinda Stephens, Geneva College
10:50 am Break
11:10 am Address: “Faithful Faculty,” Jacob Shatzer, Union University; Donny Mathis, North Greenville University
12:15 pm Lunch
1:30 pm Panel Discussion on “Faculty, Student Life, and Campus: Ministry Toward a Faithful Christ-Centered Learning Community,” Scott Bertrand, Houston Christian University; Katy Saynes, Bryan College; Bryan Carrier, Union University; Jay Harley, Dallas Baptist University
2:30 pm Break
3:00 pm Faith and Learning Discipline-Specific Breakout Sessions
Education, Kristina Cerling, Houston Christian University - Riley Center 239
Business and Professional Studies, Rick Martinez, Dallas Baptist University - Riley Center 243
Arts and Music, Jeremy Buckner, Carson-Newman University - Riley Center 252
Humanities, Mark Eckel, Liberty University - Riley Center 150
Sciences, Engineering, and Healthcare, Jan Foster, North Greenville University - Riley Center 237
Bible, Theology, and Philosophy, John Basie, Alliance Defending Freedom - Riley Center, The Lane
4:00 pm Thematic Breakout Sessions
IACE Reading Groups for Faculty and Academic Administrators, Donny Mathis, North Greenville University - Riley Center 239
Faculty and the Calling for Faithful Writing, Amy Crider, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary - Riley Center 237
Updates on the Artificial Intelligence Conversations, Adam Dodd, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary - Riley Center 150
5:00 pm Break
5:15 pm Dinner
6:30 pm Faculty Focus: Newer Faculty and Senior Faculty
Senior Faculty, Ralph Enlow, Board Chair, IACE - Riley Center 150
Newer Faculty, Jacquelynn Pleis, Charleston Southern University - Riley Center, The Lane
7:30 pm Adjourn
Friday, May 22, 2026
7:15 am Breakfast
8:30 am Devotional Reflections
Address: “Faith, Learning, and Spiritual Formation,” Christy Hill, Grace College and Seminary
9:40 am Break
10:10 am Address: “Christian Higher Education as Calling,” Shelette Stewart
11:15 am Adjourn
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Institute for Human Worth (Stand For Life)