6th Annual Conference on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Education: Supporting All Learners

Presented by Gwynedd Mercy University's College of Arts, Sciences & Professional Studies

Register below

Our 2026 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Education conference focuses on the theme, “Supporting the Success of All Learners.” This free virtual conference will be held on Zoom on Monday, April 13 and Tuesday, April 14 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm EDT. The event brings together thought leaders, practitioners, and advocates to discuss how the success of all learners can be supported in both K-12 and higher education settings. This conference aims to inspire action, foster understanding, and build a network of practitioners and advocates dedicated to supporting the success of all learners. 

Questions may be directed to conference chair, Peggy Kerr at rosario.p@gmercyu.edu. 

Keynote Presentation Announced
Seen, Heard, and Supported: Leveraging Learner Assets through Intentional Design

Description: Each learner comes to the classroom with individual strengths and abilities, varied experiences and backgrounds, and specific interests and preferences. As educators, we can use learner variability as a starting point for designing supportive and engaging learning experiences. This presentation addresses how educators can intentionally and proactively design learning environments and activities that reduce barriers, integrate supports and scaffolds, and leverage on learners’ assets. With the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) guidelines, we can undertake a step-by-step process to reflect and integrate strategies to support all learners. Learn how UDL Guidelines 3.0 promote an assets-based approach that teachers, administrators, teacher educators, and postsecondary faculty can use to create inclusive learning environments that support student success.

This presentation highlights:

• Assets-based pedagogy: Considering learner variability as a basis for student success
• Proactive Design: Using UDL 3.0 to design learning experiences that support and scaffold learning for students
• Small Steps that Make a Difference: Integrating a UDL-based design process into practice
  
  

Presenter: Kavita Rao is a Professor and Director of the College of Education Research Institute at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Her research and teaching focus on instructional and assistive technology, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), inclusive instructional design, online learning, and culturally and linguistically diverse learners. Kavita has conducted professional learning workshops on UDL, technology, and inclusive strategies in the US, the Pacific islands, and Asia. Kavita was the recipient of the inaugural David Rose UDL Research award in 2024. She has served on the Advisory Board of the Universal Design for Learning Implementation and Research Network (UDL-IRN), chaired the UDL-IRN Research Committee, and served as a member of CAST’s UDL Rising to Equity Advisory Board. Prior to working at the University of Hawai‘i, Kavita was an educational technology specialist at Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL). In this capacity, she provided professional development and technical assistance to state educational agencies and schools in Guam, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Marianas Islands, Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia. Kavita has extensive experience developing curriculum resources, multimedia materials, and online programs for teachers. Kavita has been a consultant for UNESCO MGIEP (New Delhi, India), supporting the development of a Digital Pedagogy course, and collaborated with the International Baccalaureate Organization on a study of UDL implementation in IB schools worldwide.

Free Conference Registration

This year's conference features the opportunity to build your own program by registering for the sessions you wish to attend. The Conference Program with session details will be posted soon.