Ohio University Chillicothe to host Association for University Regional Campuses of Ohio (AURCO) Annual Conference

Ohio University Chillicothe will host the 31st annual conference for the Association for University Regional Campuses of Ohio (AURCO) April 11-12.

The theme of this year’s conference is Cultivating and Maximizing Human Intelligences in Regional Higher Education. Conference sessions will address the questions of how higher education might better infuse creativity, critical thinking and community collaboration into academic work, and how human thinkers curate information with more purpose and value. The AURCO Conference seeks to foster a dialogue among scholars, practitioners and policymakers who are passionate about advancing human intelligence in a technology-driven world.

An opening reception and Ignite Talks will be held in the Stevenson Center starting at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, April 11. Ignite Talks are short presentations on topics ranging from teaching criminalistics to building community and student belonging.

Conference sessions will begin at 8:15 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, and conclude at 4:30 p.m.

Three consecutive sessions on Saturday feature a mix of paper presentations, interactive roundtables, and practical faculty workshops. These sessions cover a broad spectrum of disciplines and focus on topics ranging from current STEM research and humanities-themed explorations to innovative pedagogy strategies and essential student support initiatives. Additionally, a student poster display will showcase the work of emerging scholars in the Patricia Scott Art Gallery in Bennett Hall.

Dr. Lewatis McNeal, vice provost for Regional Higher Education at Ohio University, will deliver the keynote address. With a distinguished career serving institutions including the University of Arkansas and Northern Kentucky University, Dr. McNeal brings extensive experience in higher education leadership and will share insights on regional education, student success, and community engagement promise.

The AURCO Conference is open to educators, administrators, students, and policymakers. Registration (opens in a new window) is open until April 10.

All posters will be presented simultaneously before lunch on April 12. Students will be asked to display their posters and discuss their work with attendees and judges. The poster presentation competition winner will receive a plaque and a book scholarship.

For more information, visit the conference website (opens in a new window).

Questions or inquiries about the conference should be directed to conference co-chairs Greg Obi or Debra Nickles.