The Global and Community Engagement Conference is a dialogue and celebration of our efforts to solve issues that confront communities in need.
The Michigan Tech campus hosts this annual conference every fall to give a platform to the voices of those serving communities both domestically and abroad. This event highlights voices from all backgrounds—faculty, staff, students, and local organizations—who are making a difference in communities worldwide.
GCE Conference 2024 - "Igniting Change Through Generosity"
Save the Date - October 12, 2024
Please mark your calendars for the upcoming Global and Community Engagement (GCE) Conference, scheduled for Saturday, October 12, 2024, in the Memorial Union Ballroom. The conference is open to all who are passionate about the development, design, and discovery of communities and people. Participants will enjoy a day of inspiring sessions, interactive discussions, and lunch will be provided.
Call for Presenters
We invite you to present at Michigan Tech’s annual Global & Community Engagement Conference, an event dedicated to amplifying the efforts of those working to better communities locally and globally. We are seeking proposals from individuals and groups across disciplines—faculty, staff, students, and community organizations—whose work contributes to community development, global health, educational outreach, environmental sustainability, social justice, technological innovation, cultural exchange, and more.
Submit your proposal and be part of a diverse, dynamic event that drives global and community engagement.
Conference Keynote Speaker - Lisa M. Dietlin
Lisa M. Dietlin is an internationally recognized expert on philanthropy, charitable giving, and transformational change in both the personal and professional arenas. A leading figure in the American nonprofit sector, her deep experience with fundraising and the nonprofit sector, groundbreaking research on giving patterns, and influential ideas on transformational philanthropy have led her to become one of the most trusted philanthropic advisors in the nation, making numerous appearances on TV and radio. In 2023, she was named a Fulbright Specialist by the US Department of State.
In addition, Lisa’s conviction that anyone can be an agent for positive change by Making A Difference® in their own life has made her a highly sought after keynote speaker, lauded for delivering compelling and practical tools for personal growth, goal achievement, and maintaining a healthy work/life balance full of “happiness and joy” to a wide range of audiences across all industries.
A frequent contributor to magazines and news outlets, Lisa has also authored several books on the subjects of change and growth, including Transformational Philanthropy: Entrepreneurs and Nonprofits, the Making a Difference: 365 Tips, Ideas, and Stories to Change Your World series, The Power of Three: How To Achieve Your Goals By Simply Doing Three Things A Day, and the autobiographical I Got Hit By A Taxi But You Look Run Over: Life Lessons about Happiness and Joy.
Behind the scenes, Lisa has provided strategic guidance to over 1000 organizations, as well as to entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and nonprofit boards and staffs to help them enact transformational change at the individual, structural, and national levels. As founder of The Institute of Transformational Philanthropy, she is an in-demand coach and instructor with frequent stints as adjunct faculty at Chicago’s Northwestern University, DePaul University, and North Park University, as well as helming training seminars for clients ranging from Fortune 500’s and international charitable organizations to community-based nonprofits.
Lisa’s awards include the Distinguished Graduate Award from Alpena Community College, being named one of the 20 Most Inspiring Chicagoans and induction into the Alpena High School Hall Of Fame. She serves on the Advisory Board of the Metropolitan Capital Bank and Trust, and for three years she served as a National Judge for the Tom’s of Maine "50 States for Good" annual charity recognition award, and was recently cited as a “Remarkable Woman” by The Chicago Tribune.
A native of Michigan, Lisa holds undergraduate degrees from Michigan State University and Alpena Community College, and a Master’s Degree in Philanthropy and Development from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
Check back to learn more about the conference schedule and registration process.
The GCE Conference is a collaboration between multiple groups including: Pavlis Honors College, Office of Sustainability and Resilience, Keweenaw Community Foundation, and Student Leadership and Involvement.
This program is partially funded/sponsored by the Visiting Professor Program which is funded by a grant to the Office of the Provost from the State of Michigan's King-Chavez-Parks Initiative.
Interested in getting involved? Please email honors@mtu.edu for more information.
Check out past GCE Conferences:
Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
