Carlton-Mellichamp Lecture in Education

Next lecture set for February 29-March 1

The Carlton-Mellichamp Lecture in Education, the fifth in this sponsored series which began in 2018, returns on February 29 and March 1. This year's focus: "Using AI to Support Well-Being in Education." The two-day event will be a mix of public and small group presentations. 

The event is free and on-campus, but registration is encouraged. To request a recording of the keynote address after the event, please email coe-events@uni.edu.

Questions? Contact coe-events@uni.edu

Selin Akgun
Selin Akgun, MA

Keynote Speaker

Selin Akgün (she/her/hers) is a PhD candidate in the Department of Teacher Education at Michigan State University. Selin’s research focuses on teacher identity and promoting elementary students’ science sense-making and social-emotional learning. Her research also focuses on the applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in education by centering on how to teach societal and ethical implications of AI in K-12 STEM settings, and how to integrate AI to formative assessment in science classrooms. Currently a graduate research assistant at MSU, she is a graduate of Bogazici University, with bachelor's and master's degrees in elementary education and teaching. 

Schedule At-A-Glance

Thursday, February 29

4:30 to 6 p.m. CST: Keynote (Open to all) 
SEC 220

Fostering AI Literacy in Education: Cultivating Critical Consciousness
towards Ethical AI 

A pre-event reception will be held from 4-4:30 p.m. in the SEC atrium. Everyone welcome. 


Friday, March 1

9 - 10:30 a.m. CST: Faculty session (UNI) 
SEC 220 (Moved from 216)

AI in Teaching, Learning and Research

11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. CST: Student session (Open to all)
SEC 216 (Light lunch provided) 

AI in PreK-12 classrooms

About the Lecture Series

The MellichampsThe Carlton-Mellichamp Lecture in Education, sponsored by Suzanne Carlton and Duncan Mellichamp, allows the UNI College of Education to annually host a nationally-recognized scholar in the field of education, educational psychology or health  and human services. The series stimulates the dissemination, public scrutiny and implementation of ideas with the potential to bring about significant improvement in professional practice and educator preparation. 

This professional development series is open to faculty, students and staff at the UNI College of Education and across campus, as well as professionals in the region. 

Previous speakers have included:

2023: Ebonee T. Johnson, PhD, University of Iowa, focusing on  community-engaged research to build capacity to address youth mental health.  
2021: Justin Haegele, PhD, Old Dominion University, focusing on adapted physical education and inclusiveness (virtual)
2019: Natalie Tran, PhD, California State University, Fullerton, focusing on social emotional awareness and mindfulness as well as bi-literacy. 
2018: Mark Wiest, PhD, University of South Carolina, focusing on meeting the behavioral needs of K-12 students