June 5-7, 2025
The Universities at Shady Grove
Rockville, Maryland
The National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) and The Universities at Shady Grove (USG) invite you to the 2025 SELC — a national dialogue to challenge our thinking and stimulate our collective, creative efforts in advancing fairness, opportunity, and justice for all through cutting edge leadership.
Featured Speakers
Frederickson Lecture
This year’s Frederickson Lecturer is Aparna Rae, a dynamic leader, entrepreneur, and advocate dedicated to advancing equity, fostering inclusive workplace cultures, and driving systemic change. With extensive experience across philanthropy, the nonprofit sector, and the tech industry, Aparna has built a career at the intersection of social impact, innovation, and organizational transformation. Featured in Forbes, Seattle Business Magazine, Business Insider and GeekWire, her insights are sure to bring inspiration to all - entrepreneurs, policy makers, practitioners, scholars, and students - as we lead together.
Plenary Speaker
A popular thought leader in higher education, non-profit and organization communities, Vernon Wall is a nationally known speaker in the areas of social justice and leadership styles. He is one of the founders and facilitators of the Social Justice Training Institute, and has written several articles and co-edited two books on issues of inclusion on today’s college campus.
Conference Theme & Tracks
The 2025 SELC will center on empowering practitioners and scholars to lead with equity. This year's theme, "Leading Together : A national dialogue to propel us forward," will feature six engaging tracks:
- Servant Leadership Rising
- Community Wealth Building (CWB) & Regenerative Economics
- AI & Education: Breaking or Building Barriers
- Entrepreneurship in Policy, Practice & Pedagogy
- Sustainable Solutions for Inequalities in Housing, Healthcare, Incarceration & Prison Reform, Employment, Food & Transportation
- Outcomes: Measure Our Progress Toward Greater Fairness, Justice & Expanded Opportunity
Conference Program
Day 1 (June 5, 2025)
• Opening Plenary Speaker
• Morning of Dialogue
• Concurrent Sessions 1 & 2
• Conference Reception
sponsored by the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs,
Virginia Commonwealth University
Day 2 (June 6, 2025)
• Concurrent Session 3
• Frederickson Lecture - Featured Speaker: Aparna Rae
• Concurrent Sessions 4-6
Day 3 (June 7, 2025)
• Morning of Dialogue
• Closing Plenary Speaker
• Graduate & Doctoral Candidate Networking Event
Registration
Registration is now open for the 2025 SELC with rates as follows:
- Professional - Full Conference Registration | $300.00
- Professional - Day 1 (June 5) Registration | $150.00
- Professional - Day 2 (June 6) Registration | $150.00
- Retiree Registration | $150.00
- Student Registration | $25.00
REGISTER FOR THE CONFERENCE
Sponsorship
Thanks to generous sponsors, we are able to keep registration fees modest and create an accessible, welcoming space for all attendees. Click below to review conference sponsorship opportunities and to become a sponsor.
BECOME A SPONSOR
Partners
