New CIT faculty member KeVeon White recently attended the TRENDS Conference in Muskegon, Michigan, alongside NMC colleagues Amy Burns Bailey, Ryan Deering, Scott Goethals, Stewart Jack, and Elizabeth Sonnabend. This conference is a vital forum uniting educators and industry leaders to advance career and technical education (CTE) by fostering collaboration on teaching strategies, student success, and innovation. Read on for KeVeon’s brief reflection on his experience.

What was the name of the conference/PD opportunity you attended?

The TRENDS Conference

When and where did the event take place?

10/22 – 10/24 of 2025 in Muskegon, MI

Please share details from a memorable keynote speaker, conference session, or something else notable from the event:

Being able to have a roundtable with peers in the IT space provided insight to the trends in student enrollment, how AI is being handled at an industry-preparedness level, and the overall interest in students. Additionally, sharing perspectives on the outcomes of AI alongside how teaching must pivot to continue giving students an edge over their counterparts was reassuring. With proper education and honest conversations, students can stay true to their academic goals and learning.

How likely are you to recommend this opportunity to a colleague?

Likely

Do you have any big takeaways that you’ll be applying to your pedagogy in the near future?

During the conference, I was introduced to the Universal Design for Learning. The different techniques that can be used to create a more engaging classroom and academic community within the classroom are plentiful. Two such methods I would like to incorporate are “stop light polls” to gauge student comprehension in a time efficient manner and transparency of goals with reminders displayed on the board or virtually on the screen marquee style.