Lifelong Learning Exploration
November 4, 2025
At McKendree University, our mission is to deliver a high-quality educational experience rooted in the principles of responsible citizenship, engagement, academic excellence, and lifelong learning. We are dedicated to equipping students not only for the present but also for their future endeavors.
The Lifelong Learning Exploration initiative was inspired by our 33rd President, Dan Dobbins. During his inauguration, President Dobbins highlighted the importance of a relevant and impactful education. He fondly recalls the significant role his own internship experience played in shaping his career.
President Dobbins, a native of Pittsfield, Illinois—a small farming community situated about 120 miles north of Lebanon—majored in accounting and business administration. He chose McKendree for its robust business program, the chance to participate in basketball, and the opportunity to gain practical experience through what was then an innovative internship program. Now, four decades later, our internship program remains a cornerstone of our commitment to lifelong learning.
Today, we encourage our students to "Make Their Mark" in their careers, communities, and the world: Lifelong Learning Exploration is designed to empower students to do just that. Many thanks to the committee for developing an event for the McKendree community to explore career opportunities and beyond. Sessions include topics such as résumé strategies; social media for your career; what to do with your degree; what if your major is not what you want; avoiding burnout; networking and mentorship; and how to be happy, healthy, and productive. The event will conclude with a keynote panel of alumni that have “Made Their Mark” and are back to share their success stories.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Morning Sessions - Piper Academic Center 2nd Floor
Below is a list of live presentations.
From Stressed to Your Best: Managing College Pressures
This session will help students understand the sources and impact of stress in college life. It teaches practical, evidence-based strategies—like mindfulness, reframing, and self-compassion—to manage pressure in healthy ways. The presentation empowers students to view stress as a normal part of growth and to develop stress management strategies through balance, awareness, and support.
Presenters: Melissa McHenry
Location: PAC 222
Text Me When You're Emotionally Available
College can throw your relationships into chaos—in the best and worst ways. Whether you're dodging drama, defining your dealbreakers, or just trying to figure out how to say what you actually feel, this session is for you. We’ll break down what healthy relationships really look like—romantic, platonic, family, or somewhere in between (hello, situationships). This session will offer honest conversations, relatable advice, and tools you can use to communicate better, set boundaries, and show up for the people who matter.
Presenters: Dr. Sara Frank
Location: PAC 220
Pause, Listen, Respond: Negotiation and Problem-Solving for Real Life
Negotiation and problem-solving are not just boardroom skills—they are everyday life skills. Whether navigating a roommate conflict, coordinating a group project, or leading a campus initiative, this interactive session explores how to pause, listen, and respond to turn tough conversations into collaboration.
Presenters: Calvin Wertman, Lisa Storey
Location: PAC 218
Emotional Intelligence: What Can You Do With It and Why It Matters
Emotional intelligence awareness can increase academic performance, provide stress management, and manage social well-being to navigate challenges during the transitions of college life. This session will help you better understand your own emotional intelligence and how to use it to build stronger relationships, make clearer decisions, and stay grounded—both in and out of the classroom.
Presenters: Angie Gilbreth, DNP, RN, CLS, EBP-C
Location: PAC 216
Career Kickoff: Step Into Success
Transitioning from student life to workplace life Is a challenging yet exciting time. This session addresses topics such as workplace etiquette, seeking out a mentor, navigating workplace dynamics effectively, challenges new employees face and how to overcome them, and more.
Presenters: Jennifer Pickerell
Location: PAC 214
Below is a list of live presentations.
From Jersey to Journey: Life After McKendree Athletics
This session explores the transition from life as a McKendree student-athlete to life as an alum, focusing on how to carry the skills, discipline, and teamwork you built in athletics into your personal and professional future. Learn how to stay connected, find new ways to compete and grow, and write the next chapter of your Bearcat story.
Presenters: Tanner Wolk '10, MBA '11
Location: PAC 222
The Art of the Comeback: Crisis Communication for Everyone
You’re cooked! You just hit “send” on that angry late-night text, you said something snarky you instantly regret, or you got caught up in drama you were not ready for. When celebrities or big companies mess up, they’ve got teams of PR pros and lawyers to clean things up. The rest of us? Not so much. This session gives you insider tools from the world of public relations to handle your own everyday communication crises. Learn how to respond with calmness, clarity, and credibility — and maybe even turn your hot mess into your comeback story.
Presenters: Dr. Rich Murphy
Location: PAC 220
If There's Just One Finance Concept You Know
Everybody makes choices about how they allocate their money over time. Over the course of your life, you will be a saver and a borrower. In either case, there is one concept you should understand and if there’s just one finance concept you know, this should be it.
Presenters: Dr. Tyson Thomas
Location: PAC 218
Becoming Your Best Advocates
Teaching students how to identify their needs, communicate effectively, and use campus resources to solve problems and succeed academically, socially, and personally.
Presenters: Karyn Wilson, Allie Stevens
Location: PAC 216
Bend So You Don't Break: The Power of Resilience and Grit
This session will explore how individuals can adapt to pressure without losing their core strength. Through real-life stories and psychological insights, it highlights the traits that enable people to persevere through adversity and emerge stronger. Participants are provided with practical strategies to develop mental toughness, embrace challenges, and transform setbacks into opportunities for growth.
Presenters: Donna Matanane, Dr. Jean Sampson, Melissa McHenry
Location: PAC 214
Below is a list of live presentations.
What to Expect on Your Path to Graduate Studies in a Health Profession
Presenters: Division of Health Professions
Location: PAC 222
Thinking About Law School
Four recent McKendree alumni who have completed law school will talk about their law school experiences via Zoom. Current McKendree students can ask questions about life in law school.
Presenters: Dr. Brian Frederking, Brian Ahle, Taylor Ganz, Caden Owens, Isabella Strimling
Location: PAC 220
From Push ups to Purpose: The Evolution of Fitness
Presenters: Scott Neill
Location: PAC 218
Will the Rise of Travel Sports Bring an End to High School Sports?
The 2018-2019 academic year saw the first drop in participation numbers in high school sports in 30 years. How can that be with the popularity of big-time college and professional sports continuing to rise? Come discuss and learn about my theory and research on one of the root causes, the professionalization of youth sports.
Presenters: Dr. Rob Itri
Location: PAC 216
The Knockout Guide to Beating Burnout
This session explores the prevalence, symptoms, and impact of burnout while offering practical recovery tools and preventative strategies. Participants will learn how to recognize early warning signs, build resilience, and sustain energy throughout their careers. Walk away with strategies to beat burnout to the punch and stay in the ring for the long run.
Presenters: Dr. Niki Owens
Location: PAC 214
Noon - 1:30 PM
Afternoon Sessions - Piper Academic Center 2nd Floor
Below is a list of live presentations.
Balancing Academics and Athletics in College: Succeeding in Both Arenas
Balancing academics and athletics at the collegiate level requires more than just time management. It demands intention, discipline, and support systems that empower student-athletes to succeed in both arenas. This session explores strategies for thriving in both arenas by developing transferable skills, building a personal performance system, and choosing daily habits that reflect long-term goals. Success isn’t about doing it all perfectly, it's about doing it all with purpose and resilience.
Presenters: Coach Nickie Sanlin
Location: PAC 222
Resume Ready: Essential Strategies for Professional Success
This presentation offers essential strategies for crafting a standout résumé, focusing on how to effectively present your skills, experiences, and achievements. Attendees will learn techniques to enhance their professional image both on paper and in person to increase their chances of securing job opportunities.
Presenters: Dr. Allie Helfrich
Location: PAC 220
From Push ups to Purpose: The Evolution of Fitness
Presenters: Scott Neill
Location: PAC 218
Using the Science of Psychology to be Healthy, Happy, and Productive
This workshop will introduce attendees to scientifically supported practices that can increase health, happiness, and productivity. Psychology experts will introduce the practices, then attendees will make plans for implementing the practices in their lives.
Presenters: Dr. Guy Boysen, Dr. Sydney Engele, Dr. Michael Hahn, Dr. Hui Wang
Location: PAC 216
Basics of US Individual Income Taxation and the New Tax Law
This session will give students a basic overview of individual taxation in the U.S. and specific provisions of the 2025 tax law.
Presenters: Terese Kasson
Location: PAC 214
Below is a list of live presentations.
From Stressed to Your Best: Managing College Pressures
This session will help students understand the sources and impact of stress in college life. It teaches practical, evidence-based strategies—like mindfulness, reframing, and self-compassion—to manage pressure in healthy ways. The presentation empowers students to view stress as a normal part of growth and to develop stress management strategies through balance, awareness, and support.
Presenters: Melissa McHenry
Location: PAC 222
Diversity in Health Professions: More Than Just a Buzzword
We often hear the word diversity thrown around, but what does it really mean in the context of health and medicine? It's much more than just a matter of checking boxes. It's about building a healthcare system that is more effective, more equitable, and more compassionate.
Presenters: Dr. Mary McKee
Sponsors: SLATE Diversity Subcommittee
Location: PAC 220
Pause, Listen, Respond: Negotiation and Problem-Solving for Real Life
Negotiation and problem-solving are not just boardroom skills—they are everyday life skills. Whether navigating a roommate conflict, coordinating a group project, or leading a campus initiative, this interactive session explores how to pause, listen, and respond to turn tough conversations into collaboration.
Presenters: Calvin Wertman, Lisa Storey
Location: PAC 218
Becoming Your Best Advocates
Teaching students how to identify their needs, communicate effectively, and use campus resources to solve problems and succeed academically, socially, and personally.
Presenters: Karyn Wilson, Allie Stevens
Location: PAC 216
Testing the Waters: Getting Ready for Graduate Entrance Exams
Explore what to expect from the GRE, GMAT, MCAT, LSAT, and CPA Exam, and discover strategies to prepare, perform, and take the next step toward your professional goals.
Presenters: Jennifer Pickerell
Location: PAC 214
Keynote - Hettenhausen Center for the Arts
Join a conversation with McKendree alumni whose lives and careers have taken unique and unexpected turns. Find out how they have found growth in lifelong learning using the foundations developed while at McKendree to achieve life and career goals.
Alan Thomas ’80
From key punch systems to billion-dollar operations, Alan Thomas built a remarkable 40-year career in finance and logistics. After earning dual degrees in Accounting and Business Administration from McKendree, he rose quickly through the ranks at Prairie Farms and later served as CFO of Beelman Truck Company. Alan led major growth initiatives, implemented innovative financial systems, and managed operations across 46 states before retiring as a trusted leader in corporate finance and logistics.
Matthew Moran ’19
As a Surgical Sales Manager for Arthrex in St. Louis, Matthew Moran works alongside surgeons to improve patient outcomes through innovation and education. A proud McKendree alum, Matthew’s career blends science, technology, and relationship-building as he helps lead advancements in spine and orthopedic surgery. His passion for lifelong learning continues to drive his success in one of healthcare’s most dynamic fields.
Jordan Jackovich ’19
Telling the story of Southern Illinois is more than a job for Jordan Jackovich — it’s her passion. As Communications Manager for Discover Downstate Illinois, she leads marketing efforts across 22 counties, promoting everything from raceways to small-town gems. Jordan oversees social media, publications, and multimedia projects while collaborating with state leaders to spotlight the best of Illinois tourism and community pride.
Caty (Ponce) Happe ’16
Blending her love of math, mentorship, and coaching, Caty Happe serves as an Instructional Coach and mathematics teacher at Edwardsville High School. She supports educators in elevating classroom practices and integrating technology, all while leading the varsity softball team. A lifelong learner herself, Caty is dedicated to helping both teachers and students reach their full potential — on the field and in the classroom.
Location: THE HETT
Evening Session - Piper Academic Center 2nd Floor
Alzheimer's, AI, and Money: What to Do with Quantitative Majors
Open to all students, this session features three graduates who have dynamic careers in data analytics, neural network research, and wealth management.
Presenters: Hannah Alexander, Dr. Kenzie Meni, Thomas Watson
Sponsors: Dr. Alan Alewine and Jamie Pace
Location: PAC 220
MAJOR AND MINOR FAIR
10:00 AM - 2:45 PM
Join us at the Major and Minor Fair, where curiosity meets opportunity!
Whether you're just starting your academic journey or considering a new direction, this event offers the perfect space to explore programs, connect with faculty, and discover how your passions can shape your future.
Location: PAC Lobby
SPECIAL SESSIONS
10:00 AM - 2:45 PM
Join us at the Major and Minor Fair, where curiosity meets opportunity! Whether you're just starting your academic journey or considering a new direction, this event offers the perfect space to explore programs, connect with faculty, and discover how your passions can shape your future.
Location:
PAC Lobby
Schedule of Events
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Synchronous:
Power Up Engagement with Kahoot! in K-12 Education: Discover how to harness the power of Kahoot! to create an exciting and effective learning experience for your students. This session will explore practical strategies for integrating this versatile game-based platform into your daily lessons to promote active participation, assess understanding, and reinforce key concepts. Participants will learn how to design engaging quizzes and discussions, leverage the different game modes, and use real-time data to inform your teaching.
5:00 PM -6:00 PM Synchronous:
The Path to Literacy Success: Navigating the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan: Discover the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan (ILCLP), its key components, and available resources. Explore shifts in literacy instruction and consider next steps for your journey as a teacher candidate.
6:00 PM -7:00 PM Synchronous:
Calm Minds, Connected Classrooms: SEL and Mindfulness in Action: Educators today need more than instructional strategies they need tools for emotional balance and authentic connection. This session introduces practical SEL approaches and mindfulness techniques designed for both students and teachers. You’ll experience simple practices you can integrate into daily routines to reduce stress, foster stronger relationships, and create a positive, focused classroom climate.
Location:
Dilliard-Dorris Family Learning/Conference Center
Schedule of Events
11:00 AM - NOON:
Q/A regarding professional progression
NOON - 1:00 PM:
Q/A related to any topic to support student success and retention
Location:
Dilliard-Dorris Family Learning/Conference Center or Online
