2024 KWB Research Summit Summary
Theme: Rise of the Scholar-Practitoner
As with all our previous conferences, the 2024 Knowledge Without Boundaries (KWB) 11th annual conference was yet another dynamic forum this year for presenting research and recognizing achievements.
This year's event explored the innovative possibilities for advancing the value prospects of research relative to industry practices, scholar-practitioner engagement, and ever-evolving research concerning pivotal societal issues. The theme for this year's 2024 conference was "Rise of the Scholar-Practitioner," where we had the chance to hear about a wide array of research presenter's explorations into this topical theme.
Below you will find a recap of the 2024 conference with a collection of stats concerning this year's summit, including videos from main-stage events, and a downloadable PDF from our Keynote speaker, Dr. Jan Cardwell. We will also be producing a new issue of the Phoenix Scholar operiodical led by Dr. Kimberly Underwood that is a collection of abtracts from the conference and other post conference items.
Conference Attendance Overview: Insights and Trends
Below are videos that capture all mainstage events from the 3 day conference which include keynotes, special guests, and hosts. We, however, do not record presenter videos. All presenters will instead be recognized in a special edition of the Phoenix Scholar focused on KWB 2024.
Day 1 Mainstage events
Day 1 was the opening of the Summit and included a short introduction by Dr. Rodney Luster, followed by a presentation from Dr. Hinrich Eylers, Vice Provost of the College of Doctoral Studies, who gave a retrospective look at all the conferences from their inception to now, alongside some stats on the centers themselves, as well as the evolution of the research conducted within the centers. The audience also heard from Dr. Jan Cardwell, author and national speaker, in what was a riveting and motivating keynote address that truly set the tone of the first day. There were 35 research presentations that flowed thoughout the day that brought in some dynamic subject matter.
During the conference, Dr. Janice Cardwell bestowed a surprise gift to our conference attendees. The book, written by our esteemed guest speaker, entitled, Empowering Self-Concepts for Self-Leadership is a powerful element of the author's approach and philosophy to all things, including research. All KWB Summit attendees can access Dr. Cardwell's book below as a gift from her to all of us!
Download your free copy of Dr. Cardwell's book below.
Day 2 Mainstage events
Day 2 was yet another fantastic day as our own University of Phoenix President, Chris Lynne, alongside our moderator Dr. Kimberly Underwood, introduced Day 2 and the second year's institution of the President's Award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging within the Summit conference. President Lynne announced the 2024 winners in the morning mainstage events and it was exciting to see the various categorical recognitions, alongside watching the honorees accept their prestigous awards. Awards went to the following:
For Research: Drs. Marlene Blake, Adrian Allen, Patricia Battson, Jessica Flores, Sandra Sessoms-Penny, Joy Taylor, and Kimberly Underwood from their research entitled, How higher ed leaders can help students of color thrive by building belonging, based on a mixed-methods study examining "student belongingness."
For Scholarship: Dr. Jacquelyn Kelly and team: Destigmatizing the receipt of accommodations by using character personas based on work in a general education and nutrition courses. The work focused on decreasing student stigmas for receiving accommodations and improving student familiarity on how to receive an accommodation.
For Dissertation: Dr. Suzanne Gonzales: Dissertation research focused on Early childhood educator perspectives and LQBTQ+ image picture book use: an exploratory case study."
Day 2 contained 20 professional research presentations conducted in sessions 13-19.
Day 3 Mainstage events
Day 3 provided another exceptional conference day led by Dr. Mansureh Kebritchi who kicked off the main-stage events and moderated alongside Dr. Eylers for the 2024 Dissertation of the Year Awards.
Dissertation of the Year Winners
This year's awards were exciting, with some great dissertations recognized. Awards were presented to:
- DM/DBA DOY 2024 Winner: Mikel Yost
- EDD DOY 2024 Winner: Ramey Benfield
- DHA DOY 2024 Winner: April LaFontaine Johansen.
We also were able to hear from each of these recipients about their dissertation in a formal summary that was insightful and riveting. You can learn more about them in the video above. Day 3 followed with sessions 20-23, where attendees garnered wisdom and insights from 12 additional research presentations as part of the outstanding cadre of awesome presentations this year.
2024 Summit Stats
This year's summit was well attended. This was our biggest so far with both registered and unregistered attendees. Below is a tally of all attendees [unique visitors] for the event as acquired from Eventbrite and Zoom statistics for the conference.
Below are a few of the notable vitals captured from this year's KWB Summit!
Top 10 states represented
There were many countries and states represented at this years event. Among the top 10 were Texas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
Across the world
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- Caribbean
- South Africa
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Philippines
- Nigeria
- Mexico
- Japan
- Jamaica
- Ghana
Additionally, 109 states or provinces were represented amongst the spanse of registrant attendees.
How guests identified themselves:
There were so many different professions represented this year. Professionals from every corner of life. Below is a quick look at how each attendee identified themselves as a professional.
Many of our attendees work for various institutions and agencies that include places like the following: University of Virginia Credit Union, KAAB Continuum LLC, Harper College, South Orange Maplewood School District, Northside Hospital, Schneider Family Farms, T-Mobile, Saddleback College, Hayward Unified School District, Destiny Early Childhood Consulting, ComPsych, Versant Health, California Cosmetic Medical Institute, Colorado House of Representatives, Clarke University, Department of Veteran Affairs, University of Alaska, Universal Surgical Partners, Sacramento City Unified School District, Florida Gulf Coast University, Federal Government, University of Mid-Florida, DeSales University, McHenry County College, Asher College, US Army, Sawyer Police Department, University of Virginia, University of Texas, Georgetown University, Reynolds Community College, Reynolds College Richmond Virginia, University of Prince Edward Island, Caribbean Graduate School of Theology, Research Corporation/University of Hawaii, Tougaloo College, Veterans Health Administration, Ochsner Health System, New York University, New York City Department of Education, United States Postal Service, Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital, Ministry of Education-Jamaica, Merrill Lynch, Defenese Health Agency, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Kings County Hospital, California Intercontinental Universiyty, Baker College, American College of Cardiology, Internal Revenue Service, Humana, and many more.
- Executive Director
- President
- Chief Technology Officer
- Chief Officer
- Financial Industry Leader
- Director
- Educator
- Professor
- Secondary school professional
- Middle School Professional
- Principal
- IT Analyst
- Vice President
- Healthcare professional
- Life Coach
- Sales
- Law Enforcement
- Cybersecurity
- Behavioral Health
- Military
- Human Resources
- Religious Leadership
Comments on the conference
Attendee- “Attending the 2024 Knowledge Without Boundaries Summit provided me with valuable research insights and knowledge”
Presenter- “The Summit was an inspiring and impactful experience for my team and me. Presenting on the role of emotional intelligence in leadership effectiveness in mechanistic organizations provided a unique opportunity to engage with leaders, innovators, and peers who are equally passionate about advancing the field. The summit’s atmosphere of collaboration and the insightful discussions it fostered truly enriched our understanding and reinforced the vital role of emotional intelligence in shaping effective leadership.”
Presenter- "KWB 2024 with its theme of 'Rise of the Scholar-Practitioner' was very relevant to the research topic that I presented to my colleagues at the University. I received insightful feedback from other scholars/practitioners who participated in the same sessions that I presented in."
On behalf of all of us in the College of Doctoral Studies and the leaders of the Research Centers, we thank you for a wonderful event and already look forward to next year's conference!
WE WILL SEE YOU AT NEXT YEAR'S EVENT!