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Excellence in Education Summit is Nov. 8

October 18, 2017

GREATER DES MOINES, IA  — The Greater Des Moines Partnership and United Way of Central Iowa will host the Excellence in Education Summit on Wednesday, Nov 8. Attendees can explore ways businesses, educators, community leaders, economic development leaders, legislators, nonprofits and others can work together to ensure the region’s students and existing workforce are receiving the education and skills needed to be successful in their lives beyond the K-12 setting. 

Michael Petrilli, President of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, Research Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, Executive Editor of Education Nextand a Distinguished Senior Fellow for Education Commission of the States, will be the luncheon keynote speaker. An award-winning writer, he is the author ofThe Diverse Schools Dilemma, and editor of Education for Upward Mobility. Petrilli has published opinion pieces in The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg View and Slate, and appears frequently on television and radio.

Kelly McManus, Director of Government Affairs for The Education Trust, will be the closing keynote speaker. The Education Trust is a national nonprofit advocacy organization that promotes high academic achievement for all students at all levels, particularly for students of color and low-income students. McManus works to leverage policy analysis as well as legislative tactics and strategies to advance The Education Trust’s equity agenda, message and policy proposals at both the federal and state levels. 

Other sessions include:

  • Innovative Business/Education Partnerships, a panel with Aiddy Phomvisay, Director of Des Moines Public Schools Central Campus, Brand Manard, Superintendent of the Boone Community School District, Dan Cox, Superintendent of the Charles City Community School District and moderator Dr. David Wilkerson, Government Relations Director for School Administrators of Iowa.
  • Future Ready Iowa with Governor Kim Reynolds and Dan Houston, Chairman, President and CEO of Principal.
  • Tackling Student Loan Debt: How to Avoid It and How Business Can Help Those That are Impacted with Rob Miller, Executive Director of the Iowa College Access Network, Greg Nichols, Senior Vice President – Public Affairs and Community Relations at Iowa Student Loan.
  • Equity in Education: An Iowa Perspective with Dave Ford, Director, Heartland Area Education Agency’s Postsecondary Readiness and Equity Partnership.

Attendees’ leadership and vision can help define what the community and state can do to help improve educational attainment and increase the talent pipeline by developing the right talent to meet workforce needs.

The event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center. The event is free to attend and lunch will be provided. To register, go to DSMpartnerhip.com/events.

About the Greater Des Moines Partnership

The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 23 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,100 Regional Business Members and more than 320 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.

About United Way of Central Iowa

United Way of Central Iowa fights for the health, education, and financial stability of all central Iowans. For over 100 years, United Way of Central Iowa has brought together nonprofits, businesses, government, community leaders, volunteers, and more to identify and tackle central Iowa’s toughest challenges. Focusing on issues such as early grade reading, poverty, mental and social health, high school graduation, and career training, United Way of Central Iowa inspires central Iowans to give, advocate, and volunteer to improve lives and empower all in our community. For more information about United Way of Central Iowa, visit unitedwaydm.org.