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Marcquis Parham, assistant director for career and employer engagement at Ģ����Ƶ University, was invited to serve as a keynote speaker at the Council for Exceptional Children Conference on June 6, at the Fawcett Center at The Ģ����Ƶ State University. 

The 2025 conference theme was Communities of Practice, aimed at enhancing outcomes for students with disabilities by emphasizing the importance of collaboration, shared learning and collective problem-solving. 

In his remarks, Parham discussed strategies including personal leadership development, fostering holistic approaches and leveraging evidence-based practice. Additionally, he discussed the importance of Communities of Practice for teacher retention by providing his own experience in Communities in Practice in Ģ����Ƶ. He also shared highlights from teacher preparation models across the state.

The Council of Exceptional Children (CEC) says, “Communities of Practice are groups of educators, professionals and stakeholders who share a common goal of improving special education through knowledge exchange, collaboration, and best practices. These networks empower educators by fostering ongoing professional learning, innovation, and support, ultimately strengthening services and outcomes for students with exceptionalities.”

Parham said that he was grateful for the opportunity to speak at the conference.

“Collaborating with the Ģ����Ƶ Council for Exceptional Children for the 2025 Summer Conference was an amazing experience, as I have core values that align with the CEC’s mission and vision,” Parham said. “It was an honor to represent the Patton College of Education and Ģ����Ƶ University Career Services outside of campus to better serve the greater community.”

Parham spoke alongside guest speaker Dr. Sean Smith of the University of Kansas, who discussed how leveraging AI-driven tools can be used to foster inclusion and promote more accessible learning environments for students with disabilities. 

Ģ����Ƶ University Career Services

The Ģ����Ƶ University Career Services team is dedicated to empowering students and alumni in their career journeys.

Career Services provides students with the resources and guidance they need to thrive in their academic and career pursuits. The office offers one-on-one career coaching, job and internship resources, employer engagement opportunities, and more. 

For more information, see the Career Services website.