AAPHE 2025 Conference – Choosing Humanity: Co-Creating Joy, Justice, and Leadership

In a time increasingly divided by challenges and disparities, Choosing Humanity is the intentional act of centering people, community, and culture in our practice as educators and leaders. As co-creators, we reject power and hierarchy to affirm the knowledge, experiences, ancestry, and intersectionality of our community and invite you to reimagine our collective future in institutions of higher education and our world through Joy, Justice, and Leadership.

By co-creating spaces that prioritize Joy, we can cultivate resilience and hope, even in the face of adversity.

Justice serves as the foundation of our efforts, ensuring that every voice is heard and every story is valued. We explore how equitable practices can transform our societies, promoting inclusivity and dismantling systemic barriers.

Finally, we focus on Leadership as a shared responsibility, encouraging individuals to step into their power and contribute meaningfully to the well-being of others.

By choosing humanity—only then, are we able to uplift all individuals.