This March, NetVUE hosted its biennial conference, where teams from member institutions gathered to learn from each other, experience fellowship, and deepen their advocacy in relation to vocational programming for undergraduates at institutions of higher education. This conference’s theme—Vocation: An Itinerary of Hope for Higher Education—allowed attendees to attend thoughtful presentations, learn about cutting-edge ideas in the field, and take advantage of meaningful networking opportunities. NetVUE’s webinar on April 16, 2026, (Re)experiencing the 2026 NetVUE Conference, shared highlights from the event. (Readers at NetVUE member institutions can view recordings and presentations from the conference by following the links in this post and signing in to the NetVUE Online Community.)
The webinar opened with NetVUE’s executive director David Cunningham providing an overview of the conference, complete with photos from the event. NetVUE staff summarized key points and insights from the keynote speakers, quarter plenaries, and some of the concurrent sessions.
The opening keynote of the conference featured Norman Wirzba, the Gilbert T. Row Distinguished Professor of Theology at Duke University. His lecture, “Vocatio: Called to Transformative Encounter,” explored how education can create rituals for transformative encounters by encouraging individuals to be mindful pilgrims. His latest book, Love’s Braided Dance: Hope in a Time of Crisis, will be NetVUE’s 2026-2027 Big Read.
The quarter plenaries explored critical issues in higher education that many institutions are currently grappling with. Advocacy and Vocation in Troubled Times focused on strategies to ensure all students have access to vocational programming that fits their needs. Implementing Vocation-Infused Advising shared insights from three institutional models that integrate meaning and purpose into academic advising. Navigating Vocation in an AI World emphasized asking the right questions, centering the human experience, and acknowledging the positive and negative impact of using AI in vocational exploration. Finally, The Purposeful Student Athlete outlined ways that institutions are nurturing student athletes, integrating promising programs and interventions, and shaping athletics as an educational experience.
Two concurrent sessions were also reviewed during the webinar. Deepening Vocation Across Campus centered on institutional leadership’s role in cultivating an environment that supports vocation exploration of faculty and staff. Additionally, 1,500 Purposeful Conversations with Students focused on five big ideas: responsibility, privilege, virtue and vocation, choice, and self-knowledge.
Almeda M. Wright, associate professor of religious education at Yale Divinity School, delivered the closing keynote address, “Teaching to Live Reclaiming the Sometimes-Revolutionary Calling to Teach and Lead.” She shared stories of Black activist educators who demonstrated persistence through peril by being practical, working locally, and demonstrating commitment to the community. Her most recent publication is Teaching to Live: Black Religion, Activist-Educators and Radical Social Change.
Throughout the webinar NetVUE staff and webinar participants took time to discuss these topics further. The webinar host, Rachel Pickett, also shared additional resources, including NetVUE’s website, with information about a variety of resources, including grants, upcoming events, and professional development opportunities; as well, she shared NetVUE’s digital community resources, which includes access to the 2026 NetVUE Conference materials for those faculty and staff at member institutions.
The webinar was recorded and can be accessed (along with additional resources) through NetVUE’s webinar page, which includes links to which all faculty and staff members at NetVUE institutions have access. Interested in becoming an institutional member? You can find more information on NetVUE’s website for membership.
Rachel F. Pickett is the webinar coordinator for NetVUE.
