ICCTE Newsletter – July 2026

President: Ellen Ballock

Greetings, ICCTE Colleagues!

An enormous thank you to the faculty and staff who served as radical models of hospitality for us during the May 2026 conference at Point Loma. For those of you who missed the conference, a few highlights included:

• A conference keynote in which Ken Badley encouraged us to extend hospitality to students by centering student voice, agency, and authority.
• Intentional community building through facilitated sessions that connected members with common research, teaching, or administrative interests.
• Breakout sessions covering a range of topics, including extending unexpected hospitality to adjunct faculty, Gen Z students, students from marginalized backgrounds, early childhood parents, and others we welcome into our educational communities.

As I reflect on the May conference alongside the turbulent winds of change in society and higher education, I am grateful for the opportunity to be in community with all of you. I am grateful for conversations that sharpened my thinking, reminded me of our greater shared purpose, reinvigorated my spirit, and allowed us to hold space for the challenges and pain of others. It was such a gift to gather. For those unable to attend this year, we missed you and are eager to stay connected!

Please see the announcements below about upcoming ICCTE opportunities and stay tuned for information about future virtual convening opportunities.

I pray for all of you that this summer season will be marked by restorative rest, meaningful connection, and generative creativity.

2028 Conference Announcement
We are pleased to announce that the next ICCTE Conference will be hosted by Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, in May 2028. Take a virtual tour of the campus and prepare to enjoy southern hospitality. Please watch for future email updates regarding conference dates and the call for proposals. We hope to see you there!

ICCTE Journal Update
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Heather Birch of Tyndale University and Dr. Lori Kall of Point Loma University as the new co-editing team for the ICCTE Journal!

The journal is accepting manuscript submissions for consideration for the Fall 2026 issue. There is an open call for this issue, and those who presented at the May conference are especially encouraged to consider turning their presentations into manuscripts so that we can keep the conversation going.

Help Shape the Future of ICCTE!
Board members request your input as we develop a forward-looking vision for ICCTE. Members who did not complete the survey at the May conference were invited to share their feedback through the ICCTE member survey.

Blessings to you in your work and your rest,

Ellen Ballock
ICCTE President, 2026–2028