Concurrent 60 min

Participation in K-12 University-led Gifted Programs as a Pathway to Post-Secondary Success

Saturday, November 15, 2025

1:15 PM - 2:15 PM ET

Location: Convention Center, 329

Grade Level: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Rebecca (Becki) M. Johnson (she/her/hers)

Postdoctoral Researcher
Purdue University
West Lafayette, Indiana, United States
Alissa Cress (she/her/hers)

Clinical Assistant Professor
Purdue University
West Layfayette, Indiana, United States

Short Description: Attending university-led, K-12 gifted programs can provide students with opportunities to gain experience, insight, mentorship, and motivation, paving the way to their future. This session will provide educators and parents with information regarding the role of specialized programs to facilitate students’ post-secondary success. Resources about enrichment and residential programs will be shared along with ways to foster potential career interests.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees will reflect on ways to leverage students’ interests into opportunities for personal and career development.
Attendees will be able to describe the benefits of specialized programs for meeting gifted students’ academic and social emotional needs.
Attendees will be able to increase teacher recommendations for students from culturally, linguistically, economically diverse backgrounds to participate in university-led gifted programs.