Have you been involved in community engagement or a service learning project? It’s not too late to share your work at the Gulf-South Summit on Service-Learning and Civic Engagement through Higher Education to be hosted here at UHD March 26-28, 2026. 

The deadline has been extended until midnight this Friday, Oct. 17, for proposals.  

THE DETAILS 

Effective presentations should go beyond the “what” (i.e., purely descriptive) and include a grounding in context and practice (“so what?”) as well as lessons learned and recommendations for future practice or replication by others (“now what?”).  

The proposal submission form will ask presenters to provide presenter information, presentation title, abstract, and a brief description. Additionally, proposals will indicate what format is preferred for their presentation, the level of the intended audience (Introductory, Experienced, Both), the audience(s) they hope to address (faculty/practitioners, administrators, community partner agencies, students, or all audiences), and to identify thematic connections to this year’s theme. 

 

Presentation Formats: 

Individual Presentation 

An individual presentation is either a 25-minute session or a 60-minute session, including time for Q&A, where presenters may share information on a topic of their choice. 25-minute presentations will be grouped with another presentation in a single 60-minute session. 

Interactive Workshop 

An interactive workshop is 60 minutes and should engage participants in activities that offer insight, practice, or instruction relevant to the topics discussed in the workshop.  

Panel Discussion 

A panel discussion is a 60-minute Q&A session with co-panelists assembled by a primary presenter. A panel discussion should involve 3 or more individuals offering various perspectives on one topic. Panelists from different organizations and/or institutions are encouraged.  

Poster Session

Posters (visual display) are ideal for descriptions/models of civic engagement projects and programs. Note: Other session proposals may also be considered for acceptance as a poster presentation. 

 

Thematic Focus Areas: 

Throughout time, humanity has forged pathways to communicate and share resources. This behavior has taken on a dynamic range of forms, from roads and bridges to texting and the internet. The paths and strategies of connection we form shape community both physically and culturally. This year, the Gulf South Summit is seeking proposals that engage notions of how the pathways and connections we make either impact and/or inform community engagement. The five subthemes below offer a deeper dive into the theme to better guide proposals.  

Submissions should indicate how they represent or respond to the conference theme (Bridging the Bayou: Pathways to Community), by selecting one or more of the following thematic focus areas: 

  • Shifting Foundations: Modern fundamental changes in how communities form, change, and represent themselves 
  • Blockage and Clearance: Physical, infrastructural, financial, or organizational barriers or portals to community engagement 
  • Convergence and Intersections: How increasing or decreasing hyperconnectivity can impact community engagement 
  • Floods and Droughts: Too much of one thing, not enough of another. How complimentary partnership can fill the gaps 
  • Gauging the Waters: Using research and assessment to course correct or gain deeper insight 

 

Presentation Timing and Location: 

All presentations will be delivered in person at the conference. 

The Poster Session is scheduled during the opening reception on Thursday evening, March 26. Poster presenters should plan to be present for the according session. All other presentations will be scheduled during hour-long concurrent sessions throughout the conference March 26-28, 2026. 

Proposal evaluation:  

Proposals will be scored based on relevance to conference theme, quality of writing, originality, transferability, and alignment with best practices.