Regional Student Environmental Conference Schedule 2026
Monday Sept 28, 2026
@ Manchester University - 604 E College Ave, North Manchester, IN
9am A.m. ET Registration
9:15 A.M. ET Conference Kick Off
Location: Jo Young Switzer Center
9:45 A.M. ET Sessions to Inspire - Student Led Presentations
Location: Jo Young Switzer Center
Presenters - Sessions to Inspire
Emily Gough, Sponsor, Warsaw High School Environmental Club, Instagram: @wchsenvironmental
Cooper Scroggin, Student Plastic Reduction Alliance, Valparaiso University,
Youth Environmental Club of Northeast Indiana (YECNI), Trent George, Instagram
Elaina Gibson, Sadie Sonafrank, Tyler Moore, City of Kokomo’s Mayor’s Youth Council
Tera Gotschall, IU ERI & IU Kokomo
Greta Ludwig, Manchester University, Instagram
11:00 A.M. Keynote Presentation:
“How to Sell the World” with Brandon Reynolds, founder of the B the Keeper
Location: Cordier Auditorium
12:00 P.M. Lunch
Location: Jo Young Switzer Center
1:00 P.M. Sessions to Activate: Subject Matter Expert Roundtables
Location: Jo Young Switzer Center
Subject Matter Experts - Sessions to Activate
Topic: Advocacy for Your Planet and the People You Love
David Van Gilder, Senior Policy and Legal Director, Hoosier Environmental Council
Jason Donati, HEC Water Program and Policy Director, Hoosier Environmental Council
Topic: Pollinator gardens
John Brittenham, Blue Heron Ministries
Topic: Environmental jobs: Invasive Species Management
Tera Gotschall, IU Kokomo
Dr. Sabrina Brown, Manchester University
Topic: Recycling and plastics reduction
Christina Davis, Plastic Reduction Alliance, Valparaiso University
Topic: Zero Carbon Living & Local food options
Rachel Gross, Cliff and Arlene Kindy, and Phillip Zink, Joyfield Farm
Topic: Green Wasp Removal
James Elliott, Green Wasp Removal & Venom Collection
Topic: Campus beekeeping
Brandon Reynolds, Founder, B the Keeper
2:00 P.M. Optional-
Manchester Campus Tour -or-
Hands-On Invasive Species Workshop
with Dugan Julian, SICIM
3:00 P.M. Conference Conclusion and Departure
Tablers:
Manchester University’s Office of Admissions
Manchester University Career & Professional Development
The Watershed Foundation
Earth Charter Indiana
Warsaw Community High School
Brethren Volunteer Service
Presented by Earth Charter Indiana & Manchester University’s Center for Environmental and Social Resilience and Social Engagement
SEC is possible because of our generous Sponsors, to whom we are immensely grateful:
Conference Sponsors:
Manchester University’s Center for Environmental and Social Resilience and Social Engagement
