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 Plastics 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.

    Title: You Have the Power!

    Website, Facebook, Instagram

  • Topic: Pollinator gardens

    John Brittenham, Blue Heron Ministries

    Website, Facebook

  • Topic: Environmental jobs

    Tera Gotschall, IU Kokomo

    Dr. Sabrina Brown, Manchester University

    Topic: Invasives management

    Website

  • Topic: Recycling and plastics reduction

    Christina Davis, Plastics Reduction Alliance, Valparaiso University

    Website, Facebook, Instagram

  • Topic: Zero Carbon Living & Local food options

    Rachel Gross, Cliff and Arlene Kindy, and Phillip Zink, Joyfield Farm

    Facebook

  • Topic: Green Wasp Removal

    James Elliot, Green Wasp Removal

    Website, YouTube

  • Topic: Campus beekeeping

    Brandon Reynolds, Founder, B the Keeper

    Website

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