John D. Welty Center for Educational Policy and Leadership

Exemplary Practices in Educational Leadership Conference (EPC)

Fresno State’s annual Exemplary Practices in Educational Leadership Conference brings together Central Valley leaders from schools, districts, businesses and community organizations to share best practices and challenges. Past conferences have focused on the following topics:

21st Century education
systems thinking
growth mindset
setting and maintaining high expectations
leading change
social emotional learning
distance learning
equity and access
multi-district collaboration

Exemplary Practices in Educational Leadership Conference (EPC)

October 28, 2026 (Live, in person) (Clovis Vet Memorial Center)

Theme: Leading the Way: Bold Leadership for a Bright Future

Great schools are built by leaders who cultivate optimism, inspire innovation, and empower those they lead to thrive and achieve. Join us to celebrate the power of visionary leadership, collaborative partnerships, and practical strategies that transform today's challenges into tomorrow's opportunities.

Keynote Speakers: Weston Kieschnick and Godfrey Ddfunga

Weston Kieschhnick: The Achievement Ethos: Building and a Culture of Excellence

One of the world’s most recognizable and sought-after speakers and educational leaders
Award-winning best-selling author of The Educator’s ATLAS, Bold School, The Hidden Work, Breaking Bold, The Learning Transformation: A Guide to Blended Learning for Administrators
Creator and host of Teaching Keating; one of the most downloaded podcasts in the US. Created The Bold School Framework for Strategic Blended Learning
Education advisor in US and over 30 other countries
Published in EdWeek, EdTech Magazine, The Spark, and featured on TED, the 10-Minute Teacher, Teaching Tales, and LeadUp Teach.

Godfrey Ddfungu: Expanding Opportunities for Students in Diverse Communities

Internationally-recognized speaker originally from Uganda, East Africa.
FSU faculty member. Holds a Doctorate in Counselor Ed and Supervision, with a concentration in vicarious trauma
Noticed internationally for youth empowerment efforts and addressing needs of adolescent juvenile offenders and families
Served as Mayor for a military family community at Camp Zama in Japan under the U.S. Department of Defense from 2019 to 2022.
Annual presenter at the East African Psychological Association and the Mental Health Global Conference