William A. Kaplin, research professor of law at the Catholic University of America will be the featured keynote speaker when Shepherd University hosts a conference, “Education Ethics: Improving Diversity and Reducing Inequity from Elementary to Graduate School,” Oct. 14 through 15.

The educational ethics conference is designed for elementary and secondary teachers, higher education board members and administrators, graduate students in college administration, undergraduate and graduate teacher students, state and local board members, superintendents and staff and board attorneys. The primary objectives are sythesis and evaluation of diversity, systemic inequities, education ethics and emerging cooperative efforts between K-12 and higher education.

The event will begin with an opening reception and dinner on Friday evening at Erma Ora Byrd Hall with an opening keynote from Kaplin and Brian Haynes, vice president for student affairs at Clayton State University. Saturday will feature breakout sessions with locally and regionally recognized panelists.

Kaplin is also special counsel to Catholic University’s Office of General Counsel and is the distinguished professorial lecturer at Stetson University College of Law and senior fellow at its Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law and Policy. His A.B. is from the University of Rochester and his J.D. (with honors) is from Cornell University. Kaplin teaches courses in education law and constitutional law.

Haynes earned his B.A. in history, an M.S. in physical education, and a Ph.D. in college student personnel from Ohio University. Prior to being named vice president at Clayton State University, Haynes served as the assistant vice president of student affairs and assistant professor for the College of Education at Florida International University. Haynes has published several articles and conducted research on fundraising in student affairs. He has presented at local, regional, and national conferences on a number of topics relating to higher education including diversity, multiculturalism, leadership, and student development.

Other speakers include Bruce Flack, past academic chancellor for the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission; Fr. Anthony E. Giampietro, associate professor and chair of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Saint Thomas in Houston, Texas; LeRoy Jones, II, associate dean of the College of Arts and Science and associate professor of chemistry at Chicago State University; Russell Porter, George Washington Living Ethics Scholar and professor of business at Shepherd; Arthena Sewell Roper, cultural diversity coordinator for Jefferson County Schools; Thomas C. Segar, vice president for student affairs at Shepherd; Douglas C. Smith, director of graduate and continuing education at Shepherd; Richard A. Stevens, assistant professor and program coordinator of the College Student Development and Administration program at Shepherd; Veronique Walker, director of diversity and student services for Berkeley County Schools; and Dwayne Wright, chair of the Department of Education at Shepherd, coordinator of the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction Program and assistant professor of education.

Sponsors for the event include the Shepherd University Division of Graduate Studies, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, The George Washington Institute of Living Ethics, The Dreyfuss Initiative and American Public University System.

Workshop fees for the conference are $295, including meals and three CEUs; $180 for certified teachers, including meals and three EDPD recertification credits; and $40 for graduate and undergraduate students, including meals. All conference fees are payable at the time of registration. Payment may be made with any major credit card, money order, or check written for the exact amount. All checks must be payable to Shepherd University.

For more information and to register, visit www.shepherd.edu/graduate-studies/ethics.