Adelante Conference
Conference Overview
The annual Adelante Conference builds on the success of the Latino Enrollment Institute, which for 12 years has been an exceptionally effective engine of Latino enrollment growth in Catholic schools around the country. While the LEI’s explicit focus on school-level change necessitates the commitment of school teams, including year-long leadership formation for principals, the Adelante Conference offers a summer conference alternative, which is open to a variety of constituents (educators, diocesan leadership, superintendents, administrators, marketing and enrollment coordinators, pastors, parents, instructional coaches, dual language educators and advocates, resource teachers, etc.). In 2025, the Adelante Conference also builds upon 20 years of innovation and progress forged by the English as a New Language program.
Adelante is now in its sixth year, and this coming summer (June 16 -18, 2025), we are focusing on transformative pedagogy for language learners in Catholic schools. Join us for the two-and-a-half-day conference on the beautiful campus of the University of Notre Dame as we explore ways to best support language learners in Catholic schools. It is also to be noted that this year's Adelante Conference coincides with a 20-year celebration of the English as a New Language program, so extra excitement and events are planned!
Conference Registration opens on November 1, 2024 and will close on May 1, 2025. We encourage anyone who is engaged in this mission to advance educational opportunities for multilingual learners for more vibrant schools, Church, and world. We also encourage school teams to attend the conference.
Conference Framing
The Adelante Summer Conference features a broad range of topics and speakers that address the variety of ways in which Catholic schools and parishes can work creatively together to embrace, educate, and empower Latino and multilingual learners and families through the vital ministry of Catholic education. This two-and-a-half day conference helps build awareness around topics pertaining to Latino and language learners in Catholic schools while expanding the network of advocates for this mission.
The Adelante Conference embodies the overarching mission of the ALMA Initiative—embracing the immigrant and multicultural Church as both the great legacy of Catholic education and a path to future vitality, educating multilingual students by forming educators and leaders to employ research-based practices that promote student success, and empowering multicultural communities as sources of expertise, wisdom, and faith. The Adelante Conference is rooted in these three core goals, and each year it spotlights a unique topic related to this work. Past themes include: a deep dive into the demographic imperative impacting Catholic schools; the challenges that immigration poses for children, families, and schools; growing Latino enrollment: marketing, recruitment, and admissions done well; propelling dual language learners toward success; and Latino family and community engagement.
The theme for the summer 2025 Adelante Summer Conference will explore transformative pedagogy for language learners. Join us June 16-18, 2025, and stay through the evening on the 18th to celebrate 20 years of incredible work with the English as a New program and the ENL Hernandez Fellows.
We firmly believe that by helping schools leverage the linguistic assets and cultural richness of students and families, they become places to work through differences, encounter others, and prepare the next generation to be a powerful force for good in our world today. Click below to learn more about the benefits of attending Adelante 2025, cost and timeline, registration, and FAQs. We hope to see you here on campus in June 2025.
¡Adelante!
For any questions, please contact Katy Lichon (kwalter5@nd.edu).
Testimonials
"I learned so much about understanding the changing demographics in our nation. We are seeing this in our own school but have not done well to react or build a culture to enhance our enrollment. We have much work to do, but we have a path and direction coming out of this gathering. I learned a ton and I really enjoyed the time we had together!"
"Phenomenal program - I am so glad that I attended! It was very moving and inspiring (and eye-opening!) Gracias por todo su trabajo y preparaciones!"
"I was energized and moved by the conference and looking forward to taking the information and inspiration into my own work and the efforts in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. I hope to have opportunities to share these experiences, through myself and directly, with many others. Thank you!"
For any questions, please contact Katy Lichon (kwalter5@nd.edu) or visit our FAQs page.