The 2025 Clinical Laboratory Educators Conference (CLEC) is your gateway to over 40 educational sessions packed with insights on teaching strategies, program management, student engagement, and more. This year’s program is thoughtfully designed to equip you with actionable tools and resources to enhance your educational initiatives.
Here’s a sneak peek at some of the sessions tackling key challenges educators face. For the complete lineup of inspiring and practical learning opportunities, explore the full list of educational sessions.
Accessibility: Bridging the Gap Between Education and Employment
Accessibility: Bridging the Gap Between Education and EmploymentLara Biagiotti, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, Stevenson University
Lorraine Blagg, EdD, MLS(ASCP)SBB, Johns Hopkins Hospital
Candice Grayson, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, Community College of Baltimore County
Melody Rorabeck, MHA, MLS(ASCP)CM, Johns Hopkins Hospital
Explore current trends and accessibility needs for students, including a review of reasonable and unreasonable accommodations. This session will also review how to help students effectively advocate their needs to future employers.
Advocate for Success: Leveraging Data and Strategy to Secure Essential Faculty Resources
Robert Cottrell, MHS-PA(ASCP), National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Marisa James, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM, National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
This session shares strategies to advocate for program resources using accreditation standards, faculty workload data, student satisfaction scores, and workforce statistics. Attendees will learn ways to address faculty overload and ensure program excellence without relying on student-to-faculty ratios.
Building a Bridge between Didactic Knowledge and Clinical Application
Rachelle Barrett, MS, MLS(ASCP)SBB, Oregon Institute of Technology
Laurie Sprauer, MBA-HM, MLS(ASCP), Oregon Institute of Technology
This workshop-style session will walk you through building a simulated laboratory experience. First, by creating thought-provoking scenarios and sample sets that will challenge students’ previously acquired knowledge and problem-solving skills. Second, by creating a beginning floor plan and schedule that is adaptable for attendees’ resources and needs. And finally, by providing templates for giving constructive feedback to students during and after the experience.
Empowering Educators: The Vital Role of Instructors in Coaching Students
Susan Stalewski, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
In today’s ever-changing educational landscape, instructors’ roles extend beyond traditional teaching. Educators serve as mentors, guides, and coaches, playing a crucial role in shaping students’ academic success and personal development. This session equips higher education instructors with the skills, knowledge, and actionable insights to elevate their teaching practice.
Evaluating the Affective Domain while Developing Professionalism
Evaluating the Affective Domain while Developing ProfessionalismKatie Bennett, PhD, MB(ASCP)CM, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Celesta Gibbs, MS, MB(ASCP)CM, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Ericka Hendrix, PhD, MB(ASCP)CM, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Kelissa Huse, MS, MB(ASCP), Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
This talk will describe and give examples of how programs can create measurable objectives for the affective domain and mold students into professionals. We will discuss the tools and systems used to evaluate the affective domain and effectively develop professionalism in students.
Focus on Lab Activities Paired Presentation:
Simulation in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory—Design, Execution, and Evaluation
Angela Wilson, MS, M(ASCP)CM, Old Dominion University
Clinical simulation may be the answer to clinical site shortages in microbiology, but is it right for your program? This session will review how to design, execute, and assess a clinical microbiology simulation that is most beneficial to students. Pros and cons of these simulations will also be discussed.
Teaching Quality Control Principles in the Clinical Chemistry Lab
Audrey Folsom, DHSc, MLS(ASCP), Arkansas State University
This session will cover how to include basic quality control exercises throughout your clinical chemistry labs, and how to implement several simple tweaks to your existing labs that will increase students’ competence around QC principles. It will cover the implementation of these tweaks in our labs and what you need to make it happen in yours.
Program Director Transitions: From Startup to Riding the Wild Ride of Leadership!
Kizer Friedley, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM, University of Iowa and Kirkwood Community College
Amy Kapanka, MS, MLS(ASCP)SC, Hawkeye Community College
Both MLT and MLS program director transitions will be presented in this session focusing on both new and seasoned program director positions. New program startup and challenges to established programs will be highlighted.
Unlocking the Power of Alternative Grading: What Is it and How Can it Work for You?
Lauren Brooks, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM, Nazareth University
Tracey Graney, PhD, MLS(ASCP), Monroe Community College
Join us to learn how alternative grading methods can mitigate biases and foster equity and inclusivity while empowering students to demonstrate mastery and meet the academic standards of our profession. We’ll delve into the benefits of alternative grading within both MLT and MLS programs.
CLEC 2025 will be held March 6-8 in Atlanta, Georgia. Registrants have the option to attend in-person or virtually. Register by December 20 to get the early bird rate and save $100 off the onsite/late registration rate.