The 2026 Clinical Laboratory Educators Conference (CLEC) is your gateway to nearly 40 educational sessions packed with insights on teaching strategies, program management, student engagement, and more. The program was 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.
Interprofessional Education Made Easy: Building Collaboration Early
Interprofessional Education Made Easy: Building Collaboration EarlyJennifer Brown, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM, University of Minnesota
Mauri Brueggeman, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, Aspirus Health
Struggling with how to include interprofessional education (IPE) in your already full program? This session will highlight the value of IPE, offer ready-to-use IPE activities you can easily integrate into your hospital-based or university-based program, and workshop ideas with attendees.
Beyond Buzzwords: Designing Real Interprofessional Activities
Tracey Gardner, MSEd, MLS(ASCP)CM, Clover Park Technical College
In this interactive session, attendees will plan a truly interprofessional activity for their students using the 2023 Interprofessional Education Collaborative Core Competencies as a foundation.
Simulate to Educate: Transforming MLS Learning Environments
Shannon Jongeward, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM, University of North Dakota
Heather Langerud, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, University of North Dakota
Karen Peterson, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, University of North Dakota
Samantha Peterson, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM, University of North Dakota
This session will explore the use of simulation in medical laboratory science (MLS) education including its value in on-campus and distance settings. We’ll discuss ways to leverage technology to bridge gaps between theory and practice across various MLS content areas and learning domains. Student feedback will also be included to illustrate the impact of simulation on engagement, skill development, and professional preparation.
Working Smarter: Practical AI Strategies for Teaching and Workload Management
Sona Kumar, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, Louisiana State University at Alexandria
AI doesn’t have to be complicated. This session offers a unique, experience-based perspective focused on realistic, hands-on uses of AI tools that are easy to adopt and require minimal technical expertise. With the growing demand to do more with less, this topic is especially relevant to educators seeking sustainable and innovative ways to manage their professional responsibilities.
Beyond Andragogy: Understanding and Teaching the Emerging Adult Learner
Beyond Andragogy: Understanding and Teaching the Emerging Adult LearnerRyan Collison, MEd, SC(ASCP)CM, Cleveland Clinic School of Health Professions
Who is the emerging adult and what makes them different from other learners? We have been told there’s traditional pedagogy and then for adult learners there’s andragogy, but our students fall into a third category whose importance is growing. We will describe why this demographic exists, how it is different, and how we can best serve them.
Rebuilding and Enhancing Programmatic Sustainability
Michele Hope, MHA, MLS(ASCP), University of New Hampshire
Katie Nelson, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM, University of New Hampshire
Michelle Parent, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM, Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
This faculty panel will discuss both the hurdles and opportunities they have encountered and overcome in order to rebuild medical laboratory science programs after losing talented colleagues due to retirement or career change. Emphasis will be placed on strategies promoting programmatic sustainability during times of transition.
Troubleshooting Students: The Odyssey from Problem Students to Problem Solvers
Robert Hatfield, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Jacen Moore, PhD, MLS(ASCP), University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Thomas (Wes) Williamson, MS, MLS(ASCP), University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Students may encounter affective and academic hurdles as they transition from student to professional. This session presents a student-centered approach using meaningful, compassionate conversations aimed at uncovering and removing barriers by using proactive interventions and customized remediation plans that emphasize critical listening, advising techniques, and empathy-driven academic counseling and intervention.
CLEC 2026 will be held February 5-7 in Bellevue, Washington. Registrants have the option to attend in-person or virtually. Register by December 3 to save with the discounted early bird rate.