We are pleased to welcome Dr. Sam von Gillern as the keynote speaker for the 2025 Harvesting Ideas Conference.

Dr. von Gillern earned his doctorate at Iowa State University and currently researches digital literacies, focusing on how people learn and communicate through digital technologies. His work explores digital citizenship, game-based learning, and their implications for literacy development and education. He is passionate about creating meaningful connections between preservice teachers and local children, facilitating learning opportunities that benefit both college students and the broader community.

Title of his keynote address is AI Literacy: Empowerment and Protectionism.