Celebrating Excellence Event to Feature Research Poster Session, Keynote Presentation, and Awards Ceremony

Students, faculty, staff, and alumni are invited to attend the College of Education’s annual Celebrating Excellence event on Friday, April 25, 2025, at the ICCU Bengal Alumni Center.

Join us for an evening of celebration, insight, and recognition of the outstanding achievements within our college community. 

The schedule of events will include: 

4 - 5:10 p.m. Research Poster Session and Social Hour
The research poster session will showcase a range of innovative projects and research within the College of Education and those funded through the Dean’s Excellence Fund. Posters will be presented by students, staff, and faculty. Refreshments will be served.

5:10 - 5:25 p.m. Keynote Presentation: Dr. Rob Lion
Dr. Rob Lion, professor of human resource development at Idaho State University, will deliver the inaugural keynote presentation. Titled “Culture-First Hiring: Finding Employees Who Thrive, Not Just Survive,” Dr. Lion’s presentation will introduce a research-informed approach to the selection and hiring process that extends beyond traditional job-fit assessments. This presentation will explore a novel framework for assessing “fit factors,” aimed at advancing the discourse on culture-based hiring practices. By incorporating an individual’s formative cultural experiences and personal preferences, this approach enhances the accuracy of candidate evaluation and offers promise to more substantial alignment between employees and organizational culture. The resulting benefits include improved collaboration, greater employee engagement, higher retention, and the promotion of long-term organizational effectiveness and growth.

Dr. Lion’s philosophy, “work should fuel the human spirit, not drain it,” influences everything from his research and teaching to his consulting practices. His work has been featured in prominent journals such as the Journal of Organizational Psychology, the Journal of Behavioral Studies in Business, and the Organization Management Journal. Additionally, Dr. Lion consults with leaders across various sectors, including nonprofits, education, government, and corporate industries, to develop high-performing teams and elevate workplace culture. As a recognized thought leader in his field, Dr. Lion applies innovative and research-driven approaches to help organizations navigate complex challenges, foster engagement, and build resilient leadership structures.

5:30 p.m. Awards Ceremony 
The evening will conclude with the Celebrating Excellence awards ceremony, recognizing and celebrating the achievements of College of Education faculty, staff, alumni, and partners. 

To learn more about award winners and RSVP, please visit isu.edu/education/outreach/celebratingexcellence.