U.S. Under Secretary of Education Martha Kanter will give opening remarks at the Kentucky Engagement Conference on Thursday, Nov. 8, in Bowling Green, Ky. She will discuss the Obama administration's civic learning agenda and some of the U.S. Department of Education's recent civic learning accomplishments. Kanter also will highlight the President's "cradle-to-career" agenda that includes improved early childhood learning—from birth through age five—recruiting, retaining and rewarding top teachers for the neediest schools; and developing common standards that build toward college- and career-readiness. A question-and-answer session will follow. Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes will join Kanter.

The conference, which is taking place Nov. 8-9, is hosted by Western Kentucky University and will focus on civic engagement in higher education. Academic administrators and faculty will come together to share best practices and learn about trending ideas related to community engagement, service learning, civic health, community-based research, and related topics.