Special Features

The Future of Work Faculty Association (FWFA) empowers faculty from across the region’s colleges and universities to lead the charge in reimagining higher education for a rapidly changing world. This growing network brings together educators from 29+ post-secondary institutions to explore how emerging technologies – including AI and automation – are reshaping disciplines, teaching practices, and the skills students need to succeed. Through workshops, collaborative learning, and shared design of new pedagogical approaches, FWFA equips faculty to better prepare students for the evolving workforce.

At TGIF 2025, faculty and educators from FWFA will lead a series of sessions focused on the future of education and the skills needed to thrive in the age of AI. Supported by the Build Back Better grant, a cohort of 200 educators will attend TGIF, contributing their insight and innovation to this critical regional and national conversation.

View all FWFA Sessions at TGIF

From office hours with funders to in-depth sessions on strategy, Fueling the Mission helps changemakers navigate the funding landscape and build high-impact programs. Hear directly from decision-makers about what it takes to get funded and why some proposals succeed while others fall short.

Audience:
Higher education leaders, K–12 educators, nonprofit organizations, program developers, and institutional grant writers.

Details:
This multi-part feature includes the following sessions:

• Meet the Funders Office Hours (Registration closed - all spots filled)

• Panel + Workshop Sessions

  • Demystifying the Grant Process (Higher Ed focus)

  • Building Programs That Create Real-World Economic Impact (Higher Ed focus)

  • Finding the Right Funder for Your Program (K–12 focus)

  • Creating Meaningful Learning Experiences Inside and Outside the Classroom (K–12 focus)

View all Fueling the Mission Sessions at TGIF

The Global Impact Forum is a place to spark new connections and surface innovative ideas from across our community. Two special features - Idea Expo and Roundtables - offer unique opportunities to explore emerging topics in a more interactive setting.

The Roundtables (Tuesday, November 4, 2–3 p.m.) bring together several facilitated conversations in a shared room, giving attendees the chance to engage directly, exchange perspectives, and collaborate around new ideas. See the Sessions page for more details.

At the Idea Expo (Wednesday, November 5, 1–2 p.m.), presenters will display their work in the Ballroom Gallery, where participants can browse displays, ask questions, and network one-on-one. Check out the Idea Expo Sessions here.

Join us in honoring outstanding individuals who drive impact and innovation globally and locally through the TGIF Awards. These awards celebrate visionary leaders who have made significant contributions to economic development, social mobility, and positive societal change through education and innovation.

2025 TGIF Awards

• TGIF Leaders of Impact: Recognizing leaders who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to fostering economic development, advancing social mobility, and creating positive impact through education and innovation. Open to educators, entrepreneurs, policymakers, business leaders, and community changemakers.

• Susan Wojcicki Legacy Empowerment Award: Named after Susan Wojcicki, this award honors a visionary leader who empowers individuals and communities through innovation, education, and technology. Recipients embody the spirit of empowerment and leave a lasting legacy of inclusive growth and transformative change.

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Experience innovation in community health firsthand at TGIF. The LION Mobile Clinic, a student-led free clinic on wheels, will be onsite and open for attendees to explore. Built to expand access to care in under-resourced communities, the mobile clinic "strives to provide comprehensive healthcare services, address food insecurity, promote economic development and enhance sustainability practices." Stop by to learn how this model empowers individuals and inspires healthier futures. Attendees will also have the opportunity to get get preventative care, including flu shots, insulin checks, blood pressure screening, etc.

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