2025-26 ADEA Emerging Leaders Program

Registration Information

Registration fees for this conference are based on individual ADEA membership. You must be a current ADEA member to qualify for the member registration rate. If you are not a current ADEA member, the nonmember rate will apply (join or renew your ADEA membership at adea.org/join). 

The 2025-26 ADEA Emerging Leaders Program is a highly interactive experience, and participants are expected to attend all meals, receptions and team-building activities. The program does not allow you to bring guests or family members to meals. We encourage you to spend your free time, albeit limited, with your peer groups to prepare for the following day’s activities.

Cancellations

If you are unable to attend, please submit a written cancellation message to meetings@adea.org by Tuesday, June 24.

For cancellation requests received by June 24, ADEA will issue a refund—minus a $225 administrative fee—after the meeting’s conclusion. Cancellation requests received between June 25 and July 8 are eligible for a 50% refund or credit. Cancellation requests received after July 8 are not eligible for refund or credit.

Refunds or credits will not be given for failure to attend, late arrival, unattended events or early departure.

Notice

ADEA may take photos, screen shots, and video-recordings at this event. By registering for this event, you give ADEA, and its and media partners, permission to use any photos, screen shots, and videos taken during the event (live or virtual) in which you appear, as well as any written comments you submit on evaluation forms, in chat-box, or on social media to be recorded or used for ADEA's promotional purposes. In response to member requests to share the rich content found in chats, ADEA may download chat-box posts and share this unedited content with conference attendees for their individual informational purposes.

The American Dental Education Association is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.

 ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at CCEPR.ada.org.

The American Dental Education Association designates this activity for up to 18.75 continuing education credits.

All speakers agree that neither they nor members of their immediate family have any financial relationships with commercial entities that may be relevant to their presentation.

Agenda

2025-26 ADEA Emerging Leaders Agenda (PDF)

Purpose:

• Describe and discuss current topics and trends in academic dentistry.
• Build a professional network of colleagues and mentors.
• Create a career plan to focus on activities that will build professional capacities.
• Assess and develop leadership competencies to prepare for future opportunities both institutionally and within ADEA

Themes:

• Assessment for Development: Personal data on which to build a development plan.
• Mentorship: How to find a mentor and how to become one.
• Career Development: How to find your niche and develop career opportunities.
• Considerations and Expectations of a Faculty Member: Policies and networking.
• Wellness and Resilience: Strategies for balancing career with other dimensions of life.

Faculty:

Felicia Tucker-Lively, M.P.H., Ph.D., Vice President, AAL

Kelton T. Stewart, D.D.S., M.S., James J. Baldwin Endowed Professor, Assistant Dean for Faculty Development, Chair of the Department of Orthodontics, Indiana University School of Dentistry (LI Class of 2023)

Advisors:

Cheryline Pezzullo, D.D.S., Director for Community-based Programs, Clinical Associate Professor, General Dentistry & Comprehensive Care at NYU College of Dentistry (NYU Dentistry) (LI Class of 2024)

Afsheen Lakhani, D.M.D., Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of General Dentistry, Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs at Boston University Henry M Goldman School of Dental Medicine (LI Class of 2021)

Zsuzsa Horvath, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Department of Dental Public Health, Director of the Office of Academic Career Advancement, Director of the Academic Career Track Area of Concentration, Director of Faculty Development, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine (Pitt SDM) (LI Class of 2021)

Ethelyn Thomason Larsen, D.M.D., Clinical Associate Professor, Comprehensive Care Division Director in the Department of Restorative Dentistry at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (CU SDM) (LI Class of 2021)

Saulo L. Sousa Melo, D.D.S., M.S.D., Ph.D., M.S., Associate Professor of Oral Pathology and Radiology, School of Dentistry, Associate Professor of Diagnostic Radiology, School of Medicine, Senior Director of Imaging & Radiation Safety, School of Dentistry at the Oregon Health & Science University School of Dentistry (OHSU SOD) (LI Class of 2023)

Sukirth M. Ganesan, B.D.S., Ph.D., Associate Professor and Director of Advanced Education in Periodontology and the Visiting Scholar Program in the Department of Periodontics at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics (UI COD) (LI Class of 2024)

Steven M. Lepowsky, D.D.S., Professor and Dean of the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine (LI Class of 2005)

Hotel Information

AC Hotel Washington DC Convention Center (adjacent to ADEA Headquarters)
601 K Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 921-6900

Hotel Reservations

The hotel reservation deadline is Tuesday, June 24.

Reserve Hotel

• ADEA is tax-exempt in Washington, DC.
• Rates are available three days before and after the conference, based on availability.

Hotel room reservations can be made online or by calling (202) 291-6900. 

The deadline to make hotel reservations at the group rate is Tuesday, June 24, or when the group rate rooms sell out—whichever occurs first. After June 24, reservations at the group rate will be accepted only on a space-available basis. The room block may be filled before June 24, so we encourage you to make reservations early.

You are responsible for making your hotel arrangements directly with the property. The meeting registration does not include hotel arrangements, flight, ground transportation or any incidentals related to traveling to the meeting.

Check-in/Check-out Time

Hotel check-in time is 3:00 p.m. or earlier as rooms become available. Check-out time is noon.

Cancellations

Reservations may be canceled up to 72 hours prior to the reserved arrival date at no charge. For cancellations made after the time noted, the hotel will retain the room deposit of one night plus applicable taxes. 

Please contact the hotel directly if you need to cancel your hotel reservation.

Questions

For questions regarding housing and transportation, please contact:

Nirah Forman
Senior Director, Meetings, Conferences and Educational Technology
FormanN@adea.org

Questions regarding registration changes, please contact:

ADEA Meetings Team
meetings@adea.org

Questions regarding housing and transportation, please contact:

Nirah Forman
Senior Director, Meetings, Conferences and Educational Technology
FormanN@adea.org

Questions regarding program content, please contact:

Sheila Brear
Chief Learning Officer
BrearS@adea.org