The 2025 MSAN Institute

April 10-11, 2025
The Madison Concourse Hotel

Thursday, April 10, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday, April 11, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Theme: New Approaches, Different Possibilities, and Uncharted Paths: Transforming Schools into Spaces of Belonging Where All Can Thrive

The MSAN Institute is a two-day, professional development opportunity dedicated to advancing our understanding and knowledge of current research and district practices that have positive impacts on multicultural students and that further racial equity in schools.

2025 MSAN Institute Draft Agenda (PDF)

Join committed colleagues from across the United States as we:

Share school and district practices and research shown to have a positive impact on the educational experiences of multicultural students.
Network, discuss and problem-solve with experts, leaders, and practitioners.
Hear rich perspectives and ideas from students most intimately impacted by our challenges.
Learn from keynote speakers and each other and leave with actionable ideas and tools.

Registration

Registration for the 2025 MSAN Institute is closed.

Conference Location and Accommodations

The Madison Concourse Hotel
1 West Dayton St.
Madison, WI 53703
To make reservations, please call: 1-800-356-8293 and mention the MSAN Institute 2025 group. Rooms at the Madison Concourse Hotel are $169/night + tax. Reservations must be made by March 14, 2025. Parking for MSAN Institute attendees is $18/night. There is a complimentary shuttle to and from the airport. Please call the hotel (608-257-6000) to arrange.

Transportation Information

Note: The Institute ends at 2:00 p.m. on April 11. Please make flight arrangements accordingly.

MSAN Governing Board and RPC members: When making travel arrangements, please note the in-person Community of Practice meetings taking place the day before the Institute on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Madison Concourse Hotel:

Governing Board of Superintendents (Superintendents only): 9–10:30 a.m.
Combined Governing Board and RPC: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Research Practitioner Council (RPC members only): 3:30–5 p.m.

The Dane County Regional Airport code is MSN and is a short 20-minute drive to campus. Another option is Mitchell International Airport (MKE) in Milwaukee. It is 85 miles from Madison (about a 1.5-hour drive).

Other transportation options include:
- Union Cab
  608-242-2000
  One-way transportation: approximately $37 (metered rate). There is no additional charge for more people. Each cab can hold one-four people.
- Madison Taxi
  608-255-8294
  One-way transportation: approximately $27 (metered rate). There is no additional charge for more people. Each cab can hold one-four people.

If you have questions, please email MSAN’s project manager, Connie Showalter at connie.showalter@wisc.edu.

Conference Testimonials

View Institute Flyer (PDF)

Contact us

Multicultural Student Achievement Network (MSAN)
Wisconsin Center for Education Research
1025 W. Johnson St., Suite 697
Madison, WI 53706

Phone: 608.263.1565
Email: msan@wcer.wisc.edu

Accessibility issues? Contact the WCER Webmaster.

MSAN's Impact

"[MSAN is] transforming our thinking one student at a time."
~ PD conference attendee
"This is the best conference I've ever attended of any kind. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
~ PD conference attendee
"This was a fabulous mini-conference! Every minute taught me something and made me think more deeply about work at my school and in my district."
~ PD conference attendee
"The experience that the Minority Student Achievement Network has given me is one that I will cherish for the rest of my life."
~ MSAN Scholar Jazin Rocha, HBW 10th grader, Arlington Public Schools
"I wish more teachers had the opportunity to hear and have this experience."
~ PD conference attendee
"This meeting is a place to get ideas and courage."
~ MSAN RPC Member
"Meeting with this select group of superintendents reinforces and builds commitment/capacity to address diversity as a strength, not a challenge."
~ MSAN Superintendent
"This was very informative and very rich in network and strategies from the districts."
~ PD conference attendee
"I liked how different people from different states came to contribute their ideas and find a way to close the achievement gap."
~ Student conference attendee
"I see myself as a representative of my school and a person who can provide different perspectives to others in regards to the achievement gap."
~ Student conference attendee
"Just being here [helps me know] that I'm working to better my district and strengthen my leadership skills."
~ Student conference attendee
"Thank you much! … I attend quite a bit of professional development and many conferences. This conference has by far changed my mindset and how I address my daily work. I am so grateful for the opportunity!"
~ Andrea Dinan, Ed.D. - Director of Service-Learning & Experiential Programs, Princeton Public Schools
"MSAN is AMAZING and more students should join-real life learning experience."
~ Student conference attendee
"...when we came together with our own district to put together our action plan, that made me feel like I can make a huge change in the world."
~ Student conference attendee

Pause

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Interested in Supporting MSAN?
MSAN always seeks to expand its partnerships and circles of support. There are multiple ways to to support including sponsoring students and educators to attend MSAN’s annual conferences. All support provided advances the mission and work of MSAN to increase access, achievement, and opportunity for students of color.

DONATE HERE

MSAN is housed within the Wisconsin Center for Education Research at the School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison.