Virginia Conference on Introductory History Courses

The American Historical Association will hold the inaugural Virginia Conference on Introductory History Courses on Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture (VMHC) in Richmond. With support from New American History and Bunk History at the University of Richmond, VMHC, and other partners, this two-day, regional conference facilitates conversations among educators who teach introductory history courses, whether in secondary schools, community colleges, or four-year universities.

2025 Virginia Conference

History and social studies educators at all levels share a fundamental interest in helping our students develop knowledge and habits of mind necessary for success in the twenty-first century. The AHA Virginia Conference brings together educators from diverse institutions to discuss the evolving needs of students. In April 2023, the Virginia Department of Education approved new Standards of Learning (SOLs) for History and Social Science, now scheduled for implementation in Fall 2025. This transition provides an opportunity for constructive engagement and mutual support. Our goal is to foster a community of practice that spans the many kinds of institutions that offer introductory courses in US and world history, emphasizing the importance of a holistic view of student success across the entirety of their education.

• What skills and support do today’s students need to develop across primary, secondary, and post-secondary education?
• How can we structure courses and curricula to promote student success during the complex transition between high school and college?
• How can we teach good history that aligns with the new SOLs?
• What should college faculty know about secondary education in Virginia and incoming students’ strengths, passions, and concerns?
• How can post-secondary faculty assist our K-12 colleagues?

Who Should Attend

The conference is free and open to all with an interest in history and social studies education. K–16 educators in Virginia will be most interested in this event. Many sessions will focus on introductory courses in US and world history most often encountered in secondary and post-secondary education, but there will be conversations of interest to elementary educators.

Registration

The conference is free and meals are provided. Registration will open on February 15, 2025. We will publish the program in early March.

Questions

Contact Rachel Wheatley, program assistant, at rwheatley@historians.org with questions about the conference.

Sponsorship

Interested in sponsoring this event? Contact Hope Shannon, marketing and engagement manager, at hshannon@historians.org.