Welcome from the Chair

In May of 1955, 15 professors of adult education assembled in Monticello, Illinois "to discuss the role of the university in providing professional training in adult education." What became known as "The Allerton Park Conference of Professors of Adult Education" was held under the auspices of the Section on Training of the Adult Education Association of the U. S. A.

The Commission of Professors of Adult Education (CPAE) is part of what is now the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE), a proud descendant of this early effort to provide a forum for the discussion of important issues related to the academic preparation of adult educators. We are a very diverse group made up of faculty members from programs all over the world. These five purposes define the purpose and work of the Commission:

* To identify and disseminate resources that support adult education as a field of study, research and practice.
* To act as a vehicle for strengthening and supporting excellence in academic programs in adult education.
* To provide opportunities for the professional development of professors of adult education.
* To study and disseminate positions on social issues of concern to adult education.
* To provide a forum for critical reflection and dialogue on scholarship and practice that reflects the diversity in adult education.

The final purpose of CPAE is to provide a caring, supportive and collegial community for professors of adult education. We seek to achieve this through our annual meeting in conjunction with annual AAACE conference. CPAE meetings include sessions designed to address current concerns of members in addition to building community and conducting the business of the Commission. Active Special Interest Groups (SIG’s) include critical theory, faculty development, human resource development, instructional improvement, international/intercultural issues, research & theory, and women's research. The Commission also maintains an active listserv used to disseminate information to members and others concerned with the preparation of adult educators.

We hope this website is a valuable source of information not only about the Commission and its activities, but also about matters of broader concern to the adult education community, and that the information on the website will answer many of the questions you have about CPAE. Please contact me if you have questions or have suggestions for us. To view details of the current CPAE leadership group, please click here.

Howard D. Walters, Ed.D., CPAE Chair, 2010-2012

Associate Professor, Education Foundations and Research
The Schar College of Education

Ashland University

401 College Avenue

Ashland, Ohio 44805

Office: 419-289-5357

Email: hwalters@ashland.edu