KUUF Forum

The Community Alliance for Progressive Education (CAPE) will be the topic of the Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship’s Forum. 

Keweenaw CAPE got its start in 2012 when a group of local parents and educators recognized the need for a different model of education and learning to broaden education choices in the Keweenaw. The group identified the ideal learning environment for children which included hands-on learning, whole-child approach, self-driven learning, supportive atmosphere and challenging curriculum. CAPE’s mission is to create and provide engaging, innovative education opportunities. CAPE’s programs are open to all community members, from elementary-aged children to adults. 


The presenter will be Susan Nielsen, CAPE executive director. She will describe the CAPE organization, the principles of progressive education, the programs currently offered and new ideas under development. Forum participants will learn about a pilot program for Life Design developed by the Stanford University Design School, a process of building your future by applying the design-thinking process that helps people unlock their creative potential and apply it to the world. 
Susan has a B.S. in Organization Psychology from the University of Michigan, and completed her Master’s degree in Applied Behavioral Science from Johns Hopkins University. For fifteen years, Susan owned and operated a successful consulting firm specializing in leadership development, positive people systems, and career management programs. Her love of learning and education led her to transition from consulting to higher education when she accepted a leadership position at the Jackson Community College. In that role, she was asked by the college president to start up and grow a new department for Corporate and Continuing Education. Upon moving to the Upper Peninsula, she has spent the past decade working to transform the education experience through CAPE. In addition, Susan also teaches at Michigan Tech’s Pavlis Honors College.

The presentation will be followed by Q & A. All forums are virtual via Zoom.  

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83975762265?pwd=TC9BcStaTDF4dFZOU2ZsUHhZTERoUT09

Meeting ID: 839 7576 2265
Passcode: KUUF