Join Us at the Annual National Convening
Be part of this landmark national event uniting attendance stakeholders from every corner of education, research, policy, and support services. This annual convening brings together leaders from practice, technology, nonprofits, and more to collaboratively tackle one of the most pressing issues of 2025, student absenteeism.
MAY, 20th-21st, 2025
MARRIOTT EAST HOTEL
7202 EAST 21ST ST.
INDIANAPOLIS INDIANA
Dr. Carolyn Gentle-Genitty
Founder
Now, with nearly 20 country chapters established globally in places like France, Ireland, and Denmark, I felt it was time. The urgency grew after INSA held its first international conference in New Orleans in October 2024, where U.S. based stakeholders strongly advocated for a national chapter.
Later that same year, encouraged by my colleagues such as James Taylor, Sharon Bradley, Patricia Graczyk, and Shelneka Adams Marsalone, and inspired by conversations with Hedy Chang, I embarked on the journey to officially establish Attendance USA.
Founding Members
JAMES TAYLOR
Student Services Director and Adjunct Professor, IN
CATHERINE FALCONER
Deputy Director of Health Equity and Inclusion, MD
KEITH LELEUX
Executive Director, IATDP Lake Charles, LA
ELLIOTT ATTISHA
SSW CE Instructor, MI
JAMES BROWN
Associate Professor Bloomington, IN
JOSHUA CHILDS
Associate Professor of Educational Leadership & Policy, Univ of Texas, TX
SALVATORE BIRARDI
District Attendance Coordinator for NYCDOE District 30 Merrick, NY
BRANDY MAYNARD
Professor, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Univ of St Louis, MO
ARYA ANSARI
Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University, OH
JAYNE DEMSKY
Founder, School Avoidance Alliance, NJ
CLEA MCNEELY
Research Professor Knoxville, TN
SHARON BRADLEY
Founder,RestorativeFlo Educational Solutions Dallas, TX
SHELNEKA ADAMS-MARSALONE
Child Welfare and Attendance Avenger Baton Rouge, LA
PATRICIA GRACZYK
Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology Chicago, IL
KEVIN GEE
Professor and Chancellor’s Fellow Davis, CA
AMBER HUMM PATNODE
Acting Director, Proving Ground Boston, MA
ANNE MARIE ALBANO
Child and Adolescent Psychology New York, NY
KARI VOGELGESANG, PHD
Director of Professional Development, Scanlon Center, IA
FRANCIS BOWEN, PHD
Researcher Indianapolis, IN
SUE ANNIE RODRIGUEZ
Project Manager Senior, The Sanford School Tempe, AZ
MARLIN JACKSON
Social Entrepreneur Noblesville, IN
DEVON JONES
Chief Behavioral Health and Addictions Officer Indianapolis, IN
JUDGE NATION
County Council Member At-Large Noblesville, IN
