What Is Milligan's CREATE Conference?

Updated

Milligan's CREATE Conference is an annual event hosted by Milligan University that gives counseling students a chance to present their research and connect with local counseling centers about job opportunities. According to Milligan Stampede, the conference returned for a fourth year and is scheduled to return again in 2027. It is most relevant to counseling students, faculty, and local counseling organizations looking to recruit or partner with the program.

What Happens at the Conference

The event combines student research presentations with networking. Based on Milligan Stampede's coverage, the core components are:

  • Student research sharing — counseling students present their work to peers, faculty, and attendees.
  • Connection with local counseling centers — organizations from the area participate, giving students a direct line to job opportunities and professional contacts.
  • A keynote address — the fourth-year conference featured keynote speaker Kristy Pruitt, who discussed burnout and compassion fatigue among counselors.

Why the Keynote Topic Matters

Burnout and compassion fatigue are recurring concerns for people entering counseling and related helping professions. A keynote on these topics signals that the conference addresses not just academic research but also the practical, long-term sustainability of a counseling career. For students deciding whether to attend, that focus may be as valuable as the research presentations themselves.

Who Should Consider Attending

If you are... The conference offers...
A counseling student A venue to present research and build a CV
A student exploring counseling careers Exposure to local employers and professional networks
A local counseling center Access to emerging graduates and their research
Faculty or staff A showcase of student work and program visibility

What to Expect in 2027

Milligan Stampede reports the conference will return in 2027. Specific dates, registration details, and the next keynote topic are not included in the available coverage, so anyone planning to attend or present should watch for announcements from Milligan University and the counseling program.

For counseling students weighing whether the conference is worth their time, the combination of research experience and direct employer contact is the main draw. If your goal is to present your own work or meet local counseling centers before graduating, this is the event built for that.