Why Edlira Stefani Keeps Coming Back to the Bentley Community Learning Conference

With the 2026 Bentley Community Learning Conference (BCLC) on the horizon, this is the time to reflect on what makes learning together meaningful—and to imagine how you might contribute. As the call for proposals opens, Edlira Stefani’s reflections highlight how sharing ideas builds connection across campus. Faculty and staff are invited to submit session proposals by May 21 at 5 p.m. and help shape this year’s conference.
 

Reflections on the BCLC from Edlira Stefani

July 2025 marked my fourth Bentley Community Learning Conference (BCLC) at Bentley University, and somewhere between the first session and the last conversation of the day, I found myself pausing to take it all in.

It didn’t feel like a conference in the traditional sense. It felt more like walking into a space where everyone had pulled up a chair to the same table. Conversations flowed easily, ideas were shared openly and there was this quiet understanding that we were all there to learn from one another.

As the days unfolded, I moved from session to session, but it was often the moments between that stayed with me the most, the quick exchanges in the hallway, the laughter over coffee, the spontaneous conversations that turned into new ideas. There’s something powerful about being surrounded by people who are curious, who are willing to share what they know and just as willing to listen.

And then there were the moments that made you smile without even realizing it. Spot the robot dog from Boston Dynamics made its appearance and immediately became the center of attention. Not long after, Blue the dog made a visit, bringing a different kind of energy, one that reminded everyone to pause, laugh and enjoy the moment.

Somewhere in between sessions, I found myself caught up in the conference games, trying to solve trivia questions and climb the leaderboard on the app. It became a small but fun mission throughout the day. It was a simple thing, but it added to the feeling that this wasn’t just about learning, it was about being part of something.

Because that’s really what stood out. Yes, there were ideas, insights, and new ways of thinking. But more than anything, it was the human connection. The conversations, the laughter, the shared moments, those are the things that stay with you.

We often talk about lifelong learning as something individual, something we pursue on our own. But being there reminded me that learning is also collective. It grows when we share it. It becomes more meaningful when we experience it together.

By the end of the day, I felt connected. Grateful to be part of a community that makes space for curiosity, for growth and for each other.

And that’s what keeps me coming back, year after year.

See you at the Bentley Learning Conference 2026. — Edlira Stefani

In addition to being an active participant in workshops, Edlira has also served as a presenter on multiple occasions. In 2025, Edlira co-presented "Workforce Reimagined: AI in Action at Bentley" with Elizabeth Hess, Erin Kelley, Karen Lamb, Alex Lewin and Sol Nasisi. She also collaborated with David Norman to present "Agentic AI: The Coolest Kid on the Academic Block." Here, she shares why she is inspired to give to the Bentley community in this way. 

What keeps you coming back as a presenter?

This conference feels like a shared experience rather than a traditional event. It’s a space where ideas are openly shared, curiosity is encouraged and learning happens together.

How has your experience evolved over time?

My approach has shifted from delivering content to learning with participants. Sessions are more conversational, interactive and reflective of shared exploration.

What insights did you gain last summer?

Some of the most powerful learning happened between sessions. Hallway conversations and informal exchanges often sparked new perspectives.

How does presenting benefit your work and the community?

Presenting bridges ideas and impact while strengthening cross-campus relationships and collaboration.
 

Edlira Stefani is the executive director, data engineering and operations, IT, at Bentley.