On behalf of Fred A. Bonner II, Ed. D. (www.icieconference.net) Welcome to the Hill Dear Colleagues and Friends: Welcome to the 17th ICIE conference 2019 on: Excellence, Innovation, & Creativity in Basic-Higher Education & Psychology (Latest Development in Research & Practices) in Prairie View, Texas - USA (July 16-19, 2019). Your participation in this historic convening, the first in the United States, as well as the first on a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) campus. We are glad that you are here with us on the “Hill” as we affectionately refer to our dear University. I encourage you to not only engage with the vast array of educators, researchers, and scholars representing a large number of countries from various regions around the globe, but to also explore the richness of the Prarie View A&M University (PVAMU) campus and it surrounding communities. As your conference chair, I implore you to establish new friendships and gain critical insight that will reinforce your knowledge in our efforts to identify innovative and creative ways to support our conference theme: In Search of Giftedness. Welcome to Prairie View A&M University, Texas and ICIE! Sincerely, Fred A. Bonner II, Ed. D. ICIE Conference Chair www.icieconference.net -- Patrick Blessinger, Ed.D. <http://www.patrickblessinger.com/> University World News <http://www.universityworldnews.com/search.php?query=blessinger&type=all&mode=search> UNESCO Inclusive Policy Lab <http://en.unesco.org/inclusivepolicylab/users/patrick-blessinger> St. John's University, New York City <https://www.stjohns.edu/academics/faculty/patrick-blessinger-edd> Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education <http://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/products/journals/journals.htm?id=jarhe> Innovations in Higher Education Teaching and Learning <https://books.emeraldinsight.com/page/series-detail/Innovations-in-Higher-Education-Teaching-and-Learning/>