ACTE Postsecondary CTE Summit 2026

Presenter: John A. Vasquez, PhD
Dr. John Vasquez serves as Assistant Vice Provost for Student Success and Senior Director of the Comprehensive Studies Program at the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor. With over two decades of experience across community colleges, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and regional comprehensive public universities, his work focuses on aligning policy, practice, and systems to improve student success and workforce outcomes.
Session Summary:
As postsecondary CTE expands to meet urgent workforce and economic development demands, institutional leaders must move beyond programmatic innovation toward systems alignment. This interactive leadership workshop introduces a practical, streamlined framework for understanding how policy, funding structures, pathway design, advising models, employer engagement, and institutional culture collectively shape learner outcomes. Rather than attempting to solve everything at once, participants will focus on identifying a small number of high-impact leverage points within their own institutional context. Drawing on systems change theory and equity-minded design principles, the session will guide participants through a structured process to surface misalignments and prioritize actionable strategies. 
This session is especially valuable for teams of two or more from the same institution or system, as participants will have dedicated time to work across roles and leave with a shared set of priorities and next steps. Individual participants will be supported through structured activities and peer collaboration. 
This workshop is designed for a mixed audience and balances strategic framing with practical application, giving participants tools they can use right away to advance CTE impact. 

Step inside the fascinating world of data centers with this immersive tour and engaging industry discussion! Join us as we head to Data Center Alley and Loudoun County, home to the largest concentration of data centers in the world. There, you’ll receive a behind-the-scenes tour inside a data center, uncovering the inner workings of one of the fastest growing industries. Representatives will discuss the data center industry and the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities students need to become a technician in this innovative space. Following the tour, we will make a short stop at Northern Virginia Community College to visit their data center training space before returning to the conference. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with industry leaders and discover how to prepare students for the future of technology. You will walk away with actionable strategies to spark student interest in data center careers and explore opportunities to build capacity for data center education in your community!

Generously sponsored by: 

Internships are valuable, but they cannot be the only pathway to meaningful work-based learning. If colleges want more students to engage with industry, they need scalable approaches that embed authentic, employer-connected experiences into the curriculum without creating additional administrative burden for faculty.

This interactive Learning Lab explores the Student-Led Agency model, a proven approach implemented at UTRGV Robert C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship to connect students with real businesses through course-aligned, project-based experiences. Participants will examine how a consistent framework can help institutions expand work-based learning across courses and departments while preserving faculty autonomy and aligning experiences with academic outcomes.

The session will focus on practical strategies for increasing student access, strengthening employer and community engagement, supporting faculty implementation, and creating measurable evidence of student learning and impact.

Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how postsecondary institutions can move beyond isolated internships and individual faculty efforts toward a more scalable, repeatable, and measurable institutional strategy to work-based learning.

Sponsored by: 

Transitioning from industry to the classroom can be both exciting and challenging for CTE instructors—and the way institutions support this transition is critical to long-term success and retention. In this interactive preconference session, presenters will share research-informed insights and proven strategies for effectively onboarding and supporting industry-experienced educators. Participants will explore the unique needs of new CTE instructors, examine high-impact professional development approaches, and identify key milestones in the transition from industry expert to effective educator and leader. Through guided activities and a structured workbook, attendees will reflect on their current practices and develop a customized, actionable “playbook” to strengthen onboarding and retention efforts in their own programs. By the end of the session, participants will leave equipped with practical tools, strategies, and a clear plan to support CTE instructors from day one through their journey to instructional excellence.
Presenters: Brian Rick &  JoAnna Collins:  
Trades2Trainer Educational Systems, Inc

Discover what goes into developing a credible certification exam—from the Job Task Analysis (JTA) and exam blueprint to the final assessment. This Learning Lab explores how certifications validate job-related knowledge and skills, their value in the hiring process, and the important difference between a certification and a certificate.

Sponsored by:

Launch the 2026 Postsecondary CTE Summit with an inspiring opening session that sets the tone for three days of learning, collaboration, and innovation. Centered on this year's theme, Powering Possibility: Advancing Postsecondary CTE Impact, we'll explore how bold leadership, strong partnerships, and innovative practices are transforming postsecondary CTE and expanding opportunities for learners nationwide.
The session will include a preview of the Summit experience, highlighting key events, learning opportunities, and ways to connect throughout the conference. Our Opening Session Sponsor, The Manufacturing Institute, will share insights on strengthening the nation's talent pipeline through industry and education partnerships.
Attendees will then hear an inspiring keynote address from Dr. Anne M. Kress, President of Northern Virginia Community College, who will share her vision for advancing student success and the future of postsecondary CTE.
We'll also celebrate the field's impact by recognizing the Catapult Award recipient for innovation and honoring the graduates of Cohort 8 of the ACTE NextLevel Postsecondary CTE Leadership Fellowship as they join a growing network of leaders shaping the future of CTE.
To close, attendees will receive a special preview of the evening's Multiple Choice film screening and discussion, offering a glimpse into a powerful story that explores the connection between education, opportunity, and career pathways.
Join us as we celebrate excellence, build momentum, and begin three days dedicated to powering possibility and advancing the impact of postsecondary CTE.

Generously sponsored by:

Kick off the Postsecondary CTE Summit by connecting with educators, leaders, employers and partners from across the country who are working to strengthen the connection between education and opportunity.
This welcome reception offers an opportunity to build new relationships, reconnect with colleagues and begin conversations about creating pathways that lead to credentials of value, quality careers and greater economic mobility. Join us as we celebrate the people and partnerships powering possibility across postsecondary CTE.

Sponsored by:

Join us for a special screening of Multiple Choice, a documentary that challenges the notion that students must choose between a four-year degree and limited career options. Set in a Virginia community, the film follows efforts to transform education through innovative career pathways, hands-on learning, and strong connections to workforce opportunities.
Through the story of one district's Innovation Center, Multiple Choice explores how education can help students discover purpose, develop in-demand skills, and prepare for a wide range of postsecondary and career opportunities.
Following the screening, attendees will have an opportunity to reflect on the film's themes and consider implications for strengthening secondary-to-postsecondary pathways, workforce development, and learner success.

View the trailer here: https://www.multiplechoicefilm.com/

Please note: Registered Summit attendees will receive a separate email inviting them to confirm their interest in attending Dinner & a Movie event. Because space is limited, completing the interest form does not guarantee a spot. Confirmed attendees will receive a follow-up email with their reservation confirmation and additional event details.