ACTE Postsecondary CTE Summit 2026

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:

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/

Postsecondary CTE programs depend on a strong, well-supported workforce, including faculty, advisors, navigators, and employer engagement staff. Yet many institutions face persistent challenges in recruiting, developing, and retaining this talent. As workforce demands evolve and technologies rapidly advance, the need for innovative approaches to building and sustaining the CTE workforce has never been greater.
This panel brings together leaders from across postsecondary education and industry to explore strategies to strengthen CTE talent pipelines, support industry professionals transitioning into teaching, and equip faculty and staff with the skills needed to meet the demands of today’s learners and employers. Panelists will also discuss system-level policies and practices that better support advising, student success, and employer engagement functions. Attendees will leave with actionable insights and practical strategies to build, support, and sustain the teams that power high-quality CTE programs and student success.

Artificial intelligence, automation, advanced manufacturing, and other emerging technologies are rapidly changing the future of work. Postsecondary Career and Technical Education must evolve to prepare learners for these new realities. As industries adopt innovative technologies and workforce expectations continue to shift, colleges are reimagining how they design programs, prepare faculty, and equip students with the technical and durable skills needed to succeed.
This panel will bring together leaders from postsecondary education and industry to examine how institutions are integrating emerging technologies into CTE programs while maintaining a strong focus on student success and workforce relevance. Panelists will share promising practices for redesigning curriculum, strengthening industry partnerships, investing in faculty professional development, and creating learning environments that reflect today's rapidly evolving workplaces.
The discussion will also address critical challenges, including faculty readiness, access to technology and equipment, funding constraints, ethical considerations surrounding artificial intelligence, and policies that can either accelerate or hinder innovation. Attendees will gain practical insights and actionable strategies for leveraging emerging technologies to strengthen postsecondary CTE programs, expand workforce opportunities, and prepare learners for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

The conference may end, but the conversation is just beginning. Join fellow postsecondary Career and Technical Education leaders for an engaging, facilitated discussion that transforms conference learning into meaningful action. This interactive session provides dedicated time to reflect on key insights from the conference, exchange ideas with peers from across the country, and examine the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping postsecondary CTE in 2026. Through guided conversation, participants will explore innovative practices, discuss emerging workforce needs, and consider how institutions can strengthen student success, employer partnerships, and program impact. Whether you are seeking fresh perspectives, practical solutions, or opportunities to build your professional network, this session offers a collaborative space to think strategically about the future of postsecondary CTE and leave with actionable ideas to implement at your institution.