2026 Early College Summit: Full Schedule

RTI International will host the 2026 Early College Summit on June 9–10, 2026 at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, NC. This two-day event for early college leaders and program teams will focus on research-based early college and dual enrollment strategies to improve practice and support student success in rigorous learning environments. The Summit is designed so that veteran and new early college practitioners and college partners can collaborate to learn and share expertise to improve learning and student outcomes. Join us as we strengthen our capabilities to empower learners for future ready success!

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8:30am EDT

Empowering Learners to be Public Service Leaders: NC’s Public Service Leadership Program

Wednesday June 10, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT

Salem 1B

Do you work with students who are driven to do good things in the world, help people, and who want to be guided in their work by a sense of passion? They could be a good fit for NC's newly-launched NC Public Service Leadership Program (PSLP). In this session, learners will gain a robust knowledge about NC’s Public Service Leadership Program’s pre-BSW certificate, including its origins, its curriculum, its benefits for early college students, how to connect interested students to the program, and how interested early college staff and leaders can get involved with the program’s development and stewardship.

Presenters

Nina Muller

Secondary Education Program Manager, Public Service Leadership Program

Nina Muller works as the Secondary Education Program Manager for the Public Service Leadership Program (PSLP), housed at the UNC-CH School of Social Work. She joined the School of Social Work staff in 2023 as the School Behavioral Health Program Lead for the Behavioral Health Springboard... Read More →

Wednesday June 10, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Salem 1B

Partnerships

9:45am EDT

P.A.C.K. Skills - A College Readiness Game

Wednesday June 10, 2026 9:45am - 11:15am EDT

Salem 1B

This session introduces P.A.C.K. Skills—Presence, Academics, Conduct, and Knowledge, a college-readiness framework developed by New Heights Charter School of Brockton (NHCSB) and used as a college-readiness measure to guide student preparation for early college pathways. Participants will explore how everyday high school choices directly impact high school diploma completion and future college outcomes.

Presenters

Maria Fernandes

Assistant Executive Director, New Heights Charter School of Brockton

Maria Fernandes is a dedicated and mission-driven educational leader committed to creating equitable pathways to college and career success for all students. As Assistant Executive Director at New Heights Charter School of Brockton, Massachusetts’ first wall-to-wall Early College... Read More →

Wednesday June 10, 2026 9:45am - 11:15am EDT
Salem 1B

Innovative Instruction

global Y

12:40pm EDT

“Because You Matter: The Power of Health & Wellness Day”

Wednesday June 10, 2026 12:40pm - 1:40pm EDT

Salem 1B

High school can be stressful—academics, activities, relationships, and future plans can all feel overwhelming at times. A Health & Wellness Day provides a proactive, preventive approach to supporting the whole student—addressing mental, emotional, and physical health as essential components of academic success.This session explores the rationale behind implementing a Health & Wellness Day for your school and leave with a clearer understanding of why prioritizing student wellness is not an “extra,” but a necessary investment in student success.

Presenters