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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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It’s Not Just One More Thing – It’s EVERYTHING: Aligning Connections, MTSS, and Personal Adult Advocacy to Support Every Early College Student
Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am EDT
Salem 1B
Early Colleges offer both a powerful opportunity and a complex challenge: ensuring every student is truly known, supported, and monitored across four years and multiple college pathways. At Challenger, we meet this challenge through a cohesive support system that intentionally aligns our Connections seminar course, MTSS, and Personal Adult Advocate (PAA) model. Connections is a credit-bearing course taken every semester, designed with a tiered curriculum that builds college-ready and life-ready skills while monitoring academic and social-emotional growth. Each student is paired with a Personal Adult Advocate from before ninth grade through graduation, creating continuity, mentorship, and proactive intervention. This session explores how this integrated model strengthens equity, reduces fragmentation, and ensures no student slips through the cracks.
Presenters
avatar for Jessica Guyer

Jessica Guyer

Student Success Coordinator, Challenger ECHS
Jess Guyer is an alumni of Challenger Early College HS’s first entering and graduating class where she returned a few years later as an English teacher. She has since earned her Master of Arts in Executive Leadership and her National Board Certification. She has recently made the... Read More →
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Catie Kale

Lead Counselor, Challenger Early College High School
I have served as a school counselor at Challenger Early College High School since 2018 and bring 17 years of experience in school counseling, including seven years working directly with early college students. While I enjoy working with students at all grade levels, I specialize in... Read More →
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Grace Ann Sevier

Assistant Principal, Challenger Early College High School
I have dedicated 24 years to public education within the Catawba County and Iredell-Statesville School Systems, serving students, families, and educators through a variety of leadership and support roles. My professional experience includes two years as an elementary school counselor... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Rene Spry

Dr. Rene Spry

Principal, Challenger Early College High School
This is my third year at Challenger Early College High School, where I am proud to serve as principal and continue my commitment to student achievement and whole-child education. I have 29 years of experience in public education, serving as a teacher and school leader, grounded in... Read More →
Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am EDT
Salem 1B
  Student Supports
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