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!

10:45am EDT

Building a College-Going Culture by Making College the Expectation, Not the Exception

Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am EDT

Salem 1A

This session highlights the impact of early college exposure and how one Massachusetts school fostered a college-going culture for students, staff, and families. New Heights Charter School of Brockton has expanded early college access, with over 50% of graduates earning an associate degree while in high school and nearly all earning at least 12 college credits. Serving a culturally diverse community, the school created an accessible and equitable early college model that instills in ALL students the belief that they are college-bound from day one. Join this session to explore best practices for building a supportive college-going culture.

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 →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am EDT
Salem 1A

Leadership

global Y

1:00pm EDT

Building Intentional Dual Enrollment & Early College Policy & Programs: What Will It Take?

Tuesday June 9, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

Salem 1A

Research, policy, and practice in dual enrollment and early college are increasingly aligning around a central priority: in order for students to realize the most benefits possible out of college courses in high school, programs need to be structured and provide students with intentionally designed college course experiences aligned to their postsecondary or career interests and trajectories. But that's easier said than done! The College in High School Alliance is working on developing a new framework for intentional dual enrollment, and we want to hear from you: what is it going to take to build dual enrollment and early college programs that give every learner the opportunity to advance their postsecondary and career trajectory, and ensure that students are always having meaningful college course experiences in high school?

Presenters

Alex Perry

Coordinator, College in High School Alliance

Alex Perry, Senior Policy Advisor at Foresight Law + Policy, has spent the last decade working in policy and advocacy to advance college access and success for more students through partnerships between K-12 and higher education. A nationally recognized expert in dual enrollment and... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Salem 1A

Research Policy & Impact

global Y

2:15pm EDT

Role-Alike Networking: Higher Education & College Liaisons

Tuesday June 9, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm EDT

Salem 1A

The power of any network lies in building strong connections among members. During this role-alike networking session, join peers and colleagues to connect around role-alike discussion of topics important to your work in the early college ecosystem through a facilitated networking conversation.

Tuesday June 9, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm EDT
Salem 1A

Role-Alike Networking

8:30am EDT

Building the Bridge: Strategies for Early College Student Success from Application to Enrollment at a 4-Year University

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

Salem 1A

Navigating the transition from high school to a university presents unique challenges and opportunities for Early College students. During this session, leadership from UNC Charlotte’s Admissions office and Transfer Center, will provide their insight from reviewing these applicants through the admissions process and advising them as they enter with large amounts of college credit. This session will provide you with the transition challenges we've noticed and identify resources that will build a bridge from high school to Early College student success at a 4-year university.

Presenters

Jessica Young

Senior Associate Director, University Transfer Center, UNC Charlotte

Kaitlyn Kubacki

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

Student Supports

9:45am EDT

Successfully Strengthening Parentships: Quincy’s Early College High School Opportunities & Post-Secondary Education Initiatives

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

Salem 1A

This session will explore the history and growth of Quincy’s Early College High School Pathway, which began in Fall 2021. Presenters will share the ways in which Quincy High School, North Quincy High School, and Quincy College have worked together to provide students with strong post-secondary opportunities and ongoing support, made possible by Early College High School. Built on a strong, collaborative partnership, leaders and educators from Quincy College and Quincy Public Schools look forward to leading a dynamic and informative session. This session will explore the history and growth of Quincy’s Early College High School Pathway, which began in Fall 2021. Presenters will share the ways in which Quincy High School, North Quincy High School, and Quincy College have worked together to provide students with strong post-secondary opportunities and ongoing support, made possible by Early College High School. Built on a strong, collaborative partnership, leaders and educators from Quincy College and Quincy Public Schools look forward to leading a dynamic and informative session.

Presenters

Meghan Giovannoni

Vice President of Student Success & Partnerships, Quincy College

Meghan Giovannoni serves as the Vice President of Student Success and Partnerships at Quincy College. As a co-founder of Quincy’s Early College High School Pathway, she is thrilled to share this exceptional program with summit participants. In her role at Quincy College she oversees... Read More →

Daniel Gould

Early College Transition Coach, North Quincy High School, Quincy High School

Dan Gould serves as the Early College Transition Coach at North Quincy High School. While he is employed by Quincy College, he works on campus at North Quincy High School each day supporting the Early College students. His role is to ensure that every student feels supported and has... Read More →

Elyjah Stewart

Early College Transition Coach, Quincy High School, Quincy High School

Eli Stewart serves as the college transition coach for the early college program at Quincy High School. Employed at Quincy College for the past 8 years and formerly the assistant to the dean of health sciences, he has been with the early college program since it began in the fall... Read More →

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

Partnerships

global Y

12:40pm EDT

“It felt more ‘colleg-ey’ because it was with other undergrad students:” Student experiences in cohort and mixed Early College classes.

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

Salem 1A

How are students’ experiences different if they take their Early College classes in cohorts made up exclusively of high school students as opposed to mixed in with traditional-age, matriculated college students?
This session will present the results of original research exploring how students who completed Early College courses describe learning college success skills. College student traits that Early College participants described learning will be reviewed as well as findings that show differences in cohort and mixed course student experiences. Directions for future research and practical suggestions for program improvement and policy design will be discussed.

Presenters