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

Strengthening Comprehensive School Counseling Through Collaborative Planning in Early/Middle College Programs

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

Winston 3A

This session demonstrates how Early/Middle College counselors from three campuses established a structured collaborative model to strengthen their Comprehensive School Counseling Programs (CSCPs). Participants will learn strategies for planning annual counseling goals, aligning programming to student needs, streamlining graduation audits, and developing shared tools, calendars, and procedures across school sites. Through interactive work sessions, counselors will explore methods for increasing program efficiency, building shared understanding, and ensuring consistent student support in specialized early college environments. This session demonstrates how Early/Middle College counselors from three campuses established a structured collaborative model to strengthen their Comprehensive School Counseling Programs (CSCPs). Participants will learn strategies for planning annual counseling goals, aligning programming to student needs, streamlining graduation audits, and developing shared tools, calendars, and procedures across school sites. Through interactive work sessions, counselors will explore methods for increasing program efficiency, building shared understanding, and ensuring consistent student support in specialized early college environments.

Presenters

Stephanie Preston

School Counselor, Middle College at GTCC - High Point

LaShana Richards

School Counselor, A&T Four Middle College

Nicole Webster

School Counselor, Early College at Guilford

Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am EDT
Winston 3A

Student Supports

global Y

1:00pm EDT

Empowering Future Ready Learners with Global A.C.T.I.O.N.

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

Winston 3A

Future readiness requires more than academic proficiency. Students must be able to navigate diverse cultures, collaborate across differences, apply learning in authentic contexts, and lead with curiosity and confidence.

• MCP builds independence, mastery, and ownership.
• Global Education expands students’ perspectives and cultural competence.
• Experiential Learning connects classroom learning to real‑world challenges.
• A.C.T.I.O.N. provides the schoolwide culture and habits that sustain these practices.
• The Portrait of a Graduate defines the competencies students develop through this ecosystem.

This session helps educators envision how these elements work together to empower early college students academically, socially, and globally.

Presenters

Melanie Vann

Counselor, Hertford County Early College High School

Cindy Jordan

College Liaison, Hertford County Early College High School

Michael Kinkead

Instructional Technology Facilitator, Hertford County Early College High School

Dr. Glasher Robinson

Principal, Hertford County Early College High School

Tuesday June 9, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Winston 3A

Innovative Instruction

global Y

8:30am EDT

Supporting College Readiness from the Inside-Out with Schoolwide Mindfulness-based Programming

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

Winston 3A

This session will enable participants to identify how mindfulness-based SEL programming may promote student success, including college readiness, when utilized in an intentional and systematic way. We will introduce the Mindful Educator framework that strengthens social-emotional capacities in a parallel process with staff and students and that builds connection and belonging within the ECHS context. Implementation lessons will be shared from the Be CALM program, which is being delivered in ECHSs across NC and is showing positive impact on both teachers and students. Participants will collaborate with peers to apply this framework to their school goals and needs.

Presenters

Desiree W. Murray

Senior Reserach Scientist, UNC-Chapel Hill

Beverly Rudolph

Be CALM Trainer and Educational Consultant, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, UNC Chapel Hill

I started my teaching career way back in 1989 as a middle school language arts teacher in Tarboro, NC. Along the way, I taught in Buncombe and Cabarrus Counties before moving into school administration in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools for 17 years. I retired with 25 years... Read More →

Wednesday June 10, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Winston 3A

Student Supports

9:45am EDT

Building and Fostering Partnerships and Technology to Expand Dual Credit Access: Lessons from the Deeper Learning Early College Model from The University of Kentucky’s Next Gen Scholars Program

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

Winston 3A

The University of Kentucky Next Gen Scholars Program (NXGS) has expanded a deeper learning early college (DLEC) model designed to increase dual credit access for high school students. By leveraging strong partnerships, collaborative networking, professional learning opportunities, innovative early college structures, deeper learning practices, and technology, the program broadens students' opportunities statewide. This session will highlight how the DLEC model reduces barriers to entry, scales dual credit offerings through flexible instructional delivery models, and provides comprehensive student support and professional training for dual credit educators. The DELC model enhances the high school experience and increases DC participation statewide.

Presenters

Neomia Hagans-Flores

Director of Dual Credit, University of Kentucky

Margo Whisman

Network Liaison, University of Kentucky

Trisha Douin-Manning

Evaluator & Researcher, University of Kentucky

Emily Thurman

Scholars Program Advisor, University of Kentucky

Wednesday June 10, 2026 9:45am - 11:15am EDT
Winston 3A

Partnerships

global Y

12:40pm EDT

More Than Good Intentions: Building an ASCA-Aligned Early College Counseling Program

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

Winston 3A

Early college counselors work at the intersection of secondary and postsecondary education, providing comprehensive supports that address students’ academic, career, and social/emotional development. This session highlights how one early college counseling program identified, aligned, and strengthened its existing practices to earn RAMP (Recognized ASCA Model Program) recognition through the American School Counselor Association. Attendees will gain insight into practical structures, challenges, and lessons learned, leaving with ideas to better articulate and strengthen their own early college counseling programs.

Presenters

Stacey Diaz

Counselor, Cabarrus Early College of Technology

Wednesday June 10, 2026 12:40pm - 1:40pm EDT
Winston 3A

Student Supports

2026 Early College Summit

From $675.00

Tickets

Success you have shared X tickets.

2026 Early College Summit

10:45am EDT

Stephanie Preston

LaShana Richards

Nicole Webster

1:00pm EDT

Melanie Vann

Cindy Jordan

Michael Kinkead

Dr. Glasher Robinson

8:30am EDT

Desiree W. Murray

Beverly Rudolph

9:45am EDT

Neomia Hagans-Flores

Margo Whisman

Trisha Douin-Manning

Emily Thurman

12:40pm EDT

Stacey Diaz

Get help with the event