K–College Institute:
Strengthening Pathways Through Dual Enrollment

Register today for the K–College Institute: Strengthening Pathways Through Dual Enrollment being held July 23-25, 2025.

Drive student engagement through equitable access and holistic student supports. Register today for the K–College Institute: Strengthening Pathways Through Dual Enrollment, to be held July 23–25, 2025, at Grand Hyatt Denver, Colorado.

Evolving the pathway from high school to college is a crucial component of connecting students with postsecondary opportunities that align with their interests, goals, and the demands of the workforce. K–College Institute: Strengthening Pathways Through Dual Enrollment brings together colleges and communities to learn about high-impact innovations in dual enrollment and early college programs, college bridge initiatives, and workforce partnerships that equip all students with the skills, knowledge, and experiences they need to thrive in the workforce and contribute to a vibrant and competitive economy.

The K–College Institute includes two days of in-person learning, networking opportunities, and an opportunity to collaborate with your partners to strategically design or improve the impact of your shared K–college programming.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Click here to see details for proposal submissions.

We are seeking your proposals for sessions featuring programs, innovations, and research that will accelerate the work of your peers in advancing postsecondary readiness, access, and attainment.

College and K–12 leaders, educators, student services professionals, and researchers are encouraged to submit proposals connected to the following themes:

• Aligning Dual Enrollment with Career Pathways
• Intentionally Expanding Postsecondary Access
• Centering Holistic Student Supports in Dual Enrollment

Proposals are due before 11:59 p.m. ET on April 11, 2025. Priority consideration will be given to proposals submitted by March 21, 2025.

Schedule-at-a-Glance
Wednesday, July 23: Gateway to College network meeting and reception (invitation only)
Thursday, July 24: Opening plenary and keynote speaker, in-person sessions, collaborative peer learning, and reception
Friday, July 25: Opening panel discussion, in-person sessions, and collaborative peer learning

For a detailed schedule, visit the Schedule page.

Themes
The K–College Institute will focus on intentional and equitable dual enrollment practices, offering dynamic and interactive sessions on key strategies for student success. Topics include the following:

Aligning Dual Enrollment with Career Pathways

• Connecting coursework with workforce needs, preparing students for both college and careers through robust pathways

Intentionally Expanding Postsecondary Access

• Creating inclusive programs to address barriers to enrollment, encourage matriculation to other college programs, and boost college completion rates
• Designing initiatives for special populations like opportunity youth and foster youth

Centering Holistic Student Supports in Dual Enrollment

• Developing strategies to encourage belonging, strengthen collaboration, and implement holistic advising models

What attendees said about the July 2022 event

“The networking experience was valuable! Absolutely loved the conference and hearing best practices from so many institutions.”

“Getting to dig into the overlap of higher ed and K–12 partnerships was enlightening and helpful. Having the conference in the same building/hotel was great as well and conducive to networking.”

“Highly informative and conceptual.”

“Networking with educators from all across the country was phenomenal. That was the best opportunity to share best practices and learn from each other.”

“I have never participated in a conference so rich in information sharing, conversations, and meaningful content!”

“I feel more ready for leadership at my institution.”

“The people, the app, the hotel … all contributed to a valuable experience. Networking and meeting people has been awesome. Opportunities to share best practices has value to what I do and want to learn.”

What To Expect at the K–College Institute

• Welcome and networking receptions designed to build connections among participants
• Opportunities to collaborate in teams or with other practitioners
• Program tracks for institutional leaders, student support professionals, and cross-system teams, including Gateway to College program practitioners
• Innovative sessions designed to share dual enrollment best practices, including aligning with career pathways, expanding postsecondary access, and centering holistic student supports
• One-on-one and small group networking opportunities

Who should attend?
The Institute is designed for cross-functional, community-based teams and individual college and K–12 practitioners working to align dual enrollment with career pathways, expand postsecondary access, and center holistic student supports. Attendees may serve in the following roles:

• College leaders and personnel involved in leading or implementing K–college connections or services (including enrollment management)
• K–12 leaders and personnel focused on college connections (Title 1 schools, primarily)
• CBOs (including CTE partners)
• Cabinet and mid-level leadership positions
• Student affairs personnel
• Academic affairs personnel
• Business affairs personnel
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion officers
• Dual enrollment faculty

Cancellation Policy
Cancellations received after Monday, July 7, are subject to a $15 administrative fee. Substitution requests may be submitted in writing to events@achievingthedream.org by Tuesday, July 15, and will be confirmed via return email.

Sponsorship
Sponsorship opportunities are available for this event. Please contact Dayna Gilliard at dgilliard@achievingthedream.org or call 240-450-3805.

Registration Fees
Registration for ATD’s K–College Institute July 23-25, 2025, includes access to all in-person sessions taking place July 23-25.

Team/Group Discount
Teams of three or more receive a 10% discount (automatically deducted at checkout when registering three or more people at the same time).

Consent to Use Photographic Images
Registration and attendance at, or participation in, ATD meetings and other activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant to the use and distribution of the registrant or attendee’s image or voice in photographs, videotapes, electronic reproductions, and audiotapes of such events and activities by ATD and other third parties, including, but not limited to, the venue, the host city, and the host partner.

Upcoming event messages
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