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Preliminary Program Agenda

DREAM 2026 Program Agenda
(All Listed Session Times are Pacific Time)

See session types described below

MONDAY, MARCH 2

7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. PT

Registration Open

7:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. PT

DREAM Scholars Orientation

7:45 a.m.–1:30 p.m. PT

ATD Coach Training (by invitation only)

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. PT

DREAM Studios

AI for Access & Achievement: Empowering Community Colleges to Unlock Student Success, sponsored by Element451
Beyond Credits: Embedding Advising to Strengthen Dual Enrollment Pathways
Blueprint for Belonging: Co-Designing a Successful Student Experience
Building a Strong Data-Empowered Culture
Career-Connected Pathways: Preparing Students for the Workforce through Work-Based Learning and AI
Data Informed Instruction: Making the Invisible Visible
Partner Up & Power On!: Exploring Partnerships and Tools to Boost Basic Needs Supports
Strategic Enrollment Management for Adult Learners: Driving Recruitment, Retention, and Mobility
The AI-Enhanced Student Success Journey: Leveraging Technology to Drive Community Vibrancy from First Contact to Career

3:00–5:00 p.m. PT
OPENING PLENARY SESSION
Presenter: Stephanie Land, Best-Selling Author, Executive Producer of Netflix’s Maid, and Social Justice Advocate

5:00–6:00 p.m. PT

Opening Reception

6:00–8:30 p.m. PT

Dinner to Celebrate Dr. Karen A. Stout, by Invitation Only

TUESDAY, MARCH 3

7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. PT

Registration Open

7:30–8:45 a.m. PT

Continental Breakfast

7:30–8:45 a.m. PT

Team Time

7:30–8:45 a.m. PT

Gateway to College Network Gathering

9:00–10:15 a.m. PT

MORNING PLENARY SESSION

Presenter: Sarah Lewis, Acclaimed Author, Art and Cultural Historian

10:30–11:30 a.m. PT

Concurrent Sessions

Building Belonging by Design: Using Data to Drive Career-Connected Student Success
Advancing Longitudinal Insights for Your Students with the PDP
Case Making for Self-Directed Learning
Click, Connect, Captivate: Engagement Strategies for Online Learning
Distance Education Done Well: Building Statewide Capacity for Inclusive Online Education
From Barriers to Access: A Centralized, Equity-Driven Model for Career Pathways
How Leadership and Soft Skills Development Transformed the Student Experience at Palm Beach State College
Integrating Career Development Throughout the Student Journey: A Whole College Approach
Supporting Student Parents: Data-Driven Strategies for Equity and Completion
The Story Behind the Statistics: Relationships Driving Change
Unlocking Workforce Pell: Data, Quality, and Pathways for Student Success

11:30–11:45 a.m. PT

Morning Coffee Break

11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m. PT

Lightning Learning Sessions

Analysis of Tutorship Programme Impact on a South African University: Scaling Peer Learning to Enhance Student Success
Building Faculty Capacity for Shortened Academic Terms: A Statewide Learning Model
Colleges Contributing Value to Communities (CO3)
Coordinating Safety, Wellness, and Academic Continuity Across a Multicampus Institution: The NOVA Model
Empowering Adult Learners: Credit for Prior Learning and Navigational Tools that Drive Equity and Mobility
Enhancing the Pathways to Economic Mobility: A Case of Work-Integrated Learning and Entrepreneurship
From Data Gap to Roadmap: Tracking Non-Degree Outcomes for Workforce Needs and Federal Requirements
From Metrics to Meaning: Developing a Community Based Indegenous Success Framework
Implementing Competency-Based Education as a Modality for Student Success
Mentorship in Action: Preparing Graduate Students of Color for Community College Teaching
Sustaining a Same-Team Partnership: A Faculty Union and Administration Changing Traditional Roles to Accelerate Success
Together We Thrive: Collaborative Pathways to Community Vibrancy
Why Adults Don’t Enroll: Barriers to Reconnect Scholarships from Students’ View

11:45 a.m.–2:30 p.m. PT

Presidents Colloquium

12:30–1:00 p.m. PT

Lightning Learning Sessions

Building Bridges for Student Success: Transfer Mentoring Program
Beyond Frictionless: Why Community College Students Need Humanities to Thrive with AI
Breaking Barriers, Building Futures: Spanish Language Pathways to High Wage Jobs
Digital Adaptability: Preparing Faculty and Students for the Next Shift
From Charges to Chances: A Second-Chance College Model
From Crisis to Opportunity: Leveraging Technology to Enhance Student Engagement
From Opportunity to Outcome: How Cross-Campus Design Drives Momentum?
Putting Labor Market Tools to Work for Student and Institutional Success
Supporting Digital Equity and Access Through Library Partnerships
Teaching by Design: A New Faculty Onboarding Model for Lasting Impact
The Power of Student Voice: From Insights to Transformative Outcomes
Transforming Course-Level Equity Through Faculty Data Engagement: The TEDDI '3 Vs' Approach

1:00–2:30 p.m. PT

Lunch Break On Your Own

2:45–3:30 p.m. PT

2025 Cohort Meeting

2:45–3:30 p.m. PT

Innovative Collaboration Sessions

3:30–3:45 p.m. PT

Afternoon Refreshment Break

3:45–4:45 p.m. PT

Spotlight Sessions

3:45–4:45 p.m. PT

The Finish Line Game® Experience

5:00–6:00 p.m. PT

Meet the Network Reception

6:30–9:00 p.m. PT

International Dinner

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4

7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. PT

Registration Open

7:30–8:45 a.m. PT

Continental Breakfast

7:30–8:45 a.m. PT

Team Time

9:00–10:15 a.m. PT

MORNING PLENARY SESSION

Presenter: Dr. Karen A. Stout, President and CEO, Achieving the Dream

10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. PT

Concurrent Sessions

An Evidence-Based Approach to Broadening Access to STEM Careers for Underrepresented Groups
Centering Student Voice: Transforming Dual Enrollment Advising for Better Outcomes
Free Summer Classes: Driving Momentum, Reducing Student Cost, and Generating Net Revenue
From Policy to Practice: Strengthening Postsecondary Pathways for Learners who are System-Impacted
The Heat That Transforms: Cultivating Vulnerability as an Asset that Advances Student Affirming and Validating Learning Environments
The Power of Apprenticeships: Driving Graduation and Economic Mobility while Reducing Equity Gaps
Removing Barriers to Basic Needs Supports for Students
Scaling OER for Access: Institutional Pathways and the Emerging Role of AI
Transforming Student Success: Dallas College's Revolutionary Approach to Campus Wellbeing
Using Data to Scale Shortened Academic Terms and Untangle Student Barriers to Course Success
Using Teacher Pathways to Build Community Vibrancy for Equity and Access

11:30–11:45 a.m. PT

Morning Coffee break

11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m. PT

Lightning Learning Sessions

Aligning Program Costs and Workforce Demand for Student Success
Community Colleges as Civic Hubs: Reimagining Anchor Institutions for Community Vibrancy
Core Principles for Transforming Developmental Education
Creating Momentum with Career Communities
Earn and Learn Pathways: Partnering to Support Neurodiverse Learners
From Cradle to Career: A Collective Impact Approach to Community Vibrancy
Laddering and Pipeline Generation for Health Careers
Reimagining Humanities Pathways: Connecting Learning, Work, and Equity
The Decision Matrix: SAILS' Mathematical Reasoning for Success
Transforming Community Colleges toward Servingness: Institutional Alignment and Conceptional Framework for Hispanic, Adult and ELL Students
What If College Came With Cash? How BOOST is Disrupting Poverty and Empowering Students?

12:45–2:30 p.m. PT

CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE LUNCHEON

2:45–3:30 p.m. PT

Innovative Collaboration Sessions

3:30–3:45 p.m. PT

Afternoon Refreshment Break

3:45–4:30 p.m. PT
DREAM Labs

Assess and Advance Faculty Professional Development
Build Additional Data Capacity To Support Community Vibrancy
Design Dual Enrollment Pathways With?Intention and Impact
Empower Mid-Level Leaders To Champion Institutional Change
Implement Workforce Pell Successfully
Integrate Career Advising Across the Student Experience

4:45–5:45 pm PT
Special Events & Performances

6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. PT

2026 DREAM Scholars Recognition Reception

5:30–6:30 p.m. PT

Tribal Colleges & Universities (TCU) Reception

6:00–7:30 p.m. PT

Aspen Presidential Fellowship Alumni Reception

THURSDAY, MARCH 5

7:00–10:30 a.m. PT

Registration Open

7:30–8:45 a.m. PT

Continental Breakfast

7:30–8:45 a.m. PT

Team Time

9:00–10:00 a.m. PT

Concurrent Sessions

Adult Learners: New Tools and Resources
Collaborate for Impact: Building Employer Partnerships that Power Student Success
Connecting the Dots: Using Integrated Data to Strengthen Student Success
Cutting Edge Research in Rural Community Colleges
Debating Dual Enrollment: Weighing the Costs, Benefits, & Impact
From 5% to 30%: Proven Strategies to Retain and Graduate Students
From Reform to Results: A Disciplined Approach to Advancing Early Momentum
The Road to Institutional Health: Reflections on Building Dashboards that Drive Change
Scaling Success for Parenting Students: Lessons from ATD Network College Cohorts
Strengthening Outcomes for Pre-Health Students through Pathways to High-Value Credentials
Tribal Colleges and Universities Are Leading the Way for Student Caregivers

10:15–11:30 a.m. PT

CLOSING PLENARY SESSION

11:45 a.m.–1:00 p.m. PT

Team Time

11:45 a.m.–1:45 p.m. PT

South African Delegation Debrief (by invitation only)

11:45–1:45 p.m. PT

North Carolina DREAM Fellows Meet and Greet

DREAM SESSION TYPES

SESSION TYPE	DESCRIPTION
Plenary Sessions	Highlight the voice of students and are connected to ATD’s mission, vision, and values.
Spotlight Sessions	Address substantive topics central to DREAM’s themes of access, momentum, mobility, and community vibrancy.
Concurrent Sessions (60 minutes)	Demonstrate successful strategy execution and provide strong evidence of substantive improvement in student and institutional outcomes.
Lightning Learning Sessions (30 minutes)	Highlight new or evolving innovation in one of the four organizing theme areas.
DREAM Studios	Workshops that take a deep dive into a given subject, providing you with practical, proven solutions. Sessions are held prior to the conference and a registration fee is required.
DREAM Labs	Interactive sessions facilitated by ATD staff and/or coaches that provide the opportunity to experience the potential value of some of ATD’s most exciting services or tools.
Innovative Collaboration Sessions	Presented by DREAM sponsors in collaboration with ATD Network participants, these sessions highlight implementation strategies that create value for community college customers and partners.