Community Colleges Institute

The NASPA Community Colleges Institute (CCI) is a pre-conference experience designed specifically by our community college members and held prior to the NASPA Annual Conference. This compact, day and a half event, offers a valuable opportunity to connect with colleagues, leaders, educators, and student affairs professionals from across the nation.

The  institute is designed to enrich your professional development and kick - start your conference experience. Register for CCI and gain access to an exclusive learning environment.

Call for Programs

The conference leadership committee invites you to submit a proposal that addresses the theme and outcomes for our 2026 Institute!

Submission Due date: 
October 22,2025

2026 Community College Theme: 
Community Colleges at the Crossroads: Align. Transform. Evolve.

Learning Outcomes

LEARNING OUTCOME

ALIGN

Strategy, Assessment, and Institutional Agility: Examine how institutions are aligning strategy, assessment, and purpose to stay relevant in a rapidly changing landscape

• Examine strategies for navigating institutional politics and securing alignment across departments, divisions, and leadership levels.
• Explore how data-informed planning and assessment support student retention, guide institutional change, and ensure alignment with institutional goals and mission.
• Analyze how evolving definitions of credentials and degrees (Community College 3.0) are shaping institutional identity and student pathways.
• Discuss how skills, experiences, and leadership approaches translate across two-year and four-year institutions

LEARNING OUTCOME

TRANSFORM

Workforce and Community Partnerships: Explore how community colleges are transforming their role through innovative partnerships that expand opportunity, improve access, and respond to regional workforce needs. 

• Share partnership models with employers, community organizations, and four-year institutions that support student success and regional economic development.
• Identify strategies to engage students early and sustain long-term pipeline development through intentional outreach and design.
• Examine funding models and grant strategies that scale workforce innovation  and expand access to career-connected learning.
• Discuss how cross-sector partnerships and pathways can support credential attainment, transfer success, and meaningful degree completion.

LEARNING OUTCOME

EVOLVE

AI and Innovation in Practice: Discover how community colleges are using AI and digital innovation to evolve operations, instruction, and student support, while staying grounded in mission and strategy. 

• Identify AI tools and practices that extend staff and faculty capacity across teaching, operations, and advising.
• Explore classroom and student services applications of AI that improve access, connection, and responsiveness.
• Discuss frameworks for evaluating ethical, responsible, and inclusive AI use in higher education.
• Introduce forward-looking strategies that integrate innovation into long-term planning, building on institutional insights and evolving student and workforce needs.

Schedule

The schedule has been designed to provide participants with interactive and engaging programming, opportunities for deeper discussion, and networking. Additional registration is required to attend the institute. The schedule is subject to change. Visit our NASPA Events app for up-to-date information.  

*Schedule at a glance coming soon

Register

We are excited to welcome you to Kansas City at the 2026 Community College Institute. Register now at the early bird rate until December 17!

The Community College Institute is a preconference institute at the NASPA Annual Conference. *Additional registration is required to attend the institute.  

Attendee Registration Rates

Registration eligibility for member rates is determined based on an individual’s active membership status at the time of the event. If your membership is set to expire before the event date, you will have the opportunity to renew during the registration process in order to retain access to member pricing.

Get Involved

The 2027 Community Colleges Institute (CCI) Conference Leadership Committee (CLC) Interest Form is now open!

The CLC is responsible for developing a high-quality professional development experience for all CCI attendees.Committee members work to identify relevant themes and learning outcomes, seek individuals who can serve as content experts, plan networking opportunities, and review program proposals.

If you are interested in joining us, please complete the application by May 15, 2026. Members who are selected will be notified of the first committee meeting in June.

 We look forward to planning the 2027 Community Colleges Institute with you!

#CCI27 will be held March 6 - 10, 2027 in the National Harbor, MD. 
The conference leadership committee invites you to submit a proposal that addresses the theme and outcomes for our 2026 Institute!

Thank You

Thank you to our 2026 CLC Committee Members! 

• Candice Baldwin, *2026 CCI Chair
• Nicole  Baird
• Iris Castellanos
• Lisa Cooper Wilkins
• Dana Horne
• Fai Howard
• Christina Lee
• Kiantra Loza
• Alexis McLean
• Natasha Otto
• Karey TompkinsPine
• Dantrayl Smith

Learn More!

The Community College Institute is a signature event for the NASPA Community Colleges Division (CCD). 

CCD is a vibrant and engaging home for community college professionals. The CCD examines issues relevant to community college institutions and professionals and hosts a variety of professional development opportunities. The Division provides thought leadership to NASPA through advocacy for community colleges.

For more information and to get involved visit the Community Colleges Division website.