Pre-Conference Events

9:00 am - 4:00 pm | Box Lunch Provided

Audience: We welcome all program partners, including college & university administrators, deans, program directors/staff, faculty liaisons, and secondary partners such as superintendents, principals, high school teachers, and school counselors.

Session Description: Join NACEP in Cleveland, OH, for our one-day Accreditation Institute focused exclusively on NACEP’s National Standards for Quality for our Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP) and College-Provided Faculty Model (CPF) endorsements. This institute is tailored more for established programs seeking re-accreditation (in the upcoming 2028-2029 & 2029-2030 cycles), but welcomes those seeking to learn more. It's imperative for teams from your institution/program to participate, ideally with a minimum of two members.

The institute will leverage a number of NACEP’s guides and resources, and review the required materials essential for the accreditation application process, preparation, and submission. Since the information is condensed into one day, there will be very limited time for working sessions and networking at the institute.

Don't miss this opportunity to equip your program with the knowledge and tools necessary for accreditation success. We look forward to seeing you in Cleveland!

How to Prepare: For further details about the accreditation application process and required materials, please refer to the Application Process & Resources and Accreditation Institute  webpages. 

9:00 am - 12:00 pm | Box Lunch Provided

Audience: This session is designed for experienced dual credit advisors and program administrators who already have a solid foundation in advising practices and program requirements. It is especially well suited for those who manage complex caseloads or multiple school partnerships and serve as lead advisors, mentors, or emerging leaders in dual credit or early college programs.

Session Description: This advanced workshop is designed for experienced dual credit advisors who are ready to elevate their practice from proficient to exceptional. Participants will explore high-impact advising strategies, data-informed decision making, proactive student engagement, and scalable systems that support equity, persistence, and completion. Through real-world scenarios and reflective activities, attendees will sharpen their ability to navigate complexity, lead with confidence, and adapt advising approaches to diverse student needs. Attendees will leave equipped with advanced tools and mindsets to become true advising legends in the dual credit space.

How to Prepare: Participants should arrive ready for deep engagement and strategic thinking. To get the most from the session, attendees should:

• Bring examples of real advising challenges, workflows, or initiatives they want to strengthen.
• Be prepared to reflect on data usage and student-related systems and processes within their programs.
• Bring note-taking materials to support interactive exercises and scenario-based discussions.

8:00 am - 12:00 pm | Box Lunch Provided

Audience:This workshop is designed for concurrent enrollment, dual enrollment, and early college program directors, administrators, and state or district-level staff responsible for policy interpretation, compliance, and advocacy.

Session Description: NACEP’s annual Pre-Conference State Policy Workshop is designed to empower practitioners working on the front lines of dual enrollment and early college programs to better understand—and influence—the policies that shape their work. In this session, participants will explore the variance in state-level policy environments, gaining a broader view of the national landscape and how the diverse array of policy frameworks across the country impacts program quality, access, and sustainability. This interactive workshop will provide the latest state and national policy trends and updates, highlight emerging resources, and create space for meaningful dialogue among peers.
The session focuses on how states define, or fail to define, program quality in policy and how those decisions shape implementation in practice. Participants will engage in collaborative discussions and hands-on activities centered around NACEP’s Beyond Rigor: Closing the Quality Gap in State Dual Enrollment Policy publication. Through guided reflection and peer exchange, attendees will examine how current policies establish expectations for program quality and identify where policy gaps lead to inconsistent practice. Drawing on the "Align, Define, Empower, Assess" approach, participants will explore strategies to strengthen alignment between policy design and program delivery, leaving with practical tools that can be applied at both the state and program level to support high-quality, equitable dual enrollment experiences.

How to Prepare: Participants are encouraged to come prepared to actively engage in discussion and collaborative work. Prior to the workshop, attendees should:

• Review their current state and/or institutional policies related to concurrent and dual enrollment programs.
• Familiarize themselves with NACEP’s Beyond Rigor publication.
• Reflect on key policy challenges or opportunities within their context.
• Be ready to share examples, ask questions, and collaborate with peers on strategies for policy improvement and advocacy.

9:00 am - 12:00 pm | Box Lunch Provided

Audience: This workshop is designed for K-12 institutions, administrators, district coordinators, and counselors who are looking to move beyond program basics.

Session Description: This intensive pre-conference workshop provides K-12 practitioners with dedicated time to examine the unique operational challenges and strategic opportunities of managing concurrent and dual enrollment programs.

Grounded in the NACEP District/High School Guide, this session moves beyond foundational logistics to tackle the complex challenges of mature programs. Participants will first explore how to transition higher education relationships from transactional service models to strategic partnerships that leverage institutional priorities and engage industry and community stakeholders.

The workshop then dives into human capital, offering holistic strategies to build teacher pipelines, support credentialed faculty, and successfully integrate visiting college instructors into the K-12 environment. Finally, the session evaluates day-to-day strategies for persistent friction points, including master scheduling, counselor burnout, and the critical legal shift between K-12 accommodations and postsecondary requirements. Attendees will leave with actionable frameworks and strategies to increase capacity and strengthen the systemic impact of their dual enrollment ecosystems.

How to Prepare: All resources will be provided during the session. We encourage participants to come ready with questions or specific program challenges they are looking to address.

9:00 am - 12:00 pm | Box Lunch Provided

Audience: This workshop discusses the more advanced elements of program analysis. It is ideal for researchers and program staff with a year or more of experience in program management within an established dual or concurrent enrollment program.

Session Description: Concurrent enrollment programs benefit from conducting regular high-quality program evaluations to inform program improvement. Because of the added scrutiny that concurrent enrollment faces, programs can display greater accountability through evaluation and by sharing results with stakeholders. This workshop is intended for institutional researchers and concurrent enrollment managers with or without evaluation and research experience to define success and then determine which methods and approaches to use to evaluate program effectiveness and student success.

The workshop will include examples of research and evaluation approaches that institutions have used to drive program improvement and align with NACEP accreditation standards. Register early as space is limited to foster effective engagement and collaboration.

• This session is designed for dual and concurrent enrollment program staff and institutional researchers alike, sharing methods and tools to evaluate program effectiveness and student success.
• Led by members of the NACEP Accreditation and Research Commissions, attendees will learn about methods and tools to evaluate program effectiveness.
• The workshop includes examples that align with NACEP accreditation standards and provides an opportunity to plan for continuous program improvement for all programs.

How to Prepare: All resources will be provided during the session. We encourage participants to reflect on their institution’s current evaluation practices and where opportunities exist.

9:00 am - 12:00 pm | Box Lunch Provided

Audience: This workshop is designed for any staff who are new to the field of dual and concurrent enrollment (typically 0–2 years of experience).

Session Description: This pre-conference workshop provides a comprehensive introduction to the foundational pillars of dual and concurrent enrollment. Designed for those new to the field, the session moves beyond basic terminology to explore the strategic "win-win-win" dynamics between students, K-12 districts, and higher education institutions. Participants will examine the national landscape of program models, with a specialized focus on the operational complexities of concurrent enrollment.

Drawing on the core curriculum of NACEP’s foundational training, the workshop guides attendees through the essential "building blocks" of a quality program, including navigating accreditation standards, understanding diverse institutional priorities, and leveraging partnerships as equity levers. The session concludes with a practical application period where participants utilize NACEP resources to develop an actionable plan. Attendees will leave with a roadmap for strengthening their program’s foundational operations and a clearer understanding of how NACEP can support their journey

How to Prepare: All resources will be provided during the session. We encourage participants to come ready with questions or specific program challenges they are looking to address as they begin their work in the field.

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Box Lunch Provided

Audience: Attendees from both K12 and postsecondary institutions are encouraged to participate either as a partnership or individually.

Session Description: In this workshop, CCRC will share models of effective practice from research on colleges and K-12 schools that are implementing dual enrollment as an on-ramp to college and career pathways after high school for students from underserved groups. In this approach to DE, which we call “dual enrollment equity pathways” or DEEP, colleges and their K-12 partners broaden the benefits of DE through:

• DEEP Outreach: Reaching out to underserved students and families to encourage and support them to participate in DE,
• DEEP Alignment: Aligning DE course offerings to bachelor’s and career-technical associate degree and apprenticeship programs in high-opportunity fields,
• DEEP Advising: Helping every DE student with career and academic exploration, advising, and planning, and
• DEEP Support: Delivering high-quality instruction with proactive supports to build DE students’ confidence as college learners.

As pre-work, participants will be invited to complete CCRC’s “Dual Enrollment Student Success Practice Survey.” This research-based tool will help colleges benchmark their current DE practices against the DEEP model. Using their results from the survey, participants will identify strengths of their current practices and areas for improvement and investment in their DE programs. Participants will learn how college-K-12 DE partnerships in diverse local contexts have implemented DEEP practices, as well as the leadership strategies and business models they are using to scale and sustain DEEP without passing on costs to students or families.

By the end of the workshop, participants will be ready to communicate the purpose and direction of their work to strengthen DE. Participants will be equipped with the tools to engage their respective school, district, and college partners in co-designing and implementing reforms aimed at advancing college and career success for their students and supplying talent to support economic vitality in their communities.

How to Prepare: Participants will be invited to complete CCRC’s “Dual Enrollment Student Success Practice Survey.” This research-based tool will help colleges benchmark their current DE practices against the DEEP model.

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Box Lunch Provided

Audience: This workshop is designed for staff, program directors, coordinators, and liaisons with some experience who are seeking to move beyond basic operations to implement deep, research-based quality standards across their dual enrollment programs.

Session Description: This pre-conference workshop provides an intensive deep dive into the "3Rs" framework—Rigor, Readiness, and Relevance—as the primary pillars of program quality and student success. Moving beyond foundational logistics, the session examines the critical role of Rigor through the lens of instructor support, focusing on effective faculty liaison models, robust onboarding, and sustainable professional development practices.

The workshop then shifts to Readiness, moving the conversation beyond academic placement to focus on "college knowledge" and student agency. Participants will explore strategies to help students navigate complex collegiate systems, access institutional resources, and master the soft skills essential to postsecondary success. Finally, the session addresses Relevance, connecting course offerings to meaningful student outcomes and regional workforce demands. By evaluating the alignment between curriculum and career pathways, attendees will learn how to ensure every credit earned serves as a high-value asset in a student’s educational journey. Participants will leave with a comprehensive toolkit to audit their current practices and elevate the quality of their dual enrollment ecosystem.

How to Prepare: All resources will be provided during the session. We encourage participants to come ready with questions or specific program challenges they are looking to address.

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Box Lunch Provided

Audience: Concurrent enrollment instructors, advisors, and program administrators.

Presenting Organization: Motivate Lab - University of Virginia

Session Description: In this session, participants will explore how educator mindsets—specifically growth mindset, purpose and relevance, and sense of belonging—can be powerful tools for improving student success in concurrent enrollment programs. Instructors, staff, advisors, and administrators across a variety of disciplines and educational settings will learn how small shifts in communication, active learning routines, and engagement strategies can build student confidence, increase persistence, and better prepare learners for the rigor of college-level coursework.

This interactive session offers concurrent enrollment instructors, advisors, and program administrators the opportunity to reflect on the student experience in concurrent enrollment course pathways and to learn practical strategies to help support student achievement and well-being. Participants will apply example strategies to their interactions with students in their local educational contexts.

As a result of participating in this pre-conference session, participants will:

• Identify and describe motivational and learning mindset theories and concepts.
• Describe the link between learning mindsets and student success.
• Engage in motivational planning to incorporate learning mindset-supportive strategies in the concurrent enrollment experience for students that bolster their well-being and success.

This pre-conference session is led by Dr. Chris Hulleman, professor of education and public policy at the University of Virginia and founder and director of Motivate Lab, and his team of practitioners and researchers. The Motivate Lab is driven to improve people’s lives through rigorous motivation research and to understand the mindsets that promote learning, growth, and well-being.

How to Prepare: All resources for this session will be provided during the workshop. We encourage participants to come with reflections on the concurrent enrollment journey for their students, including ways students thrive and where they face barriers to engagement. Bring your curiosity and your questions

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Box Lunch Provided

Audience: This workshop is ideal for college and high school faculty and staff who work with dual credit students, including faculty, dual enrollment coordinators, administrators, deans, advisors, and student support staff. Teams that include both college and K-12 partners will benefit most from the collaborative nature of this session.

Session Description: How can national student voice insights transform the way your college supports dual enrollment students? The Dual Enrollment Student Survey of Engagement (DESSE) is a national survey that captures dual enrollment students’ perspectives on their academic experiences, supports, and sense of belonging. In this dynamic, hands-on workshop, participants will dive into national trends from DESSE and connect them directly to their own institutional practices. Centering student voice throughout, attendees will explore what students are really saying about their experiences—and what that means for change on their campuses.

Through guided discussions and collaborative activities, colleges will identify priority areas for improvement, exchange ideas with peers, and begin building practical, tailored action plans. Walk away with concrete strategies you can implement at your own institution to strengthen programs, close gaps, and better support dual enrollment student success. This dynamic, hands-on workshop is open to both 2-year and 4-year institutions, creating a space for cross-sector learning and collaboration

How to Prepare: Attendees do not need to prepare anything in advance. We will provide all necessary materials and guidance during the session. Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop and come ready to actively engage in discussions and activities.

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Box Lunch Provided

Audience: This workshop is designed for practitioners, coordinators, CTE directors, or program administrators who are new to career-connected learning or looking to better align their dual enrollment offerings with workforce needs.

Session Description: This intensive pre-conference workshop provides an informative roadmap for bridging the gap between dual enrollment and workforce development. Participants will begin by exploring the national landscape, including the 2024 modernization of the National Career Clusters Framework and federal policy shifts that tie CTE funding to industry-aligned outcomes. The session then pivots to a hands-on "tools" framework, introducing Talent Pipeline Management (TPM) to help leaders back-map classroom instruction from regional labor market demand. Attendees will also learn to apply a "3Rs Audit" (Rigor, Readiness, and Relevance) to ensure technical pathways serve as high-status programs of opportunity.

The workshop concludes with a showcase of three exemplary programs, providing a moderated look at real-world models that successfully navigate master scheduling and industry co-design. Participants will leave with practical frameworks to transition from fragmented CTE offerings to integrated, high-value pathways that drive student economic mobility

How to Prepare: All resources will be provided during the session. Participants are encouraged to bring a general overview of their current CTE program offerings or a list of their region’s top high-demand industries.

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Box Lunch Provided

Audience: This session is ideal for new or early-career dual credit advisors, including those transitioning from high school counseling, general advising, or student services roles; administrators with young or developing advising programs; and staff members interested in learning more about introducing advising topics into their programs.

Session Description: This interactive workshop introduces new dual credit advisors to the foundational practices needed to confidently support students navigating college coursework while still in high school. Participants will explore core advising competencies, compliance considerations, relationship-building strategies, and practical workflows that promote student success and persistence. Attendees will leave with actionable tools and a clearer understanding of how to “rock the role” from day one in dual credit advising.

How to Prepare: Participants should come ready to learn, reflect, and engage. No prior dual credit advising experience is required. Attendees are encouraged to:

• Bring a notebook or device for interactive activities and note‑taking
• Reflect on their current role, responsibilities, or anticipated advising challenges
• Be prepared to discuss scenarios and share questions from their own advising context