By Anna Fontus, Program Officer

When we began building the CTE Leadership Collaborative in 2018, we knew that we wanted to have a network that included the voices and perspectives that inform every angle of postsecondary CTE, including those working as postsecondary-focused researchers, CTE practitioners, data analysts, human resource professionals, journalists, and government officials. But we knew breaking down silos between different fields and developing deep relationships across disciplines could not happen overnight.

That’s why the 2022 CTE Leadership Collaborative Convening in Nashville, Tennessee, was a momentous gathering for our growing network. With nearly 150 people in attendance, this year’s convening marked the first time ECMC Foundation Fellows from each of our six Fellowship programs were in the same room. The annual convening is a key piece of the CTE Leadership Collaborative puzzle, creating space for conversations and connections that can inspire collaboration across the postsecondary CTE field.

The first three convenings were each a bit different, but they all held the promise of this moment, when ECMC Foundation Fellows from all different backgrounds, fields, and geographies can unite their unique skills and perspectives to improve the CTE field.

At the 2022 Convening, Fellows heard from plenary speakers Dr. Emily House, Tennessee State Higher Education Officer, and Dr. Jothany L. Reed, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at The College System of Tennessee, who shared insights on how postsecondary CTE is driving equity and advancing Tennessee’s attainment goals. Dr. Ivory Toldson, Director of Education Innovation and Research at NAACP spoke on how applying a “human” lens to data analysis can drive equitable change. New America’s Iris Palmer gave insights on how sharing and disseminating the work of the Fellows can potentially impact federal CTE policy, while Michael Frazier, the Founder and CEO of Nashville-based Reverence Bourbon, shared his story on the life things that get in the way of pursuing dreams, educational and otherwise.

This year’s convening also featured our first ECMC Foundation Fellow pitch competition, where six winning ideas to advance the field of CTE were voted on by a panel of judges and attendees. First-place winner Chandra Bozelko received $10,000 to engage leading beauty product manufacturers in partnerships with correctional facilities to help justice-involved women along career pathways in the beauty industry. Bozelko, the first person to write a newspaper column while incarcerated, is a journalist and thought leader on issues related to criminal justice reform. Second-place winner Shelsi Barber-Carter of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System received $7,500 to explore opportunities to connect student parents in rural communities with CTE programs.

Fellows also got a chance to discuss important topics facing CTE’s future, including overcoming CTE stigma and using postsecondary CTE to meet corporate talent demand. They built skills during workshops on communicating effectively, learned about successful equity-driven team management, and engaged in other professional development interests.

2022 Convening Resources

• Convening welcome video
• Photos from the event
• Convening agenda
• List of participants

Pitch competition winners.

Convening participants participate in breakout conversations on issues facing the future of postsecondary CTE.

Dr. Ivory Toldson

Audience Q&A during Convening keynote.