The CTE Leadership Collaborative (LC) launched in 2018 as a collective comprising the next generation of postsecondary CTE leaders. Through the LC, individuals (known as ECMC Foundation Fellows, or Fellows) representing a variety of disciplines, approaches, perspectives and geographies come together annually to collaborate and connect, with the shared goal of working toward meaningful systemic change. 

ECMC Foundation completed its sixth annual CTE LC Convening on September 25, 2024 in Chicago, IL. Fellows traveled across the country to gather with other postsecondary CTE professionals for a profound opportunity to be together in one room to share space and new ideas.  

2024 Convening Resources

• Photos 
• Agenda 
• Participants

The event was the highest attended CTE LC Convening to date, with 189 Fellows and 13 fellowship leads representing each of the six fellowship programs. 

The annual event represents one of the most important gatherings of postsecondary CTE professionals that exists, not only because of its size and scope, but due to the diversity of viewpoints, disciplines and approaches contained–focused on our shared commitment to improving postsecondary CTE outcomes for students from underserved backgrounds. 

This Convening was the first since the launch of ECMC Foundation’s new North Star goal,  which states that, “by 2040, equity gaps in postsecondary completion are eliminated, so that underserved learners have greater opportunity for social and economic mobility.”

While no doubt an ambitious goal, the idea is not novel to the ECMC Foundation Fellows, who work tirelessly to create equal opportunity and positive outcomes for historically underserved communities, all while driving innovation in postsecondary CTE. Through the power of the CTE LC community, the expertise and leadership of the Fellows who conduct the research, influence policy, analyze and activate data, support students, build talent pipelines and amplify stories–the North Star is a lofty yet attainable goal. 

Over three days, Convening participants enjoyed programming designed to facilitate cross-segmental collaboration, learn directly from postsecondary CTE experts and create unique professional development paths to reach their career goals. 

Sessions were planned to support the collective as well as each Fellow individually. Attendees spent dedicated time with their fellowships as well as ample cross-program networking. 

Highlights included opening keynote speaker Will Collins, Chief External Affairs Officer for the Surge Institute, who delivered a powerful address on the topic of Defining Your Leadership Legacy. The room was inspired by his words about the power of community, leading with purpose and leaving a lasting legacy. “Blessed is he who plants trees under whose shade he will never sit” was a resounding theme in his presentation, which resonated with Fellows who work tirelessly to create lasting change for their programs and students.  

Dr. Jeff Strohl, Director at Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, delivered remarks to open day two, with an introduction by ECMC Foundation President Jacob Fraire, on the topic of how CTE can be a force for economic mobility at community colleges and how the field can effectively evolve from the past.

Dr. Lorenzo Baber, Professor of Higher Education and Director of the Office of Community College Research and Leadership at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, spoke about this crucial moment for Postsecondary Higher Education Policy in an Election Year. Fellows came away with a better understanding of how their work at community colleges may be affected by changes in administration at the federal level. 

Bich-Thuy Le, Founder and Managing Partner at LeLumin, LLC, delivered the final keynote entitled Innovation: It Begins With You! A sought-after thought leader in automation, modernization and digital transformation and expert in machine learning and AI, Le shared her insights into how everyone can be an innovator and the impact of technology and innovation on inspiring high-performing teams.  

Convening breakout sessions explored postsecondary CTE topics ranging from data leveraging to opportunities in under-resourced communities, navigating AI, evolving conversations around equity and more, and workshops focused on professional development topics including management, burnout, salary negotiation, leadership and more. These diverse topics supported the Fellows in building capacity to overcome challenges within postsecondary CTE.

Attendees had the opportunity to participate in offsite activities including a pre-event architectural boat tour and post-event site visit to learn about One Million Degrees, a nonprofit that supports the success of community college students from low-income backgrounds via academic, professional, personal and financial support, as well as an offsite reception and dinner at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, the Western Hemisphere’s largest science museum. 

At the conclusion of the event, ECMC Foundation Program Officer Anna Fontus delivered closing reflections, lauding the spirit of intention and collaboration in the CTE LC toward facilitating systemic change. Participants were also provided with a preview of a digital tool to facilitate ongoing connections between Fellows. The goal is to leverage sustainable cross-segmental collaboration throughout the year to continue to improve student outcomes. 

The participation and enthusiasm of the LC community continue to ensure that the CTE LC is a place where postsecondary CTE practitioners may find affinity and professional fulfillment. The lessons learned from this initiative are far-reaching and make a broad impact. We look forward to coming together again next year in Austin, TX for more connection, collaboration and innovation!