2025 Early College Summit

Explore how Yavapai College Early College Programs create customized pathways to meet the individual needs of students while fostering strong, collaborative partnerships with high schools.  By focusing on personalized student support and community engagement, Yavapai College ensures that every student is set up for postsecondary success.  Attendees will gain insights into how to tailor academic advising, leverage partnerships with local high schools, and implement innovative instructional strategies and program models to create an impactful, student-centered early college experience.  Also, explore how to dive deeper into school districts and learn how to expand college partnerships into middle schools and elementary schools.

This workshop will focus  on key Designation criteria used to determine MA Early College (EC)  Designation, with a focus on how the criteria were developed to diminish equity disparities in college enrollment, persistence, and degree completion in MA.  Learn more on how MA EC Designated programs are centered on five guiding principles (Equitable Access, Guided Academic Pathways, Enhanced Student Supports, Connections to Career, and Effective Partnerships) and how student participants receive enhanced academic and guidance support prior to beginning, and during, college coursework, as well as additional "college knowledge" to ensure that they not successfully complete college coursework in high school but thrive in the college environment.

Redefining mental health literacy by integrating inclusive strategies that prioritize informed, diverse, and personalized approaches.  By implementing these strategies, organizations can foster a thriving workplace culture where every individual feels empowered to advocate for their mental well-being.  The session will address how to break down stigma, promote awareness, and establish effective policies that support a truly inclusive environment, enabling employees to thrive both personally and professionally.

How can educators collaborate across disciplines to design learning experiences that reflect the real world? In this interactive session, participants will explore strategies for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary teaching using a common driving question (DQ).  Educators from diverse content areas will work together to begin designing engaging, student-centered lessons that integrate STEM principles.  Through hands-on activities and collaborative brainstorming, attendees will leave with actionable strategies and ready-to-implement ideas for fostering deeper learning and authentic engagement in their classrooms.

Indiana’s Rural Early College Network (RECN) of 20 rural HS's have been networked by CELL to implement Early College programs.  Using a variety of structures such as full Network meetings, Quads of mentor-partner schools, coaching, and role-alike convenings, RECN has met its goals with all schools now accredited as EC HS's.  Participants will use Padlet during the presentation and meet in small groups to experience the Problems of Practice protocol used in RECN meetings.  CELL will share the many lessons learned and how we have spun off two new programs and adopted practices from RECN in our other initiatives.

Indiana’s Rural Early College Network (RECN) of 20 rural HSs have been networked by CELL to implement Early College programs.  Using a variety of structures such as full Network meetings, Quads of mentor-partner schools, coaching, and role-alike convenings, RECN has met its goals with all schools now accredited as EC HSs.  Participants will use Padlet during the presentation and meet in small groups to experience the Problems of Practice protocol used in RECN meetings.  CELL will share the many lessons learned and how we have spun off two new programs and adopted practices from RECN in our other initiatives.