ELEVATE October 2026 In-Person Convening
At a Glance
Join ELEVATE members in Philadelphia to explore bold, practical strategies for redesigning postsecondary pathways, improving affordability, and connecting credentials to quality jobs.Redesigning postsecondary pathways for economic advancement
Join Jobs for the Future and fellow ELEVATE postsecondary network leaders for our inaugural in-person convening, “Boundary Breakers: Redesigning Postsecondary Credentials & Pathways for the Future Learners Are Already Living,” on October 1–2, 2026, in Philadelphia. This event will bring together leaders from across states, systems, institutions, and partner organizations to explore how postsecondary education can better deliver skills, credentials, and opportunities for economic advancement.
Participants will engage in sessions focused on improving credential value, reducing cost to completion, and maximizing learning with an emphasis on redesigning systems to work for today’s learners. Themes include work-based learning, skills-first design, AI in teaching and advising, competency-based education, funding levers, student-parent success, and more guided by the innovative work ELEVATE members are leading in their states.
Over two days, participants will:
- Hear from national and state leaders driving postsecondary innovation.
- Explore approaches to improving credential value, reducing cost to completion, and maximizing learning.
- Participate in interactive sessions on work-based learning, skills-first design, AI in teaching and advising, competency-based education, student-parent success, and sustainable funding strategies.
- Learn directly from ELEVATE members through state and institutional case studies.
- Connect with peers to share challenges, exchange promising practices, and identify opportunities for future collaboration.
This convening is more than a conference.
ELEVATE is a working session for leaders to interpret emerging shifts, learn from promising practices, and translate ideas into practical action in their own contexts. Attendees will have opportunities to connect across roles, reflect on what changes matter most, and identify what institutions, states, and partners should test next.
Join more than 100 ELEVATE members from across the country to collaborate, exchange ideas, and accelerate learner-centered innovation. Space is limited and attendance is by invitation for ELEVATE members and select partners.