A Message from the ACHE President

Thank You to Our Sponsor!

2026 ACHE Call for Proposals

The Association for Continuing Higher Education (ACHE) invites scholars, practitioners, innovators, and thought leaders to submit proposals for the 88th Annual ACHE Conference (2026), hosted this year in the vibrant, coastal city of Norfolk, Virginia. Our 2026 theme, Navigating Uncharted Waters: Leadership, Resilience & Renewal, calls us to explore how continuing higher education can lead, adapt, and transform in an era of rapid change.

This year’s theme is anchored in three powerful currents shaping the future of the field:

Conference Theme and Focus Areas

Charting the Course: Resilient Leadership

How are leaders building resilience within their institutions and teams? What practices strengthen stability, inspire trust, and prepare organizations to face shifting educational, economic, and workforce landscapes?

Harboring Success: Adapting to Contemporary Learner Needs

How can institutions innovate to meet the evolving needs of today’s learners—including adult, nontraditional, military-affiliated, returning, and career-pivoting students? What new models, supports, and approaches are helping learners thrive?

Dynamic Currents: Transforming Educational Programming

What emerging strategies, technologies, and pedagogical developments are reshaping continuing higher education? How are institutions designing programs that stay relevant, future-focused, and community-responsive?

Potential Session Topics

We invite proposals that highlight research, best practices, case studies, and innovative ideas related to continuing higher education, including but not limited to:

• Student Success, Access, & Support
• Credit for Prior Learning
• Program Development & Innovation
• Faculty Development
• Leadership Practices
• Marketing & Business Development
• Teaching & Learning Enhancements
• Technology & Digital Innovation
• Workforce Readiness
• Community, Employer, & Industry Partnerships

If your work advances learning, strengthens institutions, or enhances the student experience, we want to hear from you.

Types of Sessions:

45-minute Concurrent Sessions

Deliver an engaging, in-depth session that leaves participants with actionable insights and meaningful takeaways.

30-minute Concurrent Sessions

Perfect for sharing concise, high-impact strategies, models, or lessons learned.

30-minute Round Table Discussions

Lead dynamic, interactive conversations that foster deep dialogue and collaborative problem-solving aligned with our 2026 themes.

Proposal Format & Submission

Proposals should be submitted via the Whova platform by April 24, 2026.

Notification of acceptance will be sent by May 15, 2026.

All presenters must register for the conference by July 31, 2026.

Accepted presentations will be eligible to submit proceedings for publication following the conference.

Important Dates

• Proposal Submission Deadline: Friday, April 24, 2026
• Notification of Acceptance: Saturday, May 15, 2026
• Speaker Conference Registration Deadline: July 31, 2026
• Conference Dates: October 26–28, 2026

Set Sail With Us in Norfolk—Submit Your Proposal!

ACHE 2026 will be a powerful gathering of leaders and innovators dedicated to shaping the future of continuing higher education. Whether you are piloting a new initiative, conducting research, transforming programs, or supporting evolving learner needs, your insight and expertise are essential to this year’s conversation.

We strongly encourage you to submit a proposal and add your voice to this year’s conference. Let’s chart the future together.



THANK YOU for your interest in presenting at ACHE 2026!

2026 Call for Board Nominations

The ACHE Nominations Committee is currently accepting nominations for the following leadership positions April 30: 

• Vice President (Executive Committee)
• Directors-at-Large (2 openings; Board of Directors)

Once nominations are received, the Chair of the Nominations Committee, Immediate Past President Terry Ratcliff, will contact nominees with requests for additional information. The Association will present its slate of candidates to the membership for consideration in May by email and in Five Minutes with ACHE.

Individuals may self-nominate or be nominated by a colleague. 

Eligibility for Office 

Basic Eligibility for Vice President and Directors-at-Large: 

1. Be an institutional, organizational, or professional member in good standing, per the Constitution. Service, leadership, and contributions to the association are expected prerequisites. A candidate must have served in a significant role with ACHE. 

Additional Eligibility Criteria for Vice President: 

1. Must have completed a term as regional chair based on the requirements of his or her region;
2. Or must have served at least one year as the chair of an association committee;
3. Or must have served one year as an association Director at Large.
4. And must have a minimum of one letter of support from the nominee’s provost or president or other appropriate administrator approving candidacy and acknowledging time and financial commitments of association officers. 

For a complete description of the requirements, roles, and responsibilities of ACHE Officers, please consult the ACHE Guide for Candidates. 

We hope that you will consider nominating yourself or a colleague for one of these exciting leadership opportunities!

Terry Ratcliff

Nominations Committee, Chair

2026 ACHE Business Partner Prospectus

Norfolk Awaits — And the Opportunities Don't Stop There!

This year's Annual ACHE Conference brings us to Norfolk — a fitting backdrop of naval heritage and waterfront energy for a gathering of innovators in continuing higher education. But this prospectus is different. For the first time, ACHE is offering Business Partners a full portfolio of year-round engagement opportunities that extend well beyond the conference floor. Whether you're looking to connect in Norfolk or stay engaged throughout the year, there's a place for your organization in the ACHE community.

2026 ACHE Webinar Series

April 22

"Kentucky’s Statewide Blueprint for Adult Student Success by Scaling Credit for Prior Learning"

In response to the growing need to accelerate adult degree completion, the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) launched a statewide Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) initiative to help institutions scale policies and practices that recognize learning outside the classroom. This webinar explores how Kentucky built a cross-institutional framework rooted in the ADDIE model—Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation—to align campus teams, foster collaboration, and implement sustainable CPL strategies. Attendees will gain insight into the process of establishing campus champions, completing institutional readiness assessments, coordinating statewide trainings, and building tools to measure return on investment. Through this shared journey, Kentucky institutions have increased capacity to serve adult learners, veterans, and comebackers by awarding credit for prior learning with consistency and integrity. Attendees will leave with a replicable framework, actionable tools, and lessons learned that can support CPL expansion in other states, systems, or multi-campus collaborations.

Presenters: 

• Mathew Bergman, PhD, President & Founder, Center for Academic Innovation; Partner Faculty, University of Louisville
• Dallas Kratzer, PhD, Krazter Consulting; Visiting Scholar, University of Louisville

Moderator: Mark Murphy, Middle Tennessee State University

April 29

"Partnering for Impact: Continuing Ed, Workforce, and Wellness for High School Students"

Connecticut State Community College, in partnership with a local district, offers 11th and 12th-grade students access to continuing education/personal enrichment courses and workforce development certifications. The innovative program introduces students to college-level learning while supporting wellness and career readiness and promoting lifelong learning. Courses provide practical skills and a break from the traditional high school curriculum, helping students explore interests and build confidence. 

Early exposure to the college environment fosters familiarity and encourages future enrollment, while the school district funds participation, creating a win-win model that strengthens student pathways, enhances workforce readiness, and builds lasting college-district partnerships. 

Presenter: 

• Jon Debenedictis, Director of Non-Credit Programs, CT State Community College - Norwalk



Moderator: Bryan Best, University of La Verne

May 20

"Human Connections in a Digital Classroom"

In higher education’s increasingly digital landscape, genuine human connection is essential for student engagement and well-being. This webinar explores practical strategies for building meaningful faculty-student relationships in fully online environments. Drawing from leadership frameworks such as Schein’s Humble Inquiry and Northouse’s relationship-based leadership, attendees will learn how intentional communication and relational teaching practices can transform online classrooms into communities of connection. Examples from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Applied Leadership program highlight personalized communication, reflective feedback, and the structured, purposeful integration of AI tools that enhance, not replace, human interaction. Through this balanced approach, attendees will gain actionable insights to strengthen human connection, enhance learning outcomes, and promote holistic well-being beyond the books.

Presenter: 

• Mike Breakey, PhD, LEAD Associate Professor of Practice, University of Tennessee Chattanooga



Moderator: Billie McNamara, University of Tennessee

May 27

"Beyond Enrollment: Flourishing in the Pipeline of Higher Education Communities"

Atlanta Technical College's Preparatory Academy (ATC-Prep) redefines college readiness by cultivating social, emotional, and spiritual well-being before students enter higher education. This session showcases ATC-Prep's innovative "whole learner" model, where high school students earn diplomas and workforce credentials within a technical college environment designed for belonging, resilience, and purpose. We will explore how early exposure to collegiate culture, wraparound supports, and intentional mentoring help transform disengaged learners into confident, connected scholars. Through this case study, attendees will gain practical strategies to integrate social and emotional learning (SEL), strengthen cross-sector partnerships, and create campus ecosystems that prioritize human flourishing over simple enrollment. "Beyond Enrollment" invites higher education professionals to reimagine readiness as more than academic preparation-it's the cultivation of emotionally grounded, community-minded students prepared to thrive in college and beyond.



Presenter: 

• Kennard Weever, Executive Director, Preparatory Academy, Atlanta Technical College

Moderator: Mark Murphy, Middle Tennessee State University

June 24

"Beyond the Badge: Industry-engaged Microcredentials for Bridging Generations in the Workforce and Advancing Socioeconomic Mobility"

This session presents findings from a mixed-methods evaluation of workforce-focused microcredential programs at Southern Utah University. The study explores how short, industry-responsive credentials foster socioeconomic mobility, particularly for rural and non-traditional learners. Through survey and interview data, the research reveals how microcredentials empower learners with confidence, real-world skills, and career advancement opportunities. It also highlights how these programs engage multi-generational learners and support community-centered workforce development. Attendees will gain practical insights into designing flexible, equitable programs that bridge education and industry needs, and help bolster university enrollments and funding by expanding the recruitment conversation to include microcredential offerings. The session concludes with a framework for developing inclusive microcredentials that embody empathy (through learner-centered design), empowerment (via access and mobility), and innovation (through agile, workplace-ready delivery).



Presenter: 

• Melynda Thorpe, Assistant Vice President Workforce and Educational Opportunity, Southern Utah University

Moderator: Janine Guerra, Drexel University

ACHE Webinar Library

Explore the 2026 Webinar Series through a growing library of on-demand recordings designed for continuing higher education professionals. Dive into timely topics such as AI in course design, innovative program models, and leadership in practice, with featured sessions including “Empowering Educators: Leveraging AI for Course Design,” “The Integration of Non-Credit Certificate Programs in For-Credit College Courses,” and “Teaching Like a Crew Chief.” Whether you are looking to enhance your programs, support your learners, or strengthen your leadership approach, these sessions offer practical insights you can apply right away—on your schedule.

Upcoming ACHE Events

2025-2026 ACHE Board of Directors

Julie Shankle

President

Brandi Huskey

Vice President

Terry Ratcliff

Immediate Past President

Bryan Best

President-Elect

Clare Van Ness

Executive Director

Suzanne Williams

Director at Large

Matt Bergman

Director at Large

Amy Rell

Director at Large

Steve Frye

Director at Large

Clayton Mack

Director at Large

David Rausch

Director at Large

Dianna Rust

Director at Large

Sherry Blok

Director at Large

5 Minutes with ACHE

Follow us on our social media pages