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Spring Quarterly News Update | | |
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Happy Spring!
As spring brings new energy and fresh opportunities, so does this season in the Postsecondary Adult and Career Education (PACE) Divison. ACTE's PACE Division, remains committed to fostering meaningful connections between education and industry to ensure a high-quality, highly skilled workforce that meets today’s evolving economic demands.
This newsletter highlights opportunities you as a PACE member will be interested in. One of the most impactful ways to engage with our division is by attending the upcoming Postsecondary CTE Summit, happening Oct. 5-8 in Austin, Texas— a dynamic gathering designed to inspire, inform, and unite professionals across the field. Whether you're looking to explore best practices, grow your network, or gain actionable insights, the summit promises lasting value for all who attend.
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Sincerely,
Shawn Freie
VP, ACTE Postsecondary, Adult and Career Education Division
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PACE VP Elect information
ACTE’s members elect its Board of Directors from among eligible members each year, with open positions rotating on a three-year basis. Nominations for the ACTE Board of Directors Election are open from April 1–June 15. Nominating committees vet the candidates over the summer, and candidates are formally approved during the Business Meetings and Assembly of Delegates meeting at ACTE’s CareerTech VISION. Voting begins during VISION and is open for 30 days. The newly elected Board of Directors completes an orientation process in March and officially starts their term July 1.
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Get Ready to Shine! The PACE Awards are Coming!
Mark your calendars and prepare for liftoff! The portal for the prestigious PACE Awards will blast open on Sept. 1! This is your golden opportunity to ignite recognition for the incredible achievements blazing within our very own PACE Division. Don't let this chance slip through your fingers to celebrate the stars among us!
This year's constellation of awards includes:
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Launching Leaders: The Emerging New Professional Award - Do you know a rising star, a game-changer with one-five years in postsecondary education, who's already making waves as faculty, administrator, workforce guru, or adult education champion? Nominate them! They must be a current PACE member and ready for their moment in the spotlight.
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Spark Innovation: The Innovation Award - Who has had a groundbreaking idea or collaborative team effort that has impacted career and technical education (CTE)? Let's celebrate the boldest and most inventive activity! If they're a current PACE member, their ingenuity deserves to be recognized.
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Fueling the Future: The Workforce Development Award - Who's powering our economic engine and building a stronger workforce through exceptional training and impactful initiatives? Let's applaud the visionaries and implementers driving growth! Current PACE members leading the charge are eligible.
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Championing Connections: The Ambassador of the Year Award - Who is our most passionate advocate, tirelessly spreading the word about the incredible work of PACE and CTE? Let's honor the enthusiastic connector who shines a light on our division! Nominees must be current PACE members.
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A Legacy of Excellence: The Award of Excellence - For the titans of CTE, the seasoned professionals with a decade or more of dedication! Let's celebrate the trailblazers and pillars who have shaped our division with their outstanding contributions. Current PACE members with 10+ years of experience, your time to be honored is now!
Don't just witness greatness – nominate it. Get ready to shine a spotlight on the exceptional individuals and teams within PACE! The countdown to Sept.1 begins NOW.
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Why Join PACE?
Here are five compelling reasons for postsecondary CTE professionals to join the PACE Division:
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Networking Opportunities: Joining the PACE Division connects you with a diverse community of educators, administrators, and industry professionals. This network fosters collaboration, sharing of best practices, and potential partnerships that can enhance your programs and broaden your professional horizons.
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Professional Development: Members gain access to exclusive resources, workshops, and training sessions designed to improve skills and knowledge in CTE. This ongoing professional development helps you stay current with trends, methodologies, and technologies in the field.
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Advocacy and Representation: As part of the PACE Division, you contribute to a collective voice advocating for the importance of postsecondary CTE. The division works to influence policy, funding, and support for CTE programs, ensuring that your interests and those of your students are represented.
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Access to Resources: Members receive valuable resources such as research, publications, and best practice guidelines tailored specifically for postsecondary CTE. These tools can help you improve program quality, implement effective strategies, and enhance student outcomes.
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Impact on Economic Success: By joining the PACE Division, you play a vital role in promoting quality career and technical training. Your involvement directly contributes to improving the economic success of individuals and communities, aligning your work with meaningful outcomes that make a difference in the lives of learners.
These reasons highlight the value of membership in the PACE Division for professionals committed to advancing CTE.
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Postsecondary CTE Summit 2025
We’re thrilled to announce that registration for Future Ready: The New Era of Postsecondary CTE is officially open! Join us as we explore cutting-edge innovations, emerging technologies, and the evolving landscape of postsecondary CTE.
🍽️ Special Experiences: Culinary & Data Tours!
This year, we’re excited to offer unique opportunities, including a Culinary Tour at Austin Community College and a data tour site visit.
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VISION 2025: Early Bird Registration is Now Open!
Join 5,000+ career and technical educators, business leaders and industry experts for an unparalleled professional development experience at ACTE’s CareerTech VISION 2025. As the largest annual gathering of its kind, VISION offers:
• Hundreds of concurrent educational sessions covering instructional best practices, curriculum design, hands-on strategies for improving student outcomes and more
• Inspiring keynote speakers and thought leaders sharing insights on the latest trends and the future of CTE
• The CareerTech Expo, a dynamic space to explore the latest tools, technologies and resources that drive innovation in CTE
This year, we're headed to Nashville, Tennessee! Join us Tuesday–Friday, Dec. 9–12, at the stunning Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center — the perfect backdrop for networking, collaboration and career growth.
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CTE Books, Resources & More!
Check out the complete collection of resources and publications for career and technical educators in ShopACTE, including the all-new Instructional Strategies for Career and Technical Educators, The CTSO Competition Survival Guide, The Advisory Board Advantage, Transformational Work-Based Learning, the Perkins V Guide, and more!
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CTE Educators: Encourage Your Students to Enter ACTE’s Student Design Contests!
Two student design opportunities are waiting for your talented students to make their mark:
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Student Merch Design Contest: In honor of ACTE’s 100th anniversary in 2026, we invite students to submit original artwork for a chance to be featured on official centennial merchandise!
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Student Trophy Design Contest: Have your students design the 3D-printed trophies for ACTE’s prestigious Excellence Awards.
Entries for both contests are due May 1.
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Register Now for ACTE's Spring School Study Visit
Explore one of the nation's most innovative postsecondary CTE centers during the Kirkwood Community College School Study Visit in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Happening June 2–3, this immersive experience includes state-of-the-art facility tours, networking with CTE leaders from across the U.S., and exclusive insights from institutional leaders. Registration includes accommodations, meals, ground transportation, and airport transfers, and there are special rates for educational institution members.
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Elevate Your Leadership: Best Practices for CTE Administrators
Mark your calendars for the Best Practices and Innovations in CTE Conference 2025, taking place Sept. 24–26 at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark in Missouri. Hosted by ACTE and the National Council of Local Administrators, this event offers CTE administrators cutting-edge strategies, innovative solutions and best practices designed to address today’s most pressing challenges in CTE.
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ACTE Impact Awards: Celebrating CTE Champions!
Know an outstanding educator, business partner, or industry leader transforming CTE? The ACTE Impact Awards are seeking nominations. Spotlight exceptional Business-Education Partnerships and Champions of CTE by June 30. Your nomination could honor the innovators driving workforce education forward!
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National Leadership Development Opportunity
The ACTE National Leadership Fellowship Program is designed to empower CTE professionals by enhancing their leadership skills, offering hands-on experience in policymaking and supporting their professional growth. The 2026 cohort will run January–December 2026, with fellows receiving a $1,500 stipend, along with complimentary registration for ACTE’s CareerTech VISION and National Policy Seminar. Applications are open May 1–Sept. 15.
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Apply Now for Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize!
We are excited to announce that the application period is now open for the 2025 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence! The prize, offering $1.5 million in cash prizes, honors outstanding U.S. public high school skilled trades teachers and their programs. The application deadline is May 2.
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Student Scholarship Opportunity!
Encourage students and adult learners, ages 18–35, to apply for Horatio Alger Association Career and Technical Education Scholarships, offering several CTE-specific scholarships for students planning to enroll in CTE programs at public institution. The application is open now through June 15.
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Association for Career and Technical Education
1410 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-683-3111
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