Registration Now Open for 2026 North Carolina Community College System Conference

Registration has opened for the 2026 NC Community College System Conference, a biennial event that brings together educators, administrators, and leaders from all 58 community colleges to shape the future of higher education in the state. 

The conference will be held October 14-16 at the Raleigh Convention Center, and the theme is “An Essential Investment: Centering Students in the Future of Work,” which underscores the vital role institutions play in driving economic mobility. Programming focuses on how colleges support students, strengthen local communities, and prepare North Carolina’s workforce for an evolving global economy. 

“Our biennial System Conference brings together more than 2,000 colleagues and partners from across North Carolina who are deeply committed to student success,” said Dr. Brian Merritt, Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at the System. “This year’s theme, An Essential Investment: Centering Students in the Future of Work, reflects the work we do every day to help students thrive and to strengthen our communities and workforce. We invite faculty, staff, and stakeholders to join us, share your work, and be part of the conversations shaping what comes next for our students and our colleges.” 

Call for Presentation Proposals 

Innovative voices are sought to contribute to conference programming. Colleagues are encouraged to submit proposals highlighting insights or success stories within the field. 

• Submission Deadline: March 31, 2026
• Notification Date: Early May 2026 

Sessions will be organized across the following five tracks: 

1. Building On-Ramps, Recruitment, and Early Student Success
2. Strengthening Student Success Outcomes
3. Teaching & Learning: Building Versatile Skills
4. Employer-Aligned, Affordable, and Efficient Pathways
5. Leadership, Innovation, and Institutional Capacity 

The long-standing tradition of inviting students to design the official conference program cover continues for 2026. This is a unique opportunity for North Carolina’s talented student body to showcase creativity to leaders across the state. 

• Design Focus: Submissions must reflect the theme “An Essential Investment: Centering Students in the Future of Work.”
• Deadline: March 31, 2026, at 5 p.m. 

Full details regarding registration, proposal submissions, and art contest guidelines are available on the official System Conference portal.