College Promise Careers Institute & LA Promise Anniversary Celebration
About this Event
The 2026 College Promise Careers Institute, hosted by College Promise in partnership with the Los Angeles Community College District and celebrating the 10th cohort of LA Promise, will explore how Promise programs are connecting education, skills, and workforce opportunities to unlock economic mobility and regional prosperity.
As employers face growing talent shortages, technology reshapes work, and learners increasingly seek clear returns on their educational investments, the more than 450 Promise programs across the country are uniquely positioned to bridge education and employment. Increasingly, Promise programs are evolving from college access initiatives into the infrastructure of workforce readiness, talent development, and economic prosperity. By reducing financial barriers, increasing completion, and connecting learners to career pathways, credentials, and work-based learning opportunities, Promise programs provide powerful infrastructure to advance prosperity for communities and states.
Hosted in Los Angeles—a global center of innovation, healthcare, technology, entertainment, and entrepreneurship—the Careers Institute will bring together leaders from education, business, philanthropy, government, and workforce development to advance big ideas and practical solutions to create stronger talent pipelines, flourishing communities, and greater prosperity for all. Key themes and critical questions that will guide the 2026 College Promise Careers Institute:
Promise as Workforce Infrastructure How can Promise programs accelerate talent development, workforce readiness, and economic mobility while meeting regional labor market needs?
Sustaining the Promise: What partnerships, funding models, and policy strategies are needed to sustain and scale Promise programs in a period of uncertainty and transformation?
Communicating Value: From Skills, Credentials, to Returns How can Promise leaders demonstrate and effectively communicate the connection between education, workforce outcomes, earnings, and return on investment?
Artificial Intelligence, Emerging Technologies, and the Future of Work What skills, credentials, and learning experiences will learners need to thrive in an AI-enabled economy, and how can Promise programs help prepare them?
Partnerships for Talent Development How can colleges, employers, workforce agencies, philanthropy, and government work together to build stronger pathways from education to employment?
Accelerating Pathways to Prosperity How can Promise programs design, innovate, and expand access to education, skills training, and career advancement for learners traditionally underrepresented in higher education and the workforce?
Registration Options
- Early Bird Registration – $299
Available until August 15, 2026. - General Registration – $399
Standard registration for all attendees. - Group Registration – 10% Off
Groups of three (3) or more from the same organization receive a 10% discount. Email [email protected] for the Promo Code. - Promise Student Registration – Complimentary
Free for Promise students on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited, and advance registration is required. Email [email protected] for the Promo Code.
Please note: Ticket prices listed do not include applicable credit card processing fees, which will be added at checkout. Tickets are non-transferable.
Hotel Accommodations
A limited block of guest rooms has been reserved for Careers Institute attendees at Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE! We encourage participants to book early, as rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis and the discounted group rate is only available until Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
For information about Sponsorship opportunities or other questions, please contact Michelle Cooper at [email protected]
Day 1 | October 21, 2026
🕑: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Breakfast and Networking
Info: Start the day by connecting with colleagues from across the Promise movement while enjoying breakfast. This is an opportunity to build new relationships, exchange ideas, and lay the foundation for meaningful collaboration throughout the Institute.
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:15 AM
Igniting Prosperity: The Path to Fueling Talent, Innovation, and Opportunity
Info: Join College Promise and Los Angeles Community College District leadership as they officially open the Careers Institute and celebrate the 10th Anniversary of LA College Promise. This opening session will explore how Promise has evolved from expanding access to becoming a powerful strategy for talent development, workforce alignment, and economic mobility. Together, we'll set the vision for two days of learning, partnership, and action to build more prosperous communities through education and career opportunity.
🕑: 09:15 AM - 10:00 AM
Promise as a Strategy for Economic Mobility: CA & Los Angeles Spotlight
Info: California has long been at the forefront of the Promise movement, demonstrating how cross-sector partnerships can expand opportunity and strengthen local economies. In this high-level conversation, civic, education, and nonprofit leaders will explore how Promise is evolving beyond college access to become a catalyst for workforce development, talent retention, and growth for their communities. Hear lessons from Los Angeles and across California on building partnerships that create lasting prosperity for learners, communities, and employers.
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
BREAK
🕑: 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM
Panel: How Promise Program Stories Demonstrate Impact
Info: As Promise programs mature, the conversation is shifting from measuring participation to demonstrating lasting impact. This panel brings together researchers, Promise leaders, and national partners to explore how programs are redefining success, using data to tell compelling stories, and communicating their value to policymakers, funders, and communities. Learn how strategic storytelling and evidence can strengthen sustainability, attract investment, and position Promise as a proven driver of economic mobility.
🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Morning Breakout Sessions | Communicating Impact & Shaping the Narrative
Info: Effectively demonstrating and communicating the value of Promise programs and post-secondary degrees for students and communities is more important than ever. Choose from a series of sessions spotlighting innovative strategies and practices to communicate the value and impact of Promise to diverse stakeholders in a shifting landscape. These sessions will focus on strengthening storytelling and effectively communicating return on investment through data and authentic voices.
🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
1: Strengthening Communication for Student Success through Behavioral Insights
Info: In this session, participants will consider how organizations can use behavioral insights and student-centered design to improve student communication, outreach, and, in turn, expand opportunity.
🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
2: What is the ROI on that? Data in Storytelling and Communicating Impact.
Info: In this session, participants will consider best practices to effectively communicate impact to move diverse audiences to action. Participants will reflect on how they measure/understand progress and impact, and learn simple ways to demonstrate and communicate “ROI” from an economic mobility and workforce development lens.
🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
3: Institutional Programs and Strategies to Influence Policy & Partnerships
🕑: 11:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Transition to Lunch
🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Lunch
🕑: 12:45 PM - 01:30 PM
Panel: Reimagining Education Pathways & Economic Mobility for Men
Info: America faces a growing crisis: millions of boys and men are disconnected from education, careers, and community life. This session brings together American Institute for Boys and Men (AIBM), campus leadership, LACCD students, and a former athlete-turned-CEO to examine where disconnection occurs and how to respond. Drawing on national, cross-sector work, panelists will highlight strategies across education, workforce, nonprofit, and community systems to improve outcomes, advance mobility, and strengthen long-term economic and social well-being for men across the United States.
🕑: 01:30 PM - 01:45 PM
Introduction to Roundtables: Funder Perspectives & Framing
Info: What does the future of philanthropic investment in Promise look like? In this opening conversation, leaders from philanthropy and the Promise movement will set the stage for an interactive dialogue on the evolving priorities that are shaping investments in education, workforce, and economic mobility. Together, they'll explore how funders assess impact, think about return on investment, and identify opportunities to accelerate innovation and systems change. Participants will leave with a framework for engaging in meaningful conversations during the roundtable discussions that follow.
🕑: 01:45 PM - 02:30 PM
Funder Roundtables
Info: Join national and regional philanthropic leaders for small-group conversations designed to foster honest dialogue and shared learning. This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from funders about the trends, challenges, and opportunities influencing their investments, while gaining insights into how Promise programs can better communicate impact, demonstrate long-term value, and build strategic partnerships. Rather than a fundraising forum, these conversations are intended to strengthen understanding, spark new ideas, and help participants think more strategically about advancing their work.
🕑: 02:30 PM - 02:45 PM
BREAK
🕑: 02:45 PM - 03:30 PM
Promise in a Changing Economy: Advancing Wealth, Opportunity, and Mobility
Info: For generations, access to wealth-building opportunities has been uneven, leaving many students to navigate economic systems that were not designed with them in mind. What role can the Promise movement play in changing that trajectory? Leaders from finance, industry, and philanthropy will examine the forces shaping today's economy, discuss the impact of generational wealth disparities, and explore how education and workforce pathways can become more powerful drivers of financial security and prosperity.
🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:15 PM
Afternoon Breakout Sessions | Promising Practices: Share & Learn
Info: Choose from a series of interactive workshops where Promise leaders spotlight innovative strategies, reflect on successes and challenges, and engage participants in practical conversations. Whether you're looking to strengthen student success, improve operations, expand workforce partnerships, or build long-term sustainability, these peer-led sessions will provide actionable ideas and opportunities to learn from colleagues across the Promise movement.
🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:15 PM
1: Access | Boosting FAFSA Completion
Info: Explore innovative approaches to increasing FAFSA completion and reducing barriers to financial aid. Learn how Promise programs are engaging students, families, schools, and community partners to improve completion rates and expand access to postsecondary opportunity.
🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:15 PM
2: Completion | Wrap-Around Supports
Info: Student success requires more than financial assistance. Learn how Promise programs are providing holistic supports, including advising, basic needs resources, mental health services, and community partnerships, to help students persist, complete their education, and achieve their goals.
🕑: 03:30 PM
3: Workforce | Connecting Education to Opportunity
Info: Explore how Promise programs are strengthening connections between education and the workforce through employer partnerships, career pathways, work-based learning, and industry-aligned programming. Learn practical strategies for preparing learners for in-demand careers while meeting regional workforce needs.
🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:15 PM
4: Sustainability for Institutional-based Programs
Info: Building a sustainable Promise program requires strong leadership, effective operations, and diverse funding strategies. Hear how Promise leaders are navigating organizational growth, cultivating partnerships, strengthening internal culture, and securing resources to sustain long-term impact.
🕑: 04:15 PM - 05:00 PM
Innovation & Emerging Practices Showcase: AI, Technology & the Future
Info: The future of student success is being shaped by rapid advances in technology, data, and artificial intelligence. In this closing session, panelists will share emerging tools, strategies, and practices that are transforming how programs engage students, strengthen advising, personalize support, and measure impact. Explore how technology can help expand capacity, improve outcomes, and position the Promise movement to meet the evolving needs of learners and the workforce while keeping equity and human connection at the center.
🕑: 06:00 PM
Networking Reception at Pez Cantina
Info: Cap off the first day of the Careers Institute with an evening of networking, connection, and celebration at Pez Cantina. Reconnect with colleagues, meet new collaborators, and continue the conversations sparked throughout the day. The evening will also feature a special celebration marking the launch of a new book reflecting on the evolution of the Promise movement toward greater opportunity and shared prosperity.
Day 2 | October 22, 2026
🕑: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Breakfast and Networking
Info: Start the day by connecting with colleagues from across the Promise movement while enjoying breakfast. This is an opportunity to build new relationships, exchange ideas, and lay the foundation for meaningful collaboration throughout the Institute.
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:15 AM
Welcome Remarks
Info: College Promise and LA College Promise leadership will welcome participants, reflect on our first day together, and introduce today’s programming.
🕑: 09:15 AM - 09:45 AM
Building a Statewide Promise for Education, Workforce & Economic Mobility
Info: What does it take to build a statewide Promise that supports learners from enrollment through career success? In this opening plenary, leaders will share how their states have created a coordinated regional strategy that combines Promise scholarships with wraparound supports to reduce barriers and expand opportunity. Through strong cross-sector partnerships and policy alignment, these states are demonstrating how education, workforce, and family supports can work together to strengthen talent pipelines and advance long-term economic mobility.
🕑: 09:45 AM - 10:30 AM
Industry Spotlight: Promise as a Workforce Strategy to Shared Prosperity
Info: As healthcare systems across the country face persistent workforce shortages and growing demand, Promise programs are uniquely positioned to help develop the next generation of healthcare professionals. This panel brings together leaders from healthcare, education, and workforce development to explore how cross-sector partnerships are expanding access to high-demand careers while strengthening local economies. Panelists will discuss innovative approaches to aligning education with employer needs, creating seamless pathways into healthcare careers, and investing in student success through work-based learning, financial support, and wraparound services.
🕑: 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
BREAK
🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
Promise Across Geography: Expanding Opportunity & Strengthening Economies
Info: Promise is not one-size-fits-all. From rural communities to regional partnerships and national corporate investments, successful Promise strategies are tailored to local needs while advancing a shared vision of economic mobility. Panelists will discuss the unique challenges and strengths of place-based approaches, the role of philanthropy and business in scaling impact, and how Promise programs are strengthening local talent pipelines, supporting employers, and fueling long-term economic growth.
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Morning Breakout Sessions | Designing Systems that Work for All Learners
Info: This series of interactive panels and workshops acknowledges the continuum of learners that Promise programs aim to serve - with a special spotlight on effective strategies to support the success of opportunity student populations. Choose from sessions focused on effective strategies to support adult learners, parenting students, and evidence-based coaching and advising practices to support student success.
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
1: Bringing Student Parents into Focus Across Systems
Info: Student parents represent one of the fastest-growing populations in higher education, yet many systems are not designed with their needs in mind. This workshop explores strategies for embedding student parent success into institutional policies, data systems, and cross-sector partnerships.
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
2: Coaching for Student Success
Info: Effective coaching goes beyond academic advising to help students navigate college, career, and life's challenges. This session will showcase coaching models that build belonging, strengthen persistence, and connect learners to the resources they need to thrive.
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
3: Integrating Best Practices to Advance Completion
Info: Improving student completion requires more than isolated interventions—it demands coordinated systems that align proven strategies across institutions and partners. This workshop highlights the CUNY ASAP National Replication Collaborative and their evidence-based practices that increase credential attainment, close equity gaps, and support successful transitions into careers.
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
4: Career Acceleration Tool Demo
🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:30 PM
LA College Promise 10th Anniversary Celebration with Local and State Leaders
Info: Join us as we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Los Angeles College Promise, honoring a decade of expanding educational opportunity, strengthening pathways to careers, and transforming lives across the region. This special luncheon will recognize the visionary leaders, partners, and champions who have helped build one of the nation's leading Promise programs while looking ahead to the next decade of advancing education, workforce success, and economic mobility.
🕑: 01:30 PM
Closing Call to Action: Next Steps for the College Promise Network
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00 to USD 320.89
