PRECONFERENCE

Wednesday, February 18

All preconference meetings and workshops run concurrently from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Preconference sessions require registration and a fee of $215. Participants may register in advance through the conference registration process or modify an existing registration to add a preconference session.
Already registered for the main conference?
Return to the conference registration page and select Modify Registration.
Onsite registration will also be available, with payment accepted at the registration desk.

Workshops

Kickstart your conference with focused, hands-on workshops led by experienced practitioners. Build skills you can use right away—and carry the momentum into NCPN CONNECT 2026.

- Audience: Open to all NCPN Conference registrants
- Cost: $215 (in addition to main conference registration)
- Registration: Select when completing the main conference registration
- Note: Preconference participation requires registration for the main NCPN Conference.

Workshops

Embedding Employability Skills into Technical Programs: Tools, Strategies, and Employer Insights

Join leaders from the Necessary Skills Now initiative for a hands-on workshop focused on integrating critical employability skills—like communication, teamwork, and dependability—into technical education. Discover classroom-ready tools, bite-sized resources, and proven strategies for aligning instruction with real-world workplace expectations. Explore employer perspectives, leverage US-DOL competency models, and learn how to collaborate with industry partners to bring workplace culture into the classroom through scenario-based lessons and projects.

Hope Cotner

President & CEO of the Center for Occupational Research and Development (CORD)

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Marci Gale

Associate Professor and Program Head of Mechatronics and Electronics at Central Virginia Community College

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Building Inclusive Career Pathways Through Strategic Partnerships

This dynamic session explores how strategic partnerships can be leveraged to create inclusive, high-quality career pathways for all learners. Participants will engage in interactive activities to assess and strengthen current collaborations while also examining promising practices for supporting special populations through holistic supports and career navigation initiatives. By integrating service alignment with an inclusion lens, attendees will leave with actionable strategies to build a robust career preparation ecosystem that meets the diverse needs of today’s learners.

Jessica Morrison

Former Founding Executive Director of the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative

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Integrating Apprenticeships into Career Pathways: Strategies for Educators and Workforce Partners

This session offers practical guidance for embedding apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships into career pathways to expand work-based learning opportunities. Designed for educators, counselors, and workforce leaders, the session will highlight real-world examples from states and regions leading this work. Participants will explore how to align apprenticeship models with existing programs of study, engage employers in pathway design, and create seamless transitions from classroom to career. Attendees will leave with tools and action steps for integrating high-quality work-based learning experiences—including apprenticeships—into state and local career pathway systems to better prepare learners for success in the workforce.

Besa Sadiku

Manager of Workforce Initiatives, Harper College

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Dr. Maria Coons

Senior Consultant, CORD; Former Provost and Vice President, Harper College

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From Theory to Action: Implementing AI with Purpose and Workforce Alignment

This interactive session is designed for institutional leaders and decision-makers ready to move beyond exploration and begin implementing AI across programs and campuses. Participants will collaboratively develop actionable steps for integrating AI in ways that align with workforce needs and educational goals. The workshop will explore how to prepare faculty, update curriculum, and ensure ethical and effective use of AI in learning environments. Special emphasis will be placed on engaging local employers to identify in-demand skills and co-design learning experiences that reflect real-world expectations. Participants will leave with starter action plans, ready-to-use resources, and strategies for building cross-sector support for sustainable AI integration.

Lane Freeman, Ed.D.

Director of Online Learning, North Carolina Community College System

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Trent Mohrbutter, Ed.D.

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Leading Change & Influence Forum

This interactive preconference forum brings together educators and workforce leaders for a shared experience focused on leading change, building influence, and advancing career pathways across programs and systems.

The session draws on leadership frameworks used in NCPN’s professional learning academies while remaining fully accessible and relevant to any attendee interested in strengthening their leadership practice and ability to drive meaningful change.

Format: Interactive, joint preconference session

Cost:

NCPN Academy participants: Included as part of Academy tuition (no additional preconference fee)
All other attendees: Standard preconference registration fee applies

Registration:

Academy participants will receive a registration code
All other attendees may select this session during preconference registration

Interested in extended, cohort-based professional learning? Learn more about NCPN’s Academies and how they support leadership development beyond the conference.

Jennifer Jirous-Rapp, Ph.D.

VP-Pathways and Partnerships, CORD

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Lauren K Jones, NCC, CSCDA,LPCc, MCCCTE

Program Director for Special Populations, Counseling & Career Development, Colorado/ Community College System

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Annette Parker

Retired President, South Central College, Board Chair, CORD

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Leadership Academy Capstone Meetings

NCPN Career Pathways Leadership Certification (LEARN MORE)

NCPN Leadership Development Academy (LEARN MORE)

NCPN Counseling and Career Development Academy (LEARN MORE)

Audience: Academy participants (invitation-only)
Cost: Included with Academy participation (no additional fee)
Registration: Separate link provided directly to participants
Note: Preconference participation requires registration for the main NCPN Conference