Early College Summit 2026

Explore the 2026 Indiana Early College Summit

Indiana Early College Summit:
Closing the Gap Between High School and College

June 3, 2026 | 9 AM to 4 PM ET
New Palestine High School
4485 South Victory Drive, New Palestine, IN 46163 

It’s Time to Close the Gap

The Indiana Early College Summit is Indiana's premier conference for educators and higher education partners looking to help more students pursue and succeed in college. Through a packed day of learning, you'll come away with best practices and next steps to help more students access and benefit from postsecondary education.

Registration Info

Rates

  • Early Bird Rate: $175, March 2 - April 15
  • Standard Rate: $225, April 16 - May 29 (registration closes May 29)

Before You Register

  • This is an in-person event.
  • School teams of principals, teachers, school counselors, and higher education partners are strongly encouraged to attend together.
  • To register a group at one time, please have each individual’s name, email address, job title, and whether they’ve attended the Summit before.
  • Designated RECN grant-participating schools will receive a special registration code for an alternate rate.

Meet the Keynote Speaker

Thomas C. Murray, Director of Innovation, Future Ready Schools

After serving as a teacher, principal, and district leader, Tom is now Director of Innovation for Future Ready Schools, a project of All4Ed in Washington, D.C. He has testified before Congress and worked with the U.S. Senate, White House, U.S. Department of Education, state agencies, and districts nationwide to advance student-centered learning. 

Murray has been recognized as one of District Administration’s “Top 100 Influencers in Education,” NSBA’s “20 to Watch,” National/Global EdTech Leader of the Year, Education Thought Leader of the Year, and Education Policy Person of the Year by the Academy of Arts and Sciences. His two most recent books—Learning Transformed and Personal & Authentic—are best-sellers. 

Thomas C. Murray headshot

Who Should Attend

The Indiana Early College Summit is ideal for:

  • Administrators: Learn how to launch, grow, or improve your Early College program alongside other school leaders, with breakouts on topics like diploma changes and teacher incentives
  • Teachers: Gain tips and tools to implement in your classroom, including topics like rigor in dual credit classes
  • School counselors: Explore best practices to help students succeed in high school while exploring college and career pathways
  • Higher education partners: Network and learn alongside high school leaders to help bridge the gap between high school and postsecondary education
  • Nonprofit and agency partners: Connect with other education and nonprofit leaders during a full day of learning 

Session Types and schedule

At the Indiana Early College, you'll find mainstage presentations featuring high-impact speakers and breakout sessions highlighting state and national experts.

Session Topics

Select from among 50 sessions on topics including:

Early College principles, technology advancement, classroom strategies, supporting initiatives, work-based learning and enrollment, school culture, and legislation and policy. 

Summit Schedule

  • 8 - 9 AM ET: Registration & Breakfast
  • 9 - 10 AM ET: Opening Remarks & Mainstage Presentation
  • 10 AM - Noon ET: Breakout Sessions #1 & #2
  • Noon - 1 PM ET: Lunch, Networking & Exhibitors
  • 1 - 2 PM ET: Afternoon Remarks & Keynote
  • 2 - 4 PM ET: Breakout Sessions #3 & #4
  • 4 PM ET: Summit concludes and the work begins! 

Summit Sponsors

Silver sponsors: IU, Ivy Tech, and The GRAD Partnership

Interested in sponsoring the 2026 Early College Summit? 

Stay in the Know

Sign up to receive updates about the Summit.

2025 Early College Summit Recap

In 2025, close to 500 people attended the Indiana Early College Summit, with close to 350 educators representing 73 school districts and close to 150 education partners joining us for a packed day of learning and networking.

breakdown of 2025 Summit attendees

See The 2025 Summit In Action: 

 

2025 Early College Summit

Three people smiling and looking at phones Close-up shot of speaker holding a microphone with audience in background Welcome to the Indiana Early College Summit sign View of 3 panelists on a stage with person at podium, people in audience, and background presentation Group of people talking around a table in a school gym Conference registration table with person handing out badges and people waiting Panoramic shot of an auditorium full of people Room of people at tables with panelists at front of room and presentation behind them Focus on two people talking in a room of people seated Speaker at front of room with slide “When is the last time you did something for the first time?”
Stacey Stover headshot
Stacey Stover
Michigan Department of Education

The [Indiana Early College Summit] provided important information related to early colleges as well as an opportunity to network with colleagues. I would recommend the Summit for anyone working with early colleges or related college in high school opportunities for students.