2023 College Changes Everything Conference

Agenda   presentations button

Media Release

July 17, 2023
Tinley Park Convention Center
Tinley Park, Illinois

2023 CCE Conference – DEIA: The Work We Need to Do

The 2023 College Changes Everything® (CCE) conference theme was DEIA: The Work We Need to Do. The 13th annual CCE conference gathered equity designers from across the state to leverage their knowledge, expertise, and personal experiences to examine Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) issues Illinois students face. A guiding question for the conference was how do we advance educational equity for Illinois students.

Morning Keynote Speaker

The conference’s morning general session highlighted a conversation with Dr. Susie Wise, author of Design for Belonging: How to Build Inclusion and Collaboration in Your Communities. Dr. Wise is a design leader with experience in the education, tech, and social sectors. She coaches leaders in equity design and innovation practices. She teaches at the d.school at Stanford University and coaches with the Mira Fellowship. Previously she founded and directed the K12 Lab at the d.school and co-created Liberatory Design.

Agenda and Conference Session Presentations

Conference agenda information and presentations from interest sessions are found below. Breakout sessions were presented by state and national leaders and provided purposeful information that engaged the attendees in the critical issues we face, such as: student support services, retention, remediation, college readiness, career development, out of school programs, students with disabilities, nontraditional students, change to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and more.

Check website later as additional interest session presentations and materials are continuing to be added.

click here to view agenda

General Session Presentations

Keynote: In Conversation with Dr. Susie Wise, Author – Design for Belonging: How to Build Inclusion and Collaboration in Your Communities



Equity Installation: What is the ISACorps Video

Interest Session Presentations and Materials

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 4

Who Attends

One of the key strengths of this conference is that it brings together a diverse audience of stakeholders from across the state for a day of dialogue and sharing information, ideas, and best practices that promote access to postsecondary education, ensure degree or credential attainment, and provide career pathways. Attendees typically include, but are not limited to:

  • high school leaders, counselors, and case managers
  • college access practitioners
  • college and university leaders and administrators
  • leaders from state agencies, non-profits, foundations, and community-based organizations focused on educational opportunity and attainment and career pathways
  • business leaders
  • policymakers and elected officials interested in higher education and workforce development

The conference also serves as an opportunity for participants to renew existing relationships and develop new ones while improving collective leadership as we work toward Goal 2025.

Sessions

Breakout interest sessions provide timely information and engage the audience in thoughtful discussions on the serious issues we face in reaching the state goal, and are presented by state and national experts and practitioners. Topics include:

  • college readiness
  • navigating the college-going process
  • after school programs
  • supporting special student populations
  • mentoring programs
  • student support services
  • career readiness
  • connecting students and employers
  • and more

2023 College Changes Everything Conference Planning Committee

  • Illinois Student Assistance Commission
  • Illinois Board of Higher Education
  • Illinois Community College Board
  • Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
  • Illinois State Board of Education
  • Illinois College Access Network
  • Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities
  • Advance Illinois
  • Education Systems Center at Northern Illinois University
  • ACT Now
  • Women Employed

The College Changes Everything® Conference is sponsored
by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Helping Illinois reach its Goal 2025: to increase the proportion of adults in Illinois with high-quality college degrees and postsecondary credentials to 60% by the year 2025