The League for Innovation in the Community College

Today is the deadline to apply for the 2027 Terry O’Banion Provocateur Award.
Applications are due by 5:00 PM PT on June 22, 2026.
Established to honor Terry O’Banion’s legacy of bold educational reform, this award recognizes authors whose ideas challenge assumptions, address systemic issues, and propose practical, scalable solutions for the community and technical college field.
Award recipients will prepare articles for publication by the League, present their work at the 2027 Innovations Conference, and receive complimentary registration, travel support, a commemorative plaque, and cash prizes.
Learn more and apply today: https://ow.ly/wIcq50Z8rx7

As we close the week, the League for Innovation in the Community College wishes our members, partners, and colleagues an enjoyable weekend.

We honor Juneteenth and welcome the summer season with gratitude for the communities, histories, and shared work that continue to move us forward.

Have a bold idea for advancing community and technical colleges?

Applications for the 2027 Terry O’Banion Provocateur Award are due June 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM PT.

The award recognizes authors whose 4,000- to 5,000-word articles identify significant challenges, propose courageous approaches, and focus on scalable solutions with field-wide impact.

Up to three winners will present at the 2027 Innovations Conference and receive complimentary registration, a plaque, travel support, and cash prizes.

Learn more and apply: https://ow.ly/wIcq50Z8rx7

Strong community colleges need strong, prepared leaders.

Applications are open for the League’s 2026 Executive Leadership Institute, a professional development experience designed for senior-level community college leaders preparing for executive leadership roles.

ELI brings together aspiring presidents and other senior leaders for focused learning, peer connection, and practical preparation for the opportunities and challenges of executive leadership in community and technical colleges.

The 2026 institute includes an in-person experience December 6-9, 2026, followed by a virtual session January 26-28, 2027.

Applications are accepted through August 28, 2026.

Learn more and apply: https://www.league.org/eli2026/application

How can community colleges and employers work together to strengthen regional talent pipelines?
In the June 2026 issue of Leadership Abstracts, Elizabeth Appel, Dean of Health Sciences at Anne Arundel Community College, explores how Anne Arundel Community Collegeand the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center are building career pathways to support healthcare workforce development and organizational growth.
The article highlights a collaborative school-at-work model designed to reduce barriers for working adults, expand access to high-demand healthcare programs, and support long-term workforce needs.
Read more: https://tinyurl.com/bdes8ffv

Community and technical colleges are working quickly to understand how artificial intelligence can support teaching, learning, operations, student services, and institutional innovation.

The League AI Fellows Program is designed to help leaders move from AI exploration to practical, responsible implementation.

Through expert-led sessions, guided project development, peer collaboration, and access to tools and examples, participants develop scalable AI initiatives aligned with their institutional goals.

Registration is now open for Cohort 7, September 10 to December 3, 2026. Additional AI Fellows opportunities are also being developed for leaders and teams seeking support as they advance AI adoption across their institutions.

Learn more and apply: https://www.league.org/league-ai-fellows-program

Connect. Advance. Lead.

League membership brings community college educators, leaders, and innovators together to exchange ideas, strengthen practice, and advance the field.

The 2026-2027 membership year begins July 1. Join or renew now to receive 10% off membership dues and stay connected to League programs, initiatives, projects, institutes, awards, convenings, and professional learning opportunities.

Learn more:
https://www.league.org/about/membership

Noncredit workforce education plays a critical role in helping students build skills, pursue employment goals, and respond to changing career opportunities.
But what factors influence students’ decisions to enroll, and how do they evaluate the value of these programs?
Join the League for Innovation in the Community College on June 17, 2026, from 1:00–2:00 PM ET for Choices and Decision-Making Processes of Students in Noncredit Workforce Education, a webinar hosted by the Education and Employment Research Center at Rutgers University.
Presenters will share findings from a study of noncredit workforce students at three community colleges, including students’ goals, education and employment histories, course experiences, and program costs.
Register: https://tinyurl.com/3vyws4vt

Summer has its own rhythm.

As we head into the weekend, we hope our League community finds a moment to pause, recharge, and enjoy the season.

Wishing you a restful weekend.

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Subscribe to League Connections, the League’s monthly newsletter, for articles, publications, upcoming events, awards, deadlines, resources, and opportunities from across the community college field.

It is a simple way to stay connected to conferences, institutes, webinars, recognition programs, and new ideas advancing teaching, learning, leadership, workforce development, and student success.

Subscribe: https://www.league.org/league-connections