2024 ACUI Community College Online Summit
September 5, 2024 @ 11:30 am – 5:00 pm
Community colleges have unique needs, opportunities, perspectives, and challenges for professionals who work within the system. This virtual summit is designed for professionals who work within the community college setting, allowing you the opportunity to share best practices and engage in content that is geared specifically toward the community college setting.
This program will include a keynote presentation, panel discussion, and roundtable discussions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate and connect with other community college professionals and engage in roundtables that focus on the climate and needs of community colleges.
Tentative Schedule
- 11:30 a.m. – Opening Session and Networking
- Noon–1:15 p.m. – Featured Speaker and Q&A with Leah Barrett
- 2–3:30 p.m. – Networking and Roundtable Discussions
- 4–5 p.m. – Session and Q&A with Joshua Peters McBride
- 5–5:15 p.m. – Closing Remarks
Registration
- Professional at a Member Institution: $75
- Professional at a Nonmember Institute: $100
Featured Speakers
Leah A. Barrett
Wyoming native Leah A. Barrett became the president of Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska in January 2020. Northeast is a comprehensive community college supporting a 20-county service region with multiple extended campuses and dual enrollment sites serving more than 13,500 learners. Northeast has been recognized in the Aspen Institute Community College Excellence Program for many years, received one of the first multi-million dollar grants from MacKenzie Scott, and is proud to have a 565-acre operating farm on its main campus.
Prior to leading Northeast, Barrett was the vice president for student affairs at the Northeast Wyoming Community College District in Sheridan. She also served as the associate vice president for enrollment management and student affairs at SUNY–Brockport from 2008–16. Barrett’s career started in the college union and student activities field at the University of Wyoming. She earned progressively more responsibility working in college unions at Arizona State University, Valparaiso University, and Boise State University, where she served as its director from 2000–08. She has been a member of ACUI since 1992.
Barrett holds a Doctor of Education in executive leadership from St. John Fisher College and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from the University of Wyoming.
She currently serves on the board of the Rural Community College Association (RCCA) and the community College Alliance for Agriculture Advancement (C2A3); she is a member of the NASPA Foundation Board and leads the Council of Presidents for the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT). She also serves as a commissioner on the Nebraska Information Technology Commission and is the incoming Executive Council president of the Nebraska Statewide Workforce & Educational Reporting System (NSWERS).
Joshua Peters-McBride
Josh Peters-McBride has dedicated his career to enhancing student experiences and operational excellence within higher education. With a rich background spanning various leadership roles, Josh currently serves as the Associate Vice President of College Operations and Chief of Operations at Portland Community College (PCC).
Throughout his tenure at PCC, Josh has held pivotal positions including Director of Student Life & Leadership Program, Associate Dean of Students, Dean of Student Development, Executive Dean of Student Life & Engagement, and Executive Dean of College Operations. His leadership has been instrumental in fostering a supportive environment where students thrive academically and personally.
At PCC, Josh Peters-McBride aligns his work with the college’s mission to support student success by providing access to quality education. His commitment to advancing economic development and promoting sustainability underscores PCC’s collaborative culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through strategic initiatives and operational oversight, Josh continues to shape a vibrant educational community that prepares students for future challenges and opportunities.