Conference Info
Registration is now open.
Registrants, please keep an eye out for updates in your inbox.
Where
In Person & Virtual
1701 Wright Street
Madison, WI 53704
Room D1630
When
April 17, 2026
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Draft Schedule
MORNING
8:15 – 9:00 • Breakfast & Networking: Poster sessions
9:00 – 9:25 • Kick-off & Welcome
9:25 – 10:30 • Morning Keynote
10:40 – 11:30 • Breakout Sessions
11:40 – 12:30 • Breakout Sessions
AFTERNOON
12:30 – 1:30 • Lunch Keynote: Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings
2:10 – 3:00 • Breakout sessions
3:10 – 4:00 • Breakout sessions
4:10 – 4:20 • Raffle Draw
4:20 – 4:30 • Final Remarks and Closing
Learn • Grow • Succeed
scope
Description
Thrive Conference is a free event.
Breakout sessions are first-come, first-served for in-person registrants. No pre-registration is required, so please arrive early to secure your spot.
You will earn a Credly Badge by attending three breakout sesions.
The event serves as a vital platform for sharing evidence-based practices, compelling narratives, and practical strategies designed to foster belonging and advance equity. Our focus is clear: to collaboratively design and implement initiatives that significantly enhance the retention and success of underrepresented faculty, staff, and students. We believe that fostering belonging is key to advancing equity and retention in higher education.
By participating in this conference, attendees will gain insights into creating inclusive policies, supporting diverse leadership, and promoting institutional practices that honor the voices of all community members. Our goal is to address systemic challenges, amplify voices of empowerment, and build supportive, welcoming spaces for everyone within higher education.
Hybrid Event
Madison College is providing technical support to connect all virtual participants to an accessible event.
Breakout sessions
Hybrid • free to attend
Thank you to Madison College
Higher education professionals interested in enhancing retention and fostering belonging for underrepresented groups.
Educators
Higher education faculty and staff interested in enhancing retention and fostering belonging for underrepresented groups.
Practitioners
Students
Undergraduate and graduate students who are passionate about equity and inclusion in higher education.
Undergraduate and graduate students who are passionate about equity and inclusion in higher education.
Students
Administrators
Individuals seeking to implement transformative policies and practices at their institutions.
Individuals seeking to implement transformative policies and practices at their institutions.
Administrators
Community
Advocates
Advocates dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion through research and community engagement.
Advocates dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion through research and community engagement.
Join Us
The Institute for Equity & Transformational Change is an inclusive hub where faculty, staff and the college community actively advance equity-based practices through faculty and staff-led research and development.
The Office of Community Impact Team builds and nourishes relationships to create initiatives and experiences aligned with the college’s goals and community needs.
About Us
Check out Thrive Conference News featured in
Madison 365.
Get in Touch
The work of the Madison College Institute for Equity & Transformational Change and the Office of Community Impact are a collaborative effort. If you are interested in attending or have a question about THRIVE, contact us!
Email:
ThriveConference@MadisonCollege.edu
