Austin Community College District (ACC) hosts the inaugural Summit of Future Makers in May 2026. This milestone event reflects the College’s growing role as a national thought leader in future-oriented education and innovation.

Hosted by ACC’s Office for the Future, the Summit of Future Makers represents the culmination of a year of collaboration by the nation’s first-ever Alliance of Future Makers cohort. More importantly, it signals ACC’s commitment to moving beyond conversations about the future and into meaningful, actionable impact.

“Being future-focused means turning insight into action. The Summit of Future Makers represents how ACC is intentionally building the systems, partnerships, and mindset needed to serve learners in a rapidly changing world,” says Dr. Monique Reeves, ACC’s Futurist. “Our role as a college is not only to respond to change, but to help shape what’s next. Hosting the Summit of Future Makers positions ACC as a national leader in designing a future where opportunity, innovation, and student success go hand in hand.”

Why This Summit Matters to ACC

By convening educators, futurists, designers, and change-makers from across the country, ACC is helping shape conversations that influence how colleges nationwide adapt to a rapidly changing world. 

Participants will explore how insights about social, technological, and economic change can be translated into real-world solutions that improve learning, operations, and community outcomes. The event includes: 

  • Forward-thinking keynotes and plenary sessions
  • Interactive breakout discussions with national peers
  • Real-world demonstrations
  • Collaborative problem-solving across disciplines
  • Networking with innovators from across the country

Summit Leadership

The Summit of Future Makers is organized by ACC’s Office for the Future in collaboration with its cross-functional organizing committee. Together, the team brings expertise across innovation strategy, workforce development, industry partnerships, and future-oriented design to ensure the Summit translates insight into actionable impact for learners and communities.

Why Attend?

Whether you work in the classroom, student services, or administration, the future of work affects us all. All faculty and staff are invited to explore how we can move “From Insight to Impact” and are eligible for a discounted rate to attend the Summit.

Registration is open now. Space is limited, so we encourage you to secure your spot early.

Summit of Future Makers

When: Thursday, April 30 (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.) & Friday, May 1 (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
Where: ACC Highland Campus
ACC Employee Rate: $180 (Discounted from the $375 general admission)
Students: FREE
Register HERE

Call for Volunteers
Want to attend for free? We are looking for dedicated volunteers to help facilitate the event. Volunteers must commit to working both days and will receive complimentary admission. If interested, please email [email protected].

Keynote Speakers

The Summit welcomes Mark E. Bryan and Hugh Forrest as keynote guests. Bryan is a nationally recognized, award-winning creative whose work sits at the intersection of design, innovation, and possibility. Known for his compelling vision of the future and his ability to translate imagination into action, Bryan will challenge attendees to rethink what’s possible—and how to build it.

A transformative leader in the global events industry, Forrest dedicated more than three decades of his life to building South by Southwest (SXSW) into one of the world’s most influential gatherings of technology, innovation, and culture.

Visit the Summit of Future Makers website to view the full agenda and learn more.

To learn more and to follow progress from the Office for the Future, visit austincc.edu/futurist.