As the landscape of work and education rapidly evolves, community colleges are uniquely positioned to lead the charge in preparing learners for the future. On April 30 – May 1, 2026, Austin Community College District (ACC) will solidify its role as a national leader in educational innovation by hosting the inaugural Summit of Future Makers.

Organized by ACC’s Office for the Future, this first-of-its-kind, two-day gathering explores the theme “Creating the Future: From Insight to Impact.” It will serve as the culmination of a year of collaboration by the nation’s first-ever Future Makers cohort, moving bold ideas into real-world institutional resilience.

“The future of higher education isn’t something that happens to us — it’s something we build together,” says Dr. Monique Reeves, Executive Vice Chancellor for the Future and the inaugural Futurist for the community college sector. “At this pivotal inflection point, when the very architecture of learning is being reimagined, ACC is convening the minds, the makers, and the movement-builders who refuse to accept the status quo. The inaugural Summit of Future Makers isn’t just an event — it’s a declaration that the educators, innovators, and thought leaders in this room are the architects of what comes next.”

A National Conversation, Rooted at ACC 

The Summit tackles a critical question for community colleges: How do we prepare learners for a future that is still unfolding? By bringing together education, industry, and innovation ecosystems, ACC is modeling how community colleges can actively shape the future through intentional design rather than simply reacting to change.

“Our students don’t need us to manage the present. They need us to engineer the future. And that work demands more than good intentions — it demands collaboration, courage, and the willingness to learn alongside the boldest voices reshaping higher education today,” says Reeves.

The event will be an intimate but highly influential gathering. The event is near its capacity of 175 attendees. Change-makers, educators, and futurists are traveling from across the country to attend, representing regions such as Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Illinois, and cities throughout Texas.

Forward-Thinking Programming

The Summit kicks off with a welcome from ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart and an opening plenary by Dr. Reeves. David DeRouen, ACC Student Rights & Responsibilities Senior Conduct Coordinator, will serve as emcee.

“This is the moment we’ve been preparing for. The complexity of today’s landscape isn’t a burden — it’s an invitation. An invitation to lead with vision, to build with purpose, and to ensure that every student who walks through our doors walks into a future we had the conviction to create,” says Reeves.

To that end, the programming features heavy-hitting visionaries and practical, future-focused panels:

  • Keynote & Fireside Chat: Insights from Mark Bryan (Chief Research and Strategy Officer at IIDA and a leading design futurist) and Hugh Forrest (SXSW legend and global event visionary)
  • Future Fit Panel – Are We Preparing People for Jobs That Don’t Exist Yet?: Moderated by Dr. Susanne Brock (City College of Chicago), featuring Mark Gill (IBM), Kelsey Behringer (CEO, Packback), and Girish Prabhu (CEO, ImaginX)
  • Breakout Sessions: Includes Theory of Interrogative Reasoning and its Application in AI Systems (Meme Styles, MEASURE, and Jose Teran, Huston-Tillotson University); Innovation Is Not a Budget, It Is a Leadership Orientation (Dr. JaNice Marshall, Cuyahoga Community College); Humanize Innovation, Human First, AI Forward (Greg Brisco); and Higher Education Innovation with Dr. Mary Darden

Showcasing Innovation in Action 

Beyond the panels, attendees will experience the Alliance of Future Makers (AFM) Showcase, highlighting how the inaugural cohort of Fellows is applying strategic foresight to build capacity within their own institutions. Special recognition will be given to this groundbreaking cohort and our dedicated student volunteers from TEAM EDGE (Entrepreneurship, Development & Growth Events) and the Student Government Association, as well as faculty and staff volunteers from innovative and leadership organizations such as American Association for Women in Community Colleges and Transform_Ed.

To showcase ACC’s own innovative learning environments, attendees will have the option to take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Highland Campus, visiting the Advanced Manufacturing Impact Lab, Culinary Department, Health Science Simulation Center, ACCelerator, Fashion Incubator, Bioscience Incubator, and the Make It Center.

Attendees can also grab a special photo with a replica of the DeLorean fictional time machines from the “Back to the Future” movie trilogy.

Growing the Movement 

This Summit is more than a conference; it is a catalyst for community colleges to build a workforce ready for what comes next. Attendees will be invited to join the conversation and apply for a spot in the next AFM cohort.

More event information can be found on the Summit of Future Makers website.