College Promise 10th Anniversary & Careers Institute

College Promise’s 10th Anniversary Symposium & Careers Institute

When:

Where: San Antonio, TX

Who Should Attend:

• College Promise Leaders ready to expand their impact beyond traditional students
• Industry Leaders seeking proven talent pipeline solutions
• Philanthropists looking for scalable models that deliver measurable outcomes
• Policy Makers designing workforce development strategies
• Students and Career Changers who need skills that lead to real opportunities

Today, every hardworking American still aspires to achieve the American Dream — and together, College Promise programs are building the pathways to make it possible. As innovation transforms our economy through AI, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and emerging technologies, the demand for adaptable, skilled talent is growing. At the same time, the rising cost of college challenges our commitment to access and opportunity. That’s why this convening is dedicated to the future: ensuring that education and workforce systems evolve in tandem so that students, families, and communities are equipped not only to keep up, but to lead.

The future of work requires new approaches to education and training. States are being called on to do more to prepare tomorrow’s workforce, while employers must invest in upskilling and reskilling to stay competitive. To meet the moment, our education and financing systems must evolve to support lifelong learning — with public, private, and philanthropic partners working together to ensure every American can access opportunity and thrive in a changing economy.

The College Promise movement has stood as a guiding force for opportunity, a nonpartisan, community-rooted effort that has grown to over 450 programs nationwide. Deeply responsive to local and regional cultures and needs, Promise initiatives have delivered measurable results and fed the U.S. talent pipeline. With states taking on a growing role in workforce development, Promise is more essential than ever. As we celebrate our 10th Anniversary, we invite you to join us—let's honor our shared achievements and co-create the next decade of innovation, equity, and opportunity.

Why This Matters Now: The convergence of workforce disruption, AI transformation, and funding uncertainty creates both crisis and opportunity. Promise Programs that can adapt, demonstrate clear value, and build strategic partnerships won't just survive—they'll become essential community infrastructure. The question is: how do we scale these solutions when the old playbook no longer works?

What to Expect:

• A national celebration of 10 years of College Promise, honoring the students, leaders, and communities who’ve shaped the movement
• Financial reality check from business and philanthropy leaders on the evolving funding landscape
• Workforce Pell preparation strategies for maximizing the upcoming expansion of short-term credential funding
• Innovative financing models, including income-share agreements and employer partnerships
• Career navigation lessons from athletes and professionals who've successfully reinvented themselves
• AI and future skills frameworks for preparing learners for rapidly changing work
• A spotlight on Texas, highlighting the Alamo Promise and the power of strategic partnerships and lifelong learning
• Collaborative visioning to design the next decade of Promise programs

Early bird pricing ends September 8.

Hotel Recommendation:

Embassy Suites by Hilton San Antonio Brooks Hotel & Spa

7610 South New Braunfels, San Antonio, Texas, 78235

Call to Action: Promise Program Stories

As part of our year-long anniversary campaign, we want to highlight the stories that make the Promise movement so powerful. We invite Promise programs across the country to video or photo entries showcasing your students, staff, and communities. Selected entries will be featured in our anniversary celebrations, including the 10th Anniversary and Careers Institute, publications, social media, and across the national College Promise network.

📸🎥 Submit Your Photos or Videos by September 15.

For questions, please contact Michelle Cooper at [email protected]

Info: In celebration of AlamoPROMISE’s recent fifth cohort of students, College Promise and AlamoPROMISE will share insights from a recent report highlighting key lessons and student outcomes, and ideas for the future strategy.

Info: Join us for a special evening commemorating the past decade of the Promise movement. Highlights will include successful Promise programs through the eyes of students, practitioners, and partners.

Info: The expansion of Workforce Pell represents a game-changing opportunity to create equitable pathways from short-term credentials to high-demand careers. But opportunity alone isn't enough—we need strategic implementation that connects the right students to the right programs at the right time. This panel brings together Promise program leaders, higher education innovators, and industry partners who are actively designing these pathways in their communities. They'll share proven strategies for aligning credentials with local labor markets, building employer partnerships that guarantee career outcomes, and creating support systems that guide students from enrollment through employment and beyond. Speakers will explore program design for maximum impact, meaningful accountability measures, and sustainable funding models that attract ongoing public and private investment.

Info: What do you do when the playbook no longer works? In this powerful conversation, former college and professional athletes share the real story of reinvention—how they discovered new identities, navigated unexpected setbacks, and built meaningful lives beyond the game. Their journeys from the field to broadcasting booths, classrooms, and community leadership offer profound lessons for anyone facing career transitions in an uncertain world. As the higher ed sector reimagines success beyond traditional metrics, these stories illuminate what it really takes to build resilience, adaptability, and purpose—skills every student needs, whether they're 18 or 48, athlete or not.

Info: What does it mean to be fully human in an AI world? This session examines how artificial intelligence is elevating distinctly human skills that matter both in the workplace and in civic life—critical thinking, empathy, collaboration, and ethical reasoning. We'll explore how Promise programs can develop these capabilities so learners don't just succeed economically, but become the kind of engaged citizens who can guide their communities through technological and social change.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Palo Alto College, 1400 West Villaret Boulevard, San Antonio, United States