Academic Innovation Conference 2026 has ended

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Academic Innovation Conference 2026

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8:00am EDT

Conference Opening Breakfast & Keynote Experience Mission Health / A-B Tech Conference CenterCoolSpeak • Doug Thompson • Rachel Nave-Lewis

9:00am EDT

The GEAR UP Luminary Showcase Mission Health / A-B Tech Conference CenterDoug Thompson • Rachel Nave-Lewis • Corinne Smith • Kelly Sparks LEAD: Student Leadership Network (Cohort Event Only) Sycamore Room 201 (Lecture Hall)Yolanda Adams • Chris Collins RTLN: Rural Teacher Leaders Network (Cohort Session Only) Sycamore Room 106

10:05am EDT

The Luminary Showcase Extension: Innovation Exchange Mission Health / A-B Tech Conference CenterRachel Nave-Lewis • Corinne Smith • Kelly Sparks • Doug Thompson

11:15am EDT

Lunch & Connection Mission Health / A-B Tech Conference CenterRachel Nave-Lewis

12:00pm EDT

Educator Workshop with Carlos Ojeda Jr. Elm Room 234CoolSpeak GEAR UP 2.0 AIM Grant PITCH Competition Sycamore Room 107Yolanda Adams GEAR UP 3.0 APEX AIM Grant PITCH Competition (Room One) Sycamore Room 108Brittany Brady GEAR UP APEX 3.0 AIM Grant PITCH Competition (Room Two) Sycamore Room 109Wes Calbreath Innovative Heroes: An Innovator of the Year Workshop with Ghi from Top School Speakers Elm Room 202 AGhiniva “Coach Ghi” Phillips Leading from Where We Are: Empowering Rural Teacher Leadership ELM 207Dr. Deanna Townsend-Smith One-Day Workshops, Lasting College Readiness Impact Elm Room 211 BMasteryPrep • Robert Westhoefer • Eboney Edwards The Empowering Teacher Learning Project Framework: Changing the Landscape of Professional Development in Western North Carolina ELM 208AJanet Johnson • Sherry Paddie Vendor Hall Experience LEAD: Student Leadership Network (Cohort Event Only) Sycamore Room 201 (Lecture Hall)Yolanda Adams • Chris Collins

1:30pm EDT

Partner and Vendor Showcase: Explore, Engage, Experience Mission Health / A-B Tech Conference Center RTLN: Rural Teacher Leaders Network (Cohort Session Only) Sycamore Room 106

2:15pm EDT

Afternoon Snack Mission Health / A-B Tech Conference Center

2:30pm EDT

Innovator of the Year Recognitions Mission Health / A-B Tech Conference CenterCoolSpeak • Rachel Nave-Lewis • Corinne Smith

3:30pm EDT

Day One Closing: Carry the Story Forward Mission Health / A-B Tech Conference CenterRachel Nave-Lewis

4:30pm EDT

Innovator of the Year Reception & Social (INVITE ONLY) Asheville ClubGeorge Rodriguez • Ghiniva “Coach Ghi” Phillips

6:00pm EDT

Participate Learning Rooftop Social at Hemingway's Cuba Hemingway's Cuba Rooftop Bar & Cuban EateryCaroline Baker • Amanda Bikowski Program Cohort Dinner & Ticket Events Mission Health / A-B Tech Conference Center