Compact25 is officially a wrap! This year’s conference, held in Atlanta, GA, gathered more than 700 participants to exchange ideas, engage in rich dialogue, and deepen connections across the civic and community engagement field. From the pre-conference institutes to the last session on April 2, we’re excited to share the highlights!
Day 1: Monday, March 31
Pre-Conference Institutes were the first event of the conference that provided deep insights into significant issues. Some of the highlights included Learn-and-Earn Career Pathways for Community Change Agents, which introduced the Community Learning Partnership (CLP) and how it is supporting diverse, low-income students through campus-community partnerships and mentorship, and Better Discourse: A Workshop to Build Capacity for Bridging Divides, which centered on fostering civil dialogue in divided campus environments.
The general session Uniting through Public Purpose featured Yolanda Watson Spiva, president of Complete College America, who discussed ways to break down silos across our sector and embrace shared goals to make progress together. This session was followed by a fireside chat with Mary K. Grant, Massachusetts College of Art & Design's president and Campus Compact board of directors chair.
Day 2: Tuesday, April 1
Compact 25’s second day consisted of practical general sessions and engaging workshops. The first session of the day was an interesting keynote session (The Role of Higher Education in an Inclusive Democracy) that focused on the position of higher education in an inclusive democracy. The session was moderated by Brad Rourke, the Chief External Affairs Officer at the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, and the panel included David Pepper, Rashawn Davis, and Elyssa Feder. The authors talked about how we can respond to the current political moment and its implications for the future of democracy. This session paved the way for a day of critical thinking and contemplation.
Knowledge-to-Action Workshops offered interactive opportunities to explore specific theories, skills, and methods with practical applications. At the same time, Promising Practice sessions highlighted practical civic and community engagement projects designed to inspire replication and new ideas. The Poster Presentations in the afternoon allowed participants to present their projects and contribute to the spirit of sharing and collaboration throughout the conference.
Day 3: Wednesday, April 2
The last day of Compact25 began with an exciting forward-looking panel on civic and community engagement. The panel, What’s Next for Civic and Community Engagement?, was composed of four trailblazing leaders who reflected on Campus Compact's 40-year history and the future of higher education in community engagement. The panelists described both the achievements and challenges of the last forty years and provided food for thought on what the future may hold.
The conference continued with more Knowledge to Action Workshops and Promising Practices sessions later in the day. These offered participants an opportunity to explore certain areas of specific interest, including faculty-student partnerships, voter engagement, and how to develop inclusive community-driven projects. The conference ended with reflective roundtable discussions, where presenters workshop ideas, gather feedback, and work collaboratively toward a solution.
Networking & Reflection
Throughout Compact25, networking played a crucial role. Attendees had opportunities to meet colleagues nationwide, exchange ideas, and form partnerships to further their community engagement goals. Whether through formal sessions or informal meet-ups, these conversations helped build a stronger, interconnected community of civic engagement professionals.
Looking Ahead: Compact26
The success of Compact25 serves as our foundation as we prepare for Compact26. Mark your calendars for March 2026 and stay tuned for more information regarding registration, session proposals, and other conference details. We can’t wait to continue advancing our collective civic and community engagement work!
