Tours & Workshops

Data Centers and the In-Demand Career Path That Awaits Your Students

Sept. 16, 10:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Cost: Free

Step inside the fascinating world of data centers with this immersive tour and engaging industry discussion! Join us as we head to Data Center Alley and Loudoun County, home to the largest concentration of data centers in the world. There, you’ll receive a behind-the-scenes tour inside a data center, uncovering the inner workings of one of the fastest growing industries. Representatives will discuss the data center industry and the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities students need to become a technician in this innovative space. Following the tour, we will make a short stop at Northern Virginia Community College to visit their data center training space before returning to the conference. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with industry leaders and discover how to prepare students for the future of technology. You will walk away with actionable strategies to spark student interest in data center careers and explore opportunities to build capacity for data center education in your community!

Monument Twilight Tour

Sept. 17, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Cost: $55

Experience the heart of Washington, D.C. on this guided monument tour by bus! Journey through the nation’s capital as you take in iconic landmarks and breathtaking views of the National Mall.

This tour includes a scenic stop at the Lincoln Memorial and Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, where you’ll get a chance to explore tributes to two of America’s most enduring legacies — one a president who preserved a nation, the other a leader who transformed it. Capture photos, soak in the history, and reflect on the powerful stories these memorials tell. This is a perfect opportunity to experience the majesty of D.C. without the hassle of parking or navigating traffic.

US Capitol Inside Access Walking Tour: Four Iconic Sites

Sept. 16, 9:00–3:00 p.m. (includes transportation time)
Cost: $215

Join us for an exclusive small-group guided tour of Capitol Hill, one of the most historically and civically significant neighborhoods in the world. With reserved access and a professional guide, you will explore the iconic interiors of the U.S. Capitol Building, learning the stories behind its historic halls and chambers. Venture inside the Library of Congress including a view of a portion of Thomas Jefferson’s original collection of over 6,000 books and explore the interior of the Supreme Court, gaining insight into the history and architecture of the nation’s highest judicial body.

This tour offers something rare: an unhurried, personalized experience in spaces that millions of visitors see only from the outside. Whether you’re a first-time visitor to Washington or a frequent traveler to the capital, the guided walking tour of Capitol Hill provides context and access that goes well beyond the typical tourist experience. It’s a memorable way to connect the work of career and technical education to the civic and legislative landscape where so much of that work is shaped.

This tour is limited to 15 people. Transportation to/from conference hotel included. Reserve your ticket by contacting Dona Orr at dorr@acteonline.org.

Leading Postsecondary CTE in an Era of Workforce Transformation: A Systems Approach for Senior Leaders

Sept. 16, 9:00 a.m.–noon
Presenter: John A. Vasquez, Ph.D.
Cost: $175

As postsecondary CTE expands to meet urgent workforce and economic development demands, institutional leaders must move beyond programmatic innovation toward systems alignment. This interactive leadership workshop introduces a practical, streamlined framework for understanding how policy, funding structures, pathway design, advising models, employer engagement, and institutional culture collectively shape learner outcomes. Rather than attempting to solve everything at once, participants will focus on identifying a small number of high-impact leverage points within their own institutional context. Drawing on systems change theory and equity-minded design principles, the session will guide participants through a structured process to surface misalignments and prioritize actionable strategies.

This session is especially valuable for teams of two or more from the same institution or system, as participants will have dedicated time to work across roles and leave with a shared set of priorities and next steps. Individual participants will be supported through structured activities and peer collaboration.

This workshop balances strategic framing with practical application, giving participants tools they can use right away to advance CTE impact.

About John A. Vasquez, Ph.D., M.H.S.A 
Aligning policy, practice, and pathways to drive workforce impact and student success.
johnav@umich.edu

John Vasquez, Ph.D., serves as Assistant Vice Provost for Student Success and Senior Director of the Comprehensive Studies Program at the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor. With over two decades of experience across community colleges, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and regional comprehensive public universities, his work focuses on aligning policy, practice, and systems to improve student success and workforce outcomes.

A nationally recognized leader in equity-minded institutional transformation, Dr. Vasquez specializes in redesigning advising, pathway structures, and student success strategies to better serve first-generation, low-income, and historically underserved students. His approach integrates data-informed decision-making with systems change frameworks to help institutions move beyond isolated initiatives toward coordinated, scalable impact.

Throughout his career, he has led large-scale efforts that strengthen retention, improve completion, and connect academic pathways to workforce opportunity. He regularly advises institutional and system-level leaders on aligning funding, policy, and practice to support measurable outcomes and long-term economic mobility.

From Industry to Instructor: Create Your Own Playbook to Empower Your Team of Industry-Experienced Teachers

Sept. 16, 12:15–3:15 p.m.
Presenter: Brian Rick & JoAnna Collins
Cost: $175

Transitioning from industry to the classroom can be both exciting and challenging for CTE instructors—and the way institutions support this transition is critical to long-term success and retention. In this interactive pre-conference session, presenters will share research-informed insights and proven strategies for effectively onboarding and supporting industry-experienced educators. Participants will explore the unique needs of new CTE instructors, examine high-impact professional development approaches, and identify key milestones in the transition from industry expert to effective educator and leader. Through guided activities and a structured workbook, attendees will reflect on their current practices and develop a customized, actionable “playbook” to strengthen onboarding and retention efforts in their own programs. By the end of the session, participants will leave equipped with practical tools, strategies, and a clear plan to support CTE instructors from day one through their journey to instructional excellence.

About JoAnna Collins
JoAnna Collins is an accomplished educator and healthcare professional with more than 30 years of experience in healthcare and Career and Technical Education, including over a decade in higher education. Having advanced through multiple stackable credentials from EMT to BSN and a Master’s in Education, she brings firsthand insight into career pathways and industry-to-education transitions. JoAnna has led the development of stackable credential programs and career pathways for students while also designing professional learning and resources for faculty and staff. A subject matter expert in workforce education, she has participated in national ACTE fellowships, secured grant funding for educational initiatives, and presented internationally. Her work focuses on strengthening CTE programs and expanding pathways that support student success and workforce development.

About Brian Rick
Brian Rick brings extensive experience across secondary, postsecondary, and university-level education, serving in both teaching and CTE leadership roles. Prior to entering education, he worked in the architecture and construction industry, bringing valuable industry perspective to CTE programs. His passion for education emerged while coaching high school students and has since grown into a focus on CTE program development, grant writing, and preparing new instructors for success in the classroom. Brian has contributed to university initiatives developing professional learning and instructional resources for CTE educators. He has served in leadership and fellowship roles in several state and national CTE organizations and is a recipient of multiple state and national CTE awards.

Trades2Trainer Educational Systems, Inc