About the Program
The Alumni Studio will serve as this year’s alumni offering, building from the strongest parts of the Systems Change Symposium and Policy Action Labs while shifting toward practical tools, peer learning, policy influence, and local application. This year’s focus is Intersections, Data, Policy Influence, and Narrative. While the Studio is more tool-based than prior alumni offerings, policy remains a central thread. Participants will examine how local practice, governance decisions, state policy, funding rules, data use, and public narrative shape what is possible for CTE students.
The Alumni Studio will include one virtual introductory lab and four full-day, in-person Studio sessions at Anoka-Hennepin STEP:
- Virtual Lab: Working Genius for Execution – September 9, 2026, 5:00-6:30 p.m.
- Studio 1: Intersections Studio – September 16, 2026
- Studio 2: Dangerous With Data: Using CTE Data Responsibly – November 17, 2026
- Studio 3: Policy Influence and Governance – November 18, 2026
- Studio 4: Narrative, Communications, and Media – February 9, 2027
This is designed as a learning-and-building experience. Participants will not just listen to presentations. You will work with peers, invited guests, and practical templates to build tools you can use in your own local context.
Participants will leave with:
- a clear, shared view of how CTE intersects with other systems;
- a board-ready one-page CTE data placemat grounded in your local context;
- a board, superintendent, and legislator engagement kit; and
- a communications toolkit that turns data into trusted narrative and supports public engagement.
Program Fee: Cost for the Alumni Studio is $600 for the full experience, which includes the virtual lab, all four in-person Studios, catering, materials, facilitation, templates, and shared tools. Travel costs are the responsibility of the fellow.
Resources and Documents