The ACCT Leadership Congress serves as a gathering ground for over 1,600 community college trustees and presidents, as well as leaders from philanthropic organizations, government agencies, and national non-profits. It provides a platform to exchange initiatives, successes, and concerns crucial to leading community colleges. As the largest annual gathering of its kind, it holds immense significance in advancing the community college sector. 

The 2026 ACCT Leadership Congress will focus on how community college trustees, presidents, and senior leaders can lead meaningful change while centering care, responsibility, and long-term impact. As institutions navigate rapid technological advances, evolving workforce demands, enrollment shifts, and increasing mental and operational strain, effective leadership requires both bold vision and thoughtful stewardship.

This year’s Congress will explore strategies that balance innovation with institutional well-being, governance with empathy, and transformation with purpose—equipping leaders to make informed decisions that strengthen their colleges and the communities they serve.