2026 Student Access Summit
ABCs of Student Access: Accelerating Access, Breaking Barriers and Creating Connections
Monday, Nov. 2, 2026 Ι WKU Knicely Conference Center, Bowling Green, KY
Quick links: Call for Proposals Ι Agenda | Registration Ι Lodging
Following the success of our inaugural event, the 2nd Annual Student Access Summit returns to bring together educators, leaders, and change-makers from across Kentucky’s education sectors. As we continue our shared mission to expand postsecondary opportunities for all students, this year’s Summit focuses on taking intentional action. Attendees will:
- Collaborate on high-impact strategies to Accelerate Access to higher education,
- Discover actionable tools to Break Barriers that hold students back, and
- Build the vital partnerships needed to Create Connections that support students from high school to college graduation and beyond.
Join us to discover innovative solutions, share practical resources, and celebrate real progress in closing the access gaps across the Commonwealth.
**EILA CREDIT AVAILABLE! The 2026 Student Access Summit is offering up to 6 hours of EILA credit for attendees.
Featured Speakers
Taylor Odle
Taylor Odle is an Assistant Professor of Educational Policy Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he also holds faculty affiliations in Data Science and the Institute for Research on Poverty. Using quantitative methods and field experiments, his research examines college access and success, financial aid, and admissions policies to discover what works to support students transitioning to and through higher education. His work has been supported by major foundations including Lumina and Spencer, and featured in outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Forbes. Prior to earning his PhD, Taylor led fiscal policy and research for the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and worked with national partners such as MDRC and the U.S. Senate HELP Committee.
Jason Booher
Jason Booher is superintendent of Mercer County Schools and a 30-year veteran of public education. A former math teacher, administrator and basketball coach, he led Shelby Valley High School to the 2010 KHSAA Boys Sweet 16 State Championship and was named Kentucky Associated Press State Boys Basketball Coach of the Year three times. A survivor of the 1988 Carrollton Bus Crash, the deadliest drunk-driving crash in U.S. history, Booher draws on his experience overcoming tragedy and adversity to inspire educators, students, coaches and leaders to lead with purpose, persevere through challenges and pursue their goals.
How to Register
Registration is now open! Act fast to snag our Early Bird Rate of $150, exclusive to the first 75 people to sign up. Once those spots are gone, the regular rate of $200 applies. Final registration closes on October 16 (or when we hit full capacity). Don't miss out on Kentucky's premier student access event—claim your spot early!
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Location & Lodging
The 2026 event is being held at the Knicely Conference Center at Western Kentucky University. While we do not have a lodging block associated with this event, we encourage you to check out their recommended accommodation options, if needed.
Call for Proposals
We invite presentation proposals that share innovative strategies, best practices, actionable insights, and impactful research designed to improve access and outcomes for students across Kentucky.
Key Deadlines & Proposal Review
- Priority Review Deadline: Aug. 15, 2026 (Submissions received by this date will receive priority consideration)
- Final Submission Deadline: Sept. 15, 2026
When preparing your proposal submission via the online form, please be ready to provide the session title and summary, presenter information, as well as information on how your presentation will actively engage participants and align with the summit's three focus areas.
Questions
If you have questions regarding this event, contact heather.faesy@ky.gov.
Last Updated: 9/4/2026