Hope Found Here: A Call to Higher Education’s Public Mission with Campus Compact

​Compact26: Hope Found Here will bring together educators, students, community leaders, and civic professionals from across the country on March 16–18, 2026, in Chicago, IL. Rooted in the belief that higher education flourishes when it embraces its public mission, the conference will explore how compassion, action, and unity can transform hope into practice. Through dialogue, collaboration, and shared purpose, participants will engage in building stronger democracies, advancing equity, and fostering belonging on campuses and beyond. Read more in the blog post below.

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Campus Compact’s 2026 national conference, Compact26: Hope Found Here, will take place March 16–18, 2026, in Chicago, IL. This gathering brings together higher education leaders, community partners, students, and civic professionals to explore how colleges and universities can strengthen democracy, advance equity, and serve the common good.
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At its heart, Compact26 reflects the belief that higher education thrives when it embraces its public mission. The conference theme--Hope Found Here: Advancing Civic and Community Engagement through Compassion, Action, and Unity—underscores the urgent need for intentional collaboration and human-centered approaches. Attendees will dive into strategies that transform hope into practice, from deepening community partnerships to building stronger infrastructures for civic learning and democratic engagement.

Shared Values, Shared Purpose

​The work of Campus Compact aligns powerfully with NCDD’s vision of dialogue and deliberation as tools for equity, inclusion, and democratic renewal. By fostering spaces where students, faculty, administrators, and community partners engage across differences, Compact26 nurtures the very skills and values essential to civic life: listening, bridge building, and shared problem-solving.
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This year’s sessions will address systemic inequities, highlight student-driven leadership, and explore how dialogue supports well-being and belonging on campuses. From roundtables and workshops to author talks and promising practice sessions, Compact26 is designed to be participatory and forward-looking, echoing NCDD’s commitment to strengthening the social fabric through inclusive engagement.

An Invitation to Participate

Compact26 is not just an event—it is a call to action for educators, partners, and civic leaders to gather, learn, and co-create pathways toward a just and compassionate democracy. Whether you are submitting a proposal, sponsoring a session, or planning to attend, this is a chance to connect with peers who share a commitment to community-based change.

Session proposals are due by October 10, 2025, and registration is now open. Explore details about the program, logistics, and opportunities to contribute at https://events.compact.org/compact26/9093994

Together, through dialogue and collaboration, we can ensure that hope is not only found but actively built into the future of our communities.