2026 CDS Annual Conference

2026 CDS Annual Conference

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8:00am EDT

CDS Annual Business Meeting Ballroom - Armstrong Center

9:15am EDT

Break University Hall Lobby

9:30am EDT

Community Currents in Times of Disruption: Charting Cross-Sector Pathways After Mass Layoffs Classroom 101 - University HallSandra Kurian • Dr. Jody Rebek • Adith Pradeep • Zhiyu Pan Cross-Sector Collaboration in Practice: Lessons from a Rural Workforce Initiative Classroom 101 - University HallKathryn Leys • Abbey Guggisberg • Tina Wilson The Age of Mobility: Bringing Economic Data into the Modern Era Classroom 101 - University HallDeeDee LeMier Building Bridges for Child Care Classroom 102 - University HallSarah Kennedy Navigating the Waters of Community Early Childhood Care and Education Needs Classroom 102 - University HallErin Hamel • Valerie Dixon Responding to Community Childcare Crisis Classroom 102 - University HallMelinda Grismer, PhD • Tanya Hall • Brianne Wrede, EdD Road Closures' Impacts on Locally Owned Businesses Classroom 104 - University HallAiden Hawkinson Opatz Strengthening Cross-Sector Community Collaboration Through Participatory Evaluation and Storytelling: Using Ripple Effects Mapping to Assess Collective Impact Classroom 104 - University HallRamona Madhosingh-Hector • Lola Adedokun • Nicole Breazeale • Mandy Baily A Stone Soup Approach: Building a Stronger Sense of Belonging in Multi-Generational Teams Classroom 109 - University HallChristel Gollnick • Jackie Spainhower Mentorship and Co-Designing Leadership Initiatives towards Harnessing Youth Councils and Volunteer Impact Classroom 109 - University Hall Charting Change Together: What Communities Learn When They Ask Newcomers the Right Questions Classroom 111 - University HallKara Harders • Weiwei Zhang Cultivating Community Leadership in Southwest Kenya: A Collaborative Training Model Classroom 111 - University HallLisa Hinz • Jody Horntvedt • Stella Omari Great libraries build communities: How are contemporary libraries collaborating in placemaking and community development? Classroom 111 - University HallB. Kathleen Gallagher • Leigh Hersey • Divya Janardhan Advancing Nebraska’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for Inclusive Community Development Classroom 120 - University HallMorgan Vogel • Josie Schafer • Meagan Paez Community System Usability: Supporting Entrepreneurs Classroom 120 - University HallNeil Linscheid Educational Program Development as Social Entrepreneurship Classroom 120 - University HallDiana Hammer The Intergenerational Blueprint: Youth-Led Strategies That Close Disparity Gaps and Build Thriving Places Together with Community Changemakers Classroom 123 - University HallKaren Pifher • Megan Jenson

10:45am EDT

Break University Hall Lobby

11:00am EDT

Community Currents and the Accessibility Spectrum: A Typology for Grading Disability Access in Public Parks Classroom 102 - University HallLeigh Hersey • Courtney Harris LANDBACK, Federal Indian Policy, and Examples of Indigenous Community Development Practice in the United States Classroom 102 - University HallTanner C. Knorr Amplifying Voices Through Partnership: A Collaborative Approach to Coastal Resilience Classroom 101 - University HallLinda Seals • Lara Milligan Building Trust and Shared Solutions for Flooding, Erosion, and Salmon Recovery: An Asset-Based Approach from Wahkiakum County, Washington Classroom 101 - University HallCarrie Shofner, MS • Andrea Mah, PhD The Role of Community Leaders in Building Community Resilience Against Climate Disasters Classroom 101 - University HallDaniel Adama Community Leadership Development for Social Change: A Socio-Demographic Comparative Analysis Classroom 102 - University HallNwanyinna Shoemaker • Sarah Hultine Massengale • Claire Wolff • Wilson Majee Archway Partnership: An Award-Winning Model that can Work Anywhere Classroom 104 - University HallSherrié Raleigh • Sarah Adams • Angel Jackson Ready or Not, Hyundai is Here: Navigating Growth and Community Change in “Rural” Georgia Classroom 109 - University HallCandice Bodkin • Helen Rosko Rural Immigration and Community Leadership Classroom 109 - University HallJustine Yeo Bircher Karate sports for the indigenous Hazara Girls’ community leadership and psycho-social development. Classroom 111 - University HallHameed ulMehdi Navigating Gendered Currents: The Student Women Economic Empowerment Programme as a Catalyst for Women’s Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Local Economic Development in South Africa Classroom 111 - University HallConfidence Ndlovu Rippling out: Experiential learning that impacts students' and communities' views of the future Classroom 111 - University HallDaniela Manhani Mattos • Mary Emery • Raquel Johnson Bridging Divides through Skill Development, Education, and Inclusive Community Building: The Case of Built Africa Classroom 123 - University HallDias Bongo Searching for “Real Community”: The Utility of Marxist Theories for Community Development Research and Practice Classroom 123 - University HallJosh Newton

12:00pm EDT

Luncheon and Closing Plenary Session: Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.: Cultivating a Local Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Ballroom - Armstrong Center

2:00pm EDT

Board Meeting (new board) Classroom 103 - University Hall