2026 CDS Annual Conference

2026 CDS Annual Conference

Daniela Mattos

University of Nebraska Lincoln

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12:30pm EDT

Pre Conference Workshop #1 - Discovering the 21st Century Economic Clusters of Communities/Regions in the U.S.: New Data Products Classroom 101 - University HallBo Beaulieu • Indraneel Kumar • Andrey Zhalnin • Annie Cruz-Porter Pre Conference Workshop #2 - Spiraling up: Looking 20 years back and 20 years ahead Classroom 104 - University HallMary Emery • Héctor Eduardo Hernández Núñez

5:00pm EDT

CDS Member Networking Classroom 121 - University HallKathleen López

6:30pm EDT

Welcome Reception Ballroom - Armstrong Center

9:30am EDT

Opening Session (includes plenary session): Reimagining Community Development: the Cross-Sector Imperative Ballroom - Armstrong CenterMayor Jonathan McCollar • Kim Clifton • Mayor Van Johnson

11:15am EDT

Boxed Lunch Pick-up (for registered attendees) Outside the Ballroom - Armstrong Center

11:30am EDT

Mobile Learning Workshops Pick up and Drop off Parking Lot - Outside Armstrong Center

5:30pm EDT

Monday Night Event at Starland Yard Starland Yard

8:30am EDT

Building the Village: Leveraging Cross-sector Relationships for Youth Development Classroom 104 - University HallKristina M. Patterson Mapping Regional Community Development Resources: Connecting Communities, Programs, and Possibilities Classroom 109 - University HallChristel Gollnick • Jackie Spainhower A Community Capital Development Approach Classroom 111 - University HallTodd Barman Bridging Generations for Community Impact: Collaborative Leadership through Youth Empowerment and Neighborhood Leadership Classroom 123 - University HallDwayne T. James

9:45am EDT

Break: Research Posters, Silent Auction, Exhibitors University Hall Lobby

10:30am EDT

Bridging university students to communities across Georgia Classroom 101 - University HallAngel Jackson • Donald Addison II • Rosanna Cruz-Bibb Scaffolding Community Capacity: A Community-First Model of University Engagement Classroom 101 - University HallSeth Brookshire • Heidi Grogger Student Experiential Learning Through Youth, Community, and Economic Development in Philipsburg, PA Classroom 101 - University HallEmma Steely • Rachel Layvey How Volunteers and Cross-Sector Partnerships at Free, Outdoor Concerts Improve Community Health Outcomes Classroom 120 - University HallSharon Yazowski

12:00pm EDT

Luncheon and Plenary Session: What’s Next, America? Deliberation, Community Development, and the Civic Work Ahead Ballroom - Armstrong CenterMartin Carcasson • Cristin Brawner • Hollie Cost • Linda Seals

1:45pm EDT

Building Cross-Sector Partnerships to Support Recovery in Rural Communities Classroom 101 - University HallCatherine Tootle

3:00pm EDT

Bridging Data and Service Learning: Housing Insights for Newton County’s Expanding Industry University Hall LobbyJeffrey Burke Charting Consensus: A Consensus Framework for Postsecondary Youth Impact in Rural Communities University Hall LobbyBlair Bagley

3:45pm EDT

Bridging Campus and Community: Collaborative Solutions for Housing Needs Classroom 101 - University HallJeffrey Burke • Sara Hand • Valerie Dixon Citizen’s Assembly for Homelessness Response in a Small City Classroom 101 - University HallGarret Zastoupil CommUNITY and College Partnership: “Where Mountain Creek Flows, Community Grows” Classroom 101 - University HallRick Coplen

6:30pm EDT

Awards Banquet & Live Auction Ballroom - Armstrong Center

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 Responding to Community Childcare Crisis Classroom 102 - University HallMelinda Grismer, PhD • Tanya Hall • Brianne Wrede Road Closures' Impacts on Locally Owned Businesses Classroom 104 - University HallAiden Hawkinson Opatz Charting Change Together: What Communities Learn When They Ask Newcomers the Right Questions Classroom 111 - University HallKara Harders • Weiwei Zhang Great libraries build communities: How are contemporary libraries collaborating in placemaking and community development? Classroom 111 - University HallB. Kathleen Gallagher • Leigh Hersey • Divya Janardhan 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

Rippling out: Experiential learning that impacts students' and communities' views of the future Classroom 123 - University HallDaniela Manhani Mattos • Mary Emery • Raquel Johnson

12:15pm EDT

Luncheon and Closing Plenary Session: Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.: Cultivating a Local Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Ballroom - Armstrong CenterDominique Halaby • Ande Noktes • Nick Palumbo