2026 THRIVE Conference

Madison College is proud to host the second annual THRIVE Conference, a free, one-day event designed to foster belonging and advance equity in higher education. This year’s theme is Beyond Inclusion.

THRIVE—which stands for Together for Higher Retention, Inclusion, Voice and Engagement—is co-sponsored by Madison College’s Institute for Equity and Transformational Change (IETC) and Office of Community Impact.

Event Highlights

The conference will welcome a diverse audience, including higher education administrators, educators, students and community advocates. 

Attendees will share best practices, compelling narratives and practical strategies to enhance the college experience for underrepresented faculty, staff and students.

Additional details:

• Hosted on Madison College’s Truax campus with a livestream for remote attendees.
• Keynote speeches by Dr. Crystasany R. Turner, Assistant Professor at UW–Milwaukee, and Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings, Professor Emerita at UW–Madison.
• Multiple breakout sessions; seating is first-come, first-serve for in-person attendees.
• Attend at least three breakout sessions and earn a Credly Badge.
• In-person registrants who attend three breakout sessions will also be entered to win a copy of Equity in Action: Transformational Research at Madison College.
• Breakfast, lunch and beverages are included for registered attendees.
• Free parking (any non-reserved/non-metered spaces in the campus lots along Wright Street).

All attendees must register whether attending in person or virtually. Registration closes Friday, March 27.

For additional information, see the THRIVE Conference website or email ThriveConference@MadisonCollege.edu.

Truax Campus
Room D1630
1701 Wright St.
Madison, WI 53704
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