About the Summit
CVHEC invites you, higher education leaders, partners, and colleagues from across the region, state and country to join us for the 2026 Central Valley Higher Education Summit!
Each year, the summit convenes chancellors, presidents, faculty, staff, policymakers, philanthropy, and regional partners for a day of dialogue, collaboration, and shared learning. What began as a regional convening has grown into one of the Central Valley’s recognized forums for advancing equity, strengthening pathways, and improving degree completion for students.
This year’s summit will feature system leaders, policymakers, researchers, and student voices, all focused on aligning efforts across institutions and sectors to better serve the Central Valley.
Why Attend
The Central Valley Higher Education Summit offers a unique opportunity to engage with leaders and partners shaping the future of higher education in our region.
By attending, you will:
- Engage with higher education and policy leaders working across systems
- Gain insights from data, research, and regional practice
- Hear student perspectives that ground conversations in lived experience
- Connect with colleagues and partners committed to advancing equity and student success
The summit provides space to learn, collaborate, and move forward—together.
Registration
Registration is now open and will close on April 17, 2026 at 11:59PM.
[Wait List Available Here – WE ARE SOLD OUT]
The summit is designed to be accessible and inclusive thanks to the generous support of our partners, including our Founding Summit Partner, College Futures Foundation
Hotel
The DoubleTree by Hilton – Fresno Convention Center is ready for reservations for the CVHEC Summit! You can either call them directly at 559.268.1000 or use the link below.
Agenda
The full summit agenda will be posted soon and will include:
- Student-led conversations highlighting Central Valley experiences
- Policy conversations shaping the future of higher education
- Updates on CVHEC initiatives and regional collaborations
Conference Materials
Conference materials and resources will be available closer to the event.
[Coming Soon]
Welcome & Networking Reception
Thursday, April 23, 2026| 5:30 p.m.
Attendees are invited to join us for a Welcome & Networking Reception the evening before the summit. This informal gathering provides an opportunity to connect with colleagues and partners ahead of the full summit day.
Location:
Breezeway outside Valdez Hall (Right across the street from the summit venue)
702 M Street
Fresno, CA 93721
Sponsors & Partners
The Central Valley Higher Education Summit is made possible through the partnership and support of organizations committed to educational equity and opportunity.
Founding Summit Partner
CVHEC is grateful to College Futures Foundation for its longstanding partnership and leadership in advancing equitable pathways and supporting this regional convening.
Opportunity Sponsors
We thank Emerzian Law Group, the Kern County Superintendent of Schools & the Teachers College of San Joaquin for their support as Opportunity Sponsors, helping us create new opportunities for students across the Central Valley.
Alignment Sponsors
We appreciate Golden 1 Credit Union as an Alignment Sponsor, supporting efforts to better connect education, workforce, and community priorities throughout the region.
Access Partner
We are also grateful to the Merced School Employees Federal Credit Union, Fresno DRIVE, and EECU for joining us as Access Partners, helping ensure broader participation and access to the Summit and its outcomes.
Questions
For questions or additional information, please contact:
Angel Ramirez
Associate Director, CVHEC
📞 559.278.0576
✉️ angelr@csufresno.edu
![[Hotel Venue Map]](https://cvhec.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DoubleTree-by-Hilton-Hotel-Fresno-Convention-Center-Site-Map-4.17.png){kind=link}