(SEPT. 10, 2026) — The 2027 Central Valley Higher Education Consortium Summit set for April 22 and 23 next spring will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the valley-wide organization .

CVHEC announced the dates include its 2027 Spring Board of Directors meeting and Summit Welcome Reception on Thursday, April 22 before the day-long summit on Friday, April 23.

“With 25 years of advocating for Central Valley’s higher education community under our belt, we plan to make the 2027 summit a very special event,” said Dr. Benjamín Durán, CVHEC executive director. 

The annual CVHEC Summit is presented by the consortium Board of Directors – made up of the chancellors, presidents and campus directors of the 28 higher education institutions – with main funding support from College Futures Foundation. Last year for the first time sponsors were secured to help ensure the growth of the event. 

“Our board, made up of the valley’s higher ed leadership, is in full gear on its current new strategies,” Durán said. “We anticipate very meaningful discussions regarding how we will continue to increase our college going rate as well as ensure the best environment for the success of the 250,000-plus students served by our 28 member institutions.”

Following its board meeting Thursday afternoon, the chief executives of the valley’s colleges relax at the reception that night before stepping in full force at the summit Friday with colleagues, partners and community supporters for interaction and discussions while showcasing education issues pertinent to the consortium’s 10-county service region.

The 2026 summit drew between 150-200 higher education officials and educators, legislators and partner representatives.

The consortium was incorporated Aug. 5 2002 after then-Fresno State President John D. Welty began marshaling the valley’s college leaders to unite and work towards common goals beginning in 1999.

In a video documenting the CVHEC story released earlier this spring, he said students in the Central Valley have benefited and that CVHEC is positioned to do even more.

“To current presidents and future presidents, keep it alive,” said Welty who retired in 2013 after 22 years as Fresno State’s seventh president.  “Keep looking at how you can work together because higher education needs to play a major role in the future of Central California.”

Additional details about the summit, including registration info, will be available in upcoming CVHEC newsletters as well as CVHEC social media platforms and the consortium website.