Reflecting on My First NCAN Conference

At the beginning of September, I had the privilege of attending the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) conference for the very first time. It was not only my first NCAN, but also Xcalibur’s debut as a vendor, and what an incredible experience it was.

From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with warmth and enthusiasm. The conference brought together an inspiring community of professionals dedicated to college access and success. It was wonderful to see familiar faces from the GEAR UP community, but I also connected with TRIo professionals, foundations that help fund college access efforts, and even teachers who impact students every day. NCAN provided the space to connect with so many amazing people from across the country, and even a few across the world, all unified in the mission of improving and expanding college access.

One of the most memorable highlights was helping NCAN celebrate its 30th birthday in style. Picture this: hundreds of conference attendees forming a human party line parade, led by an energetic New Orleans band, marching down the street to the House of Blues.

It was festive, joyful, and a perfect reflection of the vibrant community NCAN has cultivated over three decades.

As I look back, I’m grateful for the new friendships formed, the invaluable lessons learned, and the opportunities that lie ahead. I can’t wait to attend again, to continue building on these connections, and to see the friends we made this year.

(Photo credit NCAN)

Here’s to many more years of collaboration, innovation, and celebration with NCAN! 🎉