A Cross-Sector Collaboration
KPCEL’s Annual Conference serves as the premier gathering for leaders from research institutions, higher education, nonprofit organizations, service providers, and K-12 schools and networks for three days of collaborative learning, meaningful dialogue, and partnership building.
This unique conference breaks down silos by intentionally connecting:
- Researchers sharing cutting-edge findings and theoretical frameworks
- Higher Education Faculty preparing the next generation of educators and leaders
- Nonprofit Leaders and service providers supporting character initiatives in communities nationwide
- K-12 Practitioners bringing classroom and school-level expertise
In addition to insightful presentations, our conference emphasizes interactive engagement through table dialogues, hands-on workshops, and collaborative sessions. Participants don’t just attend—they contribute, share challenges, exchange proven strategies, and leave with both practical tools and lasting professional relationships.
Each year’s conference explores a timely theme that advances the field while addressing current educational challenges. Through research presentations, case studies, and practice-focused workshops, attendees gain insights that are immediately applicable to their work in character education.
In an educational landscape often divided between theory and practice, our Annual Conference creates rare common ground. Here, university researchers learn from classroom teachers, nonprofit leaders share resources with school administrators, and innovative practices are tested against rigorous research—all in service of better preparing young people for lives of purpose and contribution.
Join the conversation that’s shaping the future of character education.
New Features for the 2026 Annual Conference
Launching Communities of Practice
Through all of the feedback we’ve gathered, we heard your desire to connect more frequently around more specific goals. We’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be launching Communities of Practice during the final conference session, Wednesday, March 4 from 10 – 11:45 a.m. Please plan your travel accordingly—you won’t want to miss this opportunity to shape ongoing collaborative communities beyond the conference!
Seeds & Needs Session
Seeds are the exciting projects, ideas brewing, and work others want to develop further. Needs are where they’re looking for support, resources, or fresh perspectives.
Browse the tables and displays and see what catches your eye. Stop by spaces that intrigue you and ask questions.
Your expertise might be exactly what someone needs to move their project forward, or you might find the resource or collaborator you’ve been looking for.
Link Lounges
We know the value of any great conference offers more than wonderful sessions and keynotes—it’s the conversations that happen in between. The magic lies in the connections you make, the collaborations that spark, and the ideas you exchange with colleagues who truly understand your work.
Throughout the venue, you’ll find comfortable spaces designed for exactly these moments. Pull up a chair, grab a coffee, and dive into the kind of meaningful conversation that reminds you why you do this work. We encourage you to take full advantage of the Link Lounges during your time at the conference.
