Want to present at the 2026 NCCEP/GEAR UP Annual Conference taking place from July 19–22 in Washington, DC? We are accepting proposals to present via our Request for Proposals (RFP).

The NCCEP/GEAR UP Annual Conference is the national convening of professionals, parents, students, policymakers, and community partners who support GEAR UP programs and the students they serve.

All event times are scheduled in ET.

Come ready to participate! Discussion Labs are an opportunity to share, learn, and problem-solve together.

Have you noticed shifts in how families engage with schools and GEAR UP? Whether you’ve been working with families for years or are new to the field, join us to explore trends and brainstorm how to adjust services to meet families where they’re at. Come for ideas to refresh services in time for the new year!

NCCEP’s Family Engagement Advisory Committee will facilitate this conversation-based meeting.

All event times are scheduled in ET.

Come ready to participate! Discussion Labs are an opportunity to share, learn, and problem-solve together.

Join this interactive session to collaboratively assess and improve how we communicate within our teams. Led by members of NCCEP’s Communications Advisory Committee, it's a chance to step back, share practical successes, and identify areas where we can be more efficient and effective.

All event times are scheduled in ET.

Join to learn all about the new Study Lab platform! Redesigned with input from the GEAR UP community, learn about the changes, the courses, and how to use the platform.

All event times are scheduled in ET.

Come ready to participate! Discussion Labs are an opportunity to share, learn, and problem-solve together.

National GEAR UP Week is more than just a celebration that happens once a year, it is an opportunity to advocate, activate, and celebrate GEAR UP and your successes. Join us to brainstorm and share ideas on how to keep this momentum throughout the year within all student programming.  

NCCEP’s Student Engagement Advisory Committee will facilitate this conversation-based meeting.

All event times are scheduled in ET.

Join us for a session on how Everfi's free digital learning resources can strengthen your college and career readiness initiatives. Explore how its curriculum supports GEAR UP goals—from financial literacy and STEM to health & wellness and workforce development.

We’ll spotlight a case study from Iredell-Statesville Schools, which integrated Everfi into their GEAR UP grant to secure funding and deliver strong student outcomes.

Whether enhancing current programming or preparing for future grants, this webinar offers actionable insights and tools to support your mission.

 Key Takeaways: 

• Explore Everfi's suite of digital resources aligned to GEAR UP priorities 

• Hear directly from Iredell-Statesville Schools on their grant success story 

• Discover strategies to integrate Everfi into your GEAR UP programming

All event times are scheduled in ET.

Interested in presenting at the 2026 NCCEP/GEAR UP Annual Conference in Washington, DC, July 19–22?

Join Adriana Feijoo and Dr. Katie Hill for an informative session on the Request for Proposals process and learn how you can submit a successful proposal!

All event times are scheduled in ET.

Come ready to participate! Discussion Labs are an opportunity to share, learn, and problem-solve together.

The beginning of the school year is full of energy, excitement, and possibility - and it’s a great time to kick off family engagement with your best foot forward! Join us to brainstorm ways to partner with schools to incorporate GEAR UP into events and early outreach strategies to start engaging with families.

NCCEP’s Family Engagement Advisory Committee will facilitate this conversation-based meeting.

All event times are scheduled in ET.

NCCEP committees include a diverse group of volunteer members that help engage the community, share their expertise for professional development, and offer input to NCCEP on programs and services.

Most committees meet monthly via Zoom. Committee members contribute 1 – 2 hours per month over a 2-year term, from October 1 to September 30.

Learning Lab participants attend live virtual sessions with a small group of peers while also taking online courses on their own time. The three-month fall session begins September 8.

• Onboarding Learning Lab: Successfully start a new role with GEAR UP by gaining skills, knowledge, and connections.

• College Advising Learning Lab: Learn how to help students research, apply to, and select the college that fits their needs.

Join us for a deeper look at 2025 National GEAR UP Week: Planting Seeds, Growing a Nation. We’ll reflect on the meaning behind this year’s theme and share ways to make your celebration impactful and inspiring.

This webinar builds on the presentation from the 2025 NCCEP/GEAR UP Annual Conference and will offer practical tools, ideas, and guidance from NCCEP and Communications Advisory Committee . Whether you're just starting to plan or looking to take things to the next level, we’re here to help you create a powerful and engaging GEAR UP Week.

All event times are scheduled in ET.

Going to the NCCEP/GEAR UP Annual Conference in July? Join this webinar to learn about the conference, review how to use the planning tools, and cover best practices and tips. We have a tool to share and will also have time for Q&A.

All event times are scheduled in ET.

Come ready to participate! Discussion Labs are an opportunity to share, learn, and problem-solve together.

GEAR UP programming in middle school is where seeds of college and career readiness are first planted—but how do we ensure they take root and thrive? This discussion lab invites participants to explore the unique opportunities and challenges of implementing GEAR UP in middle school settings.

Through a facilitated dialogue, attendees will share strategies for increasing early student engagement, building school partnerships, and aligning programming with developmental needs.

 NCCEP’s Student Engagement Advisory Committee will facilitate this conversation-based meeting.

All event times are scheduled in ET.

Come ready to participate! Discussion Labs are an opportunity to share, learn, and problem-solve together.

Did you forget to include families in your summer programming? Don’t worry! Join us to brainstorm and share just-in-time strategies to incorporate families into your summer programming this year. We’ll also dive into strategies you can use in a more systematic way for future summer programs. Come ready to share your ideas, what you’ve tried, and learn from others.

NCCEP’s Family Engagement Advisory Committee will facilitate this conversation-based meeting.

All event times are scheduled in ET.

The annual NCCEP/GEAR UP Leadership Awards recognizes those individuals for their contributions to GEAR UP as a whole.

There are four categories for awards: (1) Professional Leaders of the Year (one executive-level and one providing direct services), (2) Student Leader of the Year, (3) Family Leader of the Year, and (4) Alum Leader of the Year.

All events are scheduled in Eastern Time.

The District Leadership Institute for Systemic Change is NCCEP’s premier leadership development program focused on fostering systemic change in GEAR UP schools and districts to maximize GEAR UP’s impact on school change and student outcomes.

Designed in partnership with Inflexion, district- and state-level leaders and college access professionals will receive three full days of in-person professional training, optional coaching calls, and virtual touch points throughout the six-month program.

The GEAR UP Good News campaign is all about spreading the word about the impact of GEAR UP - including engaging your local media outlets.

Unsure about the difference between a press release and a media advisory? Curious how to build relationships with your local media outlets? Join members of the Communications Advisory Committee for a brief presentation and plenty of time to answer your questions.

All event times are scheduled in ET.

Do you have lingering questions about the Leadership Award nomination process?

Join us for office hours to get your questions answered. We’ll also share valuable tips and strategies for submitting a competitive nomination. Don’t miss your chance to get your GEAR UP leader recognized on the national stage at the 2025 NCCEP/GEAR UP Annual Conference.

All event times are scheduled in ET.

Come ready to participate! Discussion Labs are an opportunity to share, learn, and problem-solve together.

Join members of the Communications Advisory Committee and the GEAR UP Alumni Association to discuss how GEAR UP programs can connect with and integrate alumni into programming. Be prepared to share your ideas about how to get contact information and communicate with alumni as well as ways to build a community of supportive GEAR UP alumni.

All event times are scheduled in ET.

Are you making the most of the Quad—NCCEP members' virtual community? Connect with peers, access resources, and join role-specific discussions to elevate your work.

Join our live webinar for a guided tour, feature tips, and a live demo. Whether you're new to GEAR UP, the Quad, or just looking to integrate it into your routine, this session is for you. NCCEP members get exclusive access—don’t miss this chance to connect, collaborate, and enhance your GEAR UP experience.

All event times are scheduled in ET.

In Learning Labs, participants attend live virtual sessions with a small group of peers while also taking online courses on their own time.

• Coordinator Learning Lab: Explore common challenges facing new GEAR UP professionals who lead programs at school sites.

• College Success Learning Lab: Learn how to help students succeed in the first year of college.

Come ready to participate! Discussion Labs are an opportunity to share, learn, and problem-solve together.

During this Discussion Lab, we will explore how to design and deliver impactful programming that meets the needs of GEAR UP students for successful outcomes. Come ready to share your ideas, past event resources, and learn from others in the community.  

Join NCCEP’s Student Engagement Committee for this conversation-based meeting.

All event times are scheduled in ET.

Join Our Final Office Hours Session This Friday, January 24th!

The NCCEP team invites you to participate in a special session to address your questions about the GEAR UP program application. This is your opportunity to engage in unstructured conversations with our team, covering topics such as program design, implementation, and the grant writing process.

While we may not have all the answers, we're here to support you to the best of our ability! Simply join the session, raise your hand, and let us know how we can help.

• Jan 24, 2025 12:30 PM (ET)

All event times are scheduled in ET.

Come ready to participate! Discussion Labs are an opportunity to share, learn, and problem-solve together.

During this Discussion Lab, we will explore how to incorporate financial literacy topics into GEAR UP family programming across age groups. Come ready to share your ideas, what you’ve tried, and learn from others.

Join NCCEP’s Family Engagement Advisory Committee for this conversation-based meeting.

All event times are scheduled in ET.

This webinar is for prospective State and Partnership applicants preparing for the 2025 GEAR UP competition. We will focus on the GEAR UP competitive priorities, evidence standards, demonstrating a rationale, and logic models.

All event times are scheduled in ET.

Interested in presenting at the 2025 NCCEP/GEAR UP Annual Conference taking place from July 13 - 16 in San Francisco, CA? We are accepting proposals to present via our Request for Proposals (RFP).

The NCCEP/GEAR UP Annual Conference is the national convening of professionals, parents, students, policymakers, and community partners who support GEAR UP programs and the students they serve.

All event times are scheduled in ET.

This webinar is for prospective State and Partnership applicants preparing for the 2025 GEAR UP competition. We will focus on adapting to the new GEAR UP selection criteria, effectively navigating the peer-review, and common application pitfalls.

All event times are scheduled in ET.