Nominations are due by Friday, May 8th, 2026

The annual NCCEP/GEAR UP Leadership Awards recognize 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

(4) Alum Leader of the Year

Click here to learn more and to nominate a GEAR UP colleague, student, family member, or alum.

Click here to learn more and register today!

In 2026, our conference theme highlights how we continue with our mission to serve students. The conference brings together professionals, parents, students, policymakers, and community partners who support GEAR UP. The event includes inspiring plenary sessions, peer-led concurrent sessions, and networking opportunities. Attendees will gain ideas, strategies, and tools to better serve GEAR UP students. 

Lighting the Way reminds us that even…

Click here to register you and your GEAR UP team!

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

Want to meet families where they’re at? Consider places to host GEAR UP events to meet families in their community. Join us in this conversation to brainstorm locations to host events to meet families where they are.

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

Click Here to Register!

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 2026 NCCEP/GEAR UP Annual Conference.

Click Here to Begin

The NCCEP website is your GEAR UP hub, and we're redesigning it to better serve you and your team.

Before we dive in, we want to hear directly from the community: What's working? What's missing? What would make it a resource you actually come back to?

It takes less than 5 minutes — and every response shapes what we build.

Click here to register today!

Come ready to participate! 

Virtual Office Hours with NCCEP's Family Engagement Committee is an opportunity to ask burning questions and get real advice. Attendees should bring a big question or project they are working on for which they are seeking input. 

In an open format, the group will share ideas, strategies, and advice to help each other enhance GEAR UP family engagement programming.

Click here to register you and your GEAR UP team!

Join this interactive session to discuss the critical communication elements for stronger partnerships with your schools, organizations, or even families.

Led by members of NCCEP’s Communications Advisory Committee, you’ll reflect on who your partnerships are, what your grant and partner each give and get, and how best to communicate to reach your shared goals. 

Come ready to participate! Discussion Labs are an opportunity to share, learn, and…

Click here to enroll by Wednesday, February 25, 2026

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

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

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

To everyone who joined the National GEAR UP Academy, thank you for your commitment to students, families, and communities across the country. Your participation strengthens a national network of leaders dedicated to expanding college and career access for first-generation and underrepresented students.

This year’s Academy, held in an online format from February 2–5, 2026, was designed to build the skills, knowledge, and practices of GEAR UP leaders, practitioners, and partners. Through…