2026 CCCI Summer Conference Recap

The College Career Consortium of Illinois welcomed career development professionals from across the state to its 2026 Summer Conference, held June 22–23 at Loyola University’s Retreat and Ecology Campus in Woodstock, Illinois.

Set within the campus’s 98 acres of prairies, woodlands, and walking trails, the two-day conference provided a relaxed setting for professional learning, collaboration, and community building. Representatives from 13 colleges and universities participated, including Augustana College, Elmhurst University, Illinois Wesleyan University, Lewis University, North Central College, and the University of St. Francis.

Conference Highlights

Programming focused on the evolving role of career services and the importance of building strong, institution-wide career ecosystems. Highlights included:

  • Career Strategy in the Accountability Era and Promoting the Value of Career Services, presented by higher education strategist Rebekah Paré
  • A session on integrating vocation, purpose, and career development, led by Marnie Steach and Dr. Lori Walters of Monmouth College
  • A practical workshop on using the Business Model Canvas for career development planning, facilitated by Laura Kestner-Ricketts
  • Engineering Connection: Building Social Capital with Design Thinking, presented by Dr. Maribeth Hearn
  • Committee roundtables, new-member orientation, and a collaborative “Dream Session” focused on CCCI priorities, leadership, and plans for the coming year

Attendees also enjoyed an ecology tour of the retreat campus, informal networking throughout the conference, and a group dinner in downtown Woodstock. The gathering offered valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, strengthen relationships, and learn from colleagues working across Illinois higher education.

The conference concluded with the introduction of CCCI’s 2026–2027 leadership team and committee structure, setting the stage for another year of collaboration, professional development, employer engagement, technology sharing, and student-focused programming.

Looking Ahead to Summer 2027

Thank you to everyone who presented, participated, and helped make the 2026 Summer Conference a success. Planning for the 2027 CCCI Summer Conference is already on the horizon.

Watch this page and CCCI communications for announcements about next summer’s dates, location, program, and registration. We look forward to gathering again in 2027 to continue learning, connecting, and advancing career development across Illinois.