Featured Speakers | Schedule At-A-Glance | Hotel
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The Texas Education Research Consortium brings together hundreds of students and professionals representing school districts, community colleges, and universities across the state to attend our Texas Student Leadership Summit. Our Summit proudly educates and engages middle school to college students on various topics related to leadership, college and career readiness, identity, fellowship, and more. This year’s summit theme is Invest in Yourself: Listen, Learn & Grow. Additionally, we are excited to announce our featured speakers for the Summit: University of North Texas at Dallas Interim Dean of the School of Education, Dr. Patrick Valdez will serve as our emcee; CoolSpeak’s Ernesto Mejia as our keynote speaker; and Hip Hop Grew Up founder, Bavu Blakes, as our featured artist. Do not wait, register today!
2026 Featured Speakers
Schedule At-A-Glance
Day 1 – Thursday, August 6, 2026
| TIME | DESCRIPTION | LOCATION |
| 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Check-in: Registration | WCP 1.402 (Auditorium) |
| 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Pre-Summit Student Convening | 2.412 (Ballroom) |
| 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM | Pre-summit Lunch | 2.412 (Ballroom) |
| 12:45 PM – 1:05 PM | End of Lunch: Clean Up & Transition | Transition to WCP 1.402 (Auditorium) |
| 1:05 PM – 2:50 PM | Official Welcome & Keynote Address | WCP 1.402 (Auditorium) |
| 2:50 PM – 3:00 PM | Transition to Workshops | |
| 3: 00 PM – 3:50 PM | Concurrent Workshops: Session I | WCP & RLP |
| 3:50 PM – 4:00 PM | Transition to Dinner | |
| 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM | Networking Reception & Dinner | WCP 2.412 (Ballroom) |
| 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM | Featured Performance | WCP 2.412 (Ballroom) |
| 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM | Optional: Campus Tour |
Day 2 – Friday, August 7, 2026
| TIME | DESCRIPTION | LOCATION |
| 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM | Continental Breakfast | WCP 2.412 (Ballroom) |
| 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM | Welcome & Roll Call | WCP 1.402 (Auditorium) |
| 9:30 AM – 9:40 AM | Transition to Workshops II | WCP & RLP |
| 9:40 AM – 10:30 AM | Concurrent Workshops: Session II | WCP & RLP |
| 10:30 AM – 10:40AM | Transition to Workshop Session III | |
| 10:40 AM – 11:30 AM | Concurrent Workshops: Session III | WCP & RLP |
| 11:30 AM – 11:40 AM | Transition to Lunch | |
| 11:40 AM -12:30 PM (Concurrent) | Lunch | WCP 2.412 (Ballroom) |
| 11:40 AM -12:30 PM (Concurrent) | College & Career Resource Fair | WCP 2.304 (Black Box) |
| 12:40 PM – 12:50 PM | Wrap Up & Transition | WCP 2.412 (Ballroom) |
| 12:50 PM – 1:20 PM | Western Governors University Panel | WCP 2.412 (Ballroom) |
| 1:20 PM – 1:40 PM | Closing Keynote | WCP 2.412 (Ballroom) |
| 1:40 PM – 1:55 PM | Final Thoughts | WCP 2.412 (Ballroom) |
| 1:55 PM – 2:00 PM | Wrap Up |
Hotel Recommendations
Hampton Inn & Suites Austin @ The University/Capitol (1.5 miles from campus)
Hilton Garden Inn Austin University Capitol District (1 mile from campus)
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Austin Downtown Capitol (1.5 miles from campus)
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Austin – University Area (1 mile from campus)
Hyatt House Austin/Downtown (2.5 miles from campus)
