For those working in higher education, the summer represents an opportunity to rest and reflect, to explore and engage, or most often some combination of the two. It can also be a good time to thoughtfully plan ahead for busy Fall semesters to ensure you’re prioritizing your own goals and aspirations.
Campus Compact’s professional development programs provide community-engaged professionals opportunities across the spectrum and for all career stages:
Engaged Scholars Initiative
Applications are open for the ‘26-27 cohort! A year-long professional development experience designed specifically for faculty and staff who are early in their career. Workshops and peer connection opportunities deepen participant’s understanding of community engaged practices while networking with exemplars in the field. Learn more and apply →
Community Engagement Professional Credential
A comprehensive learning experience that equips participants with knowledge and tools through five 16-week self-paced virtual courses. Recently overhauled and currently finishing a pilot cohort, course registration will open in July for Fall ‘26. Curious? Watch a recorded webinar that serves as a program orientation! Explore →
Changemakers Retreat
Registration is closed for the upcoming 2026 Changemakers Retreat at Towson University and we will be pausing the retreat in 2027, due to our annual conference moving to June. This retreat is an immersive, four-day experience designed for community engagement professionals who want to push boundaries. Learn more →
Mid-Career Learning Community
Our ‘26-27 cohort is underway after their opening retreat at Compact26—meet this year’s participants. This year-long cohort for seasoned faculty and staff is centered around capacity-building and deepening problem-solving skills together while learning from leaders in the field. Learn more →
Translating theory into practice
In addition to our regular programming, Campus Compact engages with partner organizations, authors, thought leaders, and more to move the field forward, share best practices, and turn what we know into what we do. See below for upcoming opportunities this summer:
The Community-Centric Path to Rebuilding Trust in Higher Education
This new book authored by Campus Compact Fellow Byron P. White offers a bold alternative to the customer-focused strategies many colleges seek to regain stability. Be on the lookout for a book launch event in June. Learn more & buy the book →
Exploring Equitable Community-Campus Relationships
A recent Campus Compact and AAC&U publication offers replicable approaches for centering equity in community–campus relationships. A webinar series that takes a deep dive into the book will begin this Summer. Learn more & buy the book →
Showcasing the 2026 Campus Compact Impact Award Winners
A webinar series in August exploring best practices from the field. Hear directly from the winners about how their award-winning partnerships and programs have taken shape and the impact they've made. Meet this year’s winners →
Story Seeds: From Personal Narrative to Public Practice
Join author and community-engaged professional Megan Lovely in this four-part series exploring various aspects of her recent book, Story Seeds: Growing Home at the Farmers Market, available now. Learn more & buy the book →
"We like to think of Campus Compact as a professional home for community engagement professionals and practitioners because we because we take a big-tent approach. Programs like the Engaged Scholars Initiative are tailored for emerging community engagement professionals, while our Mid-Career Learning Community focuses on individuals who have been doing this work longer and are more firmly established in their roles. We also provide opportunities for people at various stages of their careers to come together for leadership development, such as our Changemakers Retreat. I am extremely proud of our new work with the Credential Program to focus more on the need for continuing education opportunities for people in our field. We want to help you be the most effective you—no matter your goals, however you identify, and with whatever brought you to this work."
Nicole Springer
Vice President, Professional Development & Inclusive Excellence
Campus Compact
Join for yourself, stay for the connections
Professional development is about your goals, your opportunities, and your challenges—but at Campus Compact it’s also about building a professional network of likeminded peers engaged in work. Hear from program participants about what makes our approach so effective:
“I loved that I had a group that could serve as thought partners and problem solvers outside of weekly meetings and they were willing to share what they were doing at their institutions.”
— Mid-Career Learning Community participant
“Topics, facilitators, and other participants - all top notch and enjoyed my interaction with them.”
— Intercultural Development Learning Community participant
“We gained access to an excellent mix of theoretical and practical tools, with a generous helping of community-building, creativity and laughter. I would attend again in a heartbeat.”
— Changemakers Retreat participant
“Facilitators did a great job building community within both large group and small groups.”
— Intercultural Development Learning Community participant
“I've gotten so much out of this program. I know I learned and was mentally engaged in each session, even if I watched a recording of one I missed.”
— Mid-Career Learning Community participant
Not at a member institution? Let’s change that!
When your college or university joins Campus Compact, you become a member of a national network of more than 300 colleges and universities across 46 states, the District of Columbia, and Mexico. Member campuses gain access to exclusive professional development programs, resources, events, and opportunities that support you holistically—as a professional and human being. Learn more, become a member →