2025 Student Access Summit

Future Focused: Recognizing What Works, Reimagining What’s Next

Nov. 17, 2025 | The Campbell House, Lexington

You're invited to be part of a groundbreaking moment in education! CPE is hosting its first-ever Student Access Summit, and you won’t want to miss it. This dynamic event brings together educators, leaders and change-makers from across Kentucky's education sectors to collaborate on expanding access to postsecondary opportunities for all students.

You'll gain practical strategies, tools and resources to help students navigate the transition to and through college successfully. Plus, we’ll spotlight innovative solutions and celebrate real progress in closing access gaps. Be part of the movement shaping the future of student success!

Agenda and Location

The agenda for this in-person event will release over the coming weeks. Programming will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m. ET.   

It will take place at The Campbell House located on South Broadway in Lexington. There is not a lodging block associated with this event; however, rooms can be reserved at the hotel at: https://www.thecampbellhouse.com/accommodations.

Who would benefit from attending?

• K-12 access professionals (counselors, college/career advisors, FRYSCs, special education directors, dual credit coordinators, etc.)
• Campus student support professionals (advisors, admissions and enrollment counselors, TRIO staff, disability resource center coordinators, etc.)
• Secondary/Postsecondary administrators
• Professionals working with low-income families, first-generation college students, students with disabilities, and adult learners

How can I register?

Registration for this in-person event is limited. Take advantage of the early bird rate while available. Registration fee includes access to all sessions, networking opportunities, continental breakfast and hot lunch.

• Early bird registration rate for the first 75 registrations - $150/person
• Regular registration rate after until sold out - $200/person

Register

Payment is required before registration is confirmed. A copy of the receipt will be emailed to the payee upon completion; you will also have the option to download a copy.

If you have any technical issues, please try clearing your internet cache/cookies, closing the browser, then reopening the browser and trying again. If problems still persist try a different browser and/or contact heather.faesy@ky.gov.

Featured Speakers

Dr. Erwin Hess, Director of the Center for Innovation in College Admission, is a first-generation college graduate and brings more than 15 years of experience that spans higher education and the private sector. He has served in senior leadership roles at Amazon, Georgetown University, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Maryland. Hesse co-founded Admissions Gambit, an educational coaching service for high school students, college transfers, and graduate students. He holds a doctorate in education from Johns Hopkins University, a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Baltimore, and a bachelor’s degree in criminology from the University of Maryland. He is also a 2023 Obama Foundation USA Leader, a Johns Hopkins University Leadership Fellow, and a 2022 recipient of a NewSchools Venture Fund grant to pilot admission consulting for first-generation, low-income youth.

Dr. Joshua Sparks is a lecturer of Statistics and Data Science at the University of California, Los Angeles, and a proud alumnus of GEAR UP Kentucky. He was named the 2025 GEAR UP Alum Leader of the Year during the National Council for Community and Education Partners (NCCEP) Conference, which honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, commitment, and advocacy for GEAR UP and its mission to support first-generation, low-income students in their pursuit of higher education. He has remained deeply connected to GEAR UP, mentoring students, leading workshops, and participating in national advocacy efforts, including visits to Capitol Hill. Sparks, a first-generation college student, has earned multiple bachelor’s degrees from Eastern Kentucky University, master’s degrees from the University of Toronto, The George Washington University, and Vanderbilt University, and a Ph.D. in Statistics from The George Washington University.

Call for Proposals

Stay tuned for an opportunity to submit a session proposal for the 2025 Access Summit. Proposals should focus on effective, results-driven practices and innovation in areas such as:

• Advising models
• Early postsecondary opportunities
• Postsecondary admissions
• Strategies for eliminating barriers to postsecondary access for low-income, first generation or students with disabilities
• Transition to postsecondary
• Using AI or other online tools to support college and career advising

The link for the call for proposals will open Thurs., Aug 22.

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding the event, please email heather.faesy@ky.gov.