CONFERENCE THEME

Strengthening Excellence at HBCUs: Developing Faculty, Staff, and Academic Leaders for What’s Now and What’s Next 

DATE & LOCATION

October 29 - October 31, 2026

​Renaissance Charlotte Southpark Hotel | 5501 Carnegie Blvd. | Charlotte, NC 28209

FOCUS OF 2026 CONFERENCE

This conference advances institutional excellence across HBCUs by strengthening the professional growth, leadership capacity, and instructional effectiveness of faculty, staff, and academic leaders. Grounded in community-centered collaboration and knowledge sharing, it supports the HBCU Faculty Development Network’s mission to promote effective teaching, student success, and leadership readiness in a changing higher education landscape. 

As technology evolves, student demographics shift, and expectations for equity and accountability increase, HBCUs must equip educators and leaders with strategies and support to thrive. This conference invites participants to address current realities and prepare for emerging challenges and opportunities. 

Through interactive sessions and evidence-based practices, participants will explore mentoring, digital fluency, research sustainability, inclusive leadership, and holistic well-being—while honoring the historic mission and resilience of HBCUs. The conference fosters shared commitment to strengthening institutional capacity and cultivating environments where educators and leaders excel. 

THE HBCU FACULTY DEVELOPMENT NETWORK

Ensuring quality in higher education has been a cornerstone of the HBCU Faculty Development Network Annual Conference. For over 30 years, the HBCU Faculty Development Network has covered a variety of programs for administrators, faculty, and staff, aimed at improving student learning outcomes. Programs include (but are not limited to) quality management, curriculum development, and faculty development.

​​CONFERENCE DURATION AND FORMAT

The conference offers three days of workshops, concurrent sessions, and plenary sessions. The conference provides an excellent opportunity for participants to network with colleagues; exchange strategies proven successful in teaching and learning and develop practical skills that can be put to immediate use upon return to their respective institutions. Attendees will take away from this conference useful information that works and will assist them in enhancing their current role.

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION 

We cordially invite you to participate in this 33^rd Annual HBCU Faculty Development Network Conference to be held on October 29 –October 31, 2026. We invite faculty, administrators, faculty developers, and personnel of all areas that support an academic program to submit proposals for presentation at this year's conference that support the theme: Strengthening Excellence at HBCUs: Developing Faculty, Staff, and Academic Leaders for What’s Now and What’s Next.

Submission Deadline: August 15, 2026

For additional information, contact:

Laurette B. Foster, Executive Director | lbfoster@pvamu.edu | 936.261.3640