Higher Ed Hive: Pacific Northwest Summit 2026

The inaugural Higher Ed Hive: Pacific Northwest Summit is designed to bring together thought leaders, educators, and practitioners to critically engage with pressing challenges in higher education. Hosted by the Southwest Center for Human Relations Studies (SWCHRS) at the University of Oklahoma in partnership with Portland Community College, this initiative fosters regional collaboration, builds scholarly and practitioner networks, and catalyzes innovative solutions. The summit addresses eight thematic focus frames: Civic Discourse and Engagement, Financial Aid, Student Access and Opportunity, The Transition from Learning to Work, Pedagogy, Redefining and Reimagining the Academy, Leadership Development, Policy, and Ethics, and Student Leadership Development.