2026 UC|CSU Collaborative Summit — The Power of Connection in Adolescence
UC|CSU Collaborative 2026 Summit

The Power of Connection in Adolescence: Reimagining Schools and Communities for Connected Learning

Join educators, faculty, administrators, and researchers in child development for a conversation about how schools and communities can strengthen the social and relational skills that support learning, well-being, and future success for adolescents with individual learning differences.

Track A: From School to Community Redesigning Inclusive 6–16 Learning Environments
Track B: From Access to Agency Building Digital Equity and Well-Being for Diverse Learners

Each session features a moderated discussion with developmental scientists and practitioners in education or behavioral and mental health, connecting research evidence with real-world practice.

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Summit Details

Join us online

A free, virtual summit focused on connection, inclusion, digital equity, and adolescent learning.

Date Saturday, November 7, 2026
Time 9:00 AM–12:00 PM PT
Platform Virtual — Zoom
Cost Free
Featured Keynote

Supporting the Connecting Brain During Adolescence

A keynote exploring the developmental science behind connection during adolescence.

Andrew Fuligni, Ph.D.

Supporting the Connecting Brain During Adolescence

Speaker: Andrew Fuligni, Ph.D.

Decades of research shows that adolescence–approximately ages 10 to 25–is a period of remarkable opportunity. The cognitive, physical, and psychological changes that take place during these years help adolescents to learn from their environments, experiences, and relationships in ways that can profoundly shape their trajectories and prepare them to succeed in adulthood. Dr. Fuligni will share how insights from developmental science can help generate new ways of thinking about the challenges and opportunities our youth face and ultimately advance science-inspired solutions, systems, and support.

Conference Schedule

Saturday, November 7, 2026

All times are Pacific Time. The opening sessions and keynote are shared; Track A and Track B sessions run concurrently.

Schedule at a glance: The summit begins with welcome remarks and a keynote, followed by two concurrent tracks and closing remarks.
2026 UC|CSU Collaborative Summit schedule. All times are Pacific Time.
Time (PT) Track A
From School to Community:
Redesigning Inclusive 6–16 Learning Environments		 Track B
From Access to Agency:
Building Digital Equity and Well-Being for Diverse Learners
9:00–9:05 AM Welcome & Introductions Speaker: Jennie Grammer, Ph.D., UC|CSU Collaborative
9:05–9:15 AM Opening Remarks: Setting the Policy Landscape Speakers: Linda Darling-Hammond, Ed.D., CA State Board of Education and
Alison Yoshimoto-Towery, Ed.D., UC|CSU Collaborative
9:15–9:55 AM Keynote: Supporting the Connecting Brain During Adolescence Speaker: Andrew Fuligni, Ph.D., UCLA
Moderator: Kathy Do, Ph.D., UC|CSU Collaborative
9:55–10:00 AM Summit Overview Speaker: Kathy Do, Ph.D., UC|CSU Collaborative
10:00–10:05 AM Transition
10:05–10:50 AM Designing Inclusive Behavior Supports for Every Classroom Speakers: Elizabeth Redcay, Ph.D., University of Maryland
and Michelle Dean, Ph.D., CSU Channel Islands
Moderator: Sara Werner Juárez, Ph.D., Cal Poly Pomona
Rethinking Learning, Access, and Belonging in the Age of AI Speakers: Mimi Ito, Ph.D., UC Irvine
and Elena Dukhovny, Ph.D., CSU East Bay
Moderator: Kai Greene, Ph.D., CSU Dominguez Hills
10:50–10:55 AM Transition
10:55–11:40 AM Expanding Post-Secondary Pathways for Diverse Learners Speakers: Kristin Powers, Ph.D., NCSP, CSU Long Beach
and Stephanie Coleman, SCOE
Moderator: Kristopher Yeager, Ph.D., CSU Channel Islands
Preparing Diverse Learners for Digital Wellness, Safety, and Informed Use Speaker: Sunny Xun Liu, Ph.D., Stanford
11:40–11:45 AM Transition
11:45 AM–12:00 PM Closing Remarks Speaker: Kathy Do, Ph.D., UC|CSU Collaborative

Speakers
    Meet the Speakers

    Speaker Lineup

    Connect with leading researchers, educators, and practitioners advancing connected learning and adolescent development.

    Headshot of Jennie Grammer, Ph.D.

    Jennie Grammer, Ph.D.

    Faculty Director, UC|CSU Collaborative for Neuroscience, Diversity, and Learning
    Associate Professor, UCLA School of Education and Information Studies

    Headshot of Andrew Fuligni, Ph.D.

    Andrew Fuligni, Ph.D.

    Professor, Department of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA
    Co-Executive Director, UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent
    Headshot of Kathy Do, Ph.D.

    Kathy Do, Ph.D.

    Assistant Project Scientist,
    UC|CSU Collaborative for Neuroscience, Diversity, and Learning
    UCLA California Institute on Law, Neuroscience, and Education

    Headshot of Alison Yoshimoto-Towery, Ed.D.

    Alison Yoshimoto-Towery, Ed.D.

    Executive Director,
    UC|CSU Collaborative for Neuroscience, Diversity, and Learning
    UCLA California Institute on Law, Neuroscience, and Education

    Headshot of Elizabeth Redcay, Ph.D.

    Elizabeth Redcay, Ph.D.

    Professor of Psychology,
    University of Maryland

    Headshot of Michelle Dean, Ph.D.

    Michelle Dean, Ph.D.

    Professor, Special Education,
    CSU Channel Islands

    Headshot of Sara Werner Juarez, Ph.D., BCBA

    Sara Werner Juarez, Ph.D., BCBA

    Associate Professor, Special Education,
    Cal Poly Pomona
    Headshot of Mimi Ito

    Mimi Ito

    Director, Connected Learning Lab
    Professor in Residence, Department of Informatics, Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences, UC Irvine

    Headshot of Elena Dukhovny, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

    Elena Dukhovny, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

    Professor, Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences,
    California State University East Bay

    Headshot of Kai Greene, Ph.D.

    Kai Greene, Ph.D.

    Assistant Professor, Department of Special Education,
    California State University, Dominguez Hills

    Headshot of Kristin Powers, Ph.D., NCSP

    Kristin Powers, Ph.D., NCSP

    Professor, CSU Long Beach
    Co-Director, Think Beach

    Headshot of Stephanie Coleman, M. SpEd

    Stephanie Coleman, M. SpEd

    Coordinator of Inclusive Practices and Integrated Systems,
    Sacramento COE

    Headshot of Kristopher Yeager, Ph.D.

    Kristopher Yeager, Ph.D.

    Assistant Professor, Special Education,
    CSU Channel Islands

    Headshot of Sunny Xun Liu, Ph.D.

    Sunny Xun Liu, Ph.D.

    Senior Research Scholar, Stanford Tech Impact & Policy Center
    Director of Research, Stanford Social Media Lab

    Questions?

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Everything you need to know about the 2026 UC|CSU Collaborative Summit.

    What is the UC|CSU Collaborative 2026 Summit?

    The 2026 Summit is the UC|CSU Collaborative’s annual summit, bringing together educators, administrators, and researchers. This year’s theme is The Power of Connection in Adolescence: Reimagining Schools and Communities for Connected Learning.

    Where is the 2026 Summit happening?

    The Summit is completely virtual and will be hosted on Arraya Learning.

    How do I register?

    Create a free Arraya Learning account, then visit the registration page and select Register.

    What is Arraya Learning?

    Arraya Learning is a centralized, research-based resource hub developed and vetted by leading experts across the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems. Developed by the UC|CSU Collaborative, Arraya Learning is completely free to users.

    Learn more about Arraya Learning.

    Is it free to register and attend?

    Yes. The 2026 Summit is free to register and attend.

    Ready to join us?

    Register for the free 2026 UC|CSU Collaborative Summit.

    Go to Registration Page