2026 Conference On Educational Leadership
Wilmington Convention Center
10 Convention Center Dr.
Wilmington, NC 28401
March 25 - 27, 2026
NCASA thanks all who attended the 2026 Conference on Educational Leadership (CEL) that took place from March 25 – 27, 2026 in Wilmington, NC! The year 2026 held special significance as NCASA celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding in 1976.
** NOTE: For those who registered for this event, all presentations are avilable in our 2026 CEL Whova App for the next 90-days. For questions or access issues contact Rick Scoggins, NCASA Communications Manager at [email protected]
MAKE SURE YOU MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR OUR EVENT NEXT YEAR IN CARY!
NCASA was honored to have Dr. Miguel A. Cardona, the 12th U.S. Secretary of Education, as the keynote speaker for this event. Dr. Cardona shared an inspirational story about the importance that public education played in his life, what the future holds for public education, and what educators can do to meet the current challenges facing public education in our state and nation.
CHECK OUT SOME KEY MOMENTS FROM THIS YEAR’S EVENT
SPECIAL MOMENTS FROM THE EVENT
Three North Carolina Public School Leaders Honored For Leadership
Three public school leaders – Dr. Ron Hargrave, Executive Director of the Sandhills Regional Education Consortium; Dr. Rhonda Schuhler, retired Superintendent of Franklin County Schools; and Dr. Tony Jackson, Superintendent of Chatham County Schools – were awarded the North Carolina Association of School Administrators’ (NCASA) 2026 Raymond Sarbaugh Leadership Award during NCASA’s 2026 Conference on Educational Leadership.
Outgoing NCASA Executive Director Named 2026 Champion For Children
NCASA honored Executive Director Katherine W. Joyce as the 2026 Champion for Children Award recipient during the 2026 Conference on Educational Leadership for her many years of advocacy for NC Public Schools.
The North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA) honored North Carolina Association of School Administrators (NCASA) Executive Director Katherine W. Joyce as the Clifford Winslow Friend of Education Award recipient during NCASA’s 2026 Conference on Educational Leadership.
SNAPSHOTS FROM THIS YEAR’S EVENT!
NCASA produced an informative documentary outlining the evolution of public education in North Carolina from 1976 through 2026. From desegregation to the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, this documentary highlights the major issues that have shaped the state’s public schools the past 50 years and features some of the key leaders who have been involved with each wave of changes affecting K-12 staff and students. View the documentary HERE.