Commemorating CCID’s 50th Anniversary
Since 1976, CCID has been instrumental in enhancing and promoting international education – impacting policies, fostering partnerships, developing programs, and shaping curricula across community, technical and vocational colleges worldwide.
As an innovative and progressive organization, CCID has adeptly steered through evolving trends, global events, and educational transformations while spanning the globe. We look forward to welcoming you to the magnificent Loews Ventana Canyon Resort to celebrate our heritage and propel globally engaged learning for our students, institutions, communities, and countries.
As an innovative and progressive organization, CCID has adeptly steered through evolving trends, global events, and educational transformations while spanning the globe. We look forward to welcoming you to the magnificent Loews Ventana Canyon Resort to celebrate our heritage and propel globally engaged learning for our students, institutions, communities, and countries.
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Conference Theme
Celebrating our Legacy: 50 Years of International Collaboration and Academic Transformation Dates February 27 - March 2, 2026 Venue Loews Ventana Canyon Resort Tucson, AZ Session Tracks
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Event Partners
Elite Partners
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CCID Partners
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Pre-Conference Workshop & Opening Reception
Advocacy Update
February 27, 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (MST)
Join this open forum to receive critical updates on advocacy by CCID and partner organizations on promoting global education at U.S. community colleges
through a formalized Working Group established in July 2025.
Meet with CCID leadership and the Advocacy Committee to discuss the Working Group project, and lend your voice to ongoing advocacy efforts.
This meeting is free and open to all.
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (MST)
Join this open forum to receive critical updates on advocacy by CCID and partner organizations on promoting global education at U.S. community colleges
through a formalized Working Group established in July 2025.
Meet with CCID leadership and the Advocacy Committee to discuss the Working Group project, and lend your voice to ongoing advocacy efforts.
This meeting is free and open to all.
Opening Reception
February 27, 2026
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM (MST)
Coyote Corral, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, Tucson, AZ
Indigenous Enterprise blends traditional powwow dance with contemporary expression to inspire unity, cultural awareness, and respect. Their work highlights the importance of representation, heritage, and intercultural understanding. Through dance, Indigenous artists preserve language, honor ancestors, celebrate strength, and educate audiences about the richness and diversity of Native cultures.
Founded in 2015 by Kenneth Shirley, a member of the Navajo Nation and former student at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Indigenous Enterprise is an Arizona-based dance troupe that encompasses dancers from around the United States and from various tribal lands. Indigenous Enterprise has performed at high profile venues such as the 2021 Presidential Inauguration for Joe Biden, the Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Parade, Super Bowl LVII, the Lincoln Center, the Sydney Opera House in Australia and NBC’s World of Dance.
As we celebrate 50 years of global engagement, we begin by honoring the voices and traditions that shape our shared human story. Join us for an evening of celebration, culture, and connection!
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM (MST)
Coyote Corral, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, Tucson, AZ
Indigenous Enterprise blends traditional powwow dance with contemporary expression to inspire unity, cultural awareness, and respect. Their work highlights the importance of representation, heritage, and intercultural understanding. Through dance, Indigenous artists preserve language, honor ancestors, celebrate strength, and educate audiences about the richness and diversity of Native cultures.
Founded in 2015 by Kenneth Shirley, a member of the Navajo Nation and former student at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Indigenous Enterprise is an Arizona-based dance troupe that encompasses dancers from around the United States and from various tribal lands. Indigenous Enterprise has performed at high profile venues such as the 2021 Presidential Inauguration for Joe Biden, the Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Parade, Super Bowl LVII, the Lincoln Center, the Sydney Opera House in Australia and NBC’s World of Dance.
As we celebrate 50 years of global engagement, we begin by honoring the voices and traditions that shape our shared human story. Join us for an evening of celebration, culture, and connection!
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Schedule at a Glance
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Friday February 27, 2026
Saturday February 28, 2026
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Sunday March 1, 2026
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Event Sponsors
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Plenary Speakers
We are thrilled to welcome two extraordinary special guests who will enrich this milestone event with their wisdom, leadership, and experience.
Dr. Octaviana Valenzuela Trujillo
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Octaviana Valenzuela Trujillo, Ph.D., is Founding Chair and Professor Emerita, Department of Applied Indigenous Studies at Northern Arizona University and former Chairwoman of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. She is president of The Americas Research Network which promotes and fosters international research collaboration and is a member of the Joint Public Advisory Committee for the North America Commission on Environmental Cooperation and advances Traditional Ecological Knowledge policies in Mexico, Canada and United States.
The Pontifical Academy of Sciences invited her to present at the 2024 workshop on Indigenous Peoples’ Knowledge and the Sciences on addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, food security, and health. Dr. Trujillo has developed Native American community health outreach programs with funding from the National Institutes of Health and has partnered with the National Council for Science and Environment, American Indian Higher Education Consortium of Tribal Colleges and Universities on climate research and curriculum development. In 2023, Professor Trujillo was inducted into the Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame. |
Miguel Flores
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Miguel Flores is a highly experienced health care professional, serving Arizona and Native American populations for more than 35 years. He is a proud member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and Tohono O'odham Nation, a husband, father, artist, counselor, teacher, community leader and advocate.
Miguel has served on numerous committees pertaining to Native American health, including The Arizona Partnership for Native American Cancer Prevention with the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University, the Community Advisory Board for Arizona Cancer Center, the Community Action Committee for American Indian Research Center for Health, the National Institutes of Health Tribal Heal Office and the Tribal Advisory Committee for Southern Arizona Tribes for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Indian Health Services (HIS). Mr. Flores is also a traditional and spiritual healer. |
Notable Guest Speakers
Jen Sydow-Madoski
Program Manager, Center for Global Engagement, Maricopa Community Colleges
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Daniel Barajas
Chief Officer, Workforce & Economic Development Strategy, Maricopa Community Colleges
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Lunch Plenary - A Case in Arizona: How to Leverage State and Local Partnerships to Accelerate Global Career Readiness
This plenary is a must-attend for anyone interested in workforce development, global education, and innovative partnerships. Panelists will highlight how community colleges, local industries, and state support can work together to create strong workforce pipelines for students. They will also demonstrate how foreign investment in local communities, as well as intercultural learning by students, strengthens local workforce development.
This plenary is a must-attend for anyone interested in workforce development, global education, and innovative partnerships. Panelists will highlight how community colleges, local industries, and state support can work together to create strong workforce pipelines for students. They will also demonstrate how foreign investment in local communities, as well as intercultural learning by students, strengthens local workforce development.
Conference Venue
The Loews Ventana Canyon Resort is a desert sanctuary located in a lush 100-acre desert garden at the foothills of the magnificent Santa Catalina Mountains. It captures the spirit, beauty and culture of the Southwest’s Sonoran Desert. Guestrooms offer private terraces, breathtaking views of the area, and plenty of comfort and amenities.
