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MCRC@ADVIS

MCRC@ADVIS Winter Forum: Back Together Again

Thursday, December 3, 2026 at 8:00 AM (EST) to Friday, December 4, 2026 at 3:00 PM (EST)

The Chauncey Hotel & Conference Center

1 Chauncey Road
Princeton, NJ 08541
United States

* Registration open until 11/26/26 at 11:59 PM (EST)

This year's theme, Back Together Again, is an invitation to reconnect with one another, reimagine what's possible in our schools and communities, and explore how each of us can help build places where everyone belongs.

There's something that happens when we're in the same room. Ideas move faster. Conversations go deeper. The challenges that feel heavy on our own start to feel a lot more manageable when we're facing them together. That's the heart of this year's Winter Forum: two days together to step away from the day-to-day, share what's working, and get honest about what isn't, surrounded by people who understand exactly what this work asks of us.

Whether you've been a longtime member of this community or are joining us for the first time, there's a seat at the table for you. Come for the sessions, stay for the connections, and leave with the ideas, energy, and relationships that carry you through the rest of the year.

What you'll get:
  • Two days of sessions, workshops, and conversations built around real challenges in our schools
  • All meals included, plus Happy Hour and a Game Night
  • A close-to-home location that keeps travel simple and costs down
  • A community of peers who get it, from first-timers to longtime members

Register for the MCRC@ADVIS Winter Forum today.



DAY 1: December 3, 2026

8:00 - 8:45 AM | CHECK IN & BREAKFAST


8:45 - 9:00 AM | WELCOME


9:00 - 10:30 AM | OPENING KEYNOTE PANEL
State of Union: The Independent School Landscape for Leaders of Color

Join Danielle Suber, Chair, MCRC Committee, for a candid conversation with leaders of color as they discuss the current state of the independent school landscape. This opening panel will explore the opportunities and challenges shaping the field today, offering perspectives grounded in real experience and honest reflection. Expect a thoughtful, forward-looking discussion that sets the tone for the rest of the conference.

Panelists:

  • Suni Blackwell, Director of Student Life and Athletics, Church Farm School
  • Naté Hall, Director of Enrollment Management, William Penn Charter School
  • Chris Harper, CEO, Roosevelt Solutions 
  • Nicole Hood, Head of School, Abington Friends School 
  • Walidah Justice, Chief Community Life and Well-Being Officer, Kent Place School 
  • Joy Prince, Director of Upper School, Agnes Irwin School
  • Duane Michelle Simms, Associate Director of Advancement, Germantown Friends School

10:30 - 11:00 AM | BREAK


11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | WORKSHOPS

To be announced.


12:00 - 1:30 PM | LUNCH


1:30 - 2:30 PM | WORKSHOPS

To be announced.


2:30 - 3:00 PM | COFFEE & CONNECTION


3:00 - 5:00 PM  | BREAK & HOTEL CHECK IN


5:00 - 6:00 PM  | HAPPY HOUR


6:00 - 7:30 PM  | DINNER


7:30 - 9:00 PM | GAME NIGHT


DAY 2: December 4, 2026 

8:00 - 9:00 AM | BREAKFAST


9:00 - 10:15 AM | KEYNOTE PRESENTATION 
Spirituality Check-In
presented by Rev. Brittany Powell
Co-Founder, Sacred CPE Training Institute and
Founder, Free Lyfe Ministries 

A moment to pause, breathe, and reconnect.

Join Rev. Brittany Powell for a keynote that explores spirituality as a vital, often overlooked, piece of overall wellness. Rev. Powell will guide attendees through practical ways to tap into spirituality in daily life, offering tools and perspectives that can be carried well beyond the conference. Come ready to reflect, recharge, and reconnect with what grounds you.


10:15 - 10:30 AM | BREAK & HOTEL CHECKOUT


10:30 - 11:30 AM | WORKSHOPS

To be announced.


11:30 AM - 12:00 PM | COFFEE & CONNECTION


12:00 - 1:30 PM | LUNCH


1:30 - 2:30 PM | WORKSHOPS

To be announced.


2:30 - 3:00 PM | CLOSING


Registration Options

Credits Price
Member Ticket
-Price is for both days
-All meals included
$500.00
Price will increase to $600.00 on 11/17/26 12:00 AM EST
Non-Member Ticket
-Price is for both days
-All meals included
$1,000.00
Price will increase to $1,200.00 on 11/17/26 12:00 AM EST

The Winter Forum will be held at the Chauncey Hotel and Conference Center in Princeton, NJ.

 Participants seeking overnight accommodations should contact the Hotel directly.

ACT 48 CREDITS

• You may request credit up to 7 days after the event.

• Per the PA Department of Education,
ADVIS is required to report your successful completion of Act 48 evaluation within 30 days of the event. 

Contact Dena Torino (dtorino@advis.org) for more information.


ACCOMMODATIONS

We strive to make our events inclusive and accessible for all. Request accommodations on the registration form, or contact Dena Torino (dtorino@advis.org) with accessibility questions. Please give at least two weeks’ notice to help us ensure seamless access.


EVENT CONTACT

Danielle Suber, Chair, MCRC Committee


ADVIS Event Policies & Disclaimers