Submit a Proposal

Call for Proposals

Share Your Expertise at the 2026 CEIA National Conference

Capitalizing on Experience: Where Purpose Meets Practice!

The Cooperative Education & Internship Association (CEIA) is thrilled to open the call for session proposals for our 2026 National Conference in Alexandria, Virginia, from April 12-14, 2026. This is your opportunity to contribute to the advancement of work-integrated learning (WIL) by sharing your current best practices, innovative solutions, and emerging trends that are shaping meaningful and transformative experiences now and in the future.

Why Present at CEIA 2026?

Presenting at the premier national conference for work-integrated learning offers invaluable benefits:

  • Elevate Your Professional Profile: Showcase your knowledge, expertise, and successes to a dedicated audience of peers and leaders.
  • Establish Thought Leadership: Position yourself and your organization at the forefront of WIL innovation and best practices.
  • Amplify Your Impact: Increase awareness of the quality programs and services your organization offers.
  • Influence the Future: Contribute directly to the ongoing development and excellence of our dynamic profession.

Who Should Submit a Proposal?

We encourage proposals from all professionals involved in coordinating, instructing, hosting, supervising, funding, or researching work-integrated programs such as co-ops, internships, and apprenticeships. This includes faculty and staff from colleges and universities, employer representatives, professional associations, community organizations, and government agencies. Whether you are a seasoned expert or new to the field with fresh insights on launching new programs, your unique experience is valued and sought!

New in 2026: Aligning with Professional Competencies

The 2026 conference marks a significant milestone! For the first time, all submitted session content must be aligned with at least one of the 10 Professional Competencies for Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Practitioners. Introduced by CEIA in 2025, this national framework guides and shapes excellence in our profession.

The 10 Professional Competencies for WIL Practitioners:

  • Program Administration and Infrastructure: Knowledge of Educational Landscapes and Workforce Ecosystems
  • Student Engagement and Learning: WIL Partnership Development and Ecosystem Management
  • Employer Engagement and Program Effectiveness: Strategic Development and Management of WIL Partnerships
  • Assessment and Continuous Improvement: WIL Program Delivery and Impact Evaluation
  • Career and Professional Development: Expertise in Career Services and Professional Growth Strategies
  • Optimized and Accessible Learning Environments: Fostering Accessible and Supportive Learning Environments
  • Program Design: Expertise in WIL Program Design and Strategic Management
  • Technology Utilization: Strategic Integration of Technology in WIL Programs
  • Communication and Reporting: Advanced Communication and Strategic Stakeholder Engagement
  • Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Expertise in WIL Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance Standards

For more detailed information on these competencies, please visit the work-integrated learning competencies page of our website.

What Presentation Topics Are We Looking For?

Beyond aligning with the professional competencies, we are particularly interested in topics that address the most pressing issues and innovative practices in WIL. Below are examples of specific areas of interest:

  • Program Foundations & Management: Best practices for launching, managing, and assessing WIL programs, including syllabus design, course management, enrollment requirements, employer policies, vetting postings, and technology tool management.
  • Student Support & Well-being: Strategies for supporting diverse student populations (e.g., DACA, international students), addressing housing/relocation costs, resolving supervisory issues (e.g., student “ghosting,” reneging offers), and crisis/emergency management.
  • Evolving WIL Landscape: Impact of new trends and technologies like AI, micro-internships, the cannabis industry, entrepreneurial activities, and the rise of virtual/remote opportunities. Includes discussions on “pay-to-play” internships, third-party providers, and the relationship between unpaid/virtual internships and equity.
  • Strategic Growth & Advocacy: Discussions on securing funding (e.g., student fees, QEPs), responding to state government initiatives, aligning programs with institutional and employer strategic plans, and leveraging scholarships.
  • Professional Development & Career Progression: Insights into WIL career pathways, including credentials, evaluating career moves, leadership development, committee engagement, and best practices for presenting and publishing.

Important Dates for Presenters

Mark these key dates on your calendar!

  • Call for Proposals Opens: Monday, August 4, 2025
  • Proposal Submission Deadline: Friday, October 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM
  • Presenter Notification (Acceptance/Decline): No later than Friday, December 19, 2025
  • Presenter Acceptance/Decline Deadline: 5:00 PM, Friday, January 9, 2026
  • Presenter Registration Deadline: Friday, January 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM
    • Note: All presenters must be paid conference attendees. Virtual co-presenters are prohibited.
    • Take advantage of the early-bird rate, which ends at 11:59 PM on Friday, January 30, 2026. A one-day rate is also available.
  • Conference Program Abstract Lock Date: Friday, February 20, 2026 (No further edits or alterations to your abstract)
  • Hotel Booking Deadline (The Westin Alexandria Old Town): 5:00 PM ET, Thursday, March 19, 2026
    • Presenters are kindly requested to stay in the conference hotel to help meet contracted block requirements.
  • Conference Dates: April 12-14, 2026

Proposal Submission Requirements & Guidelines

How to Prepare Your Proposal

To ensure a smooth and successful submission process, please follow these steps:

  1. Review the Full Form: Download a copy of the official Call for Proposals Form to familiarize yourself with all questions and requirements in advance.
  2. Draft Your Content Offline: Prepare and refine all your responses in a Word or Google Doc.
  3. Submit Online: Once your content is finalized, open the [Official Proposal Submission Form](Link to Submission Form Here) and carefully enter your prepared responses.

Submission Deadline: Friday, October 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM.

NOTE:  Completed PDF’s will not be accepted.  Submissions are only accepted through the online form.

Required Proposal Components

When submitting your proposal, you will be asked to provide the following essential information:

  • Presentation Title: Up to 90 characters (approximately 11-20 words).
  • Presentation Objective: A single, clear sentence stating the purpose of your session.

Example: To share best practices from facilitating a dual-modality (virtual and in-person) job shadowing program at a large public institution over six years.

  • Learning Outcomes (Minimum 2, Maximum 5): Statements describing what attendees will be able to demonstrate or articulate after attending your session.

Example: Attendees will know the value of: (1) Working with campus legal and environmental health & safety departments to create program policies, procedures, and forms. (2) Leveraging campus learning management and survey platforms to automate program processes. (3) Diversifying job shadow sites to align with student majors/career goals. (4) Collaborating with Alumni Associations/Foundations to engage alumni and donors.

  • Presentation Abstract (3-5 sentences, max 500 characters including spaces): A succinct, informative, and engaging description designed to capture attendee interest and highlight why they should attend. This is your marketing for the session.

Example: To address barriers to student engagement in high-impact experiential learning and grow career readiness competencies. Employers value the brand-building opportunity without costly campus travel, and alumni appreciate giving back through mentorship. Presenters will share policies, procedures, marketing, and lessons learned, enabling attendees to consider replicating a structured, matched job shadow program at their own institutions.

  • Alignment with CEIA Professional Competencies: Identify at least one of the 10 CEIA Professional Competencies your session addresses (listed above).
  • Session Format (45-minutes total): Indicate the primary format. All sessions should allocate 10 minutes for audience engagement and Q&A.
    • Panel Discussion: A moderated discussion (typically 2-3 panelists) offering diverse perspectives, followed by audience Q&A.
    • Standard Presentation (with Audience Interaction): A presenter-led session sharing best practices, research, trends, or solutions, with ample time for audience questions and discussion.
    • Interactive Workshop: A hands-on session providing practical training, skill-building exercises, or facilitated group activities.
  • Target Audience Identification:
    • Beneficiary Roles: Which CEIA conference attendees (e.g., Career Advisors, Co-op/Internship Coordinators, Employers, Senior Leaders) would most benefit? (Select all that apply)
    • Student Program Levels: Which types of work-integrated learning experiences (e.g., High School, Associate, Bachelor’s, Graduate, Non-Degree) are most relevant to your session’s content? (Select all that apply)
    • WIL Program Models: Which specific work-integrated learning programs or models (e.g., Apprenticeship, Internship, Field Placement, Micro-internship, Service Learning) does your session directly apply to? (Select all that apply)
    • Attendee Experience Level: What level of professional experience (e.g., Beginner, Early Career, Mid-Career, Senior, All Experience Levels) should attendees have to gain the most benefit? (Select all that apply)
  • Additional Information (Optional): An open-ended field to provide any further details for the selection committee’s consideration (e.g., based on research, received awards, collaboration, prior presentations).

Presenter Guidelines

  • All communication regarding the proposal submission will be directed to the lead presenter who submitted the proposal.  If there are additional presenters, it is the lead presenter’s responsibility to relay all information and expectations to the other co-presenters.
  • Co-presenters are encouraged, especially collaborations between colleagues from different colleges, employers, and partner organizations.
  • Presentation teams are limited to no more than four individuals.
  • The lead/coordinating presenter will be asked to input the names and contact information for their presentation team members.
  • Presenters may submit more than one proposal, but each individual will be slotted for a maximum of TWO presentations ONLY.
  • All presenters must be paid conference attendees no later than Friday, January 30, 2026.  VIRTUAL CO-PRESENTERS ARE PROHIBITED.  We recommend taking advantage of the early-bird rate, which ends at 11:59 PM on Friday, January 30, 2026. A one-day rate is also available.
  • Presenters are kindly requested to stay in the conference hotel.  More information on the conference hotel and to make reservations are on the conference menu on the top right of this page.

Technical and Presentation Logistics

  • Session Length: All sessions are 45 minutes in length. We recommend a 30-35 minute presentation followed by 10-15 minutes for Q&A and audience engagement.
  • Technology: CEIA will provide a laptop, projector, screen, flip chart, and markers. Please note:
    • Internet connectivity (Wi-Fi/personal hotspots) may not be available in session rooms.
    • Prepare your presentation offline and save materials to a USB drive, as well as via email or cloud storage, as a backup. 
    • Presenters are responsible for bringing their own clickers and/or speakers.
  • Presentation Materials: In order to receive your session evaluations, please be prepared to offer a PDF of your presentation to share with colleagues. Further information will be provided to accepted proposals.

Questions?

  • Proposal-Specific Questions: Please contact Mandy McLaughlin, Programs Committee Chair, at amanda.mclaughlin@uc.edu.
  • General Conference Questions: Please email 2026 Conference Co-Chairs David Caffo (david.c.caffo@wilmu.edu) and Andrew Harper (andrew@harperhighered.com).