What's Trending
2026 HBCU Doctoral Career Pathways Conference Sees Record-Breaking Engagement and All-Time High Registration
The 2026 HBCU Doctoral Career Pathways Conference (virtual) concluded with record-breaking engagement metrics, marking a significant milestone in the event’s five-year history. According to the latest data, the conference achieved its highest-ever levels of registration and session attendance, signaling a deepening commitment from its community despite a smaller pool of unique attendees.
A Surge in Participation
Total registrations reached an all-time peak of 574 individuals, continuing a steady four-year growth trend from 302 in 2022. More impressively, the total number of attendees in all sessions—a metric representing total session-level engagement—skyrocketed to 849. This is a substantial 15% increase from the previous year’s record and more than double the attendance recorded in 2022.
While the number of unique attendees dipped slightly to 247, the data suggests that this year's participants were more engaged than ever before. On average, each attendee participated in nearly 3.5 sessions, a significant increase from the 2.6 sessions per person recorded in 2025.
The Power of the Alumni Network
Howard University (HU) alumni remained at the core of the conference's expertise. Of the 61 alumni panelists featured across the 14 sessions, 74% were HU alumni. The 2026 event also saw a new focus on student leadership, introducing five facilitators, four of whom were HU graduate students or alumni.
Broadening the HBCU Horizon
The conference continues to serve as a vital hub for diverse doctoral careers, attracting participation from 135 HBCU and diversity institutions and programs beyond Howard University. This is a 10.4% increase from 2025, demonstrating the conference's sustained reach within the HBCU landscape.
Comparison of Key Metrics (2022 vs. 2026):
- Registrations: 302 in 2022 → 574 in 2026
- Total Session Attendance: 363 in 2022 → 849 in 2026
- Diversity Outreach: 64* in 2023 → 135 in 2026 *Data for 2022 not available.
As the conference looks toward 2027, the 2026 data reflects a transition from broad attendance to deep, repeat engagement, with a loyal base of participants who are maximizing the educational opportunities provided by the 14 specialized career sessions.
-------------------------
Dr. Ann-Marie Waterman | PhD Alumna
The U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board has awarded Dr. Ann-Marie Waterman a Fulbright Specialist Program award. Dr. Waterman will complete a project at Ethiopia's Addis Ababa University that aims to exchange knowledge and establish partnerships benefiting participants, institutions, and communities both in the U.S. and overseas through a variety of educational and training activities within higher education. Dr. Waterman is one of over 400 U.S. citizens who share expertise with host institutions abroad through the Fulbright Specialist Program each year.