The inaugural WSU Global Summit: Converge & Catalyze, a comprehensive two-day event intended to help shape the university’s future, will take place across the WSU system March 12–13, 2026.
The summit is designed to inspire the WSU community to embrace digital fluency, prepare for the future, and align higher education with workforce needs.
The theme for the inaugural 2026 summit, Converge & Catalyze, reflects its goal of bringing together global technology leaders, higher education innovators, faculty, students, staff, legislators, and professional organizations for two days of forward-thinking conversations and collaborative problem-solving.
“This summit will be a major step forward in our mission to modernize the WSU system while shaping our future within higher education’s evolving landscape,” said Elizabeth Cantwell, WSU’s president. “This summit will combine the academic excellence of WSU with next-generation technology and innovation from industry-defining organizations.”
This summit will combine the academic excellence of WSU with next-generation technology and innovation from industry-defining organizations.
Elizabeth Cantwell, president
Washington State University
A key objective of the summit is to reaffirm WSU’s identity as a land-grant institution built to serve locally, globally, and for the next generation.
“This summit is all about looking ahead with optimism and determination,” said Dave Cillay, WSU Global Campus chancellor. “It’s also about community. We’re bringing together Cougs from the entire university system in a spirit of innovation and collaboration. Together, we have the power to shape a bright future.”
While the summit will take place mainly on the WSU Pullman campus, faculty, staff, and students from across the WSU system will be able to attend virtually either on their own or at designated participation sites across WSU’s four other physical campuses.
“Expect future-looking forums, hallway conversations, and first-hand opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to connect with thought leaders from industry and academia,” said Cantwell.
WSU’s fully online Global Campus is playing a key role in planning and implementing the event.
“For more than 30 years, WSU Global Campus has been striving to innovate and push the cutting edge of distance learning and technology-based higher education,” said Cillay. “We’re very happy to see President Cantwell’s continued emphasis on innovation for the entire WSU system. It’s exciting, and we’re greatly looking forward to this ground-breaking summit.”
More details about the event, including locations, full agenda, and featured participants will be released soon.
