Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers (EACE)

Announcing our Keynote speaker for EACE26, Chris Fitzpatrick!

With 20+ years in human resources focused on campus recruiting and talent development (and a member of EACE!) Chris has helped students, early-career professionals and organizations thrive at the intersection of education and employment.

Professional speaker, aspiring game show host and self-proclaimed below-average charity golfer, Chris will bring the energy and humor to his EACE keynote.

Register for EACE26 now to make sure you don't miss Chris's keynote.

***Exhibitor Spotlight***
Focus 2 Career empowers students to choose their majors, explore occupations that match their personal attributes and engage fully in the career planning process. Based in NH, we are known for our powerful career planning systems and our maple syrup. Stop by our booth to say hi and pick up some syrup to bring home.

Customized with your college’s majors, FOCUS 2 CAREER guides students through an intuitive decision-making model to help them choose majors offered at your college, explore occupations matching their assessment results & make informed career decisions

FOCUS 2 engages students fully in the career planning process.
• Orientation to career planning and career planning readiness
• Am I Career Ready: 8 NACE Competencies
• 4 valid and reliable assessments Work-Interests-Holland Code ~ Personality ~ Values ~ Skills. Assessment results are matched to career options and supporting majors at your college. Over 1,200 occupations with up-to-date information.
• What Can I do with a major in? at your college
• Powerful Administrative Website with individual and aggregate reporting, management tools, and extensive customization options.
• Unlimited administrators, individual reports and detailed aggregate reports..
• Instructor training and course materials for FYE. Weekly webinar training.
• Outstanding customer support.

Used by over 1,000 colleges nationwide, Focus 2 Career has supported student success for 40 years.
Our History: Created in 1987, by Dr. Frank J. Minor of IBM as the Project Director with Dr. Donald Super as chief architect with Dr. Roger A. Myers, Dr. David Tiedeman, and Dr. David Campbell.

What happens when Gen Z pushes back on the AI narrative?

In his latest blog, The Voice of GenZ & AI, Chris M. explores the growing conversation around AI, student perspectives, and what many may be missing when discussing the next generation.

Drawing from generational research, experiences working with students, and recent reactions to AI-focused commencement speeches, Chris challenges us to move beyond assumptions and take a closer look at what Gen Z is actually telling us about education, technology, and the future of work.

How can educators, employers, and career services professionals better listen, engage, and partner with the next generation?

Read the blog and join the conversation: https://eacebridgesblog.wpcomstaging.com/2026/06/18/the-voice-of-genz-ai/

Heading to Pittsburgh for ? Don’t miss the unforgettable views around the city! Take a century-old cable car and see the best views of downtown Pittsburgh while riding one of the few remaining inclines in the country. Opened on May 20, 1877, the Duquesne Incline was rescued and restored by a group of local residents in 1963 and still delights residents and visitors with its original, elegant, wooden cable cars. Check out this page for a list of must-see Pittsburgh views ➡ https://bit.ly/3gHRKlW

Don't miss out on Entertainment Night at the EACE26 conference! 🎲

Join us on Thursday, June 25 at 8pm to have a little fun with your peers and maybe even some friendly competition.

Try your hand at Roulette, Blackjack, Over/Under, and Craps. We'll provide the chips, you bring the skill!

Games not your thing? Don't worry, we'll have music, dancing, drinks, and tasty desserts too!

Come for the vibes, stay for the W ✨

Thank you to Enterprise Mobility, our Entertainment Night sponsor!

Now is your LAST CHANCE to become a sponsor for the Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers (EACE) 2026 conference June 24 - 26! Want to support EACE in other ways? There are many ways to be a sponsor, and we welcome and appreciate your support of our association. As a sponsor, your organization will gain valuable exposure among thousands of HR/recruiting and university/college career services professionals and their students throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
EACE is excited to offer year-round sponsorship benefits as well as opportunities to participate in our Annual Conference, with creative packages to meet your organization's goals and fit any budget!
Click here for more information: https://www.eace.org/sponsorships-2025-2026

What stays with you long after an EACE conference ends?

For Rena’e Love, her 2025 EACE Conference experience sparked deeper reflection on belonging, leadership, employer engagement, and the impact we have on those around us.

In our latest blog, she shares how the connections, conversations, and insights she gained continue to shape her work today—and why the real impact of a conference often begins after you return home.

As we look ahead to the 2026 EACE Annual Conference, her story is a reminder of the growth, relationships, and inspiration that await.

📖 Read about her experience here: https://eacebridgesblog.wpcomstaging.com/2026/06/09/finding-belonging-and-leading-with-intention-my-eace-2025-experience

Planning your itinerary for the conference? Love the outdoors? Join your fellow attendees early Thursday morning for a run/walk to Point State Park. This is where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers connect to form the Ohio River. This will be a "run at your own pace" event, making it perfect for all fitness levels. We’ll start at the hotel, meet at the iconic fountain before heading back to the Wyndham with plenty of time to gear up for the day’s sessions.

⚾ Networking, baseball, and a beautiful Pittsburgh evening? Count us in!

Join your EACE colleagues for a trip to PNC Park as the Pittsburgh Pirates take on the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday, June 23 at 6:40 PM.

Whether you're a lifelong baseball fan, a casual spectator, or just looking for a fun way to connect with fellow attendees, this outing is a home run. 🏟️

🎟️ $40 ticket includes a $5 voucher for concessions or merchandise
🚶 Just a 15-minute walk from the Wyndham Grand
👥 No current limit on tickets—bring your colleagues and friends!

https://eace.memberclicks.net/index.php?option=com_mcform&view=ngforms&id=2282719 #/

Grab your seat, cheer on the Pirates, and make some memorable connections outside the conference schedule.

Growth happens when we lean into learning, collaboration, and connection. 🌱

In this latest EACE blog, Christa Frederick reflects on how her involvement with the EACE Continuing Education Subcommittee helped her grow professionally and personally as an early career services professional. From helping shape the new EACE Elevate Badge to collaborating with peers across institutions, her experience highlights the power of shared learning within our community.

Read her blog here: https://eacebridgesblog.wpcomstaging.com/2026/06/08/elevate-growing-through-eace-engagement/