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The National Conference of Governor's Schools
NCoGS is the national organization of summer residential governor’s school programs. |
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Letter from the President
Governor's Schools are one of the best kept secrets our nation has in its education pocket. They started in 1963, based on an idea from a governor in North Carolina, as a way to keep the best and brightest students in state for college and/or career - combatting brain drain. Since then, programs have slowly spread across the country, waxing and waning with budget cycles, current fads in addressing academic gaps, and whether or not there is a champion in each state for the important work that a governor's school does - work that needs doing not just in the world of education, but also in economic and professional development. Every single governor's school that has adhered to the original ideas of what they should be has enjoyed tremendous success. Students form life-long bonds. Many alumni are successful CEOs, medical professionals, engineering professionals, scientists, legislators (at state and federal levels), mayors, regents, and great artists, including an academy-award winning actress and a MacArthur Genius grant recipient. The National Conference of Governor's Schools (NCoGS) is singular in its mission to create a support system for all states where such a program exists, providing ways to share best practices, comradery and interaction among directors, staff & alumni, programs for highlighting new ideas and, most recently, a robust focus on expanding our attempts at equity. We want to be certain that every student in The U.S. who is eligible has an opportunity to apply and possibly participate in this life-changing summer emersion experience. For my term as president of NCoGS, what I see as the most important goals are these:
If you are interested in knowing more about what we do, explore our website. Look for your state. If it's not listed, and you want to know why, reach out to me if you would like to establish one in your state or establish a membership for your existing program. Strong governor's school, with engaged alumni, are my driver as I serve my term. I look forward to learning so much. Best, Celeste 
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TIME TO REGISTER FOR NCOGS IN LOUISVILLE!
NCoGS is excited to share images from our 2023 conference at Pennsylvania State University in State College, PA.
NCOGS 2024 Agenda
All activities at The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts (501 W. Main Street, Louisville, KY) unless otherwise noted. Agenda is still being developed; timing, topics, and locations may change. A final version of the agenda will be provided to all conference attendees. Thursday, Oct. 17th 3:30 p.m.: Executive Committee Meeting (only attended by committee members) 6:00 p.m.: Welcome, Introductions, and Dinner at Noble Funk Brewery (922 S. 2nd Street, Louisville, KY; 6 minute drive/Uber from conference hotel) Friday, Oct. 18th 8:00 a.m.: Breakfast 8:30 a.m.: Welcome from NCoGS Leadership, Conference Hosts, and Kentucky Performing Arts Leadership 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: Grounding ourselves in our work, our mission, and our needs (each program should have one representative prepared to describe their program – scope, size, subject matter, etc. - - as well as one/two things they’re finding great success with, one/two things they’re challenged by, and one/two things they hope to gain/learn from the NCoGS network). 10:30 – 10:45 a.m.: Break 10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.: Mini-grant presentations 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.: Lunch Break 12:45 – 1:45 p.m.: Backstage Tour 1:45 – 2:00 p.m.: Break 2:00 – 3:15 p.m.: Government Relations and Lobbying 3:15 – 3:30: Break 3:30 – 5:30: Special Topic Breakout groups and report-outs (with break built in) 6:30 p.m.: Dinner OPTIONAL: 8:00 p.m. Concert by the Louisville Orchestra Saturday, Oct. 19th 8:00 a.m.: Breakfast 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: Business Meeting 11:30 a.m.: Adjourn; all official NCoGS Conference events concluded. 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.: OPTIONAL: Cruise and lunch on Ohio River via Mary Miller Steamboat (tickets must be purchased in advance through Nick Covault; more info to be provided). Boat docking/wharf is 7 minute walk from KY Center/Conference hotel. 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.: OPTIONAL: The Kentucky Rural Urban Exchange Presents The Golden Thread ($35 tickets must be purchased separately/in advance; takes place in the Bomhard Theatre in The Kentucky Center) The Golden Thread is an annual forum gathering visionary leaders from various sectors to foster unity across cultures and communities in the Commonwealth. The event will feature remarks from the Secretary of State (KY GSP alum!), and performances by Kentucky Youth Poet Laureate Amy Roblero Perez (KY GSA alum!), an Appalachian folk collaboration between dancer Carla Gover (KY GSA alum!) and musician Randy Wilson, a Latin musical trio with Yani Vozos and friends, and the art rock band Producing A Kind Generation. The heart of the celebration is the "Long Conversation," a relay of short, unmoderated conversations stitched together by themes of commonality and a shared future. This year the event will be emceed by Chad Benefield from WBKR in Owensboro, and will bring together Jen Algire (Greater Clark Foundation, Winchester), John Bowman (Dream.org, Louisa), Victor Calderon (Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Louisville), Crystal Fox (Mayfield Minority Enrichment Center, Mayfield), Dreama Gentry (Rural Partners for Education, Berea), Val Horn (Cowan Community Action, Whitesburg), Richie Kessler, (Forever Green, Campbellsville), and Lamont “Jack” Pearley (African American Folklorist Magazine, Bowling Green). KY RUX is founded by KY GSA alumna Savannah Barrett (modeled after her KY GSA experience) 6:00 p.m. - ???: OPTIONAL: Ervay Avenue Chili Cook-Off (Free, although folks can purchase $2 tickets to vote if desired; 10 min drive from The Kentucky Center) – if you’re still in town and looking for fun, you’re invited to join Nick Covault (KY GSA) and his neighbors for their annual neighborhood chili cookoff! Low stakes, new friends, chili, and probably some front yard karaoke. For frequent updates, look at our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/governors.schools |
