Key Leaders Gather at Reagan Institute Summit on Education
At the ninth annual Reagan Institute Summit on Education (RISE), held September 16 and 17, 2026, at the Ronald Reagan Institute in Washington, D.C., key leaders in education convened to discuss the future of America's education system. The two-day event featured prominent speakers, including Utah Governor Spencer Cox, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, former Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, U.S. Senator Todd Young of Indiana, and The Atlantic's David Brooks, alongside Second Lady Usha Vance and other state chiefs, university presidents, and policy experts.
The summit kicked off on September 16 with Governor Spencer Cox discussing his new book, “Off Ramp: How to Be a Peacemaker in an Age of Contempt,” in a conversation with Fred Ryan, Chairman of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute Board of Trustees. On the following day, attendees heard from a diverse group of speakers, including Usha Vance, who addressed her literacy initiative, and policymakers and academics who explored the critical themes of education.
“Even in the 1980s, Americans were thinking seriously about how technology would reshape the world. President Reagan recognized that change was inevitable, but he also believed in the permanent truths that built America,” said Ellen Dollarhide McCoy, Associate Director of the Ronald Reagan Institute's Center for Civics, Education, and Opportunity. “Questions about the future have taken on new urgency in 2026. This year’s RISE will explore what it means to ensure that education and hard work continue to pay off, asking, ‘What is the purpose of education?’”
The summit themes centered on preparing an engaged citizenry, equipping students with knowledge and skills, and readying young people for a world being reshaped by artificial intelligence. Notable speakers included Sian Beilock, President of Dartmouth College; Jim Blew, Co-Founder of Defense of Freedom Institute; and Brian Bridges, Former Secretary of Higher Education, State of New Jersey.
“Since its inception, RISE has served as a unique forum for bringing together leaders who may differ on the details but are united in the conviction that we must pursue bold policy change to ensure our education system is a pathway to a strong future,” said Roger Zakheim, Director of the Ronald Reagan Institute. “We’re thrilled to be joined by Second Lady Usha Vance and many other education leaders. Inspired by President Reagan, RISE champions an education that pursues excellence, expands opportunity, and prepares young Americans with the knowledge, skills, and civic understanding to carry forward America’s principles of freedom.”
Registration for in-person attendance at RISE was by invitation only, with additional agenda updates available at ReaganFoundation.org/RISE. To watch the summit virtually, interested parties could register through the provided link.