Saturday | April 11, 2026

1:00PM - 5:00PM  Pre-Conference Affinity Group Workshops

CCSG 101 Workshop (limited to 75 attendees)

A comprehensive overview of the NCI’s Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG), focused on preparing and submitting a competitive renewal application.

 Who Should Attend:

•  Newer Associate Directors of Administration (ADAs) who have not previously led a CCSG application/competitive renewal.

• Newer senior CCSG administrative staff who will be supporting ADAs in an upcoming CCSG application/competitive renewal, but have never been a part of the process before.

• Personnel who attended a previous CCSG 101 who were unable to digest all of the information discussed the first time around.

 Workshop Goals:

1. Gain a strong foundational understanding of the CCSG, including its purpose, reviewer expectations, and structure.

2. Learn what is required for a successful application, with clear steps to achieve both.

3. Receive practical guidance and a packet of materials to support the development of your first CCSG application.

4. Understand how to effectively convey key messages in the written application to meet both the stated guidelines and unwritten expectations of reviewers.

5. Build confidence in navigating the CCSG process for the first time.

Affinity Group Workshops (concurrent affinity group sessions, may only participate in one- each workshop limited to 50 attendees)

• CRTEC Workshop ($150)

• Team Sciences Network Workshop ($150)

• Clinical Trial Workshop ($150)  

2:30PM - 3:00PM  Workshops Networking Break  

5:30PM - 7:00PM  Principals Only Reception  

Sunday | April 12, 2026

9:00AM - 11:00AM  Affinity Group Meet-Ups & New Member Welcome
Melissa Fitzmaurice Neligan, Chief Administrative Officer / Associate Director of Administration, UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center

1:00PM - 1:15PM  Welcoming Remarks  

1:15PM - 2:00PM  Keynote Speaker
To be announced

2:00PM - 2:45PM  CCSG: Changes and Updates to be Addressed
Jennifer Rogers, Associate Director for Administration, University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center

2:45PM - 3:15PM  Networking Break  

3:15PM - 4:00PM  Financial Session - Challenges/Solutions in IITs, Pilots, Program/Researcher Investments

4:00PM - 4:45PM  Shared Resources Current Topics - Consortiums, Marketing to Non-Institution Users, Industry Partnerships

4:45PM - 6:30PM  Welcome Reception in the ACCA Expo Hall & Poster Session Opening   

Monday | April 13, 2026

8:00AM - 9:00AM  Breakfast   

9:00AM - 9:45AM  Fireside Chat - Explore How Top Leaders—CEOs and Medical School Deans—View the role and value of NCI designation within their institutions.
Peter Connor, Chief Administrative Officer, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center 

9:45AM - 10:30AM  EAB Evolution in the Current Environment
Kate Shumate, Chief of Staff and Director, Administration and Planning, UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center 

10:30AM - 11:00AM  Expo Break   

11:00AM - 11:45AM  Developmental Funds Debate - Two teams debate the value, need, and purpose of this CCSG section)

11:45AM - 12:30PM  Clinical trials Session

12:30PM - 2:00PM  Networking Lunch  

2:00PM - 2:45PM  Faculty and Staff Leadership Pathway Stories - Faculty and staff managers tell us their pathway story

2:45PM - 3:30PM  AI Tools from Everyday Users - Learn about AI tools or functions that make a difference in your role or the CCSG submission

3:30PM - 4:00PM  Expo Break   

4:00PM - 4:30 PM  ACCA Annual Business Meeting  

4:30PM - 5:15PM  Town Hall Commons Live!
Jennifer Rogers, Associate Director for Administration, University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center

Evening On Your Own   

Tuesday | April 14, 2026

8:00AM - 9:00AM  Breakfast   

9:00AM -9:45AM  Recently Reviewed Centers Panel Discussion
Nick Fisher, Executive Director of Research & Business Administration, Siteman Cancer Center 

9:45AM - 10:15AM   Expo Break   

10:15AM -11:00AM  Government Relations: Navigating Current Policy, Budgetary, and Regulatory Landscape
Affecting Cancer Centers

Join leading lobbyists and policy advocates for a critical examination of the evolving governmental
landscape shaping cancer center operations and funding. This timely panel will decode the complex
policy, budgetary, and regulatory environment that cancer center administrators must navigate,
providing insider perspectives on current legislative priorities affecting cancer research funding,
emerging regulatory requirements impacting clinical operations, and advocacy strategies that are
making a difference on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures. Expert panelists will explore practical
approaches to building effective government relations, engaging policymakers around the cancer center
priorities, and share real-world examples of successful advocacy campaigns and coalition-building
strategies. Attendees will leave equipped with actionable intelligence on the current policy
environment, strategies for strengthening their institution’s government relations capacity, and tools to
effectively advocate for sustainable funding and supportive policies that advance the cancer center mission.

Moderator:
Pete Connor, Chief Administrative Officer, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center 
Panelists:
Michelle Seger, Senior Vice President at Venn Strategies
Alyssa Schatz, DrPH, MSW, (she/her) Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, National Comprehensive Cancer Network

11:00AM - 11:45AM  NCI Update

*agenda subject to change