The Capital Area Food Bank, the Consortium of University of the Washington Metropolitan Area, and George Washington University are pleased to invite you to attend the 2026 Regional College Hunger Conference.
Tuesday, October 6, 2026,
10:00am – 4:00pm
George Washington University Student Center
Washington, DC
Registration About Agenda Sponsors
Registration
Registration for a post conference networking happy hour is now open. Space is limited and registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
About
The Regional College Hunger Conference (RCHC) convenes higher education leaders and subject matter experts to discuss best practices and innovative ways to support college students experiencing food insecurity. First established in 2022, the annual conference offers attendees the opportunity to learn what other institutions in the region are doing to address food insecurity and connect with peers in similar roles. Past conferences have offered sessions about inclusive pantries, fundraising, advocacy, addressing student needs holistically, and more.
This year the conference is hosted by:
Agenda
This Year’s Theme: Building and Scaling Resilient Programming
The Capital Area Food Bank and The Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area are pleased to invite you to attend the 2026 Regional College Hunger Conference. The theme of this year’s conference is Fostering Regional Success: Embarking on Collective Action. Attendees will hear from college and university leadership as well as subject matter experts who will share insights contextualizing college hunger in the national advocacy landscape and case studies of model that break tradition to ensure equitable access for all.
Opening Sessions
Emcee: Andrew Flagel, Ph.D., President & CEO, Consortium of Universities of the Metropolitan Washington Area
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Radha Muthiah, President & CEO, Capital Area Food Bank
Ellen Granberg, Ph.D., President, The George Washington University (Virtual)
Colette Coleman, Ed.D., Vice President and Dean of Students, The George Washington University
Time: 10:00-10:15am
Sponsor Remarks: Aramark Collegiate Hospitality
Matt Rogers, Ph.D., Chief Growth Officer, Aramark Collegiate Hospitality and Chair Elect – Board of Directors, Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina
Time: 10:15-10:25am
Student Spotlight
Amanda Kenneth Moraes, Student, The Catholic University of America
Time: 10:25-10:30am
A short, powerful, personal story of a student’s journey pursuing higher education. These testimonies will shine a light on the realities of food insecurity on college campuses and celebrate students’ resilience in the face of hardship.
Plenary: Understanding Insecurity on Campus
Dr. Rashida Crutchfield, MSW, Ed.D., Executive Director, The Center for Equitable Higher Education (CEHE)
Time: 10:30-11:15am
A presentation on the use of evidence for food security as a driver of academic success, and examples of successful collective action initiatives to drive systemic change.
Regional Leadership Panel
Al Campbell, MBA, FACHE, RN, President and Market Leader, Holy Cross Health Maryland
Maggie Moran, Senior Manager, Strategic Planning & Business Operations, Amazon University Talent Acquisition
Gregory Washington, President, George Mason University
Jermaine F. Williams, Ed.D., President, Montgomery College
Moderator: Steven V. Roberts, J.B. and M.C. Shapiro Professor of Media and Public Affairs, George Washington University; Columnist, TV and Radio Analyst, Best-selling Author
Time: 11:15am-12:00pm
A panel discussion around how university-employer partnerships can strengthen talent pipelines and advance student success. Leaders will examine basic needs security as critical to workforce readiness and highlight collective action as the path to solving regional challenges.
Lunch & Networking – 12:00-1:00pm
Optional: Tour of GW’s Pantry
Kaleigh Steigman, Program Associate, Basic Needs Support, The George Washington University
Time: 12:30-1:00pm
Requires pre-registration.
Afternoon Sessions – 1:00-1:35pm
Regional Landscape of Campus Food Security
Sabrina Tadele, MPA, Deputy Chief, Strategic Initiatives, Capital Area Food Bank
Time: 1:00-1:30pm
An overview of the results of a DMV-wide survey about food security programming on campus, including insights into funding, capacity, measurement, and models.
Student Spotlight
Asad Y. Sharpe, Student, Prince George’s Community College, Class of 2026
Time: 1:30-1:35pm
A short, powerful, personal story of a student’s journey pursuing higher education. These testimonies will shine a light on the realities of food insecurity on college campuses and celebrate students’ resilience in the face of hardship.
Transition to Concurrent Sessions 1:35-1:50 pm
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
1:50-3:20pm
Each attendee will choose one track to attend
Track 1: Challenging One Size for All: Exploring Non-Traditional Food Access Models for Holistic Support and Marginalized Groups
Who is My Pantry Missing?
Angela Dawson, Ph.D., Food Security and Basic Needs Program Coordinator, Rockville Campus, Montgomery College
Jennifer Hopkins, MPH, Food Security and Basic Needs Coordinator, Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus, Montgomery College
Dr. Surayya Johnson, Ed.D, Director of Student Life, Germantown Campus, Montgomery College
Time: 1:50-2:35 pm
An overview of how food security leaders can examine their current food-access approaches to identify students they may not be reaching and the barriers affecting access. Participants will consider how different student circumstances may require different or additional pathways to food support and apply a practical framework to their own institutions.
Non-Traditional Models for Food Access Programming
Dwayne Hamilton Jr, M.Ed., Assistant Director for Basic Needs Services, George Mason University
Time: 2:35-3:20pm
A review of strategies and models to address food insecurity that operate outside of a traditional pantry model. Case studies will showcase the importance of establishing multiple modes for students to receive basic needs support.
Track 2: Community Advocacy & Voice: Learning from Organizations Addressing College Food Insecurity on a National Scale Lessons from the Field: Why Community Voice Matters & How to Activate It
Gabby Headrick, Ph.D., MSPH, RDN, Assistant Professor, Brown University School of Public Health
Priya Fielding-Singh, Ph.D., Director of Policy and Programs, Global Food Institute at The George Washington University
Time: 1:50-2:35pm
An overview of an advocacy toolkit and hands-on workshop outlining structured strategies to practice community-informed decision making with students. Toolkit provided.
Lessons Learned from Hunger Free Campus Advocacy
Zoe Duffield, Director of Advocacy, Swipe Out Hunger
Time: 2:35-3:20pm
An overview of advocacy-based efforts to legislate student food security in the U.S. and how to translate those strategies to the local level.
Transition to Closing Sessions 3:20-3:35 pm
Closing Sessions
Student Spotlight
Sophia Lindsay, MPH Student, The George Washington University Milken Institute
Time: 3:35-3:40pm
A short, powerful, personal story of a student’s journey pursuing higher education. These testimonies will shine a light on the realities of food insecurity on college campuses and celebrate students’ resilience in the face of hardship.
Closing Remarks
Andrew Flagel, Ph.D., President & CEO, Consortium of Universities of the Metropolitan Washington Area
Time: 3:40-4:00pm
Post-Conference
Networking Happy Hour 4:00-5:00pm
Founding Farmers
1924 Pennsylvania Ave NW #3607, Washington DC 20006
Pre-registration required.
Directions and Parking
Getting There
- The closest metro stops are Foggy Bottom-GWU Station and Farragut West Station (both on Blue, Orange, Silver lines).
- The conference is on the 3rd floor of the Student Center in the Grand Ballroom.
- If you are coming from the main entrance on 21st St, please walk straight back towards the elevators and head up to the 3rd floor for registration.
- If needed, there is an accessibility ramp and elevator.
- If you are coming from the parking lot, look for the building entrance with a GW & Panera Bread banner. Take the stairs or the elevator to the 1st floor lobby. Walk past the Panera Bread toward the elevators on your left, and then head up to the 3rd floor.
- There will be conference signage outside and wayfinding guides in the lobby of the building to guide you up to the 3rd floor.
Parking
The closest parking is available at the Student Center Garage on H Street NW between 21st and 22nd streets.
- Parking is $24/day
Registration
- Registration will begin at 9:00 am in front of the Grand Ballroom on the 3rd floor of the Student Center. Light breakfast provided.
- If you signed up for a GW pantry tour, you will be assigned to a pantry tour group and time at registration.
- You must be pre-registered to attend this year’s conference – day-of registrations will not be allowed.
Networking Happy Hour
If you pre-registered for the post-conference happy hour at Farming Founders, an event volunteer will be in the 3rd floor lobby at 4:00 pm to help guide you there
If you did not pre-register for the happy hour but are still interested in attending, please ask a conference volunteer and we will try to accommodate you.
Sponsors
The College Hunger Conference is made possible due to the generous support of our community.
Thank you to Aramark Collegiate Hospitality for their sponsorship of this year’s conference.
