OnePack Empowered is excited to host its first professional development summit, Supporting the Neurodivergent Mind, on Friday, August 7, 2026. We invite faculty, staff, advisors, employers, and community partners to join us for a day of learning, connection, and practical strategies to better support neurodivergent students and early career professionals.

Event Details

📅 Friday, August 7, 2026
🕙 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
📍 NC State Plant Sciences Building – Seminar Room
840 Oval Drive
Raleigh, NC 27606

About the Summit

Supporting the Neurodivergent Mind is a professional development summit designed to increase understanding of neurodiversity and equip participants with evidence-based strategies to better support neurodivergent students and early career professionals. The summit highlights approaches that foster belonging, academic success, career readiness, and workplace inclusion.

The day will feature an engaging mix of learning opportunities, including an opening plenary session, student stories, breakout sessions, and a capstone workshop, providing participants with both research-informed practices and lived experiences that can be applied in academic and workplace settings.

What Participants Will Learn

Participants will:

• Develop a foundational understanding of neurodiversity and neurodivergent experiences.
• Learn strategies to reduce barriers created by the “hidden curriculum.”
• Explore approaches that support executive functioning, self-advocacy, and belonging.
• Gain practical tools for creating more inclusive learning, advising, and workplace environments.
• Leave with an individualized action plan for implementing neurodiversity-supportive practices in their own role.

Agenda

Time	Session
9:30-10:00 a.m	Check-in (Coffee and tea available)
10:00-10:15 a.m	Welcome
10:15-11:00 a.m.	Opening Plenary
11:00-11:15 a.m.	Break
11:05-11:35 a.m.	Overview of the OnePack Empowered Program
11:35 a.m.-12:15 p.m	Student Perspectives & Case Studies
12:15-1:00 p.m.	Lunch (Mesa Taco Bar)
1:00-2:05 p.m.	Breakout Sessions
2:05-2:15 p.m.	Break
2:15-2:45 p.m.	Keynote Speaker
2:45-3:00 p.m.	Closing Session & Final Reflection

Parking

The parking spaces surrounding the Plant Sciences Building are for NC State University Permit C. Permits are enforced by campus transportation until 5:00 p.m.There is an hourly Public Pay Lot in the Partners Way Parking Deck which is located next to the Plant Sciences Building.

Parking Deck Address: 851 Partners Way, Raleigh, NC 27606. Use the second entrance labeled PUBLIC PAY LOT

Registration Information

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Lunch will be provided.

Because space is limited, we ask that you notify us if your plans change and you are no longer able to attend. You can email us at [email protected] to let us know.

Registration is full at this time. Please email us at [email protected] to get on the waitlist.

We hope you will join us as we work together to create environments where neurodivergent students and early career professionals can thrive. We look forward to seeing you on August 7, 2026!