"Across North Carolina, principals and assistant principals bear the daily responsibility of leading schools through complex challenges, including teacher shortages, shifting accountability measures, community expectations, and limited resources. Yet principals do not need to shoulder this work alone. One of the most underutilized strategies for school improvement is forging intentional partnerships with local colleges and universities. This session, presented with principals from our partner schools and districts, will highlight the many ways school leaders can leverage higher education institutions as powerful allies in achieving their school improvement goals. Participants will explore practical examples of how partnerships can strengthen teacher pipelines, expand leadership development, enhance student learning, and generate new resources. Participants in this session will walk away with ideas for identifying their own opportunities for collaboration with their local college or university, strategies for initiating mutually beneficial partnerships, and real examples from across North Carolina that demonstrate the power of these collaborations. By the end of the session, principals will be equipped to view their university not only as a place for student teachers or graduate courses, but as a long-term partner in building stronger schools and communities." Presenters: Amy Holcombe, Melissa Glover, Tina Johnson, Dustin Johnson, Jermaine McCain, Jennifer Cooper