Event will include presentation by National Geographic photographer and expert storyteller Steve Uzzell
Mohawk Valley Community College will host its third annual Community Convening at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Dr. Michael I. Schafer Theater, Francis A. Wilcox Hall, at the Utica Campus.
Sponsored by MVCC’s thINCubator and the MVCC Foundation, the event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited and registration is required. The program will be followed by Business After Hours reception presented in conjunction with the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce.
Communities across the Mohawk Valley are navigating a paradox of real momentum alongside complex challenges — employers are struggling to find talent, families are in need of economic mobility, and institutions are working to adapt in a world changing faster than ever. Yet the region is rich in strengths, including committed employers, innovative educators, civic leaders, and residents deeply invested in shaping a vibrant future. This moment calls not just for new answers, but for a new approach.
This year’s Community Convening, with the theme “Rethinking Problem-Solving in a Time
of Complexity,” is designed to shift mindsets and explore how new perspectives can
reveal new pathways forward. It will feature an overview of how MVCC is engaging in
problem-solving with some of our region's greatest challenges from MVCC President
Dr. Randall VanWagoner, followed by a mesmerizing presentation by Steve Uzzell, National
Geographic photographer and master storyteller known for demonstrating how reframing
challenges can unlock new avenues for innovation and collective progress. His visual
storytelling invites audiences to see complexity not as a barrier, but as a catalyst
for possibility, and offers a compelling entry point into what it means to rethink
problem-solving in today’s world.
“The Mohawk Valley is experiencing tremendous momentum, even as we navigate complex challenges,” said VanWagoner. “Our opportunity isn’t just to solve problems, but to rethink how we approach them. This year's convening is a catalyst for shared understanding, collaboration, and collective action as we reimagine problem-solving together.”
As the region’s backbone institution for workforce development and economic mobility, MVCC brings together cross-sector partners to align talent, innovation, and opportunity. This year’s Community Convening will continue that mission by sparking conversation, connection, and collaborative action across industries and communities.