This is a moment in higher education like no other. Professionals in the sector must confront challenges both new and old, from rapidly shifting federal policies and lower research funding to concerns about enrollment and the public's perception about whether college is worth the cost.
Below, we're rounding up some of the top conferences in higher education in 2026, many of which aim to tackle those challenges head-on. The conferences cater to a variety of higher ed professionals, including top leaders, board members, faculty members, administrators and diversity officers.
Top remaining higher ed conferences in 2026
AGB Foundation Leadership Forum
Feb. 1-3
San Diego
The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges's annual forum for college foundation leaders seeks to bridge the gap between executive teams and board members. In past years, over 700 college foundation board members, CEOs and industry experts attended the three-day event.
Sessions will examine how higher education is expected to change over the next 25 years, maintaining board independence in a polarized era and managing investment portfolios in volatile times.
NASFAA Leadership & Legislative Conference & Expo
Feb. 8-11
Washington, D.C
The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators’ annual conference focuses on the management issues that financial aid leaders face. This year, session topics include navigating the regulatory environment for financial aid, grappling with financial aid fraud and using AI to bolster financial aid strategies.
The Washington, D.C. event also organizes Capitol Hill visits for attendees to engage with their legislators.
ACE Experience
Feb. 25-28
Washington, D.C.
The American Council on Education's annual meeting aims to provide higher education leaders with networking opportunities and sessions on sector trends. Featured speakers include president of Elon University, the president of Hunter College and the chief academic officer of 2U.
ACE also hosts special events coinciding with the meeting, including a women’s leadership dinner and an opportunity for ACE member presidents to speak with policymakers.
OLC Innovate
March 3-5
Virtual
OLC Innovate focuses on sharing best practices and new ideas for online, digital and blended learning. The upcoming conference will feature design sprints, express sessions and deep dive sessions, with a focus on creating classrooms.
SXSW EDU
March 9-12
Austin, Texas
SXSW EDU brings together educators, administrators, policymakers and industry leaders to discuss the challenges facing the higher education and K-12 sectors with a focus on technology.
Speakers this year include Texas Tech University President Lawrence Shovanec, American Council on Education President Ted Mitchell, and Laurie Santos, a psychology professor at Yale and expert on happiness.
Higher Learning 2026
March 21-24
Chicago
The Higher Learning Commission’s annual conference is intended for a variety of college professionals, including presidents, administrators and faculty members. The event will focus on how colleges can use the accreditation process to continuously improve and explore educational experiences that meet students’ needs.
Session topics include the value of higher education, helping students be more resilient and responding to shifting immigration policies.
NADOHE Annual Conference
March 25-28
Philadelphia
The theme for the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education’s 2026 conference is “Reclaiming ‘We the People’: Democracy and the Renewal of Higher Education.” The event aims to help leaders weather the headwinds against diversity in higher ed and discuss how institutions can help build a more resilient democracy.
National Conference on Trusteeship
March 28-30
Denver
Held by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, the annual conference plans to bring together college presidents, board members and senior officials to explore new approaches to the higher education sector’s many challenges. The conference will feature both peer-to-peer dialogue and panel sessions, including those focused on campus well-being, constructive dialogue and short-term credentials.
Graduate Enrollment Management Summit
April 8-11
Baltimore
Hosted by NAGAP, the Association for Graduate Enrollment Management, this annual conference brings together over 800 professionals in the field. This year's event will offer sessions on marketing and recruitment, money issues, alumni engagement, and diversity, equity and inclusion.
AACC Annual
April 10-14
Seattle
The American Association of Community Colleges’ annual conference brings together leaders from across the sector of associate degree-granting institutions. This year’s session topics include discussions about the systemic factors that lead to poverty, the barriers student-parents face to gaining a college education and helping learners achieve their academic goals.
ASU+GSV Summit
April 12-15
San Diego
The annual ASU+GSV Summit brings together over 7,000 ed tech entrepreneurs, investors, college leaders and policymakers to discuss education and workforce development.
Speakers at the upcoming conference include Fisk University President Agenia Clark, Jobs for the Future CEO Maria Flynn, Dartmouth College President Sian Beilock, Arizona State University President Michael Crow, former Southern New Hampshire University President Paul LeBlanc and former U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan.
UPCEA Annual Conference
April 15-17
New Orleans
The UPCEA Annual Conference centers on online and continuing professional education. This year’s session topics include using AI to strengthen advising, improving online instruction, and identifying and preventing fraud in online education.
AACRAO Annual Meeting
April 19-22
New Orleans
AACRAO’s Annual Meeting aims to bring together higher education professionals to find solutions to their pressing challenges, including in admissions, student services and enrollment. The upcoming conference will also focus on strategies for fostering clear communication and leading colleges through periods of change.
This year’s opening speaker is Lt. General Russel Honoré, who coordinated military relief for New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He will share “practical lessons on preparedness, accountability, and leadership in complex organizations,” according to the event page.
AAC&U Conference on Learning and Student Success
April 16-18
Tucson, Arizona
The upcoming conference’s theme is “courageous care,” which AAC&U defines as “the practice of combining deep kindness with honest truth-telling, making difficult ethical decisions that prioritize student and educator well-being, even when these choices are uncomfortable or unpopular.” The event will focus on sharing practices that help boost student outcomes and reimagining undergraduate education.
ACUPA Annual Conference
April 20-22
Denver
The Association of College and University Policy Administrators' annual conference is aimed at providing networking opportunities and sharing knowledge. The organization is planning panels focused on scaling policy management to match team needs and career progression for college policy specialists.
The keynote speaker is Brian Fretwell, founder of Finding Good, which aims to help organizations improve communication. Planned sessions also include discussions about free speech policies on campus, bolstering shared governance, and improving collaboration between policy administrators and general counsels.
NISOD International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence
May 23-26
Austin, Texas
The National Institute of Staff and Organizational Development bills its 2026 conference on teaching and leadership as an "unparalleled opportunity to connect, learn, and grow alongside community and technical college faculty, administrators, and staff from across the nation and beyond."
North American Career Education Convention
June 22-24
Cleveland
In previous years, keynote speakers at Career Education Colleges and Universities' annual convention have included James Bergeron, then-acting under secretary for the U.S. Department of Education, as well as future-of-work strategist Heather McGowan and chef Robert Irvine.
NACUA 2026 Annual Conference
June 29-July 2
Nashville, Tennessee
The National Association of College and University Attorneys conference last year included small roundtables where college legal officers could share lessons as well as a pilot of intensive workshops for mid-career professionals.
NASFAA 2026 National Conference
June 29-July 2
National Harbor, Maryland
NASFAA’s annual conference brings together financial aid professionals for professional development such as sessions, exhibitions and training. Featured speakers include recording artist Andy Grammer and author Michael Hingson, who wrote a bestselling book about escaping one of the World Trade Center towers on 9/11 with the help of his guide dog.
NACUBO 2026 Annual Meeting
July 18-21
Anaheim, California
The theme of the National Association of College and University Business Officers’ upcoming conference is “Mission Meets Moment” — a focus on how colleges can keep their missions front of mind while navigating uncertain times.
Educause Annual Conference
Sept. 28-Oct. 1
Denver
Educause's annual conference is focused on higher ed IT professionals and technology providers. The organization's 2025 conference included numerous sessions on artificial intelligence as well as on leadership and business skills.
CUPA-HR Annual Conference and Expo
Oct. 4-6
TBD
This annual conference is held by CUPA-HR, an association for human resource professionals working in higher education.
NACADA Annual Conference
Oct. 4-7
Oklahoma City
NACADA focuses on using advising to foster student success. This year’s conference theme is “Meeting in the Middle: Connecting People, Purpose, and Possibility.”
NACAC Conference
Oct. 8-10
Minneapolis
The National Association for College Admission Counseling's annual conference brings together both high school counseling and college admissions professionals. Last year's conference looked at everything from diversity in college enrollment trends to calculus requirements and artificial intelligence in recruitment and admissions.
P3 EDU
Nov. 2-4
Atlanta
P3 EDU’s annual conference is an event that brings together top college leaders to discuss public-private partnerships in higher education. Last year’s speakers included Georgia Institute of Technology President Ángel Cabrera, Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian and University of California, Davis Chancellor Gary May.
