Conference Agenda

May 19-21, 2026

Memorial Union, Madison, WI

*Topics may be modified to provide the most up to date content*

 Full session descriptions can be found here.

Tuesday, May 19th 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Concurrent Pre- Conference Workshops:
These sessions are intended to provide background on a variety of topics and offer high-value take-aways.

  • Strengthening Your Compliance Program for Long-term Success – Paige Smith, Amy Missinne
  • Compliance 101 for Student Affairs Practitioners – Blaze Bowers
  • Spotlight on Speech: Panel on Expressive Activity on Campus
  • College and Career Attainment Network
  • Career Connectedness: Supporting Students’ Journeys
  • Student Basic Needs Coalition

Wednesday, May 20th 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

  • Breakfast and Welcome
  • Keynote: Federal Higher Education Landscape and Constitutional Crisis - Peter Lake
  • Morning Sessions:
      - Panel on Immigration: Student, Employee, and Research Impacts
      - Healthy Minds: Mental Health for Students and Leadership
  • Lunch
  • Afternoon Sessions:
    - Navigating Title VI Non-Discrimination Obligations in an Evolving Educational Landscape – Wade Harrison
    -Birds of a Feather Tabletop Conversations
    -AI and Academic Integrity Panel
  • Evening Reception

Thursday, May 21st 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

  • Breakfast
  • Keynote: Creating Better Connected Colleges and Universities – Elliot Felix
  • Morning sessions:
    - The Washington Update – Jon Fansmith, ACE
    - The Case for Financial Sustainability – Dr. Chuck Ambrose, Husch Blackwell
  • Lunch
  • Afternoon sessions:
    - The Legal Perspective – Aaron Lacey, Coburn Thompson
    - Structuring Financial Aid for Student Success
  • Capstone fireside chat

Website Hosted by UW Conferences & Events

conferences@union.wisc.edu | 702 Langdon St. | Madison, WI 53706