2026 Higher Education Summit

Session Descriptions

Tuesday, May 19: Pre-Conference Workshops

Compliance 101 for Higher Education
Presenters: Paige Smith & Amy Missinne, Universities of Wisconsin
Description: Section 8 of the U.S. Federal Sentencing Guidelines provides a foundational framework for evaluating the effectiveness of organizational compliance and ethics programs. This interactive workshop introduces the key elements of Section 8 and guides participants through a practical exercise to assess their own compliance structures within higher education. Attendees will identify strengths, uncover gaps, and establish priorities to better manage and mitigate compliance risks. Participants will leave with actionable insights, best practices, and concrete next steps to strengthen their compliance programs in 2026 and beyond.

Compliance 101 for Student Affairs Practitioners
Presenter: Blaze Bowers, Drexel University
Description: This session will focus on equipping student affairs practitioners across operational units (e.g., deans of students, AVPs/VPSAs, academic success, Greek life, athletics, leadership, first-year experience, and others) with fundamental compliance awareness. Training will focus on modern higher ed law and policy risks and promising practices related to risk mitigation, employment and management law, Title IX, ADA/504, Title VI, FERPA, and more. The session will aim to empower practitioners to issue spot risks and legally-charged issues, partner with appropriate stakeholders, and respond in a student-centered and compliance-minded fashion. Practitioners will leave with an understanding of the "spirit of the law" as it applies to complex and interdisciplinary student affairs practices.

Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Foundations for Higher Education Practitioners — Understanding ERM & Your Role in the ERM Framework
Presenter: Blaze Bowers, Drexel University
Description: This session will review, define, and contextualize Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) in the higher education sector for practitioners across operational units (e.g., student affairs, compliance, academic affairs, finance, etc.). The session will define ERM; review key concepts like risk as opportunities and threats, residual risk, risk appetite; existing established ERM frameworks; key risk indicators (KRIs); assessing likelihood and impact of risk; and more. Attendees will understand the intersection of ERM and governance, culture, strategy, monitoring and action, response to risk, and reporting as it relates to various unit-types. The session aims to equip practitioners with a working-level understanding of their roles as risk managers, how ERM framing supports risk mitigation and success for their institutions, and practical takeaways for beginning or engaging in ERM conversations with their communities.

Spotlight on Speech: Panel on Expressive Activity on Campus
Panelists: Mel Charbonneau, Madison College; Cat Jorgens, Carroll University; Christina Olstad, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Craig Fisher, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Frank Cella, Marsh
Description: Campus leaders recognize the importance of differing viewpoints and constructive dialogue. Yet creating safe, responsive environments for expressive activity can be challenging in a polarized national climate, and each institution’s approach will be further influenced by mission and campus culture. A panel of practitioners will reflect on the complex intersection of expression, engagement, and democratic learning and share their work – including some policies and practices - to restore trust in the value of free speech on college campuses in the context of civil discourse, academic freedom, and First Amendment.

Wisconsin College and Career Attainment Network
Presenters: Rebecca Larson, WAICU, Carole Trone, Fair Opportunity Project
Description: In 2024-25 Wisconsin had a record 92% high school graduation rate. However, only 51.4% of 2024-25 high school completers statewide are shown to have continued their studies in a postsecondary institution in the fall after high school graduation. To encourage a college going culture, Wisconsin is working to create a Wisconsin College and Career Attainment Network. This network will be a coalition of community-based organizations, institutions of higher education, school districts, policy makers, philanthropy, businesses, and other stakeholders committed to improving college, credential and career success for all Wisconsinites. Presenters will identify lessons learned from other states and regions that have already established effective College Access/Attainment Networks (CANs). Session participants will learn about Wisconsin CAN’s potential to increase the state’s postsecondary attainment rates (education and training beyond high school) and strengthen connections to career pathways and will understand how to get involved in the effort.

Compliance 202 Navigating Current and Emerging Issues Through a Compliance Lense
Presenters: Blaze Bowers, Drexel University, Paige Smith, Universities of Wisconsin
Description: This interactive session is designed to deepen participants’ understanding of the role of compliance in higher education by grounding discussion in Section 8 of the U.S. Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Beginning with a concise, high-level overview of the Guidelines, the session will move quickly into an engaged and participatory exploration of current and emerging issues facing institutions, the practical application of the FSG elements, and the resulting compliance implications. The session will conclude with clear key takeaways and actionable, practice-oriented tips that attendees can apply immediately within their institutions.

Wednesday May 20: Conference Day 1

Keynote: Federal Higher Education Landscape and Constitutional Crisis
Presenter: Peter Lake, Stetson University College of Law and Charles Dana, Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law and Policy
Description: Higher education is simultaneously experiencing multiple crises, perhaps dominated by profound threats in the law and policy dimension. The field has seen unprecedented law and policy attacks on funding, tax status, academic/ institutional freedom and autonomy, and even our inclusion of international students on American campuses. Even the rule of law itself as we have known it is in transition- along with the roles of lawyers. Professor Peter Lake will help to frame both the context and state of higher education in a time when legal "compliance" raises more than mere challenges but existential questions for the field.

Panel on Student Immigration
Panelists: Quinn Williams, Universities of Wisconsin; Colleen Larsen, Wisconsin Technical College System; Natalia Lucak, Community Immigration Law Center; Dr. Gerardo-Mancilla, Edgewood University
Description:This panel examines student immigration in higher education, including federal immigration policy changes, common challenges and trends, as well as resources and support for international and immigrant students while maintaining compliance.

Navigating Title VI Non-Discrimination and Free Speech in an Evolving Educational Landscape
Presenter: Wade Harrison, Universities of Wisconsin; Peter Lake, Stetson University College of Law
Description: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 has received increased focus in recent years. This has far-reaching implications for how campuses handle political expression, discrimination claims, even academic freedom. This session will provide an overview of the passage of Title VI and its obligations, a discussion of “hostile environment,” with practical tips on navigating conflicts, training, and documenting complaints and complaint response, and how it all applies to free speech rights.

Belonging to Flourish in a Culture of Wellbeing in Higher Education
Presenter: Dr. Tony Chambers, Center for Healthy Minds
Description: Tony’s comments for the session, “Belonging to Flourish in a Culture of Wellbeing in Higher Education", will focus on ways in which Belonging is generally understood and how to think about building environments and developing personal practices where everyone experiences belonging. The session will explore various dimensions of belonging and some of the challenges and paradoxes of belonging. The session will steer toward a hopeful future for higher education and ways in which educators and students can contribute to environments of wellbeing on campuses and beyond. The session will be interactive and will have a Question-and-Answer period at the conclusion of the session.

AI and Student Success
Panelists: Meacie Fairfax, Complete College America; Alli Jerger, Waukesha County Technical College; Dr. Gabriel Valez, Marquette University; Krissy Lukens, St. Norbert College; Reggie Smith, Northcentral Technical College
Description: AI has the potential to enhance the student experience, increase persistence, and cultivate workplace readiness. Colleges and universities are realizing the benefits of augmenting or even replacing certain activities with artificial intelligence tools. Simultaneously, we confront questions about equity, critical thinking, academic integrity, and self-actualization. Against this ever-changing backdrop, panelists will share their perspectives, policies, and use cases of AI in student affairs, student success, and the student experience.

Thursday May 21: Conference Day 2

Keynote: Creating Better Connected Colleges and Universities
Presenter: Elliot Felix, Author, Speaker, Consultant
Description:  Instead of silos and separations, how can colleges and universities help all students feel a sense of belonging, create courses that lead to rewarding careers, provide students the support they need to succeed, and help everyone work better together to make this happen in a rapidly changing environment? In this interactive keynote talk on creating better connected colleges and universities, Elliot will dive into three big questions: How can institutions optimize their processes, policies, and programs for transfer students? How can institutions shift to a holistic and collaborative model of student support? How can we enable experiential learning experiences that build skills and relationships while connecting students, faculty, staff, companies, and community groups? As we tackle each question, Elliot will share stories, stats, and strategies and then take questions so that participants can reflect and apply the insights to their institution. Along the way, he’ll touch on key themes like working with data, fostering belonging, and managing change. Participants will leave the session energized and aligned on how to better enable student success at their institution so that students find their people, their purpose, and their path.

Washington Update: Legislative and Regulatory Developments
Presenter: Jon Fansmith, American Council on Education (ACE)
Description: Learn more about the current political climate for higher education in Washington and what is on the horizon. Join an expert from the American Council on Education who will address priority issues for federal policymakers and the unprecedented actions of the new Administration. This session will cover developing trends in federal legislation and regulation as well as detailed dive into key issues impacting students, campuses and accreditors.

The Future of Financial Sustainability: The Synthesis of Policy, Practice, and Strategy
Presenter: Dr. Chuck Ambrose, Husch Blackwell
Description: The paradigm for higher ed has permanently shifted in recent years and schools and their leaders are searching for new skills and new tools as they look to build a sustainable, data-driven model for the future. Join an experienced campus president for a close look at student-focused policy and strategy for enhancing institutional performance and outcomes.

Designing Student Success: Aligning Financial Aid Strategies and Holistic Assessment
Presenters: Elliot Felix, Author; Katy Weisenburger, UW-Madison; CoraBeth Schmitz, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College; Zack Goodwin, Marquette University; Katie Glass, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Description: Higher education institutions increasingly recognize that student success requires both financial stability and holistic assessment strategies. This session explores how colleges and universities can intentionally structure financial aid policies and leverage both qualitative and quantitative assessments to improve retention, persistence, and student achievement. Panel members will share integrated, research‑aligned approaches that break down institutional silos and place students at the center of decision‑making.

The Regulatory Outlook for Higher Education
Presenter: Aaron Lacy, Coburn Thompson
Description: As we move further into 2026, questions abound regarding the status of the U.S. Department of Education’s regulatory agenda for institutions of higher education. During this session, Aaron Lacey will examine the status of the various negotiated rulemakings that have occurred over the last six months and look ahead to potential rulemaking activity and policy revisions, including likely timelines for negotiated rulemaking, proposed and final rules, and implementation. Aaron will discuss how these rulemakings fit into current regulatory priorities and how they align with the administration’s broader education agenda. He will also explore related topics, including salient litigation and resource constraints at the Department.