More descriptions coming soon!

Tuesday, May 19: Pre-Conference Workshops 

Strengthening Your Compliance Program for Long-term Success (50 min)
Presenters: Paige Smith & Amy Missinne
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.

More workshops coming soon!

Wednesday May 20: Conference Day 1

Keynote: State of Law, Policy, and Regulatory Compliance in Higher Education

Presenter: Peter F. Lake, Professor of Law and Charles A. Dana Chair and Director, Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law and Policy, Stetson University College of Law

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. 

More descriptions coming soon!

Thursday May 21: Conference Day 2

Keynote: Stories, Stats, and Strategies for Student Success

Speaker: Elliot Felix, author, speaker, consultant

Description: This session will explore the role that people, academic programs, places, technology platforms, and career paths play in student success. Author and consultant Elliot Felix brings together stories, stats, and strategies on how to redesign what campuses offer, how they operate, and how they are organized. 

Washington Update: Legislative and Regulatory Developments

Presenter: Jon Fansmith, Senior Vice President, Government Relations and National Engagement, 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 Case for Financial Sustainability

Speaker: 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. 

More descriptions coming soon!