9 must-attend 2025-26 higher ed leadership conferences
Between evolving student expectations, AI transformation, and changing regulation regarding equity and access, higher education is shifting faster than ever.
Whether you’re a president mapping strategic growth, a provost deepening academic rigor, a chancellor championing your institution’s vision, an advancement leader driving philanthropic impact, or a CIO architecting tomorrow’s tech ecosystem, attending the right events with likeminded individuals can supercharge your plans.
Here’s your go-to list of marquee higher ed leadership conferences to bookmark now for the coming school year:
Leadership in Higher Education Conference (October 2—4, 2025)
October 2 – 4, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA
Designed for deans, department chairs, and senior administrators, this higher ed leaders conference delivers hands-on sessions that focus on steering complex institutions through disruption.
Topics include budget modeling under fiscal constraints, equity-centered leadership frameworks, student success analytics, plus pre-conference workshops on crisis management and team resilience. You’ll return with a fortified leadership toolkit and future-forward insight.
EDUCAUSE Annual Conference
October 27 – 30, 2025 | Denver, CO
At EDUCAUSE, CIOs and academic technologists converge to explore IT innovation.
The event includes deep dives on cybersecurity, cloud migrations, data analytics, and AI-driven student success platforms that will help you benchmark your digital roadmap, forge vendor partnerships, and future-proof your campus infrastructure.
Practical guide to AI adoption for institutional success
Today’s students expect instant answers, personalized support and a seamless experience. But admin teams are facing burnout and shrinking budgets. With the right AI tools, your team can break down silos and scale support.
In this guide:
- Real-world use cases across departments
- Tips for building buy-in and overcome blockers
- Roadmap to a scalable AI program
APLU Annual Meeting
November 4 – 6, 2025 | St. Louis, MO
The Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities (APLU) Annual Meeting gathers Presidents, Provosts, and Research Directors from public and land-grant universities. Attendees can expect to engage on R&D funding strategies, translational research for community impact, and partnerships with government and industry to amplify your land-grant mission in the 21st century.
CIC Presidents Institute 2026
January 4 – 7, 2026 | Orlando, FL
Hosted by the Council of Independent Colleges, this institute brings together Presidents, Chancellors, and Provosts for peer-to-peer strategy labs.
Through real-world case studies and small-group dialogue, you’ll reimagine campus culture, sharpen mission clarity, and build resilience in your leadership playbook.
InsightsEDU 2026 — Marketing & Enrollment Management for Adult and Online Education
February 17 – 19, 2026 | Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Tailored for enrollment directors, marketers, and academic VPs navigating the adult-learner and online markets, this higher ed leadership event zeroes in on data-driven recruitment tactics, AI-powered personalization, and retention playbooks.
Interactive labs walk you through optimizing your CRM funnel, launching targeted paid campaigns, and crafting brand narratives that resonate across diverse learner profiles.
SXSW EDU Conference & Festival
March 9 – 12, 2026 | Austin, TX
At SXSW EDU, immerse yourself in four days of cross-sector collaboration where education leaders, policymakers, and innovators converge.
Expect deep dives on extended reality in teaching, equity-driven design sprints, and showcase stages filled with emerging EdTech startups, perfect for scouting breakthrough strategies and forging partnerships beyond your campus.
ACE Experience 2026
February 25 – 28, 2026 | Washington, D.C.
The American Council on Education’s flagship event convenes university presidents, provosts, VPs of Student Affairs, and equity officers at the intersection of policy and practice. You’ll unpack federal policy trends, discover breakthrough retention strategies, and build equity-centered frameworks to close achievement gaps.
NACUBO Annual Meeting
Summer 2026
Join CFOs, Advancement VPs, and budget officers at the NACUBO Annual Meeting for a deep dive into financial stewardship.
Sessions on alternative revenue streams, endowment performance, and risk mitigation will equip you with sustainable finance models to bolster your institution’s fiscal health.
CASE Leadership Summit
Summer 2026
The CASE Leadership Summit is the go-to for Advancement VPs, Presidents, and senior development teams.
You’ll immerse yourself in hands-on workshops on AI-powered donor stewardship, master inclusive giving campaigns for all generations, and leave with fresh tactics to supercharge your institution’s fundraising and brand impact.
Connect with industry peers & amplify your impact with 2025-26 higher ed leadership conferences
Attending industry conferences is crucial for higher education leaders looking to overcome the barriers holding them from achieving goals, from increasing enrollment and retention to meeting fundraising goals.
We look forward to seeing you on the ground at some of these events and giving an up-close look at how AI-driven engagement can amplify every connection you make across the student lifecycle.
Can’t wait for that? Connect with our team today ahead of heading to these events and set your priorities for the new year.
