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Higher Ed Conferences for Student Affairs Professionals
With the higher ed student population rapidly changing to majority “non-traditional” students, staying up-to-date on the latest innovations in edtech and holistic student support practices is vital to ensuring student success.
That’s why we’ve created a growing calendar of higher education conferences for student support/affairs professionals so you can have a centralized location for upcoming opportunities for learning, professional development, networking, or sharing some of your own learnings or practices.
The calendar below includes conferences on topics such as basic needs (housing, healthcare, etc.), policy, and equity-centered practices.
Here’s a list view, if you’d like to view multiple events at once. Otherwise, feel free to go through the traditional monthly calendar view!
For more info on how to go through the calendar, continue reading.
How are the events sorted?
In our list view, conferences are sorted into either “Upcoming”, “Current” or “Past”. Toggle each section to see the events in that category. We’ve also sorted them by their start dates; closest start date to the furthest off start date.
In our calendar view, the statuses are color coded with upcoming events in blue, current events in yellow, and past events in green.
What info is included for each event?
For each conference you can see the name of the hosting organization, dates, registrations fees, type of conference, attendance type (virtual, in-person, or both), location, and lastly a link to the conference’s landing page. To see a short description of a conference, click on the name of the particular conference to open its window.
What is meant by type of conference?
By “type” we simply mean the general topic of the conference. For instance the #RealCollege 2022 conference is an annual conference on the policy, research, and practices surrounding meeting students’ basic needs in higher education. If you’re looking for a higher ed conference on basic needs, education, policy, AND equity, this is a conference you wouldn’t want to miss!
Our current list of conference topics include:
- Basic needs
- Education
- Equity
- Healthcare
- Housing
- Policy
- Post-secondary/Higher Ed
Why are basic needs conferences included?
Great question! At BestFit, we believe holistically supporting student basic needs is the best way to ensure student success. The biggest barrier(s) to academic achievement for students often have very little to do with academics. Instead, they’re much more likely to be related to the accessibility and affordability of basic needs like food, medicine, shelter, etc. Relief is out there for students, but outdated and frustrating user experiences cause $12 billion in benefits to go unclaimed each year by eligible post-secondary students.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, this problem was only exacerbated for both colleges and their students as many students left higher education in droves. Colleges, universities, and practitioners have seen the time for modernizing their student support services is now. The basic needs conferences included provide great insights into innovative ways to ensure students have the non-academic support they need to complete their post-secondary education.
What else do I need to know?
You should also note that the registration costs we’ve put down are one cost of attendance. Registration fees may vary based on membership, your organization's nonprofit status, and early or late registration.
Make sure you check out the host’s event page for the most accurate information on fees and other event details.
Will this calendar get updated?
Yes! This calendar will be updated weekly as new conferences get announced. Don’t see a conference you’re looking for, or have one you think we should add to the list? Don’t hesitate to shoot us an email!
Join us in Boston: February 26–March 2, 2023
ACUI is an association of people—resilient, passionate, determined, and caring people who have taken on numerous challenges over the past few years. The 2023 Annual Conference will be an opportunity to establish personal and professional networks, engage across diverse perspectives, reflect with colleagues about critical issues, and find a renewed sense of purpose to bring back to serve your campus and students.
Celebrate the value of shared, in-person experiences with professionals from around the globe in Boston to meet new colleagues and build your professional network.
Connect through shared values about how to
best create inclusive campus communities, while deepening your understanding of racial justice and developing skills to meet campus needs.
Engage in conference educational experiences that prompt reflection and inspire future thinking, while exploring local campuses and the
city of Boston in unique ways.
Generate
energy to bring back to campus, feeling inspired to improve our profession and the communities we serve, and uniting with professionals who understand what you do.
All-Conference Sessions
Advance your professional development through the below schedule of keynotes and panel discussions, addressing important topics of workplace well-being, social justice in higher education, organizational design, and leadership for the future.
Sunday: Porsha Olayiwola
Porsha Olayiwola is a writer, performer, and educator who uses afro-futurism and surrealism to examine historical and current issues in the Black, woman, and queer diasporas. As the current poet laureate for the city of Boston, join Porsha as she provides a creative historical acknowledgement of the city we are in, the land we are on, and the campuses that surrounds us as we gather in Boston—followed by an engaging reflection with attendees on how we can improve our communication as leaders to facilitate community and build future spaces that grow.
Monday: Dr. Kristen Lee
Dr. Kristen Lee, Ed.D., LICSW, is an internationally recognized, award-winning behavioral science clinician, researcher, educator, speaker, comedian, and faculty-in-residence at Northeastern University. She works with organizations and leaders around the world on how to use the science of behavioral change and human potential to build healthy mental health cultures that help prevent burnout and promote organizational and human sustainability. With current times calling for innovative strategies to respond to a wide range of needs, join Dr. Kris as she shares a toolbox of interactive, practical, evidence-based strategies to cultivate resilience across educational ecosystems and a build a culture of connection, belonging, psychological safety, and positive impact.
Tuesday: Chief Diversity Officers Panel Discussion
As our core values continue to guide work in the association and across the profession through these historic times, it is critical that campus community building efforts are part of broader institutional strategic initiatives—particularly as it relates to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Join a panel of chief diversity of officers from colleges and universities in the Boston area to explore the role of these positions in ensuring environmental factors support student success; to understand how social justice strategies, practices, and programs are being advanced within higher education; and to engage in discussion with attendees seeking additional insight and advice.
Wednesday: Jason
Mayden
Jason Mayden—a designer, educator, and entrepreneur—has worked with some of the world’s most prolific artists, athletes, entertainers, and entrepreneurs. By leveraging the power of cultural competency, empathy, advocacy, and inclusion within organizations, he believes that modern leaders should create organizations that serve as catalysts for the professional aspirations of their employees. He believes that it is not enough to simply have a seat at the table, we must all learn how to build our own. From our education systems to corporate boardrooms, join Jason Mayden in discussing how we can design systems of thinking that empower leaders to leverage their positions of influence for the betterment of the collective by advocating for the well-being of others.
Schedule
The 2023 Annual Conference will be full of meaningful opportunities to learn and connect as a community of professionals. Each day will feature an all-conference session (keynotes and panel discussions). The event will start on Sunday, February 26 with welcome activities, regional gatherings, a dinner, and an opening reception. Monday morning will feature the unique ACUI Adventure, with educational sessions that afternoon. Tuesday will include the opening of the ACUI Expo, along with educational sessions. And Wednesday, March 2 will include more opportunities with the ACUI Expo (including lunch) and educational sessions, and the event will conclude with the annual Closing Banquet.
Full Tentative Schedule
Schedule Highlights
ACUI Adventure
Join us for an ACUI Adventure on Monday morning during the conference. During this first of its kind educational experience, conference participants will get the chance to experience Boston, area campuses, or take a deeper dive on a topic of interest. Conference attendees will be able to select from a number of unique experiences—all included in your conference registration fee.
Thanks to the local partners and institutions working with the Conference Program Team to make this memorable adventure possible. More details will be available closer to the event.
Preconferences
Explore these additional learning opportunities prior to the official start of the conference on Sunday afternoon. Preregistration is required for preconference programs, many of which are sponsored by ACUI communities of practice.
Senior Management Program: Global Concerns for Student Unions and Student Life Leaders
Fee: $165
Saturday, February 25 – 10 a.m.–9 p.m., and
Sunday, February 26 – 9 a.m.–Noon
This preconference program for senior and mid-level managers in the U.S. and abroad is designed to address hot topics in student unions and student life around the globe. Engage with colleagues through facilitated sessions and roundtable discussions on mental health and well-being for staff and students; free speech and open expression; and the evolution of the role of the college union.
Preregistration is required for this event. Registration for the program includes access to all educational content, transportation, lunch and dinner on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday.
Engaging Individuals and Teams in New Ways: an Introduction to Liberating Structures
Fee: $125
Saturday,
February 25 – Noon–5 p.m., and
Sunday, February 26 – 9 a.m.–Noon
When you feel included and engaged, do you do a better job? Do you think teams in which people work well together produce much better results? Have you noticed the best ideas often come from unexpected sources? Do you want to work at the top of your intelligence and give the same opportunity to others? Conventional structures used to organize how people routinely work together stifle inclusion and engagement as either too inhibiting (presentations, status reports and managed discussions) or too loose and disorganized (open discussions and brainstorms) to creatively engage people in shaping their own future. Liberating Structures offers an alternative way to approach how people work together by introducing tiny shifts in the way we meet, plan, decide and relate to one another. Everyone at every level within an organization can use these tools to enhance relational coordination, build trust, unleash creativity and foster inclusive teams where individuality and collective wisdom are embraced. During this pre-conference session, participants will actively engage with more than 15 different structures they can easily take back to their teams and campus for use with groups of any size and type. As a bonus, participants will discuss shared challenges and build collegial relationships with each other that will carry them through the conference and beyond.
Preregistration is required for this event. Registration for the program includes access to all educational content, a snack break on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday morning.
Fee: $45
Saturday, February 25 – Noon–5 p.m.
The focus of this workshop is to provide participants with the fundamentals of awareness, history, language, and foundational tips on allying themselves with members of the LGBTQ+ community. Participants will be able to define common LGBTQ+ terminology and understand the importance of inclusive language. Focus will be placed on developing empathy and building cultural respect as we look to further develop one’s sense of self and inclusivity. The workshop will also take a deep dive into the Transgender community for participants to learn specifics surrounding key terms and phrases, historical information surrounding the trans community, a global look at gender in other cultures, and discussion of current issues. Participants will learn tips on how to ally yourself with the LGBTQ+ community as a whole and will utilize various resources to engage participants, including videos, scenarios, and discussion. Individuals will end the workshop by making a SMART goal to prove being an ally is not just an identity but an action.
Preregistration is required for this event. Registration for the program includes access to all educational content and a snack break on Saturday afternoon.
Community of Practice for Multi-Ethnic Professionals & Allies (COMP) - Who are YOU?
Fee: $45
Saturday, February 25 – Noon–5 p.m.
Are you showing up as your most authentic self? As professionals of color, we are the experts in code switching, but when does code switching becomes a barrier from showing up as yourself? The Community of Practice for Multi-Ethnic Professionals and Allies (COMP) is back with a preconference session designed for participants to explore the question: “Who are YOU? Not you the professional; you as the individual.” Participants will leave this session empowered, with a further understanding of self, a sense of resiliency, rejuvenated, as well as connections to the multitude of resources ACUI has to offer.
Preregistration is required for this event. Registration for the program includes access to all educational content and a snack break on Saturday afternoon.
Tours
Explore the host city through these tour opportunities arranged around Boston. Do note that less campus tours are being offered because of the ACUI Adventure on Monday morning, which will include opportunities to visit institutions. Preregistration is required for preconference programs.
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Fee: $35
Sunday, February 26 – 8 a.m.–Noon
Enjoy a visit to the University of Massachusetts Lowell to tour multiple campus spaces that are used to support events, conferences, and campus community building.
Preregistration is required for this program. Registration include includes all admission fees and transportation for the tour.
Fee: $35
Sunday, February 26 – 9 a.m.–Noon
Visit the Museum of Science featuring a variety of seasonal exhibits in science, technology, and more. The Museum is never the same twice!
Preregistration is required for this program. Registration include includes all admission fees and transportation for the tour.
Fee: $35
Tuesday, February 28 – 3–5 p.m.
Take a guided tour of one of MLB's most iconic grounds: Fenway Park! This one-hour walking tour will bring you up close with many of the historic places and events in the park's 110-years as the home of the Boston Red Sox.
Preregistration is required for this program. Registration include includes all admission fees and transportation for the tour.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Fee:
$35
Wednesday, March 1 – 3–5 p.m.
Learn about the daring visionary and the museum she created. This hour-long tour will take you through the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum galleries where you'll see Isabella's installations and collections first-hand.
Preregistration is required for this program. Registration include includes all admission fees and transportation for the tour.
Registration
The 2023 Annual Conference will be packed full of meaningful professional development experiences, included in your registration fee:
- Nine educational session blocks
- Four all-conference sessions
- Two times to discover product solutions from exhibitors
- One morning of unique learning adventures
Each day of the conference also features multiple ways to meet new colleagues, connect with your networks, learn best practices, and explore opportunities to innovate during receptions, meals, showcases, community gatherings, and more.
Three meals are also included in registration: an opening dinner and reception, a lunch in the ACUI Expo, and dinner at the closing banquet.
Delivering this exceptional value through times of inflated cost, we have committed to no fee increases again this year, continuing to offer the same rates below since before the pandemic.
Early (Through December 8)
- Professional Member – $795
- Professional Nonmember – $995
- Student Member – $395
- Student Nonmember – $525
- Retiree – $395
- One-Day Registration Member – $295
- One-Day Registration Nonmember – $425
Regular (December 9–January 27)
- Professional Member – $895
- Professional Nonmember – $1,150
- Student Member – $445
- Student Nonmember – $575
- Retiree – $395
- One-Day Registration Member – $345
- One-Day Registration Nonmember – $475
Late (January 28 and after)
- Professional Member – $995
- Professional Nonmember – $1,250
- Student Member – $495
- Student Nonmember – $625
- Retiree – $395
- One-Day Registration Member – $395
- One-Day Registration Nonmember – $525
Travel
Hotel
Boston Marriott Copley Place
110 Huntington Ave Boston, MA 02116
Book your hotel room by February 1, 2023 to secure the ACUI group room rate of $199/night (plus taxes and fees), available for both standard king and double queen rooms.
Reserve a Room
TransportationTransportation options to get to the conference venue include:
- Boston Logan International Airport, 4.5 miles from the hotel
- Amtrak to Boston, accessible via multiple routes and local stations
- MBTA Subway Service, accessible via the Orange line (Back Bay station) and Green line (Copley station)
Thank you to Diamond Sponsor Chartwells!
Meet the Conference Program Team
- Susan Pile, Chair, University of Michigan Ann Arbor
- Shanna Kinzel, University of Nevada Las Vegas
- Jeff Pelletier, The Ohio State University
- Benjamin Perlman, Emory University
- Una Redmond, Dublin City University
- Mary Russell, University of Wisconsin Madison
- Ashley Shoemake, University of Texas at Dallas
- Andrea Trevino, University of Houston
- Brittany Wildman, University of Louisville
- Justin Rudisille, Staff Liaison, ACUI
If you have any questions or ideas, please contact Susan Pile.
Call for Content
Presenting a session at the Annual Conference is an opportunity to share unique expertise and experience with others, connect with colleagues, and get involved with ACUI in a way that makes a true difference. Don’t miss out!
The 2023 call for content is now underway and you will find all the information you need to collate an informative and engaging conference session below. This includes the details of the various formats, suggested engagement levels and a reminder of ACUI’s core competencies to enable you to frame your session to be relevant and valuable to the conference attendees.
Even if you've never presented at an ACUI Regional or Annual Conference, we hope you'll still consider sharing your expertise by submitting a proposal. Perhaps co-present with a colleague from your campus or another. We are particularly interested in educational session content focused on:
- Social justice, inclusion, anti-racism
- Our role as community builders
- Best practices in college unions, from operations to programming
- Ways to navigate workforce changes
- Trends, issues and best practices for global student unions
- Future of student unions
In the submission form, you will have an opportunity to outline your session and to be considered for inclusion in Boston 2023.
The deadline for submission was Monday, September 19.
Consider the following types of presentations as your prepare your session. All formats and level of audience engagement provides value to the conference experience and appeal to different learning styles, so we are looking for a variety of types of sessions to occur in Boston.
A 50-minute presentation on a selected topic to be presented individually or with a co-presenter(s). This delivery format often explains or explores a specific topic area in depth and engages participants to think deeper in selected areas. Types of attendee participation in this session format could include:
Lecture-Style Session
A presentation on a selected topic to be presented individually or with
a co-presenter(s). This delivery format is more instructional in nature, often explaining or exploring a specific topic area in depth and engages participants to think deeper in selected areas.
Panel Discussion
A session where any combination of staff, students, and/or corporate partners come together and participate in a moderated discussion. Panelists speak from personal experiences and engage one another as they seek to enhance attendees’ understanding around a
specific topic or content area.
Teach-In
A session where presenters facilitate an in-depth exploration around a useful or beneficial product or service. Presenters should plan to present to those who already have product/service and may want a deeper understanding of a more complex area, allowing time for audience Q&A.
Dialogue Facilitation
A facilitated discussion with the option to bring in other presenters, panelists, and/or resources
to help to engage participants in conversations. Facilitators will conclude by leading participants to creating a commonly agreed upon group action plan.
A 25-minute presentation on a selected topic to be presented individually or with a co-presenter(s). This delivery format provides a quick exploration of a topic area in and is designed for quick takeaways.
Product
Demonstration
A brief walkthrough or demonstration of a product. The goal is to expose attendees to new products or services as well as new updates or features to existing products or services.
Show and Tell “Hacks”
A brief presentation about a unique solution to a common problem or challenge. In this session format, presenters will provide attendees a quick overview of a problem/challenge, and then explain the unique steps or processes adapted to solve
and overcome it.
Lecture-Style Overview
A presentation on a selected topic to be presented individually or with a co-presenter(s). This delivery format is more instructional in nature, often explaining or exploring a specific topic area in depth and engages participants to think deeper in selected areas.
A 90-minute session aimed at engaging attendees through a combination of presentations, reflection, and/or group work. Workshops are meant to be “deep dives” into specific content areas and enhance attendees knowledge beyond a traditional educational session.
Dialogue Facilitation
A facilitated discussion with the option to bring in other presenters, panelists, and/or resources to help to engage participants in conversations. Facilitators will conclude by leading participants to creating a commonly agreed
upon group action plan.
Panel Discussion
A session where any combination of staff, students, and/or corporate partners come together and participate in a moderated discussion. Panelists speak from personal experiences and engage one another as they seek to enhance attendees’ understanding around a specific topic or content area.
Mixed Methods
With additional time, the workshop time block allows flexibility for a mixed approach—providing a
foundational overview to create a shared language or framework for the session, followed by small group discussions, activities, and reflections.
A passive content delivery format that captures a snapshot of research, assessment, outcomes or other content area via a poster display. Information is geared toward engaging attendees in-person with a focus on providing information in a fun, creative, succinct, and engaging manner
Preparing Your Submission
As you prepare your submission, consider how you can:
- Fill a knowledge gap and/or provide information needed by colleagues
- Answer a question or offer a solution to a problem in your expertise area or topic
- Create a transferable presentation which can be applied broadly beyond your campus community where possible
- Be succinct in your submission, use proper grammar and spelling, minimize jargon, and use concrete/specific language
- Identify core competencies, and all other questions posed in the submission form
- Develop a session you can commit to creating and presenting Be flexible throughout selection process
Additionally, you must comply with all the listed eligibility requirements, inclusive language, and additional expectations.
Sessionize Submission Platform
Please note, you will need to create an account and profile with Sessionize, ACUI's platform for managing sessions, prior to submitting. You will enter the email addresses for co-presenters, and they will receive an notification to accept their invitation to be associated with the session.
Once the information needed for the submission has been compiled, you can submit the session. After you have submitted, edits can be made to your session up until the September 19 submission deadline, so feel free to adjust your format, learning outcomes, or copresenters list as you approach the deadline, as needed.
The submission form will require responses to the following prompts:
- Session title and description
- Preferred presentation type (i.e., standard, flash, workshop, poster)
- Audience participation type (i.e., panel discussion, lecture, large group discussion, small group activity, audience Q&A)
- Invited audience (i.e., undergraduate students, graduate students, new professionals, mid-level professionals, seasons professionals, corporate members)
- Primary and secondary core competencies
- Provide up to three Learning Outcomes for the session.
- Describe how your intended content will align with the selected audience participation type.
- Presenter and copresenter information, including contact information and a brief biography
Eligibility and Expectations
Every presenter at the ACUI Annual Conference must be registered for the conference. Additionally, all presenters must meet at least one of the following qualifications:
- All individual members, employees, or students at an institutional member in good standing, and retirees are eligible to present educational sessions at the Annual Conference.
- ACUI nonmembers representing not-for-profit organizations are eligible to present educational sessions. Nonmembers are encouraged to present with ACUI members whenever possible.
- Corporate presenters at the ACUI annual conference will participate in a separate process in September.
- Presenters' ability to present their session from the conference hotel may influence the selection process.
ACUI is committed to providing welcoming, safe, and inclusive learning environments at its conferences and events. During our programs, we want all participants to share ideas, network, and enjoy the company of others, and we recognize that our ability to create this experience depends on the behavior of all in attendance.
Event speakers are expected to conduct themselves according to ACUI’s core values, and the ethical standards of the profession. All members of the ACUI community are to be considerate; refrain from any demeaning, harassing, or discriminatory behavior or speech; and immediately comply with any requests to discontinue objectionable behavior. The following are examples of unacceptable behavior:
- Offensive, hostile, or derogatory comments.
- Disruptive actions unrelated to the intended purpose of the event.
- Conduct that demonstrates a lack of professionalism or respect for another individual.
We ask that all presenters at ACUI conferences be mindful that our audiences include students and professionals from all types of campuses and educational institutions, as well as corporate and nonprofit members and partners. Every effort is expected of presenters and speakers to include appropriate language, material, and examples for the Association’s target audience and membership.
To successfully deliver your content, we will require each presenter to:
- Grant ACUI permission to record, stream, broadcast, distribute, and subsequently utilize all session content without any expectation of rights, remuneration, or interest unless otherwise specified and agreed upon in writing by ACUI.
- Be publicly listed as a session presenter.
- Communicate in a timely manner with conference representatives regarding session information, changes, and additional requests.