Higher education professionals, from academics and advisers to presidents and provosts, are facing major sectorwide challenges. Financial aid administrators, for instance, are still grappling with the botched rollout of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Top college leaders, meanwhile, are dealing with enrollment challenges and student protests.
Below, we’re rounding up some of the top higher education conferences in 2025 aiming to help college professionals navigate these challenges. They include events catering to college presidents, financial aid professionals, academic advisers, governing board members, foundation leaders and university attorneys.
Top higher education conferences in 2025
AGB Foundation Leadership Forum
Jan. 29-31
Marriott Marquis Washington DC
The annual forum brings together hundreds of college and university foundation leaders. This year’s theme focuses on how to support students’ long-term success and create more sustainable institutions.
NASFAA Leadership & Legislative Conference & Expo
Feb. 9-12
JW Marriott Washington, DC
The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators’ conference aims to offer networking opportunities, professional development and industry insight to financial aid workers. Featured speakers include officials from NASFAA and the U.S. Department of Education, including Aaron Lemon-Strauss, executive director of the agency’s FAFSA program.
ACE Experience
Feb. 12-13
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.
The American Council on Education’s meeting aims to provide higher education leaders with networking opportunities and sessions on sector trends. Speakers include sports columnist Christine Brennan and Lumina Foundation CEO Jamie Merisotis.
The association is also holding several special events coinciding with the meeting, including a women’s leadership dinner and an opportunity for ACE member presidents to speak with policymakers.
SXSW EDU
March 3-6
Austin, Texas
The annual event brings together policymakers, industry leaders, educators and college administrators to discuss trends in both the higher education and K-12 sector. Past speakers have included U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and media mogul Oprah Winfrey.
NADOHE Annual Conference
March 5-8
Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile
The theme of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education’s next conference is “Navigating Change: Leading through Defining Moments.”
UPCEA Annual Conference
March 24-26
Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel
The annual conference held by UPCEA — formerly known as the University Professional and Continuing Education Association — focuses on online and continuing education and will include keynote presentations, panel discussions, interactive workshops and networking opportunities.
ACCRAO Annual Meeting
March 30-April 2
Washington Convention Center, Seattle
The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers annual meeting focuses on the “ever-changing landscape of higher education.” Past speakers have included broadcast journalist Soledad O’Brien, actor George Takei and former U.S. State Secretary Madeleine Albright.
AGB National Conference on Trusteeship
April 1-2
Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile
The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges’ conference offers opportunities for governing board members to discuss new ideas, network and prepare to serve in their roles. The keynote speaker will be Sara Goldrick-Rab, author of “Paying the Price: College Costs, Financial Aid, and the Betrayal of the American Dream.”
OLC Innovate
April 1-3
Virtual
The Online Learning Consortium’s annual conference provides opportunities for higher education professionals to share best practices for online and blended learning. The theme for this year’s conference is “The Rhythm of Innovation: Hitting the High Notes in Digital Education.”
AAC&U Conference on Learning and Student Success
April 3-5
Puerto Rico Convention Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico
The American Association of Colleges and Universities’ CLASS conference will focus on transforming the undergraduate experience and improving student learning. AAC&U will also host pre-conference workshops and offer a virtual attendance option.
HLC Annual Conference
April 5-8
Chicago
The conference, held by accreditor Higher Learning Commission, will focus on how institutions can “use higher learning to meet the needs of their students and society.”
Announced speakers include Amelia Parnell, president and CEO of NASPA—Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education; Charles Welch, president and CEO of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities; and researcher and author David Allison. HLC will also host several pre-conference workshops, including one about seeking accreditation.
ASU+GSV Summit
April 6-9
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
The annual ASU+GSV Summit, hosted by Arizona State University and venture capital firm GSV Ventures, brings together thousands of K-12, higher education and workforce development leaders to discuss trends and ideas in their sectors.
AACC Annual Convention
April 12-16
Nashville, Tennessee
The American Association of Community College’s annual conference will focus heavily on student success and trends affecting the two-year sector. Scheduled keynote speakers include actors Ken Jeong and Joel McHale, from the NBC comedy “Community,” and journalist and TV host Tamron Hall.
ACUPA Annual Conference
April 13-15
Miami
The Association of College and University Policy Administrators’ conference includes a focus on adapting to changes in the higher education sector. Scheduled keynote speakers include Bridget Burns, CEO of the University Innovation Alliance, and Brandon Fleming, author of “Miseducated.”
Graduate Enrollment Management Summit
April 23-26
San Francisco Marriott Marquis
The annual summit is held by NAGAP, a professional association focused on graduate enrollment management. Speakers include motivational speaker Jovan Glasgow; Lisa Garcia Bedolla, vice provost for graduate studies and dean of the graduate division at University of California, Berkeley; and Kendra Jason, sociology professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
NISOD International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence
May 24-27
Austin, Texas
The National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development’s conference focuses on bringing together educators at technical and community colleges to discuss teaching and learning. Speakers include Carrie Kisker, president of Kisker Education Consulting, and Mike Flores, chancellor of Alamo Colleges.
North American Career Education Convention
May 27-29
MGM Grand, Las Vegas
The conference brings together career education professionals to learn about trends in their sector and network. In 2024, former Vice President Mike Pence was a keynote speaker.
NACUA Annual Conference
June 22-25
Seattle Convention Center
The National Association of College and University Attorney’s annual conference focuses on legal trends in the higher education sector. Past years have included pre-conference programs, including a workshop for lawyers new to the sector and an informal roundtable discussion for chief legal officers.
NACAC Conference
Sept. 18-20
Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio
The National Association for College Admission Counseling’s annual conference brings together attendees to share best practices and research about college admission counseling. Events include a college fair where high school counselors have an opportunity to mix with admissions officers and tours hosted by colleges in the Columbus area.
CUPA-HR Annual Conference and Expo
Oct. 5-7
Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, Denver, Colorado
CUPA-HR is an association for human resources professionals working in higher education. Last year’s conference brought together over 1,400 HR workers.
NACADA Annual Conference
Oct. 26-29
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
The annual conference held by NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising focuses on sharing ideas and best practices around student advising. This year’s theme is excellence in student support.
Educause Annual Conference
Oct. 27-29
Nashville, Tennessee
Educause’s annual conference is intended for information technology professionals and technology providers focused on the higher education sector.
P3 EDU
Nov. 3-5
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta
The annual P3 EDU conference explores innovation in public-private partnerships in the higher education sector. Last year’s speakers included numerous institutional leaders, including Virginia State University President Makola Abdullah and University of Colorado Denver Chancellor Michelle Marks.
