As a professional in the higher education industry, you’re well aware of the constantly changing trends, strategies, and laws surrounding education. Conferences are an excellent way to network and collaborate with peers while learning about the most pressing issues and trends from influential individuals and industry leaders.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top higher ed conferences for you to attend in 2025! Below you will find some of the most popular and informative higher education conferences that focus on key issues like enrollment growth, education, policy, and innovation.
Want to learn more about how you can improve your enrollment process? Check out our top 10 higher ed admissions associations blog post!
Growing Enrollments / Marketing
EMA Annual Conference – 2025 Annual Conference | Austin, Texas
When: September 18-20, 2025
Where: Austin, TX
The Enrollment Management Association’s annual conference brings together an innovative group of thought leaders to discuss how schools can attract more students, grow their community, and deliver on their mission.
Throughout the three day event, attendees will learn about various topics to help grow enrollments from some of the leading minds in the education space. Topics include everything from robot-proofing your students to seizing opportunities and transforming higher education as a whole.
You can also attend pre-conference workshops where you’ll learn about topics like:
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- Admission Training
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- Future Leaders
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- Boarding School Access
When: March 24–26, 2025
Where: Denver, Colorado
Overview: A significant gathering for professionals in professional, continuing, and online education, addressing topics like federal policy, marketing, enrollment management, and more.
The University Professional and Continuing Education’s (UPCEA) annual conference is one of the most recognizable higher education conferences, registering thousands of attendees each year.
Throughout the event, attendees will hear discussions about the rapidly expanding part technology is playing in education, trends to take note of, and how students have adapted to succeed with these modern changes.
UPCEA focuses on teaching higher ed professionals on topics like:
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- Online Leadership and Administration
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- Professional and Continuing Education
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- Alternative and Non-degree credentials
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- Marketing and Enrollment Management
When: Jul 22-Jul 24, 2025
Where: Atlanta, GA
Overview: This comprehensive conference covers key issues in higher education enrollments, offering sessions on undergraduate and graduate enrollment, campus marketing, financial aid management, and student success.
Join us in Atlanta, Georgia, for more than 100 sessions on artificial intelligence, undergraduate enrollment, graduate enrollment, college student success, and more. Interact with nationally renowned experts and more than 1,500 attendees.
The RNL National Conference is geared towards high-ranking professionals like:
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- Presidents
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- Chief Enrollment Officers
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- Chief Academic/Student Affairs Officers
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- Directors of Admissions
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- Directors of Financial Aid
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- Deans
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- Campus Marketing Professionals
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- Campus Retention Teams
When: May 4-7, 2025
Where: Waikoloa, Hawaii
The 2025 WACUBO Annual Conference will be held at the beautiful Hilton Waikoloa Village resort on the Big Island of Hawai‘i. Our theme for the 2025 conference is ʻAʻohe hana nui ke alu ʻia, which translates to “No task is too big when done together by all.” Mark your calendars for May 4-7, 2025, and join us for another great WACUBO conference with inspiring speakers, stimulating educational content, and opportunities to network with higher education and business partner colleagues. Registration and hotel reservation details will be announced in January 2025.
AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education
When: November 9-12, 2025
Where: National Harbor, MD
For over 30 years, the AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education has been a leading event in shaping the future of higher ed marketing.
Our peer-reviewed program is designed to help you refine your strategy, strengthen your institution’s reputation and ensure long-term financial health. Beyond the sessions and presentations, the Symposium offers a collaborative space where ideas turn into action and innovation drives progress. Join fellow marketers in building a brighter future for higher education—register today to be part of this transformative experience.
Education
National Resource Center: The First-Year Experience
When: February 16-19, 2025
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana
The National Resource Center’s annual conference on the first-year experience focuses on the student experience, especially for current and incoming freshmen. Throughout the event, higher ed professionals swap stories, scenarios, and successes they’ve experienced to support first-year students’ development and success better.
Throughout the event, you’ll learn about a variety of topics, including:
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- Improving the first year
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- Creating stronger partnerships between students and schools
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- Student health issues
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- Bridging generational gaps
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- Faculty training
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- Teaching tools
When: March 29–April 2, 2025
Where: Kansas City, Missouri
Overview: The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators gathers professionals to network and develop skills, offering workshops and sessions from seasoned experts.
Policy
SCCE: Higher Education Compliance Conference
When: June 2-4
Where: Orlando, FL
Overview: The Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics provides insights into higher education compliance, covering topics like Title IX, privacy and security, and risk assessments.
The Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE) offers knowledgeable insights into higher ed compliance to those who attend. During the event, attendees will learn from experienced professionals about various topics, offering proven solutions to some of the most common issues in higher ed compliance and ethics.
Some of the topics they discuss are:
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- Title IX
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- Clery Act
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- Privacy and Security
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- Data Breaches
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- Compliance training
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- Risk assessments
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- Conflicts of Interest
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- Investigations
AHEAD: Master Classes for Seasoned Professionals
When: July 14 – Friday, July 18, 2025
Where: Denver, Colorado (Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel)
AHEAD is excited to announce its 48th annual conference, Equity & Excellence: Access in Higher Education, as an in-person professional development and networking event. Presenters and participants from diverse fields, including education, technology, law, scholarship, and government, will gather in Denver in July, and we hope to see you there!
When: October 5-7 2025
Where: Denver, Colorado
Mark your calendar, and plan to join us for the 2025 CUPA-HR Annual Conference and Expo, to be held October 5-7 in Denver, Colorado! Look for more details in the spring.
When: September 18 – 20, 2025
Where: Greater Columbus Convention Center Columbus, OH
The National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) is an organization that was created with the goal of bringing people together to support a shared cause. Their mission is to “empower college admission counseling professionals through education, advocacy, and community.”
Each year, NACAC’s annual conference brings together thousands of higher education professionals to share ideas and attend presentations from prominent industry leaders.
These presentations include topics like:
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- Community Building
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- Enrollment Management
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- Creative Outreach
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- Recruitment Strategies
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- Student Experiences
Innovation
When: TBD (website was done)
Where:
The National Edtech and Innovation (NEIC) Conference is aimed at educators from schools, districts, community colleges, adult learning centers, and universities to teach higher ed professionals about the latest trend in ed tech and school innovation.
During the three day event, participants network with their peers while discussing the transition to digital learning, closing the digital divide, and identifying the required skills to develop professionally.
You’ll also hear leading professionals speak about topics like:
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- Teaching with technology
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- Digital infrastructure
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- Personalized learning
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- Leadership
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- Student data and privacy laws
When: January 14-17, 2025
Where: Orlando, FL
The Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) gathers some electric and innovative education leaders to explore the exciting potential technology brings to the classroom. For over 40 years, the NFETC has hosted crowds of eager professionals looking to stay ahead of the curve by networking and learning from like-minded experts.
This year’s session topics include:
Technology trends
Cultivating future leaders
District leadership
Campus safety/security
Digital content integration
When: March 31- April 2, 2025
Where: Hyatt Regency Seattle
Consortium for School Networking (COSN) conference.
When:April 17-19, 2023
Where: San Diego, California
Since 2010, The Arizona State University + Global Silicon Valley (ASU GSV) Summit has connected individuals who are determined to transform how people learn and work. Each year the event offers actionable insights and enlightening experiences that focus on human-centered connections. Throughout the event, a diverse group of attendees from over 137 countries get together to network with educators, investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to discuss industry trends, highlight up and coming edtech companies, and hear from some of the world’s most influential speakers. In the past, ASU GSV has brought on prominent speakers like: Two former U.S. presidents Four former world leaders Current and former Governors Former U.S. secretaries Academy award winners Grammy award winners
Since 2010, The Arizona State University + Global Silicon Valley (ASU GSV) Summit has connected individuals who are determined to transform how people learn and work. Each year the event offers actionable insights and enlightening experiences that focus on human-centered connections.
Throughout the event, a diverse group of attendees from over 137 countries get together to network with educators, investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to discuss industry trends, highlight up and coming edtech companies, and hear from some of the world’s most influential speakers.
In the past, ASU GSV has brought on prominent speakers like:
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- Two former U.S. presidents
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- Four former world leaders
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- Current and former Governors
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- Former U.S. secretaries
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- Academy award winners
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- Grammy award winners
When: April 6-9, 2025
Where: Orlando, FL
Overview: This four-day event recognizes the impact of education on future generations, focusing on industry and student success. Explore the latest technology solutions, discover industry insights, and make valuable connections as a global community.
When: April 1-3, 2025
Where: Unsure
The Online Learning Consortium (OLC) annual conference is dedicated to improving the quality of digital education by forming a collaborative community of higher education professionals to network and discuss tips, best practices, and the future of online learning.
Since 1999, The OLC has prided itself on being a trusted source of information on digital learning. For over two decades, educators have turned to the OLC for expert guidance and resources to provide quality learning experiences online.
This year’s conference will feature topics such as:
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- Blended teaching and learning
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- Industry connections for student learning
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- Instructional technology and tools
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- Leadership and advocacy
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- Open learning
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- Process, problems and practices
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- Student support and success
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- Teaching and learning practice
2024-25 Conference Sites:
- NACA Providence (RI) – Oct. 24-26, 2024
- NACA Birmingham (AL) – canceled
- NACA Lexington (KY) – Nov. 7-9, 2024
- NACA Riverside (CA) – Nov. 14-16, 2024
- NACA St. Paul (MN) – Apr. 3-5, 2025
The National Association For Campus Activities (NACA) holds conferences across the country throughout the year, encouraging attendees to make meaningful connections while learning from experts, creating long-lasting memories, and exchanging ideas with peers.
NACA defines their organization as a place where members can transform the college campus and amplify the campus experience through inclusive learning, meaningful connections, and engaging entertainment.
This year’s event will feature several prominent topics, including:
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- Campus traditions
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- Career development
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- Diversity & inclusion
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- Learning outcomes
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- Values & ethics
When: April 23-26, 2025
Where: New York, New York
The Association for Graduate Enrollment Management (NAGAP) is determined to engage and improve enrollment management professionals through collaboration, education, and research.
As the only organization dedicated to addressing the concerns of professionals in the graduate enrollment management environment, NAGAP gladly promotes and educates participants on their key focus areas.
These focus areas are:
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- Chapters
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- Fiscal Management
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- Recognized leadership
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- Promoting a culture of GEM scholarship
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- Recruitment and retention of members
When: March 30- April 2, 2025
Where: Aurora, Colorado
The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) annual meeting offers a variety of higher education professionals the opportunity to learn, network and advance.
Throughout the event, participants will network with a worldwide network of industry professionals to explore and engage the latest news and trends while finding solutions to the unique and challenging issues inside higher education.
Common topics discussed throughout the event include:
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- Transfers
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- Career development
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- Enrollment management
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- Admissions & Recruitment
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- International credential evaluation
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- Promoting equity
CASE-NAIS Independent Schools Conference 2025
When:
Where: Washington, DC
The Council For Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) hosts many events throughout the year. Their Annual Independent Schools Conference focuses on innovation, sustainability, data, research, and workplace development for independent schools and advancement professionals.
During the event, CASE will provide attendees with the mentorship and information needed to for newcomers and mid-level professionals to succeed.
Learning objectives for the event include:
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- Best practices
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- Current trends
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- Advancement strategies
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- Parent engagement
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- Professional relationships
Association for Graduate Enrollment Management (NAGAP) Annual Summit
- Date: April 16–19, 2025
- Location: Washington, D.C.
- Overview: The NAGAP Summit focuses on professional development and strategies for graduate enrollment professionals. It addresses recruitment, retention, and enrollment management trends, with sessions on leadership and GEM (Graduate Enrollment Management) scholarship.
AACRAO Annual Meeting
- Date: March 30–April 2, 2025
- Location: Seattle, Washington
- Overview: The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) Annual Meeting brings together professionals in enrollment management and student services to discuss transfer credit, career development, equity, and admissions strategies.
EDUCAUSE Annual Conference
- Date: October 27–30, 2025
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Overview: The EDUCAUSE conference is a leading event for higher ed IT professionals, focusing on technology’s role in education. Topics include cybersecurity, digital transformation, and innovations in teaching and learning.
League for Innovation in the Community College Conference
- Date: March 9–11, 2025
- Location: Phoenix, Arizona
- Overview: This event is dedicated to innovation in community colleges. Attendees will explore topics like workforce development, teaching strategies, and equity in education.
Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Annual Conference
- Date: April 12–15, 2025
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Overview: The HLC Annual Conference focuses on accreditation and assessment in higher education. It provides institutions with tools to improve compliance and enhance quality assurance.
SXSW EDU
- Date: March 3–6, 2025
- Location: Austin, Texas
- Overview: This high-profile conference explores the intersection of education, technology, and culture. Sessions cover K-12 and higher ed innovations, workforce readiness, and creative problem-solving.
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) Annual Meeting
- Date: February 9–12, 2025
- Location: Washington, D.C.
- Overview: This conference addresses policy and advocacy for private, nonprofit colleges and universities. Attendees discuss legislative priorities, financial aid, and institutional governance.
National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) Annual Meeting
- Date: July 12–15, 2025
- Location: Orlando, Florida
- Overview: NACUBO’s Annual Meeting focuses on the business side of higher education, covering financial management, risk assessment, and sustainability.
