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October 26, 2026

Early Registration Deadline

January 25, 2026

Regular Registration Deadline

January 27, 2026

Hotel Block Deadline

2026 NASPA Symposium on Military-Connected Students

In-Person Conferences Student Success Administrators in Graduate and Professional Student Services New Professionals and Graduate Students Veterans Graduate Mid-Level New Professional Senior Level
February 17 - February 20, 2026 Norfolk, VA

The 2026 NASPA Symposium on Military-Connected Students is the association’s premiere event designed for student affairs practitioners supporting military-connected students. The symposium is your exclusive opportunity to share evidence-based practices from your campus or organization. Learn from leading researchers in the field and engage with other professionals committed to supporting military-connected students.

This three-day symposium features keynote sessions; research, policy, and best practices presentations; and workshop-style sessions to help campus professionals develop or enhance their programming and services for military-connected students. We invite you to connect with colleagues, participate in engaging sessions, and learn from dynamic plenary sessions. 

Presented By

About

Military-connected students comprise a growing population in higher education and are those who enroll in postsecondary education with current or prior service with the military and their dependents. These students are also diverse in terms of demographic characteristics and service backgrounds, placing an important role on student affairs professionals and leaders to develop comprehensive, targeted, and meaningful support services to encompass the needs of these unique students. The Symposium provides professionals and other stakeholders opportunities to share and learn ways to effectively support military-connected students.

History

The NASPA Symposium on Military-Connected Students started as the Veterans Symposium for Higher Education in 2009 as a one-day program with five presentations and fifty participants. The symposium has grown to a two and half day program with multiple programs and individuals from all around the country.

The symposium was envisioned by Tom Jackson, the vice president for student affairs at the University of Louisville and a military veteran of the USCGR, ARNG, TXSG, and IGR and Frank Mianzo, chief of staff for the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Louisville. It was their desire to host an annual program that focused on issues related to student veterans while bringing together colleagues committee to serving student veterans. With generous assistance of Kathy Snead from the Servicemember Opportunity Colleges and Shirley Hardy, Laura Mercer, and Glenn Gittings from the University of Louisville, the symposium flourished. 

Tom Jackson and Frank Mianzo worked with NASPA to ensure the symposium would continue. The Veterans Symposium, now the NASPA Symposium for Military-Connected Students, continues to provide an opportunity who serve military-connected students to come together and talk about program ideas, trends, and current research. NASPA is pleased to continue the rich history started at the University of Louisville.

Schedule

2026 Schedule at a Glance (subject to change)

Tuesday, February 17, 2026
  • 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Registration Check-in Open
  •  2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.   Pre-conference Workshop 1
Wednesday, February 18, 2026

 

  • 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration Check-in Open

  • 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Sponsor and Exhibitor Tables Open
  • 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.Pre-conference Workshop 2
  • 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.Symposium Kick-off - Opening Keynote Plenary 
  • 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.Breakout Sessions 1
  • 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.Breakout Sessions 2
  • 5:45 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.Opening Reception, Awards & Poster Sessions 
  • 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.Dinner & Dialogues 1

 

Thursday, February 19, 2026

 

  • 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration Check-in Open

  • 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Sponsor and Exhibitor Tables Open
  • 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.Breakfast and Veteran Knowledge Community Military-Connected Town Hall 
  • 9:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.Day 2 Keynote Plenary 
  • 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.Breakout Sessions 3
  • 12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.Symposium Break (Lunch on Your Own)
  • 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.Breakout Sessions 4
  • 2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.Breakout Sessions 5
  • 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Breakout Session 6
  • 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.Dinner & Dialogues 2

 

Friday, February 20, 2026

 

  • 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Registration Check-in Open 

  • 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Sponsor and Exhibitor Tables Open
  • 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.Breakfast Buffet
  • 8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.Closing Plenary
  • 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.Breakout Session 7
  • 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.Breakout Session 8 or student panel