May 20, 2026
Regular Registration Closes
May 19, 2026
Hotel Registration Deadline
2026 NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education
Student Success Career and Workforce Development Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Community, Access, and Professional Pathways Division AVP or "Number Two" Faculty Graduate Mid-Level New Professional Senior Level Undergraduate VP for Student Affairs
June 10 - June 13, 2026 Austin, TX
The NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education (SSHE) is a convergence of three conference tracks in one registration! The conferences offer outstanding professional development opportunities that will shape your learning experience.
Presented By
Three Conferences In One Registration
This conference offers a platform for professionals who are committed to advancing equity, fostering student success, and using data-driven strategies to enhance the higher education experience for all students. Whether your focus is on assessment, dismantling barriers, or first-generation success, you'll find resources, insights, and a community of like-minded professionals at the SSHE Conference.
Conference Themes and Learning Outcomes
Supporting First-generation Student Success
Attendees will develop targeted strategies to better support first-generation college students by exploring innovative approaches to academic, social, and financial barriers impacting their success.
Learning Outcomes:
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Understand the lived experiences and vast intersectionality of first-generation students across academic experiences, institution types, and sectors.
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Develop strategies to strengthen institutional support networks and community partnerships that foster first-generation student belonging and persistence.
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Strengthen the use of evaluation, assessment, and data strategies to understand and improve institutional and programmatic first-generation initiatives.
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Leverage the latest research and scholarship critical to understanding and advancing first-generation student outcomes and completion.
Data-Driven Decision-Making for Student Success
Attendees will enhance their ability to use data-driven insights to inform decision-making and improve student success outcomes, gaining practical skills in assessment, planning, and retention methodologies.
Learning Outcomes:
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Learn to interpret and apply data insights to design, implement, and refine student success initiatives.
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Gain practical skills in integrating assessment and planning processes to drive continuous improvement.
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Develop strategies to communicate data findings through clear visualization and storytelling to influence institutional priorities and policy
Advancing Access Through Structural Change
Attendees will identify and recommend structural changes at their institutions that reduce systemic barriers to access, affordability, and social and economic mobility.
Learning Outcomes:
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Analyze institutional policies and practices to identify structural barriers to access and equity.
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Design and advocate for policy and organizational changes that promote equitable access and outcomes.
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Develop frameworks for evaluating the long-term impact of equity-focused institutional interventions.
Conference Leadership Committee
Assessment, Planning, and Data Analytics (APDA)
Benjamin Williams, Trinity University
Christa Frederick, DeSales University
Erin Richman, University of North Florida
Sarah Bailey, Coastal Carolina University
Wendy Wilson, Lone Star College System
Vanessa Macias Arias, Elgin Community College
Dismantling Systemic Barriers to Student Success (DSBC)
Brett Petersen-Bruner, Wichita State University
Clarissa Martinez, The University of Texas at San Antonio
Daniel Ramirez-Escobedo, The University of Texas at San Antonio
Joel Berrien, Jr., Ed.D., CSAEd, Weber State University
Melissa Bartley, University of Delaware
Quentin Alexander, James Madison University
Vanessa Hernandez, California State University-Northridge
First-generation Student Success (FGSS)
Deanna Waintraub Stafford, FirstGen Forward
Brandy Gros, University of Louisiana System Office
James Winfield, Southern New Hampshire University
Jenifer Olvera, Middlesex College
Jennifer Frias, Southwestern University
Kevin Reese, Morris College
Lamesha Brown, University of Pennsylvania
Liliana Gomez, The University of Texas at San Antonio
Mike Jones, Emory University
Tatyana Gause, Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Tiffany Quinones-Payiavlas, The Ohio State University-Main Campus
FirstGen Forward Network
Network Leader Academy (*invite-only)
An immersive experience for newly selected Network Leader institutions, this experience will bring together leadership teams to explore the vital role of institutional leaders in shaping a national narrative around first-generation student success.
Network Champion Convening (*invite-only)
The Network Champion Convening brings together higher education leaders to explore critical strategies and initiatives to support first-generation college students.
Featured Speakers
Opening Session
Plenary Panel: From Insight to Impact: Data, Equity, and Institutional Change for Student Success
Closing Session
Registration
Registration as a member is based on individual membership status at the time of the event. If your current membership will expire prior to the event, you will have the option to renew at the time of registration to receive the member rate.
If you are not a current member and are employed by a college or university that is an institutional member, you can join as a professional affiliate member for $80. If your institution is NOT a member, you can join as an associate affiliate member for $250. Both membership types provide access to the individual member rate for the event. Please visit the membership section of the NASPA website to learn more about membership types and benefits. We hope you’ll consider joining today!
For a comprehensive listing of NASPA registration policies, please visit this page.
REGISTRATION FEES |
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Early Registration January 14, 2026 - April 8, 2026 |
Regular Registration April 9, 2026 - May 20, 2026 |
Late Registration May 21, 2026 - June 10, 2026 |
NASPA Member |
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| $615.00 | $665.00 | $750.00 |
NASPA Non-Member |
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| $825.00 | $875.00 | $950.00 |
NASPA Student Member |
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| $245.00 | $295.00 | $375.00 |
Pre-Conference Registration will open in mid-March once all accepted programs have been confirmed. You will be able to add a pre-conference to your registration. Pre-Conferences will begin on Thursday, June 11, 2026. If you intend to register for a pre-conference please make arrangements to arrive on June 10th. The hotel is completely booked on June 9th.
HALF-DAY PRE- CONFERENCE |
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Early Registration |
Regular Registration |
Late Registration |
| NASPA MEMBER | ||
| $85.00 | $105.00 | $155.00 |
| NASPA NON-MEMBER | ||
| $200.00 | $225.00 | $275.00 |
Register Online for 2026 NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education
The convergence of three unique events creates a space for attendees to share ideas, strategies, and evidence-based research.
Schedule
The schedule has been designed to provide participants with interactive and engaging learning expierences. These will include: programming, opportunities for deeper discussion, and networking. As details are finalized, this schedule will be updated. Registration to one conference grants access to content over all three conferences. Please note: the schedule is subject to change based on presenter availability.
2026 NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education Schedule At a Glance
All times are in Central Time and are subject to change
Pre-conference Sessions and General Sessions will begin Thursday.
Location & Lodging
JW Marriott Austin Hotel
110 E 2nd. St.
Austin, TX 78701
All conference activities will take place within the JW Marriott Austin.
Recommended Arrival
Pre-Conference sessions will begin at 9:00am Thursday, June 11, 2026. If you intend to register for one of the available sessions please book your hotel stay beginning June 10th. The hotel is completely booked on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
General Sessions will begin Thursday afternoon. You may book your hotel stay beginning Wednesday, June 10th or Thursday, June 11th.
Beware of Housing Pirates
Each year, NASPA receives reports of unauthorized housing solicitations targeting conference participants, exhibitors, and members. These entities—often known as “housing pirates”—may offer misleading rates or request personal and financial information.
Please protect your reservation by booking only through our verified link or directly with the hotel after you've confirmed your reservation. The JW Marriott Austin is the only official conference hotel.
SSHE Additional Information
Parking
The JW Marriott Austin offers both valet and self-parking options onsite. Overnight valet parking is $69, and overnight self-parking is $54, with in-and-out privileges.
For more information, please visit the hotel’s website.
Weather
The average temperatures in Austin, TX in June range between 72°F and 94°F. As the conference approaches, please visit the Weather Channel for the most up-to-date forecast and packing recommendations.
Please note, the hotel and meeting area temperatures vary. Layering with a sweater or jacket is recommended.
Travel
The nearest airport to the JW Marriott Austin is Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), located approximately 7 miles from the hotel.
Sponsorship
The 2026 NASPA Conference on Student Success in Higher Education is your opportunity to take a cross-functional approach to student success when it has never been more important.
The application for 2026 is now LIVE! The sponsorship prospectus is also now available to view opportunites for 2026. The priority deadline was April 8, 2026. However, limited spaces remain available.
Questions? Connect with Juan Pelaez-Barboza, Assistant Director of Corporate Fulfillment and Advertising, at [email protected] with any inquiries regarding exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities.
Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors!
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Looking Back at SSHE 2025
Interested in reviewing the agenda from last year’s NASPA Conference on Student Success in Higher Education? Whether you're exploring past sessions for inspiration or need access for reconciliation purposes, the full 2025 agenda is available below.
View the 2025 SSHE Program Book
NASPA Guiding Principles and Code of Ethics
To read more about NASPA's Guiding Principles and Code of Ethics, please visit here.