Can’t-Miss Higher Ed Conferences for 2024-25

Our tracker of virtual, in-person and hybrid higher education leadership conferences for the upcoming academic year.

By: Volt
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After years of virtual gatherings, higher ed leaders are ready to reconnect with old friends and forge new connections over coffee breaks and evening receptions. There’s a certain magic to those impromptu conversations and chance encounters that simply can’t be replicated through a webcam. 

We have curated a list of higher ed conferences and professional development programs to help you navigate the changing landscape. Whether virtual, hybrid or in-person, many more sessions are also available to registrants as on-demand content, a trend that seems likely to stay.

Here is our guide to the college leadership conferences that typically dot the higher education professional development calendar, with a breakdown of the current plans for how each will be held in 2024-25.

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Higher Education Conferences Happening in Summer 2024

2024 AMA Summer Academic Conference

2024 AMA Summer Academic Conference in Boston, MA will demonstrate the responsibilities of marketing to promote innovative, sustainable, inclusive and equitable technology-based offerings that advance the quality of life for humanity and the earth.

Higher Education Conferences Happening in Fall 2024

HighEdWeb Association Annual Conference 2024

HighEdWeb Annual Conference 2024 offers a wealth of opportunities for professionals, programmers, marketers, social pros, managers, designers, and writers in the higher education industry who want to explore the web, digital media, and its influence on their organization. Dive deep with diverse track sessions led by experts, gain inspiration from a captivating keynote address, and participate in stimulating group discussions. Leave empowered with the latest knowledge and a renewed network of fellow higher education professionals.

Evidence-Based Strategies for Creating Age-Inclusive Campuses

Drawing on the model of Age Inclusivity Domains of Higher Education (AIDHE), attendees will learn about transformative, actionable strategies to create age-inclusive campuses as recommended by a Delphi panel of experts in higher education. Reflecting three core domains of institutional function (Teaching and Learning, Personnel, and Student Affairs), the 23 recommended strategies show how addressing challenges of age inclusivity calls for balancing priority, impact, feasibility, and likelihood of implementation considerations.

NACAC 2024 Conference

NACAC Conference 2024 will bring over 6,000 attendees to Los Angeles to share best practices, inspirational ideas, cutting-edge research and professional stories at the premier event for college admission counseling professionals.

UPCEA Convergence

Convergence: Credential Innovation in Higher Education examines new and emerging trends and models, especially at the institutional level, in the emergent field of alternative credentials. Presented jointly by UPCEA and AACRAO, two of the organizations most critical to the future development and implementation of innovative credentials, this event brings together key campus stakeholders in credential innovation—deans of professional education, chief online learning officers, registrars, and their staff—to define and develop their institutional strategy with respect to alternative credentials.

Leadership in Higher Education Conference

Regardless of position or experience, the preconference workshops, plenary presentations, and concurrent sessions can adapt to any institution or leader. You’ll learn new methods to manage change and enhance productivity while networking with everyone from like-minded peers to nationally recognized experts.

NACCE 2024 National Conference

Join with your peers from community colleges across the country at the 2024 NACCE Annual Conference in Minneapolis, MN.  Engage in activities and networking in entrepreneurial mindset and innovative action with a special focus on interdisciplinary areas such as STEM, Workforce, Entrepreneurship, Business Administration, and Development.

Social Media Strategies Summit

Learn the nuts and bolts of a successful social media strategy to position your institution for success — whether you’re in recruitment, admissions, student experience, or alumni relations. If you manage any of your university’s social media channels, this event is your chance to meet and talk shop with 500+ peers within HESM community.

EDUCAUSE Annual Conference

The EDUCAUSE Annual Conference is THE event where professionals and technology providers from around the world gather to network, share ideas, grow professionally, and discover solutions to today’s challenges. It’s the largest gathering of your peers…people you can relate to, learn from, and stay connected to throughout the year.

NACADA’s 2024 Annual Conference

The NACADA’s 2024 Annual Conference focuses on helping colleges and universities provide their students with high-quality academic advising. The event features regional working groups to connect with other professionals in your area, numerous exhibits and panels, and keynote addresses touching on issues of national importance.

2024 Global Inclusion Conference

Since 2013 Diversity Abroad’s annual conference has constituted the most comprehensive forum for education professionals, students and stakeholders committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in global education and cultural exchange. As in prior years, Global Inclusion will embody Diversity Abroad and its member community’s holistic approach to addressing and accelerating systemic and equitable change in all aspects of global education and cultural exchange.

The Global Student Leadership Summit

The Global Student Leadership Summit (GSLS) is the premier student leadership conference that prepares participants with inclusive leadership skills and global competencies so that they can thrive in their communities and on globally diverse campuses and work teams. This will be the 9th annual GSLS, which attracts dozens of students from colleges and universities nationwide with a simple goal: to develop the skills essential to being a successful and inclusive leader in a global society.

National Forum to Advance Rural Education

  • Website: https://www.nrea.net/nfare
  • When: October 31 – November 1, 2024
  • Where: Savannah, GA
  • Attendance: In-person
  • Cost: Starting at $100

The National Forum to Advance Rural Education is one of the country’s leading rural education conferences. The event is designed to create an environment for collaboration and innovation with a diverse community that includes national experts, K–12 and higher education practitioners, leading researchers, policymakers, and philanthropic leaders from around the country.

2024 Institute for Chief Academic Officers

CIC’s 2024 Institute for Chief Academic Officers invites chief academic officers and their teams to collaborate at a deeper level and program for a stronger future. Participants will delve into topics that frame a renewed paradigm for academic leadership. The theme of this year’s Institute is Academic Leadership Now & Next and will focus on building alliances, creating innovative academic pathways, and unlocking the potential of education for more students.

2024 AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education

For more than 30 years, the AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education has been a premier event that paints a vibrant picture of the evolving higher education landscape.  Beyond the sessions and presentations, the Symposium is a vibrant community where knowledge seamlessly transitions into action. So save the date and plan to meet up in Las Vegas, November 10-13, 2024.

OLC Accelerate 2024

The OLC Accelerate 2024 conference will offer everything you need to know about the most innovative and impactful research and effective practices in the field of online, blended, and digital learning. This event will support administrators, designers, and educators alike by providing a comprehensive list of sessions and activities tailored to address the challenges and goals of our entire community.

Higher Education Conferences Happening in Winter 2024-25

UPCEA MEMS 2024

UPCEA MEMS is a must-attend conference for education professionals who want to stay on top of the trends in higher ed marketing. Presented from a variety of perspectives, sessions elevate the conversation about today’s higher education landscape. For over 30 years, MEMS has drawn professionals from institutions of all sizes to showcase thought leadership in higher education and explore trends in adult student recruitment and retention.

ACCU’s Annual Meeting

Each winter, presidents and senior administrators from Catholic colleges and universities around the world come together in Washington, DC for ACCU’s signature event. The Annual Meeting offers members the opportunity to greet colleagues, share ideas, and discuss important issues in Catholic higher education. The ACCU Annual Meeting is preceded by several specially tailored programs that draw participants from key offices on member campuses.

ACE Experience 2025

ACEx2025 will offer a unique opportunity to examine higher education’s role in society now and in the future alongside visionary leaders from diverse fields. Designed specifically for college and university presidents and chancellors, ACEx2025 will provide high-level perspectives on the critical national and international issues impacting higher education.

Higher Education Conferences Happening in Spring 2025

2025 UPCEA Annual Conference

The Annual Conference convenes deans and other senior university leaders, key staff, and teams responsible for the management, administration, and growth of professional, continuing, and online education programs. Attendees have access to targeted sessions spanning the top areas of practice in the field (aligned with UPCEA’s eight professional Networks), led by higher education experts and colleagues.

ASU + GSV Summit

Arizona State University and GSV host this annual event focused on transforming society and business around learning and work across the “Pre-K to Gray” — i.e., lifelong learning — global education sectors.

Did we miss any higher ed conferences? Have any of these been updated already? Let us know on Twitter @volthighered.

Volt

Volt

Staff


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