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 2025.
Jump to Section:
Higher Education Conferences Happening in Spring 2025
NAGAP 2025 Graduate Enrollment Management Summit
- Website: https://www.nagap.org/2025-summit-graduate-enrollment-management-summit
- When: April 23-26, 2025
- Where: San Francisco, CA
- Attendance: In-person
- Cost: Starting at $800
NAGAP’s annual summit unites professionals engaged in every aspect of the graduate enrollment lifecycle — from admissions and recruitment to financial aid, academic affairs and beyond. As the only professional organization dedicated exclusively to graduate enrollment management, NAGAP provides a unique platform for addressing the specific concerns and challenges faced by those in this field.
2025 North American Career Education Convention
- Website: https://career.org/web/Events/Career-Education-Convention/
- When: May 27-29, 2025
- Where: Las Vegas, NV
- Attendance: In-person
- Cost: Starting at $299
The North American Career Education Convention is the largest gathering of private career education professionals in North America. This event features well-known keynote speakers, experts leading concurrent sessions and an environment to connect and network with others in the sector.
NAFSA 2025 Annual Conference & Expo
- Website: https://www.nafsa.org/conferences/nafsa-2025-annual-conference-expo
- When: May 27-30, 2025
- Where: San Diego, CA
- Attendance: In-person
- Cost: Starting at $525
NAFSA, the world’s largest association dedicated to international education and exchange, invites you to the NAFSA 2025 Annual Conference & Expo. Be a part of the most important and comprehensive global event attended by thousands of professionals from across the field.
2025 Higher Education Compliance Conference
- Website: https://www.corporatecompliance.org/conferences/specialized-knowledge/2025-higher-education-compliance-conference
- When: June 2-4, 2025
- Where: Orlando, FL
- Attendance: In-person
- Cost: Starting at $979
Attend SCCE’s Higher Education Compliance Conference and hear from experienced professionals on a range of compliance topics that impact the higher education space. Topics will include updates on regulations as well as guidance and insights on building and maintaining an effective compliance program.
CASE Annual Conference on Marketing and Branding 2025
- Website: https://www.case.org/conferences-training/annual-conference-marketing-and-branding-2025
- When: June 4-6, 2025
- Where: Los Angeles, CA
- Attendance: In-person
- Cost: Starting at $1,255
Building a strong brand for your institution has never been more important. Balancing the reality of your campus with the overwhelming nature of being a marketer today, this conference will help participants identify, explain and integrate the key ingredients to creating, sustaining and measuring the impact of a successful brand strategy and market position.
Higher Education Conferences Happening in Summer 2025
Slate Summit 2025
- Website: https://technolutions.com/slate-summit
- When: June 25-27, 2025
- Where: Las Vegas, NV
- Attendance: In-person
- Cost: Starting at $249
Slate Summit is a premier event for admissions, student success and advancement professionals. Immerse yourself in three days of thought-provoking sessions, where you’ll discover innovative strategies, best practices and the latest trends shaping the future of higher education. Whether you’re a seasoned Slate user or new to the platform, the Slate Summit offers something for everyone.
2025 NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education
- Website: https://www.naspa.org/events/naspa-conferences-on-student-success-in-higher-education
- When: June 27-30, 2025
- Where: Denver, CO
- Attendance: In-person
- Cost: Starting at $245
The SSHE Conference is designed to engage professionals in critical discussions and strategies surrounding Assessment, Planning, and Data Analytics (APDA), Dismantling Systemic Barriers to Student Success (DSBC) and First-generation Student Success (FGSS). Each track will address the unique challenges and opportunities within these fields, equipping attendees with actionable insights to enhance institutional effectiveness, promote equity and foster student achievement.
SCUP 2025 Annual Conference
- Website: https://www.scup.org/conferences-programs/scup-2025-annual-conference/
- When: July 13-15, 2025
- Where: Honolulu, HI
- Attendance: In-person
- Cost: Starting at $595
Connect with campus and community leaders who are transforming higher education. Discover how integrated planning is breaking down silos and creating lasting solutions. Whether you’re new to planning or a seasoned pro, this is the event you can’t miss.
AHEAD 2025 – The 48th Annual Conference
- Website: https://www.ahead.org/events/event-description
- When: July 14-18, 2025
- Where: Denver, CO
- Attendance: In-person
- Cost: Starting at $795
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, July 14-18, 2025.
eduWeb Summit 2025
- Website: https://www.eduwebsummit.com/
- When: July 15-17, 2025
- Where: Portland, ME
- Attendance: In-person
- Cost: Starting at $195
The eduWeb Summit is the esteemed annual conference and trade show, gathering higher education professionals and industry partners from 16 countries and all 50 states to share advancements in marketing, communications, and digital work since 2006.
UNCF Unite 2025
- Website: https://uncficb.org/unite/attend/
- When: July 20-24, 2025
- Where: Atlanta, GA
- Attendance: In-person
- Cost: Starting at $625
UNITE, powered by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), is the nation’s leading annual gathering for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominately Black Institutions (PBIs). This influential event brings together thought leaders, change agents, and community partners to accelerate institutional transformation, address shared challenges, and celebrate achievements.
CAMMP: Alumni, Marketing and Membership Conference 2025
- Website: https://cammp.org/events/annual-conference/
- When: July 22-24, 2025
- Where: Ann Arbor, MI
- Attendance: In-person
- Cost: Starting at $100
Connecting you with the best and brightest alumni marketing and membership professionals July 22-24, 2025 at the University of Michigan. Registration will open in Spring 2025.
RNL National Conference
- Website: https://www.ruffalonl.com/events/rnl-national-conference/
- When: July 22-24, 2025
- Where: Atlanta, GA
- Attendance: In-person
- Cost: Starting at $695
The 2025 RNL National Conference will help you navigate industry challenges and achieve your goals, now and in the years to come. You will explore the innovations and solutions that will help you do more with less, uncover your greatest opportunities for success, and interact with higher ed professionals and experts who will share their strategies for success.
National Small College Enrollment Conference
- Website: https://www.nscec.com/
- When: July 28-30, 2025
- Where: Charlotte, NC
- Attendance: In-person
- Cost: Starting at $500
The National Small College Enrollment Conference (NSCEC) is the only educational and networking event focused on small colleges and universities. It’s the “Must Attend” conference of the summer, offering small college professionals essential education and support found nowhere else. This conference is perfect for everyone on campus from presidents to enrollment officers to marketers to student success staff. No matter your expertise, there’s no better professional development opportunity than NSCEC.
CECU 2025 Leadership Institute
- Website: https://career.org/web/Events/2025-Leadership-Institute
- When: July 28 – August 1, 2025
- Where: Jacksonville, FL
- Attendance: In-person
- Cost: Starting at $2,350
At the CECU Leadership Institute, attendees will be exposed to all aspects of operating a campus, including but not limited to: admissions, financial aid, marketing, campus finances/budgeting, academic support, leading staff, community and government relations, and more!
National Small College Enrollment Conference 2025
- Website: https://nscec.carnegiehighered.com/nscec/
- When: July 30-31, 2025
- Where: Charlotte, NC
- Attendance: In-person
- Cost: Starting at $500
The National Small College Enrollment Conference (NSCEC) is the only educational and networking event focused on small colleges and universities. It’s the “Must Attend” conference of the summer, offering small college professionals essential education and support found nowhere else. This conference is perfect for everyone on campus from presidents to enrollment officers to marketers to student success staff.
NACAC Conference 2025
- Website: https://nacacconference.org/
- When: September 18-20, 2025
- Where: Columbus, OH
- Attendance: In-person
- Cost: Starting at $575
The NACAC Conference 2025 will gather over 6,000 dedicated counselors in Columbus to exchange best practices, gain inspiration, and explore cutting-edge research in admission counseling. This event provides higher education counselors with the chance to discover innovative strategies, engage with thought leaders and peers, stay updated with the latest research, and connect with a diverse community of professionals.
EMA 2025 Annual Conference
- Website: https://ac.enrollment.org/
- When: September 18-20, 2025
- Where: Austin, TX
- Attendance: In-person
- Cost: TBD
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.
Higher Education Conferences Happening in Fall 2025
Digital Collegium 2025 Annual Conference (former HighEdWeb)
- Website: https://events.digicol.org/digicol25
- When: September 28 – October 1, 2025
- Where: Grand Rapids, MI
- Attendance: In-person and virtually
- Cost: Starting at $265
The Digital Collegium Annual Conference (formerly known as the HighEdWeb Annual Conference) is the conference created by and for higher ed professionals across all departments and divisions. Save the date — Sept. 28-Oct. 1, 2025 — and plan to attend #DigiCol25 in Grand Rapids or online.
EDUCAUSE Annual Conference
- Website: https://events.educause.edu/annual-conference/2025
- When: October 27–30, 2025 and November 12–13, 2025
- Where: Nashville, TN
- Attendance: In-person and virtually
- Cost: Starting at $199
The EDUCAUSE Annual Conference connects the best thinkers in higher education technology. This 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.
Global Inclusion 2025
- Website: https://conference.daglobal.org/about-the-conference/future-global-inclusion-conferences/
- When: October 28–31, 2025
- Where: Minneapolis, MN
- Attendance: In-person
- Cost: TBD
Community, collaboration, learning and inspiration. For 12 years the annual Diversity Abroad conference has embodied these words. In fall 2025 the tradition continues in Minneapolis, Minnesota as Diversity Abroad celebrates its 13th annual conference. 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.
2025 AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education
- Website: https://www.ama.org/events/conference/2025-ama-symposium-for-the-marketing-of-higher-education/
- When: November 9-12, 2025
- Where: National Harbor, MD
- Attendance: In-person
- Cost: Starting at $1,339
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. Beyond the sessions and presentations, the Symposium offers a collaborative space where ideas turn into action and innovation drives progress.
OLC Accelerate
- Website: https://onlinelearningconsortium.org/conferences/olc-accelerate2025/
- When: November 17-20, 2025
- Where: Orlando, FL
- Attendance: In-person
- Cost: Starting at $550
The Accelerate 2025 conference, hosted by the Online Learning Consortium, showcases groundbreaking research and highly effective practices in online and digital learning across K-12, higher education, and corporate L&D. This event is designed to empower and support leaders, instructional designers, educators, and training professionals by offering a wide range of sessions and activities. These are specifically curated to address the unique challenges and shared goals of our entire community, helping to shape the evolving landscape of digital learning and workforce development.
Higher Education Conferences Happening in Winter 2025-26
2025 UPCEA MEMS Conference
- Website: https://conferences.upcea.edu/marketing25/index.html
- When: December 2-4, 2025
- Where: Boston, MA
- Attendance: In-person
- Cost: Starting at $945
The annual UPCEA Marketing, Enrollment Management, and Student Success (MEMS) conference is the premier event for leaders and practitioners responsible for online and professional continuing education marketing and enrollment management at colleges and universities around the world. Designed for both senior leaders and practitioners, the conference offers high level, strategically-focused presentations as well as sessions which spotlight the tactical components of marketing and enrollment management in today’s higher education landscape.
Did we miss any higher ed conferences? Have any of these been updated already? Let us know on LinkedIn or Bluesky @volthighered or email hello@voltedu.com.
