Higher Learning 2026

March 21–24 | Chicago

Call for Proposals

Open July 16–September 10, 2025

On This Page

Proposal Guidelines Tracks Frequently Asked Questions Apply

Higher Learning 2026 will look at who and what is shaping the future of higher ed. The conference will illustrate how institutions can pursue continuous improvement through accreditation and delve into high-quality, transformative educational experiences that meet the evolving needs of students and society. Join colleagues to exchange ideas, explore new strategies and gain skills that will enhance your institution’s impact and leadership. 

Guidelines

Please create and submit your proposal in the submission portal. After you create an account and log in, you’ll see a task lisk that will guide you through the information to provide to complete your proposal. You may save and continue your draft as needed. Keep in mind:

  • You may have up to three presenters per presentation.
  • All presentations will be 45 minutes long, including time for questions.
  • All presentations will be delivered entirely in-person at the conference in Chicago.
  • Abstracts should accurately reflect the content you plan to present.
  • HLC encourages proposals on overcoming challenges related to accreditation. However, we will not select proposals related to monitoring or other follow up activity that is ongoing for the institution at the time of selection. We will not select proposals from HLC-accredited institutions that are not in good standing with HLC.
  • Proposals that feature tools, products, or services available for purchase by colleges and universities are not appropriate to submit through this proposal process. HLC’s Sponsor Prospectus will be available in fall 2025 outlining options for showcase presentations.
  • By submitting a proposal, you agree to the Terms and Conditions for Participation in Higher Learning 2026.

We encourage presentations that:

  • Demonstrate measurable impact
  • Foster interactive, engaging, open discussions
  • Offer takeaways for multiple types of institutions
  • Have clear and specific titles and descriptions
  • Are related to the tracks
  • Feature multiple perspectives
  • Provide new insights in the field

Presentation Tracks

Institutional Experiences With Accreditation

  • Actionable strategies and transferable insights (e.g. comprehensive evaluations, Year Four evaluations, substantive change, monitoring)  
  • Quality Initiative development, implementation and impact    
  • Using accreditation processes to drive ongoing institutional improvement 
  • Transitioning to the 2025 Criteria for Accreditation 
  • How ALOs overcome challenges while preparing for evaluations 
  • Building support and capacity across campus for the accreditation process 
  • The intersection of mission, vision and accreditation 
  • Maintaining accreditation work during leadership transitions 
  • Opportunities and challenges posed by emerging technologies in accreditation processes 
  • The role of accreditation in public trust and institutional accountability 

Teaching, Learning and Student Success 

  • Defining student success within the context of your institution’s mission 
  • Approaches to integrating academic affairs, student services and operations  
  • New and innovative teaching and learning models 
  • Assessing and improving student learning 
  • Degrees and short-term credentials in today’s marketplace 
  • Using emerging and adaptive technology for learning and student support 
  • Promoting access and achievement of students’ goals across modalities and locations  
  • Supporting mental health and well-being 
  • Faculty development for innovative practices 
  • Strategic use of data for teaching, learning and student success 

Building a Sustainable Future 

  • Aligning mission and purpose with the evolving higher ed landscape 
  • Strategic planning, program review/prioritization and other institutional effectiveness efforts 
  • Change leadership 
  • Cross-functional collaboration for shared governance and resource optimization 
  • Responding to evolving workforce development needs 
  • Strategic data use for institutional planning and improvement 
  • Developing and implementing strategic enrollment management plans 
  • Resource allocation for short-term progress and long-term viability 
  • Scenario planning for enrollment shifts and financial volatility 
  • Succession planning and leadership development 

Please note: These presentation topics are intended as examples to guide you in selecting a track. This is not a comprehensive list of presentation topics within each track, nor an indication of which proposals HLC will select.

To highlight work from across the higher ed landscape, some proposals may be combined into joint panel sessions by HLC staff. Proposal submitters will receive more information on presentation formats once decisions are made in November.

Before You Apply

Submit a Proposal

Proposal submissions are due September 10, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. CT.

Start Your Proposal

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you will register for the conference as an attendee. However, presenters are given a discounted registration rate. Please wait until you are notified about your proposal submission before registering to ensure you receive the correct rate.  Registration will open in November.

No. HLC accepts proposals from non-member institutions and nonprofit organizations.

Yes, review by members of the HLC Conference Advisory Committee is a key part of the selection process. Committee members are from HLC member institutions and make recommendations on proposals. Final decisions are made by HLC to ensure a balance of topics across institution types.  

Please address all of the prompts in the submission portal. The rubric and samples can help you determine the level of detail you should include. You may also upload an optional supporting document to provide additional information, but this should only be supplemental to the information you provide to fully address the prompts. 

The conference tracks are intended as a guide to the overall topics for submission. Within each track, HLC is looking for presentations that address timely topics in an innovative way. Presentations should provoke thought and provide practical takeaways that can be applied at other institutions rather than simply describing an initiative. If a presentation includes practical application, it must be supported by data. 

The rubric provides an overview of what reviewers are looking for. Make sure all prompts are addressed with enough detail. We welcome proposals inclusive of multiple perspectives, and we encourage submissions with cross-functional or multiple institutional representation.   

Conference sessions are 45 minutes, including time for questions. Please keep this timeframe in mind as you develop your proposal.  

We expect to send acceptance decisions by mid-November 2025.   

Due to the volume of proposals we receive, we are not able to provide feedback on individual submission decisions.  

Yes. However, we strive to ensure balanced representation across our membership, so typically no more than two to three proposals are selected per institution.  

Contact us at [email protected] as soon as you are aware of a conflict with any presenter. Presenter changes are allowed but are subject to approval by HLC. If HLC is not notified about a presenter change, the presentation is subject to removal from the program.   

No, attendees will have access to your presentation through the conference website and mobile app. Additional handouts are not required, but supporting documents can also be uploaded to the app and additional information is typically appreciated by attendees.  

Questions?

[email protected]