Preliminary Program
Sessions are open to all registered Annual Meeting attendees unless noted.
Sunday, February 1, 2026
Annapolis Group Advocacy Panel
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Annapolis Group Lunch Meeting
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Registration
12:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Sponsored by
Government Relations Academy (Preconference Session)
2:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Government Relations Welcome & Overview
2:00 - 2:50 p.m.
Hear from NAICU government relations experts about the latest updates on the policy and regulatory fronts in Washington, including funding, negotiated rulemaking, graduate lending, and other emerging issues from Congress and the Administration. This session will give campus leaders an overview of the major higher education issues on the agenda of Congress and the Administration.
SPEAKERS:
Tim Powers, Vice President for Government Relations & Policy Development, NAICU
Jody Feder, J.D., Director of Accountability and Regulatory Affairs, NAICU
Stephanie T. Giesecke, Assistant Vice President for Government Relations, NAICU
Karin L. Johns, Director of Tax Policy, NAICU
Justin Monk, Director of Student and Institutional Aid Policy, NAICU
Suzanne Stokes Vieth, Director of State Relations and Outreach, NAICU
Hot Topic Concurrent Sessions
3:00 - 4:15 p.m.
Hot Topics offer attendees targeted briefings on the most pressing issues facing private, nonprofit higher education. Dive into greater detail on policies that could impact your campus by choosing two mini-sessions. Conversations will include policy or campus experts and members of the NAICU Government Relations Team.
(Choose one session in each time block)
3:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Hot Topic 1: Future of Graduate Lending
Hot Topic 2: What's Happening with Federal Funding?
Hot Topic 3: TBD on Latest White House Actions
3:45 - 4:15 p.m.
Hot Topic 4: Accountability - What You Need to Know
Hot Topic 5: TBD depending on what's hot, e.g., neg reg on accreditation or other issues
Hot Topic 6: Future of Graduate Lending (repeat)
The Government Relations & Lobbying View from Campus
4:30- 5:30 p.m.
This session will provide professional development for government relations staff. Attendees will hear from a panel of institutional government relations representatives about how they navigate a variety of issues on campus and in their lobbying efforts, including state politics, the federal presence on campus, changing roles in a changing environment, and more.
Government Relations Networking Reception
5:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Dedicated time for government relations professionals to network and socialize.
Sponsored Welcome Reception
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
After a day of travel or the first afternoon of meetings, unwind and network with friends and colleagues while enjoying an array of delicious food and drink.
Monday, February 2, 2026
Registration
7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Sponsored by
NAICUSE Breakfast
7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Closed Sessions for State Executives and Staff Members
NAICUSE Executive Committee Meeting
8:00 - 8:45 a.m.
Closed Session for Committee Members Only
Morning Coffee Break
8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Sponsored by:
NAICUSE Meeting
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Closed Session for State Executives and Staff Members
Plenary Session I
9:00 – 9:45 a.m.
Speaker:
John Kroger, President & CEO, Rodel Institute
Plenary Session II
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Sponsored By:
Federal Student Lending: Making Sense of the New Landscape
11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Congress has passed into law substantial changes to the federal student lending programs beginning on July 1, 2026. This session will feature perspectives from the nonprofit and private student lending community.
Speakers:
Alex Ricci, President, National Council of Higher Education Resources (NCHER)
Scott Buchanan, Executive Director, Student Loan Servicing Alliance (SLSA)
Gail da Mota, President, Education Finance Council (EFC)
Sponsored Luncheon and Lecture
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Sponsored By:
NAICUSE Luncheon
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Closed Session for State Executives and Staff Members
NAICU Board of Directors Meeting
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Closed Session for Board Members (lunch will be served)
Afternoon Coffee Break
1:30 - 1:45 p.m.
Sponsored by:
Welcome & Opening Remarks
1:45 - 2:00 p.m.
A Conversation with Leadership from the Department of Education.
2:00 - 2:45 p.m.
Linda McMahon, U.S. Secretary of Education (Invited)
Outlook from Capitol Hill Staff
2:45 - 3:45 p.m.
Join us for a discussion with a bipartisan panel of key Capitol Hill staff from both the House of Representatives and Senate. Get the inside scoop on their policy priorities, the bills they are writing, and their current perspectives on higher education.
Afternoon Break
3:30 - 3:45 p.m.
Plenary Session VII
3:45 – 4:45 p.m.
Tell Your Story: Successful Advocacy on the Hill
Advocacy Training & Overview
4:45 - 5:30 p.m.
Prepare for your Advocacy Day visits to Capitol Hill with this briefing on the most pressing issues facing independent higher education and how to effectively convey your messages to your Members of Congress.
Leadership Reception
6:00 - 6:30 p.m.
By Invitation Only
Current or past members of our national board and committee leadership are cordially invited to a Special Reception hosted by NAICU President Barbara K. Mistick, D.B.A, and 2025-26 Board Chair Rob L. Manuel, Ph.D., president of DePaul University (IL). Join us as we salute you for your leadership and support of NAICU and your efforts on behalf of all private, nonprofit higher education.
Gala Reception & Presentation of the Advocacy Award
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
After a full day of meetings, join your friends and colleagues while enjoying a delicious array of food and drink.
Sponsored by:
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Registration
7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Sponsored by
Continental Breakfast
7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Short Course I
8:15 - 9:00 a.m.
Sponsored by:
Short Course II
8:15 - 9:00 a.m.
Sponsored by:
Short Course III
8:15 - 9:00 a.m.
Sponsored by:
Short Course IV
8:15 - 9:00 a.m.
Sponsored by:
Plenary Session IX
9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Advocacy Day Visits to Capitol Hill
10:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Attendees are invited to spend the day meeting with members of their congressional delegation. Check with your state executive regarding scheduling for group visits.
Advocacy Day Debrief Center
10:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Do you have key takeaways from your Capitol Hill conversations to pass onto NAICU staff? Can NAICU help with any follow-up you need to do with your Members of Congress? Or, do you just want to put up your feet between meetings? NAICU’s Government Relations Team is ready to listen and help. Refreshments will be available.
Top of the Hill Banquet & Conference Center
Fourth Floor Symposium Room
Reserve Officers Association of the United States Building
First Street and Constitution Avenue, NE, Washington, DC
Tenth Annual Reception for the Congressional Independent Colleges Caucus (CICC)
5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
You are cordially invited to attend a reception for the Congressional Independent Colleges Caucus (CICC). CICC is focused on celebrating the contributions independent colleges and universities make to the educational, intellectual, economic, social, and cultural life of our nation. Refreshments will be available.
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Registration
7:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Sponsored by
Breakfast Buffet
7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Sponsored By:
Paths to Leadership: Why We Serve
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
The Changing Landscape of College Athletics
9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
In the narrow span of half a dozen years, college athletics have undergone a rapid transformation. A proliferation of state laws on NIL, shifting federal policies on whether athletes are employees, judicial rulings and settlements, and more have caused confusion and uncertainty on college campuses. Join us for a panel discussion to examine these changes, hear about the prospect for federal legislation, and get advice on navigating this changing landscape.
Brent Wilder, President, OAICU
Dawn Buth, Managing Director, NCAA Office of GR
Larry Stimpert, Hampden Sydney College
Plenary Session XII
10:15 - 11:15 a.m.
NAICU Annual Business Meeting
11:15 - 11:45 a.m.
SPEAKERS:
Robert L. Manuel, Ph.D., President, DePaul University (IL), and 2025-26 Chair of the NAICU Board of Directors
Tania Tetlow, J.D., President, Fordham University (NY), and 2025-26 Vice Chair of the NAICU Board of Directors
Marjorie Hass, Ph.D., President, The Council on Independent Colleges
Barbara K. Mistick, D.B.A., President, NAICU
Adjournment
11:45 a.m.