Preliminary Program

2026 Annual Meeting & Advocacy Day 

February 1-4, 2026
Grand Hyatt Washington DC
1000 H St NW
Washington, DC 20001

Education Dynamics Banner

Sessions are open to all registered Annual Meeting attendees unless noted.

Sunday, February 1, 2026

 

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Annapolis Advocacy Panel

 

12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Registration

Sponsored by 

 Stevens Strategy logo

 

2:00 - 5:30 p.m.

Government Relations Academy (Preconference Session)

 

2:00 - 2:50 p.m.

Government Relations Welcome & Overview

 

 

3:00 - 4:15 p.m.

Hot Topic Concurrent Sessions

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 Topics Session I

 

 

3:45 - 4:15 p.m.

Hot Topics Session II 

 

4:00- 5:00 p.m.

Annapolis Group Board of Directors Meeting

 

 

4:30- 5:30 p.m.

Plenary (TBD)

 

 

5:30 - 6:00 p.m.

Government Relations Networking Reception

 

6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Sponsored Welcome Reception

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.

Sponsored by
 National Management Resources

 

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Annapolis Group Dinner

Monday, February 2, 2026

 

7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Registration

Sponsored by 

Stevens Strategy logo

 

7:30 - 9:00 a.m.

NAICUSE Breakfast 

Closed Sessions for State Executives and Staff Members

 

8:00 - 8:45 a.m.

NAICUSE Executive Committee Meeting

Closed Session for Committee Members Only

 

8:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Morning Coffee Break

Sponsored by:

 

 

9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

NAICUSE Meeting

Closed Session for State Executives and Staff Members

 

9:00 – 9:45 a.m.

Plenary Session I

 

 

10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Sponsored Plenary Session II

 

 

11:00 - 11:45 a.m.

Plenary Session III

 

 

11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Sponsored Lecture

 

11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

NAICUSE Luncheon

Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen, Washington, DC

Closed Session for State Executives and Staff Members

 

Noon - 1:15 p.m.

NAICU Board of Directors Meeting

Meeting & Buffet Lunch

 

1:15 - 1:30 p.m.

Afternoon Coffee Break

Sponsored by:

 

1:45 - 2:00 p.m.

Plenary Session IV

Welcome & Opening

 

2:00 - 2:45 p.m.

Plenary Session V:  

Keynote Plenary

 

 

2:45 - 3:30 p.m.

Plenary Session VI

Crystal Ball: Understanding the Current Political Environment

Jonathan Martin, among the most trusted political reporters in Washington, will reflect on the political landscape moving forward following the historic 2024 election. What are the implications for higher education, for policy setting, and effective advocacy in today’s divisive climate? Can bipartisan work still happen, and if so – where?

MODERATOR:

Larry Stimpert, Ph.D., President, Hampden-Sydney College (VA)

SPEAKER:

Jonathan Martin, Politics Bureau Chief and Senior Political Columnist, POLITICO

 

3:30 - 3:45 p.m.

Afternoon Break

 

3:45 – 4:45 p.m.

Plenary Session VII

Outlook from Capitol Hill

 

 

4:45 - 5:30 p.m.

Plenary Session VIII

Advocacy Training & Overview

 

6:00 - 6:30 p.m.

Leadership Reception

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 2024-25 Board Chair Mary Dana Hinton, Ph.D., president of Hollins University (VA), Join us as we salute you for your leadership and support of NAICU and your efforts on behalf of all private, nonprofit higher education.

 

6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Gala Reception & Advocacy Awards

After a full day of meetings, join your friends and colleagues while enjoying a delicious array of food and drink.

Sponsored by:

   Johnson Controls      MJBA logo

               

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

 

7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Registration

Sponsored by 

Stevens Strategy logo

 

7:30 - 8:30 a.m.

Continental Breakfast

 

8:00 - 8:45 a.m.

Short Course I

Sponsored by:  

 

8:00 - 8:45 a.m.

Short Course II

Sponsored by:

 

8:00 - 8:45 a.m.

 

Short Course III

Sponsored by:

 

8:00 - 8:45 p.m.

Short Course IV

Sponsored by: 

 

9:00 - 9:15 a.m.

Presentation of the 2026 Advocacy Award

The NAICU Advocacy Award recognizes individuals outside of academe who have championed the cause of independent higher education. Whether in government, business, or philanthropy, the recipient of this award has provided leadership, established resources, or enacted policy at the state or national level that recognized the role of independent colleges and universities in serving public purposes. No single contribution makes one eligible to receive the award, it recognizes a lifetime of service, initiative, and determination. 

 

9:15 - 10:00 a.m.

Plenary Session

 

11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Advocacy Day Visits to Capitol Hill

Attendees are invited to spend the day meeting with members of their congressional delegation.  Check with your state executive regarding scheduling for group visits.

 

10:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Advocacy Day Debrief Center

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 in 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

 

5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

Tenth Annual Reception for the Congressional Independent Colleges Caucus (CICC)

You are cordially invited to attend a reception for the Congressional Independent Colleges Caucus (CICC). The Caucus 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.

Top of the Hill Banquet & Conference Center
Fifth Floor Ballroom
Reserve Officers Association of the United States Building
First Street and Constitution Avenue, NE, Washington, DC

 

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

 

7:30 - 11:00 a.m.

Registration

Sponsored by 

Stevens Strategy logo

 

7:30 - 8:45 a.m.

Inspirational Breakfast

 

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Plenary Session

 

10:15 - 11:15 a.m,

Plenary Session

 

11:15 - 11:45 a.m.

NAICU Annual Business Meeting

Agenda includes approval of the Policy Objectives for the 119th Congress, Bylaws Revisions, 2025-26 Dues Structure, and 2025-26 Operating Budget, and review of the slate of new Members and Officers for the 2025-26 Board of Directors.


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 (CIC)

Barbara K. Mistick, D.B.A.President, NAICU

 

11:45 a.m.

Adjournment