Preliminary Program
Sessions are open to all registered Annual Meeting attendees unless noted.
Sunday, February 1, 2026
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Annapolis Group Advocacy Panel
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Annapolis Group Lunch Meeting
12:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Registration
Sponsored by
2:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Government Relations Academy (Preconference Session)
2:00 - 2:50 p.m.
Government Relations Welcome & Overview
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
3:00 - 4:15 p.m.
Hot Topic Concurrent Sessions
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.
Future of Graduate Lending
Hot Topics will offer attendees targeted background on the most pressing issues facing private colleges.
3:00 - 3:30 p.m.
What's Happening with Federal Funding?
3:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Hot Topic 3
3:45 - 4:15 p.m.
Hot Topic 4
3:45 - 4:15 p.m.
Hot Topic 5
3:45 - 4:15 p.m.
Future of Graduate Lending (repeat)
4:30- 5:30 p.m.
The Government Relations & Lobbying View from Campus
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.
5:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Government Relations Networking Reception
Dedicated time for government relations professionals to network and socialize.
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.
Monday, February 2, 2026
7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Registration
Sponsored by
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 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
NAICUSE Meeting
Closed Session for State Executives and Staff Members
9:00 – 9:45 a.m.
Plenary Session I
Speaker:
John Kroger, President & CEO, Rodel Institute
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Plenary Session II
Sponsored By:
11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Federal Student Lending: Making Sense of the New Landscape
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.
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Sponsored Luncheon and Lecture
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
NAICUSE Luncheon
Closed Session for State Executives and Staff Members
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
NAICU Board of Directors Meeting
Closed Session for Board Members (lunch will be served)
1:30 - 1:45 p.m.
Afternoon Coffee Break
Sponsored by:
1:45 - 2:00 p.m.
Plenary Session IV
Welcome & Opening Remarks
2:00 - 2:45 p.m.
A Conversation with Leadership from the Department of Education.
Linda McMahon, U.S. Secretary of Education (Invited)
2:45 - 3:45 p.m.
Outlook from Capitol Hill Staff
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.
3:30 - 3:45 p.m.
Afternoon Break
3:45 – 4:45 p.m.
Plenary Session VII
4:45 - 5:30 p.m.
Tell Your Story: Successful Advocacy on the Hill
Advocacy Training & Overview
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.
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 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.
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Gala Reception & Presentation of the Advocacy Award
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
7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Registration
Sponsored by
7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Continental Breakfast
8:15 - 9:00 a.m.
Short Course I
Sponsored by:
8:15 - 9:00 a.m.
Short Course II
Sponsored by:
8:15 - 9:00 a.m.
Short Course III
Sponsored by:
8:15 - 9:00 a.m.
Short Course IV
Sponsored by:
9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Plenary Session IX
10:30 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 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). 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
7:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Registration
Sponsored by
7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast Buffet
Sponsored By:
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Paths to Leadership: Why We Serve
9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Plenary Session XI
10:15 - 11:15 a.m.
Plenary Session XII
11:15 - 11:45 a.m.
NAICU Annual Business Meeting
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
11:45 a.m.