Introduction by Barbara K. Mistick, D.B.A.

Dear Colleagues,

We are just a few days from the start of our 2026 Annual Meeting & Advocacy Day, which begins with our Government Relations Academy on Sunday. We have record attendance this year and are looking forward to seeing so many new and familiar faces.

It’s not too late to register if you’re still considering coming to Washington. There are important issues we’ll be discussing that will have significant impact on students and institutions, including graduate lending, Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment, federal funding, civil rights, college athletics, and more. We’ll also hear from congressional and administration leaders about their higher education priorities for the year.

With the government on the verge of a partial shutdown (see story for more details), I want to reassure you that this will not have an impact on the NAICU Advocacy Day on February 3. We are aware of reporting last evening about a potential deal between Senate Democrats and the White House to avoid a shutdown but, as Washington Update when to production, Republicans were still assessing the agreement. Any deal reached in the Senate would still need to go back to the House, which is not in session this week, for a re-vote. We expect that any shutdown would be brief and, therefore, not affect your ability to start packaging for the 2026-27 award year.

Either way, Congress was funded in the Legislative Branch appropriations bill enacted last November. As a result, Members of Congress and their staff would not be affected by a shutdown, would be available to take meetings, and the chamber is scheduled to be in session next week.

In fact, this is a great time to meet with your Representative and Senators to reinforce the importance of the Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, and Federal Work-Study funding for your students as policymakers work to finalize FY 2026 funding and look ahead to FY 2027. 

I hope you have a pleasant weekend,

For more information, please contact:
Barbara K. Mistick, D.B.A.