AASCU 2026 Summer Meeting for Academic and Student Affairs Leaders

Offering opportunities for colleagues from across regional public universities (RPUs) to meet, share, and learn from each other's challenges and successes. RPUs are navigating one of the most complex periods in higher education history, marked by shifting federal policy, accelerated technological change, financial pressures, demographic disruption, and intensifying public scrutiny. At the same time, these institutions remain the nation's most powerful engines of social mobility, civic leadership, and regional vitality. This summer convening brings together senior academic and student affairs leaders to examine how RPUs are leading with purpose, evidence, and innovation in turbulent times. Rather than focusing solely on constraints, the meeting will elevate strategic choices, courageous leadership, and scalable practices that empower institutions to thrive while staying true to their mission. Participants will engage in forward-looking dialogue around a central question: How can RPUs evolve---strategically, structurally, and culturally---while strengthening their role as anchors of democracy, opportunity, and student success?