2026 Admissions Professionals Conference
Each summer NASPAA's Admissions Directors meet in Washington DC (in conjunction with the PPIA Expo) to discuss the latest developments in Admissions, best practices, and to network with peers. NASPAA's Admissions Professionals Conference is a one-day annual gathering for member schools to discuss issues and trends pertaining to admissions, such as recruiting and financial aid. NASPAA will present the findings from its annual membership survey on admissions and new enrollment. Program directors from schools without dedicated admissions staff are welcome!
2026 Draft Agenda
9:00–9:30 AM – In-Person Check-In & Refreshments
Arrival, coffee, and informal networking for in-person attendees.
9:30–10:00 AM – Welcome & Introductions
Opening remarks from UCR and NASPAA leadership. Brief attendee introductions (in-person only).
10:00–11:00 AM – Key Note Presentation - The Evolving Federal Student Loan Landscape
Clare McCann leads the Postsecondary Education & Economics Research (PEER) Center’s policy work and directs its operations. She has twice served as a Senior Policy Advisor in the U.S. Department of Education, first in the Obama Administration's Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development, and again in the Biden Administration's Office of the Under Secretary. In those roles, she worked on federal regulatory design, managed projects for the Department's work on higher education accountability and student loans, and helped to launch the College Scorecard. She also served as the Director of Higher Education at Arnold Ventures, and worked in numerous roles with New America's Higher Education Program.
The PEER Center, housed at American University and led by scholars from both AU and The George Washington University, generates actionable research to drive policy improvements in postsecondary access, affordability, experience, and outcomes. Their team conducts policy-relevant, rigorous analyses, engages with researchers in the field, and provides technical and research support directly to state and federal policymakers. The Center, which launched in October 2024, has analyzed the impacts of new policy changes adopted by Congress last year and that took effect this month (July 2026), including with a one-of-its-kind data explorer that allows colleges to see the estimated impacts of new graduate loan limits on each of their programs. You can learn more about their work at peer-center.org.
11:15 AM–12:15 PM – Interactive Survey & Dialogue
Zachary Owen is the Accreditation & Data Associate at NASPAA, who has collected and analyzed data from the 2026 NASPAA Admissions Survey. His presentation will cover the current state of admissions for public service education along with information about program pipelines and anti-melt strategies. The session will also feature live polling and peer discussion to share experiences and identify common challenges and opportunities.
12:15–1:00 PM –Lunch & Networking (In-Person)
1:15–2:00 PM – PPIA Panel
2:15–3:00 PM – Breakouts- Session A
1. Challenges in the Current Admissions Environment
2. Pipeline Development
3. Flexible Program Designs and Modalities
3:00–3:45 PM – Breakouts- Session B
1. Challenges in the Current Admissions Environment
2. Pipeline Development
3. Flexible Program Designs and Modalities
4:00–4:30 PM – Session C: Rapid Fire Highlight
Online and in-person full group rapid-fire discussion on topics that came up throughout the day!
4:30–4:45 PM – Wrap-Up & Closing Remarks