The summit included compelling concurrent sessions, featuring Charity Stutzman of Vector Solutions, bottom right photo, who shared data from the incoming fall 2024 students to better understand the Covid Cohort. Thought provoking afternoon general sessions included Joseph Storch of Grand River Solutions, top left, who offered data about why college degrees matter and why preventing campus violence is of utmost importance. Jennifer Savino and Molly Dillman of KW2, shared information about rebuilding trust in higher education, and Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Frank Otis shared information about Wisconsin’s workforce outlook, trends, and demographics.

The tenth Higher Education Summit, Where We Are and Where We Are Headed, May 28-30 at the Memorial Union, was offered nationally and set an attendance record with more than one hundred and thirty participants.

The three-day event was jointly hosted by the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and the Universities of Wisconsin. The conference brought together national experts and leaders from both public and private higher education to explore timely issues impacting the industry, including higher education changes occurring at the national level.

Attendees gained practical insights into policy and regulatory changes in higher education, Supreme Court updates affecting higher education, law and executive orders, labor and employment law, the state of student financial affairs, and state demographic trends.

The summit provided an opportunity for higher education professionals to connect with peers in all three sectors of higher education in Wisconsin and to collaborate on strategies to navigate today’s challenges. Tabletop discussions were held with individual speakers so participants could have additional time engaging with each other and experts, and could walk away with information specifically relevant to their areas of influence.

While higher education faces daunting challenges, this summit offered many hopeful messages and actionable takeaways.

For more information, email WAICU Chief Operating Officer Jenny deHart.