Great news! In 2026, our Wisconsin Higher Education and Student Success Summits are joining forces to offer one streamlined conference experience, presented by WAICU in collaboration with Universities of Wisconsin.

Please save the date for May 19–21, when the combined event will take place at the Memorial Union, University of Wisconsin-Madison. More details will be shared in the coming months.

This year’s summit will bring together professionals from both private and public colleges and universities for a collaborative three-day event focused on both compliance and student success. Institutions are encouraged to coordinate travel, and multi-person discounts will again be available. Early bird registration begins February 9.

Conference registration opens first to Wisconsin institutions, with registration opening to a nationwide audience a week later. Save your spot when registration opens!

The summit will feature two tracks. One will focus on compliance and policy. The other will focus on student success and belonging. Shared sessions will foster cross-functional dialogue.

We’re pleased to announce that Peter Lake is our featured speaker. He is the professor of Law, Charles A. Dana chair, and director of the Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law and Policy at Stetson University College of Law.

Peter has served as the keynote for the Wisconsin Higher Education Summit for the past eleven years because of his depth and breadth of legal knowledge within the higher education sphere. We know he will benefit participants who attend both the compliance and student success tracks.

Potential topics include:

• Public perception of higher education
• Free speech on and off campus
• The regulatory compliance landscape
• Supporting underrepresented students

Stay tuned in 2026 for updates on speakers, agenda, and registration.

For more information, please email WAICU Director of Member Services Shawn Robin.