Preliminary Program

Sunday, February 1, 2026

Annapolis Group Advocacy Panel

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Annapolis Group Lunch Meeting

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Registration

12:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Government Relations Academy (Preconference Session)

2:00 - 5:30 p.m.

Government Relations Welcome & Overview

2:00 - 2:50 p.m.

Hear from NAICU government relations experts about the latest updates on the policy and regulatory fronts in Washington, including funding, negotiated rulemaking, graduate lending, and other emerging issues from Congress and the Administration. This session will give campus leaders an overview of the major higher education issues on the agenda of Congress and the Administration.

SPEAKERS:

Tim Powers, Vice President for Government Relations & Policy Development, NAICU

Jody Feder, J.D., Director of Accountability and Regulatory Affairs, NAICU

Stephanie T. Giesecke, Assistant Vice President for Government Relations, NAICU

Karin L. Johns, Director of Tax Policy, NAICU

Justin Monk, Director of Student and Institutional Aid Policy, NAICU

Suzanne Stokes Vieth, Director of State Relations and Outreach, NAICU

Hot Topic Concurrent Sessions

3:00 - 4:15 p.m.

Hot Topics offer attendees targeted briefings on the most pressing issues facing private, nonprofit higher education. Dive into greater detail on policies that could impact your campus by choosing two mini-sessions. Conversations will include policy or campus experts and members of the NAICU Government Relations Team. 

(Choose one session in each time block)

3:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Hot Topic 1: Future of Graduate Lending

Hot Topic 2: What's Happening with Federal Funding?

Hot Topic 3: TBD on Latest White House Actions

3:45 - 4:15 p.m.

Hot Topic 4: Accountability - What You Need to Know

Hot Topic 5: TBD depending on what's hot, e.g., neg reg on accreditation or other issues

Hot Topic 6: Future of Graduate Lending (repeat)

The Government Relations & Lobbying View from Campus

4:30- 5:30 p.m.

This session will provide professional development for government relations staff.  Attendees will hear from a panel of institutional government relations representatives about how they navigate a variety of issues on campus and in their lobbying efforts, including state politics, the federal presence on campus, changing roles in a changing environment, and more. 

Government Relations Networking Reception

5:30 - 6:00 p.m.

Dedicated time for government relations professionals to network and socialize.

Sponsored Welcome Reception

6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

After a day of travel or the first afternoon of meetings, unwind and network with friends and colleagues while enjoying an array of delicious food and drink.

 

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Registration

7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Sponsored by 

Continental Breakfast

7:30 - 9:00 a.m.

Short Course I

Small and midsize institutions often have extensive cameras networks, yet meaningful insight rarely arrives early enough to prevent harm or support students before a situation escalates. In this session, Maryville University’s Vice President for Student Life, Raphaella Prange, shares how a midsize urban campus uses visual intelligence to focus on the everyday incidents that matter most--alcohol and drug use, mental health, athletic injuries, and perimeter safety.  

SPEAKERS:

Raphaella Prange, Vice President of Student Life, Maryville University  

John Booth, CMO, Volt AI 

Sponsored by:  

Short Course II

What images come to mind when prospective students and their parents hear the name of your school? What do they imagine your Campus looks like? What type of educational approach do they imagine you provide? What was the original Mission and Vision of your Founders and is it still relevant today? How well does your “Institutional Mission” translate to prospective students? These are what sets you apart and are part of your “Brand”.  This session explores how embracing your Mission and Brand as a key focus of your physical Campus Improvements; its grounds, facilities and buildings, helps to tell your story and to drive the attraction and retention of your students.

SPEAKERS:

Martin Kimmel, AIA, NCARB, President of Kimmel Architecture

Sponsored by:

Short Course III

In 2026, a diploma alone is no longer sufficient currency in the labor market. Graduates are now evaluated on their demonstrated skills, professional experiences, and the networks they can leverage. As a result, institutions face an urgent mandate: close the “experience gap” before students graduate by creating sustained, meaningful connections that lead directly to opportunity.

SPEAKERS:

Dr. Aaron Mahl, Senior Vice President, PeopleGrove

Sarah Myksin, Associate Vice President, PeopleGrove

Sponsored by:

Short Course IV

This panel will feature an engaging conversation with two leading experts in Washington, D.C.’s policies and legislative affairs. The discussion will examine the current political landscape, and its impact on the retirement industry, as well as provide a preview of the upcoming midterm elections and their potential implications for the higher education community.

MODERATOR:

Chris Spence, Managing Director at TIAA

SPEAKERS:

Chris Gaston, Principal, Director of Government Relations, Davis & Harman LLP 

Chris Maneval, Vice President at Porterfield, Fettig & Sears LLC 

Sponsored by: 

Plenary Session IX

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Advocacy Day Visits to Capitol Hill

10:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Attendees are invited to spend the day meeting with members of their congressional delegation.  Check with your state executive regarding scheduling for group visits.

Advocacy Day Debrief Center

10:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Do you have key takeaways from your Capitol Hill conversations to pass onto NAICU staff? Can NAICU help with any follow-up you need to do with your Members of Congress? Or, do you just want to put up your feet between meetings?  NAICU’s Government Relations Team is ready to listen and help. Refreshments will be available.

Top of the Hill Banquet & Conference Center
Fourth Floor Symposium Room
Reserve Officers Association of the United States Building
First Street and Constitution Avenue, NE, Washington, DC

Tenth Annual Reception for the Congressional Independent Colleges Caucus (CICC)

5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

You are cordially invited to attend a reception for the Congressional Independent Colleges Caucus (CICC). CICC is focused on celebrating the contributions independent colleges and universities make to the educational, intellectual, economic, social, and cultural life of our nation. Refreshments will be available.