#NASPA26 Schedule

Explore over 600+ educational sessions at the 2026 NASPA Annual Conference, taking place March 7-11 in Kansas City. Our diverse program features research presentations, interactive workshops, inspiring talks, and opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the profession. Browse sessions by day below to build your personalized conference experience and discover new approaches to advancing student success and professional practice.

Educational Session Types

SA Speaks are conversational, research-based talks similar to a TED Talk that bring inspiring and energetic narratives to the stage. As student affairs professionals, we often have solutions to our field's problems—SA Speaks gives you the platform to share those solutions.

General Interest Sessions are traditional 50-minute program sessions scheduled Monday through Wednesday. Designed as interactive conversations between presenters and participants, these sessions allow attendees to grow skills and competencies through practical application and collaborative discussion.

Scholarly Paper sessions feature peer-reviewed research findings and conceptual arguments selected by faculty members. Each 50-minute session includes two authors presenting their papers, followed by comments from an assigned discussant and a facilitated Q&A.

Poster sessions offer impactful presentations on research and institutional programs. Posters remain on display throughout the conference, with dedicated time blocks when presenters are available for one-on-one discussions. These sessions provide an intimate opportunity to learn more, ask questions, and explore implications for your own campus.

Pre-Conference Workshops

The 2026 NASPA Annual Conference in Kansas City will include half-day, full-day, and multi-day Pre-conference Workshops. These learning sessions will take place on Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8. Register for a Pre-conference Workshop to join colleagues and experts for an opportunity to discuss important and timely topics in depth! 

Pre-conference Workshops require an additional registration and fee, and are not included in the main Annual Conference registration. Most pre-conference workshops are an add-on to the main conference registration, which means that you must be registered for the 2026 NASPA Annual Conference in order to register for a pre-conference workshop.

Exceptions include the International Symposium, the Community Colleges Institute, and the Undergraduate Student Conference.

Meetings & Receptions

The NASPA Annual Conference offers an amazing opportunity for NASPA Constituent Groups, institutions, and other groups to host events. Meetings and receptions fall into two categories: NASPA-sponsored events and non-NASPA-sponsored events.

NASPA Sponsored Events

Meetings and receptions that fall under this category are hosted by NASPA. Events included in this grouping are NASPA Region, Knowledge Community, Division, or other Constituent Group meetings and receptions, and NASPA staff-coordinated meetings.

NASPA-sponsored receptions, meetings and engagement activities onsite, including Constituent Group receptions, may be requested during the main event dates of March 9-11, 2026. Space will be limited and events may not be scheduled during Keynote Speakers, Featured Educational Sessions, or Exhibit Hall dedicated hours.

Non-NASPA Sponsored Events and Ancillary Events

Meetings and receptions that fall under this category are events requested and paid for by a third-party event host. Events that typically fall within this category are university or institutional receptions and meetings. These are events that happen in conjunction with the NASPA Annual Conference but are not supported financially by NASPA.

Ancillary receptions, meetings, and engagement activities may be requested during the main event dates of March 9-11, 2026. Space will be limited and events may not be scheduled during Keynote Speakers, Featured Educational Sessions, or Exhibit Hall dedicated hours.