2026 NAPSA Annual Conference
March 7-8, 2026 • Kansas City, MO

NASPA International Symposium

The NASPA International Symposium facilitates the advancement of global discussion and worldwide understanding of student affairs and services. A key International Symposium goal is to invite and explore new perspectives, and to create new connections to bridge international boundaries. In doing so, the International Symposium expands NASPA’s objective of providing professional learning opportunities to support preparedness for the realities of an increasingly globalized society. The International Symposium benefits those working in an international student service setting, as well as practitioners interested in further developing their global competency skills. 

Message from the Chair

On behalf of the planning committee, I am very happy to invite you to the NASPA International Symposium in the United States! My colleagues and I are excited to welcome you to our annual two-day pre-conference just ahead of NASPA Annual Conference.

I hope you will consider submitting a proposal to share your expertise with colleagues from around the world. Each year, scholars and practitioners present their work at the International Symposium to share the ideas, knowledge, and best practices shaping student affairs globally. As a leader in this field, you have a unique perspective from which others would greatly benefit, and we hope you will consider proposing a session or panel.

NASPA has also launched the registration site for the Annual Conference at https://naspa.org/events/2026-naspa-annual-conference, and we hope you will consider joining us a few days early. The NASPA International Symposium is a chance to network and exchange ideas with people shaping the student experience around the world.

Please let me know if you have questions or suggestions! The planning committee and I are very excited to coordinate such a valuable professional development opportunity for our colleagues, and we look forward to seeing you at the NASPA International Symposium. Until then, I hope you are well and that we are able to connect very soon.

Maria del Pilar Murguia

International Symposium Chair

Associate Dean
John Cabot University

Call for Programs

Join us for the NASPA International Symposium and 2026 NASPA Annual Conference. The International Symposium is a two-day pre-conference event (March 7 - March 8, 2026) that will explore global issues in student affairs and services and higher education. The event format will include keynote presentations, concurrent sessions, interactive discussions, and networking opportunities.

Please Note: You can register for the 2026 NASPA International Symposium as a stand-alone event. You do not have to also register for the 2026 NASPA Annual Conference.

There will not be any virtual presentation opportunities.

SUCCESSFUL PROPOSALS

Program reviewers rely on a well-written description to enhance their understanding of the content and goals of the presentation. The conference planning committees encourage program proposals with proven practices and content that will engage participants in fruitful discussions and provide meaningful content to bring back to their campuses.

Successful proposals should include: 

• Lengthy description about session content that you will present.
• Relationship of the program to the conference themes outlined below in 'Conference Themes & Learning Outcomes'
• Identification of the program format (e.g., lecture, panel, roundtable) including methods for participant involvement (e.g., discussion, effective practice sharing, case study analysis).
• Discussions of replicability: to what extent can the information presented in this program be replicated at other institutions?
• Evidence of the conceptual foundation for proposal content including ways the program content is grounded in research, relevant experience, a cogent model, or appropriate theory.
  • Program proposals should establish a clear connection to the research, framework, model, or theory included in their discussions.
  • A list of references to relevant research, models, or theory must be listed in the "References" section. 

Tips:

• Draft and save your work in a word processing program to ensure you keep a copy for your records. When you are ready, copy and paste the your description and outline into the text box below. 
• There are no word limits on this section. Please provide enough details so that program reviewers can understand the breadth, depth, and scope of your program. This description will not be printed in the program book, website, or otherwise.
• Ensure correct spelling and grammar.

For additional tips, please visit NASPA’s Program Submission Guidelines

Symposium Tracks

Collaborative Global Practices in a Time of Scarcity

Case studies and frameworks showcasing cross-institutional partnerships that promote shared resources, aligned goals, and inclusive student development, with attention to declining budgets, shifting political climates, and global challenges.

IIntercultural Competency and Future-Ready Professional Development

This merged track centers on developing intercultural competence and global citizenship alongside future-ready professional development. It highlights models and methods for embedding empathy, cultural literacy, and global fluency in both students and professionals, while also showcasing effective practical training and mentoring strategies that cultivate adaptive leadership in diverse international contexts.

Navigating Crisis and Change in Higher Education

Global institutional responses to disruption, whether political, environmental, or public health-related. This track invites strategies for resilience, agility, and compassionate leadership in times of uncertainty.

Purposeful Innovation in Student Affairs

Concrete applications of digital tools, learning analytics, and AI to enhance advising, engagement, and how it is used for more effective platforms to promote a culture of care focused on early identification and intervention, across diverse international contexts. Focus on scalable, ethical, and equity-driven tech solutions.

Symposium Registration and Hotel Accommodations

To register for the NASPA International Symposium, visit 2026 NASPA Annual Conference and you will be redirected to the official 2026 NASPA Annual Conference page where you will find registration and hotel accommodations information. 

Schedule

The schedule has been designed to provide participants with interactive and engaging programming, opportunities for deeper discussion, and networking. Additional registration is required to attend the symposium. The schedule is subject to change. Visit our NASPA Events app for up-to-date information.  

Friday, March 6

Saturday, March 7

Sunday, March 8

Register

We are excited to welcome you to Kansas City at the 2026 NASPA International Symposium. Register now at the early bird rate until December 17!

The symposium is a preconference at the NASPA Annual Conference. *Additional registration is required to attend the institute.  

Symposium Planning Committee

The 2026 NASPA Symposium Planning Committee (SPC) is responsible for supporting the creation and execution of the conference experience by leveraging their expertise and lens. NASPA is grateful to the thoughtful and intentional volunteers listed below.

Chiara Abbondanti, John Cabot University

Omneya Badr, Trinity Washington University

Pantelis Chantzaras, Perottis College/American Farm School

Darren Clarke, Rutgers University

Wadad El Housseini, Qatar University

Dressie Fan, Tulane University

Ashley Jost, Saint Louis University Madrid

Miriam Khalil, Northwestern University in Qatar

Clarissa Lau, University of Toronto

Art Malloy, University of North Dakota

Russell Martin, Franklin University Switzerland

Kerrie Montgomery Orozco, University of Florida

Pilar Murguia, John Cabot University

Tracy Nakajima, East Texas A&M University

Ahmed Osman, University of the Arts London

Janelle Rahyns, NASPA

Paul Rossi, University of the Arts London

Jayme Scally, West Virginia University

Helen Tewolde, University of Toronto

Vickie Unferth, Marshalltown Community College

Christopher Michael Van Velzer, Duke Kunshan University

Yanmei Zhang, Georgia Institute of Technology

Questions?

Please contact NASPA if you have any further questions about the NASPA International Symposium.

For questions about symposium program elements:
International Symposium Planning Committee
Email: jrahyns@naspa.org

For questions about conference registration:
NASPA Registration

Email: registration@naspa.org