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CONFERENCE EXPERIENCE BY CAREER STAGE

#NASPA27 • March 7–10, 2027 • National Harbor, MD

Student affairs professionals attend #NASPA27 at every stage of their career; from those experiencing their very first national conference to those celebrating their twentieth. The #NASPA27 experience is designed to meet you exactly where you are in your professional journey. Each focus area and its learning outcomes are connected to the responsibilities, challenges, and growth opportunities most relevant to your current role. This page helps you access the content that best fits your interests and needs, whether you're attending or submitting a proposal.

Attendance in 2026

15%

of attendees

New & Emerging

0-5 years

Build Your Foundation

Sessions at this level focus on core competencies, self-awareness, and the skills and networks that set you up for a lasting career in student affairs.

46%

of attendees

Mid-level

6+ years

Expand Your Impact

Sessions at this level focus on leading teams, driving strategy, mentoring others, and broadening what you contribute to your institution and the profession.

37%

of attendees

Senior Leaders

AVPs, VPSAs, VCSAs, Deans 

Shape the Direction

Sessions at this level focus on executive leadership, transformational change, institutional alignment, and influencing the future of student affairs at scale.

First Time at #NASPA27?

More than 30% of attendees at each Annual Conference are joining us for the first time. You belong here. The career stage map below is a great starting point for building your schedule around sessions that fit where you are right now, not just what sounds interesting. Look for sessions tagged for your level and use them as your anchor points for the week.

Focus Areas