March 21–24 | Chicago
Higher Learning 2026 will bring together professionals who are shaping the future of higher ed. The conference will explore how institutions can pursue continuous improvement through accreditation and ensure high-quality, transformative educational experiences that meet the evolving needs of students and society. Join colleagues to exchange ideas, explore new strategies, and gain skills that will enhance your institution’s impact and leadership.
Preconference Programs
Saturday, March 21, 2026
New! Navigating Disruption: Strengthening Cabinet Leadership In Higher Ed Workshop
12:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
For provosts, chief financial officers, student affairs executives and other cabinet-level administrators
With shifting federal policies, funding changes, political mandates and technological advancements, cabinet-level leaders face constant disruption. This workshop offers timely insights through peer-to-peer strategy exchange and examples from senior leaders. Strengthen your ability to advise presidents, manage uncertainty, keep students at the center and uphold your institution’s mission.
Member / Non-member
$250Strategies for Experienced ALOs Workshop
12:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
For ALOs from HLC member institutions who have been in the role for 2+ years
Want to learn strategies for increasing your effectiveness in your role as an Accreditation Liaison Officer? This interactive workshop, led by seasoned ALOs, will provide experienced ALOs with tools to improve communication with HLC and campus stakeholders and optimize reporting strategies.
Member / Non-member
$250Centering Learning Workshop
12:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
This interactive workshop focuses on concepts for improving student learning and ensuring quality educational offerings. Explore connections between assessment of student learning, student success outcomes, and practice of regular program review through presentations, small group activities, and networking.
Member / Non-member
$250Peer Reviewer Updates and Training
9:00 a.m.–3:45 p.m.
For current peer reviewers only
Current members of HLC’s Peer Corps are invited to attend this program to refresh and enhance their skills, as well as get updates on accreditation processes. The day-long program includes sessions on skill-building, information-sharing, and policy updates. Specific training required for certain peer review roles will be offered.
This program will now be held at the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park.
Member / Non-member
$150Conversations With Presidents and Trustees
8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Optional General Program bundle includes $400 discount on the General Program
This day-long program covers critical issues in higher ed in a space designed for leadership to participate in candid and real discussions.
This program will now be held at the Hyatt Regency.
Member / Non-member
$500Seeking Accreditation Workshop
8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
For representatives from non-member institutions
HLC staff members and experienced peer reviewers conduct this workshop to help institutions interested in seeking accreditation with HLC understand the process and requirements, including hearing perspectives of representatives from institutions that have attained initial accreditation with HLC.
Member / Non-member
$475New! Navigating Disruption: Strengthening Cabinet Leadership In Higher Ed Workshop
12:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
For provosts, chief financial officers, student affairs executives and other cabinet-level administrators
With shifting federal policies, funding changes, political mandates and technological advancements, cabinet-level leaders face constant disruption. This workshop offers timely insights through peer-to-peer strategy exchange and examples from senior leaders. Strengthen your ability to advise presidents, manage uncertainty, keep students at the center and uphold your institution’s mission.
Member / Non-member
$350Strategies for Experienced ALOs Workshop
12:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
For ALOs from HLC member institutions who have been in the role for 2+ years
Want to learn strategies for increasing your effectiveness in your role as an Accreditation Liaison Officer? This interactive workshop, led by seasoned ALOs, will provide experienced ALOs with tools to improve communication with HLC and campus stakeholders and optimize reporting strategies.
Member / Non-member
$350Centering Learning Workshop
12:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
This interactive workshop focuses on concepts for improving student learning and ensuring quality educational offerings. Explore connections between assessment of student learning, student success outcomes, and practice of regular program review through presentations, small group activities, and networking.
Member / Non-member
$350Peer Reviewer Updates and Training
9:00 a.m.–3:45 p.m.
For current peer reviewers only
Current members of HLC’s Peer Corps are invited to attend this program to refresh and enhance their skills, as well as get updates on accreditation processes. The day-long program includes sessions on skill-building, information-sharing, and policy updates. Specific training required for certain peer review roles will be offered.
This program will now be held at the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park.
Member / Non-member
$150Conversations With Presidents and Trustees
8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Optional General Program bundle includes $400 discount on the General Program
This day-long program covers critical issues in higher ed in a space designed for leadership to participate in candid and real discussions.
This program will now be held at the Hyatt Regency.
Member / Non-member
$600Seeking Accreditation Workshop
8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
For representatives from non-member institutions
HLC staff members and experienced peer reviewers conduct this workshop to help institutions interested in seeking accreditation with HLC understand the process and requirements, including hearing perspectives of representatives from institutions that have attained initial accreditation with HLC.
Member / Non-member
$475New! Navigating Disruption: Strengthening Cabinet Leadership In Higher Ed Workshop
12:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
For provosts, chief financial officers, student affairs executives and other cabinet-level administrators
With shifting federal policies, funding changes, political mandates and technological advancements, cabinet-level leaders face constant disruption. This workshop offers timely insights through peer-to-peer strategy exchange and examples from senior leaders. Strengthen your ability to advise presidents, manage uncertainty, keep students at the center and uphold your institution’s mission.
Member / Non-member
$350Strategies for Experienced ALOs Workshop
12:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
For ALOs from HLC member institutions who have been in the role for 2+ years
Want to learn strategies for increasing your effectiveness in your role as an Accreditation Liaison Officer? This interactive workshop, led by seasoned ALOs, will provide experienced ALOs with tools to improve communication with HLC and campus stakeholders and optimize reporting strategies.
Member / Non-member
$350Centering Learning Workshop
12:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
This interactive workshop focuses on concepts for improving student learning and ensuring quality educational offerings. Explore connections between assessment of student learning, student success outcomes, and practice of regular program review through presentations, small group activities, and networking.
Member / Non-member
$350Peer Reviewer Updates and Training
9:00 a.m.–3:45 p.m.
For current peer reviewers only
Current members of HLC’s Peer Corps are invited to attend this program to refresh and enhance their skills, as well as get updates on accreditation processes. The day-long program includes sessions on skill-building, information-sharing, and policy updates. Specific training required for certain peer review roles will be offered.
This program will now be held at the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park.
Member / Non-member
$150Conversations With Presidents and Trustees
8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Optional General Program bundle includes $400 discount on the General Program
This day-long program covers critical issues in higher ed in a space designed for leadership to participate in candid and real discussions.
This program will now be held at the Hyatt Regency.
Member / Non-member
$700Seeking Accreditation Workshop
8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
For representatives from non-member institutions
HLC staff members and experienced peer reviewers conduct this workshop to help institutions interested in seeking accreditation with HLC understand the process and requirements, including hearing perspectives of representatives from institutions that have attained initial accreditation with HLC.
Member / Non-member
$475General Program
Saturday, March 21 – Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Higher Learning 2026 General Program
Registration for the conference General Program includes access to keynote and featured presentations, HLC and institutional presentations, the expo hall, complimentary breakfast, the welcome reception and more.
Member
$775Non-member
$975Higher Learning 2026 General Program
Registration for the conference General Program includes access to keynote and featured presentations, HLC and institutional presentations, the expo hall, complimentary breakfast, the welcome reception and more.
Member
$875Non-member
$1,075Higher Learning 2026 General Program
Registration for the conference General Program includes access to keynote and featured presentations, HLC and institutional presentations, the expo hall, complimentary breakfast, the welcome reception and more.
Member
$1,025Non-member
$1,225Sunday Lunch
Sunday, March 22, 2026
Due to the limited selection of nearby open restaurants on Sunday, we offer two plated networking luncheons for attendees to connect over a specific higher ed topic related to your work. Alternatively, you can pre-purchase a boxed lunch.
These options are only for Sunday. Attendees are encouraged to visit the many nearby restaurants for lunch on Monday and Tuesday.
Networking Lunch #1: Centering Students, Demonstrating Value
$35Networking Lunch #2: Mission in Action
$35Boxed Lunch
$25The Higher Learning 2026 General Program will include keynote presentations by Tamar Gendler on restoring trust and reimagining the value of higher education and a perspectives panel on helping students thrive, moderated by Timothy Renick.
New for Higher Learning 2026: Book When You Register
In an effort to ensure accommodations are available for all registered attendees in the months leading to the conference, we’ve updated the booking process for our discounted hotel room blocks. All attendees must complete registration before making a hotel reservation. Read more about the hotel booking process.
Higher Learning 2026 will take place at the Hyatt Regency, Swissôtel and Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago. We offer discounted room blocks at the conference hotels and at multiple hotels nearby:
Attendees flying in to Chicago should plan to arrive at O’Hare International Airport or Midway Airport. O’Hare is 17 miles northwest and Midway is 10 miles southwest of downtown. Multiple transportation options, including rapid transit trains, are available from both airports to the conference hotels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cancellations
If you can no longer attend the conference, please submit a cancellation request. Refunds resulting from cancellations will be based on these dates:
Please note that cancelling your conference registration does not cancel your hotel reservation. You can cancel your hotel booking separately through your hotel reservation acknowledgement email. Read more about hotel reservations.
Registration Transfers
If you’ve registered and can no longer attend the conference, your registration may be transferred to another person at the same institution or organization at no additional charge. Transfers may be made by contacting [email protected].
Program Changes
A $75 processing fee will be charged for all requests to remove a pre-conference program or lunch from an existing conference registration. Attendees will be refunded the cost of the program, less the processing fee, on or before February 23, 2026. No refunds for requests to remove a program from an existing registration will be issued on or after February 24, 2026.
Refunds
Credit card refunds will be processed within two business days. Check refunds will be processed within 15 business days of receiving the request.
The conference brings representatives from institutions of every classification and size from across the country to Chicago to gather information and learn promising practices. In the expo hall, attendees connect with sponsors to learn about products and services that can provide solutions and opportunities to innovate their work.
Sponsoring Higher Learning also comes with several options to share your brand with attendees, including recognition on conference materials, showcase sessions, and more.
The 2026 sponsor application will open in November 2025.
Save the Date
Higher Learning 2026:
March 21–24 | Chicago
Higher Learning 2027:
April 17–19 | Phoenix
Higher Learning 2028:
April 1–3 | Denver