Annual CIVSA Conference

Join us in Minneapolis for professional development, learning, networking opportunities, and more! The Annual Conference includes multiple educational opportunities including peer led educational sessions, keynote speakers, workshops, hot topics discussions, and networking time. For an idea of what the Annual Conference will include, you can view the 2026 Annual Conference Tentative Schedule. More detailed session information will be available closer to conference.

Closing Reception
We are excited to host the 2026 Annual Conference Closing Reception at the iconic Fillmore Minneapolis! Set in one of the city’s premier live music venues, the evening will bring great food, conversation, and connection together in a space known for its energy and character. It’s the perfect way to reflect on the week, celebrate shared ideas, and end the conference on a high note.

Thank you for your interest in presenting at Annual Conference! The deadline for submitting a proposal has passed. Proposals were accepted through January 9, 2026.

Proposals are currently under review. We aim to notify all who submitted a proposal of their status by mid-February. If selected, you must confirm your participation and conference registration by March 2.

Questions? Contact Programming and Education Chair Kate Bracciano at kate.bracciano@marquette.edu.

 

Key dates for accepted presenters

Friday, February 27 – Deadline to submit presenter/co-presenter agreements

Monday, March 2 – Deadline for all presenters and co-presenters to register for Annual Conference

Wednesday, March 4 – Presenter training webinar

Monday, May 4 – Deadline for all presenters and co-presenters to submit headshots and presentation PDFs

May 26 – 30 – Annual Conference

Keynote Speaker – Ken Anselment

Ken Anselment is Senior Director of Enrollment Strategy for Human Capital Education. With more than 30 years of experience in higher education, he helps institutions make sense of evidence to shape student experience and organizational practice in service of their mission. Ken has advised institutions on recruitment, retention, and enrollment leadership during periods of growth, uncertainty, and change.

Ken is the author of Climbing the Admissions Leadership Peak and the host of The Admissions Leadership Podcast, which he launched in 2019. With more than 100 episodes, the podcast has become a trusted forum for enrollment leaders to reflect on the habits, mindsets, and experiences that have shaped their careers.

Outside of his consulting work, Ken enjoys time in the mountains biking, hiking, reading, and writing.

Closing Speaker – Heather R Younger

Heather R Younger, J.D. is a leading expert on Caring Leadership® and active listening at work, and a trusted contributor to Forbes, Fast Company, Bloomberg, NBC, and ABC. As Founder and CEO of Employee Fanatix, she partners with Fortune 100 companies to elevate employee engagement and workplace culture through research grounded in employee voices.

With over 25 years of leadership experience across industries including tech, healthcare, staffing, and finance, Heather has read 30,000+ employee surveys and led more than 100 focus groups, including her signature Art of Active Listening Sessions. A sought-after keynote speaker, she brings data-driven insights to life through her Caring Leadership Transformation Model™.

Heather is an award-winning leader recognized by Inspiring Workplaces, a LinkedIn Learning course partner, three-time best-selling author, TEDx speaker, and host of the Leadership with Heart podcast.

Choice of one workshop below is included in your conference registration fee

Presenter: Huron Consulting Group – Erin Gore, John Michael Cuccia, and Alex Williams
Title: From Setup to Strategy: Building Smarter Events in Technolutions Slate

Recruitment events are some of the most visible — and resource-intensive — strategies in enrollment. Yet in Technolutions Slate, they’re often built tactically rather than strategically, leading to inconsistent structures, manual processes, and limited reporting.

“How do we simplify our event setup without breaking everything?”
“How do we prove our events are actually driving enrollment?”

From Setup to Strategy: Building Smarter Events in Technolutions Slate is a practical, back-to-basics workshop for Slate users who manage visit, travel, and yield events. Erin Gore, John Michael Cuccia, and Alex Williams will walk through core event architecture — event types, capacity management, surveys, communications, and reporting — while sharing common pitfalls and scalable best practices.

Attendees will leave with a clearer framework for building cleaner events, improving attendance tracking, and connecting event engagement to measurable enrollment outcomes.

 

---

 

Presenter: Brian Sostek – Adjunct Faculty, University of Minnesota
Title: Fear, Failure, and Catastrophe: How to Talk with Strangers
What is it that causes fear when speaking with strangers, be it in front of 500 people in a conference room, with ten people on a Zoom call, or next to an individual on the street? Why do we avoid possible failure in front of others to the point that it often leads to actual failure? How can we survive the communication catastrophes that seem to await us all the time, especially in high pressure situations? Based on over thirty years of work in the performing arts and communication coaching, this introductory workshop (which has grown into a full semester course at the University of Minnesota), uses honest discussion and impactful exercises to change the way you interact with others in almost any situation.

This workshop will cover:

• Some easy conversations that reveal a lot about difficult conversations.
• What is a stranger?
• Why talk with strangers?
• Why can it be hard to talk with strangers?
• How do instincts that help us survive get in the way of letting us thrive?
• Useful fear vs. useless fear.
• Think quick on your feet by slowing down.
• Learn how to lock in and listen.
• Talking with strangers vs. talking to strangers: Way more fun, way more productive.
• What’s the point of a workshop if you can’t take it back to work? Applying the concepts to your specific situations.

 

---

 

Presenter: Teron Buford – Founder, GRACE through SOUL
Title: What If I’m Not Enough?: Showing Up Without Leaving on E

In a profession built on service and experience, it’s easy to pour out more than you replenish. This session explores how to show up fully and authentically without tying personal worth to professional outcomes. Participants will examine fear, identity, and purpose through a practical lens and leave with strategies to remain grounded and energized in demanding environments. The goal is not to do less, but to lead from a fuller place.

Engagement Outcomes:
• Reconnect to personal purpose beyond daily demands
• Separate identity from role without lowering professional standards
• Recognize early signs of emotional depletion and respond intentionally

 

---

 

Presenter: Manuela Hill-Muñoz, Director of Student Development Strategy and Co-Director of the First-Year Experience, University of St. Thomas in Minnesota
Title: Supervising Emerging Adults: A Student Development Lens for Everyday Practice
Professionals across higher education often find themselves supervising college students without formal preparation in student development theory. At the same time, those students are navigating one of the most formative stages of their lives. Supervising college students is not simply a matter of task management. Students are emerging adults who are actively forming their identities, developing confidence in their voice, and learning how to navigate responsibility, feedback, and professional expectations.

This interactive workshop introduces a practical student development lens for supervision, where participants will explore how developmental stages shape student behavior, decision-making, and responses to feedback. Participants will also consider how students’ cultural assets and lived experiences influence how they engage in the workplace.

Through discussion, case studies, and reflection, participants will examine common supervisory challenges such as:
• students seeking constant validation or direction
• resistance or sensitivity to feedback
• peer dynamics within student teams
• balancing accountability with support

Grounded in more than ten years of experience supervising student workers, interns, and volunteers, this session translates student development theory into everyday practice. Participants will leave with concrete tools and approaches that strengthen both their supervision and the developmental experience of the students they lead, helping students grow in responsibility and confidence while maintaining clear expectations.

 

---

 

Presenter: Nan Gesche – Adjunct Faculty, University of Minnesota
Title: Managing Change Without Losing Your People
Change is constant in higher education. New priorities, new leadership, shifting expectations—sometimes all at once. Yet while strategies evolve, teams still need clarity, trust, and direction.

This interactive session explores practical ways to lead change without creating unnecessary resistance or burnout. Participants will examine the predictable ways people respond to change and learn simple communication strategies that help teams move forward with greater confidence and less pushback.

Participants will learn how to:
• Recognize common reactions to change and respond more effectively
• Communicate change with greater clarity and credibility
• Keep teams focused and moving forward
• Strengthen trust during periods of transition

Enhance your conference experience by registering for optional programming! Pre-conference campus tours will take place on Tuesday May 26 from noon-3pm. Pre-conference workshops will be Tuesday May 26 from 1-3pm. The post-conference campus tour will be Saturday, May 30 from 9am-noon. There is a $25 fee associated with each experience and space is limited; there will be no refunds for cancellations or no-shows.

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS

Young Professionals Workshop (0-3 years professional experience)
Title: Thriving Early in Your Career: Navigating Collegiate Visitor Service as a Young Professional
Leaders: Seasoned CIVSA Professionals
Designed for professionals navigating their first few years in collegiate visitor services and events, this session will blend practical training with candid conversation. Participants will explore core workplace skills such as communicating with confidence, managing workload and boundaries, and building professional credibility. Facilitators will guide attendees through real-world scenarios and invite open peer discussion to compare strategies and experiences. Whether you’re looking to better understand institutional culture or simply find your voice in the room, this workshop will equip you with tools and a support network to thrive early in your career.

Middle Managers Workshop (3-7 years professional experience)
Title: Middle Matters: Managing Communication, Conflict, and Expectations Effectively
Leader: Teron Buford – Founder, GRACE through SOUL
Mid-level leaders often carry pressure from every direction. They motivate students and staff, collaborate with peers, and advocate upward to senior leadership, often in the same week and sometimes in the same day. This workshop explores practical communication tools and frameworks to navigate conflict, align expectations, and lead with clarity and courage. Participants will leave with language and strategies they can implement immediately.
Engagement Outcomes:

• Adapt communication style to motivate student and professional staff effectively
• Apply a simple framework for advocacy, aligning expectations, and managing conflict
• Establish team norms that support radical candor, cohesion, innovation and trust

Directors Workshop (7+ years professional experience)
Title: Building Your Higher Education Field Guide: Practical Strategies for Motivation and Sustainability
Leader: Ken Anselment, Senior Director for Enrollment Strategy at Human Capital Education
Seasoned leaders are often tasked with being both visionary and operational and rarely have dedicated space to step back and think with their peers. This workshop offers a candid, solution-driven forum for directors and executive-level professionals to share challenges, compare organizational models, and explore new approaches to team sustainability, innovation, and leadership longevity. Facilitated discussion prompts will spark conversation around succession planning, budget realities, campus politics, and personal well-being at the top. Come ready to both contribute and recharge alongside fellow leaders who understand the weight and privilege of your role.

CAMPUS TOUR EXPERIENCES

Pre-Conference Tour: Founded in 1874 on the belief in the transformative power of a liberal arts education, Macalester College has spent more than a century showing how scholarship can inspire meaningful change. Recognized globally for academic rigor, internationalism, diversity, and service, Macalester combines a close-knit residential community with the benefits of being in the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro area.

With over 800 courses and nationally recognized faculty, students engage deeply in collaborative learning and research that prepares them to make an impact on the world. Home to students from 49 states and 107 countries, Macalester fosters a globally minded community where curiosity, dialogue, and action thrive.

Experience how Macalester brings its mission of global citizenship and collaborative learning to life. Tour the campus with student ambassadors, learn about signature traditions and programs, and see how this vibrant community encourages curiosity, dialogue, and action.

Pre-Conference Tour: The University of St. Thomas is Minnesota’s largest private university, rooted in our Catholic mission to educate students to think critically, act wisely and work skillfully for the common good. With more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, St. Thomas offers a vibrant campus experience in the heart of the Twin Cities. With an average class size of 22 students, St. Thomas offers individualized support with the resources and opportunities of a dynamic metropolitan area. As a proud NCAA Division I institution, we blend academic excellence with a spirited campus community.

Join us on campus to see how we make every visit feel personalized and explore our facilities during this special tour for CIVSA conference attendees.

Post-Conference Tour: Founded in 1851 on the banks of the Mississippi River, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities serves as the flagship of the UMN System and Minnesota’s only land-grant institution. As one of the nation’s top public research universities, UMN is committed to advancing knowledge for the common good while fostering access, innovation, and public service. Its unique breadth of academic excellence—one of just five universities in the country to house an engineering school, medical school, law school, veterinary medicine school, and agricultural school all on one campus—empowers students to explore interdisciplinary pathways and pursue impact at scale.

Home to more than 30,000 undergraduates across Minneapolis and St. Paul, the university combines the energy of Big Ten spirit with the warmth of Midwestern hospitality. Gopher traditions, vibrant student organizations, and a deep culture of inclusion help create a sense of community within a campus the size of a small city.

Explore iconic campus landmarks, engage with student ambassadors who bring the UMN story to life, and experience the energy and tradition that define this historic institution.

Minneapolis is the largest city in Minnesota and part of the vibrant Twin Cities metropolitan area, which includes the state capital, St. Paul. Combined, the Twin Cities make the 16th largest metropolitan area in the country. Known for its lakes, parks, and cultural landmarks, Minneapolis consistently ranks among the nation’s most livable cities. The city is home to several Fortune 500 companies, including Target, U.S. Bancorp, and Ameriprise Financial and boasts a thriving arts scene with renowned theaters, museums, and music venues. Sports fans can cheer for any of the Twin Cities’ 10 professional men’s and women’s sports teams, while outdoor enthusiasts enjoy miles of trails, the Mississippi River, and over 20 city lakes.

Hotel & Travel
Our conference hotel is the Hilton Minneapolis, located at 1001 S Marquette Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403. Rooms will be $219+ tax per night for single or double occupancy. A reservation link will be included in conference registration payment confirmation emails. The last day to book a room in the CIVSA block is May 4, 2026 though our block is likely to fill earlier.
 

The hotel is in downtown Minneapolis, connected by covered skyways to the Minneapolis Convention Center and the Minnesota Orchestra. Enterprise car rental, Nicollet Mall, and restaurants are within a few blocks. Target Field is a five-minute drive.

Parking is available to guests staying at the hotel. On-site self-parking is available for $35/day; valet parking is $54/day.

Travel Info:
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is located 12 miles from the conference hotel.

The average taxi/rideshare rate between the airport and hotel is $34 and there are pick up locations in both terminals.

There is a light rail train from the airport to downtown Minneapolis. The METRO Blue Line picks up at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Going towards downtown Minneapolis, the closest stop to the hotel is Nicollet. From there, it’s about five blocks to the hotel. There are several bus routes that you could transfer to for a very short ride from the train station to the hotel. See the MetroTransit website for more information about the light rail or buses – or you can download their app as well!

Registration is open to professional staff only; undergraduate students are not eligible to attend annual conferences.

Need some assistance getting institutional support? Use this customizable letter template to help advocate for your conference attendance.

Consider becoming a CIVSA Member before registering for conference to take advantage of member-only rates. Members also have access to apply for Conference Scholarships by established deadlines.

Cancellation Policy
Please note that registration fees are non-refundable.

A credit for all fees paid less a $50 administrative fee will be issued if requested in writing by March 1. The registration credit has no cash value and is valid for the next CIVSA Annual Conference only. Cancellation requests must be submitted to civsaHQ@civsa.org and include the registrant’s name and institution. No credits will be issued after March 1.

Credits will not be offered for campus tour registrations.

An Annual Conference registration may be transferred to another professional staff member from the same institution. If the registration was paid at the CIVSA member registration rate, it may be transferred to (a) another CIVSA member at no additional charge or (b) a non-member with an additional $150 transfer fee. Transfer requests must be received in writing to civsahq@civsa.org. If a registration transfer is requested after May 1, the change will not be reflected in the conference program book or conference app.

Here are the answers to some Frequently Asked Questions about a CIVSA conference.