Transition Symposium

The Transition Symposium is a two-day virtual professional development opportunity for higher education professionals dedicated to supporting and enhancing student transition programs and initiatives.

The symposium will include keynote presentations, educational breakout sessions, and networking opportunities, all of which will equip participants with innovative practices, emerging trends, and actionable insights to support diverse student populations during pivotal transitions.

This year’s Transition Symposium will also offer an optional cohort experience designed to deepen learning, connection, and application. Participants who opt into a cohort will be placed in a small group that meets immediately following each day of the symposium to reflect on key takeaways, engage in facilitated discussion, and explore how concepts can be applied within their institutional contexts. Cohort participation is optional but requires availability for both sessions to ensure continuity and a meaningful shared experience.

Learning Outcomes:

By participating in the Transition Symposium, attendees will:

• Deepen their understanding of the student transition process and its impact on belonging, retention, and overall success.
• Develop a deeper understanding of the varied needs and challenges individuals experience during key educational transitions.
• Explore evidence-based practices and innovative approaches that support individuals throughout transition periods.
• Engage in collaborative discussions and networking with professionals committed to transition work in higher education.
• Expand their knowledge of trends and leading practices that extend beyond orientation to encompass the holistic transition experience.

Submit a Session proposal

The 2026 Transition Symposium will include opportunities for participants to share their work in supporting student transitions. Proposals should reflect innovative practices, evidence-based strategies, or impactful experiences in one or more of the following areas:

• Inclusive Practices: Approaches for addressing the unique needs of dynamic student populations in various points of transition.
• Research and Leading Practices: Showcasing case studies, benchmarking, and examples of effective programs from diverse institutions. 
• Collaborative Approaches: Building partnerships across departments or institutions to enhance the transition experience.
• Emerging Trends: Highlighting new challenges, research, or practices related to transition in higher education.

For the 2026 Symposium, we are offering two session formats to meet varied needs and interests of our participants: 

• 50-minute Educational Sessions: These sessions should focus on providing actionable insights and evidence-based strategies relevant to student transition programs and initiatives and should include interactive elements such as Q&As, discussions, or activities. 
• 50-minute Facilitated Roundtable Discussion: These interactive sessions should focus on specific programs, initiatives, or case studies that support student transitions and provide an overview of program goals, implementation, outcomes, and key data. Roundtables offer a collaborative space to discuss challenges, strategies, and insights related to specific student populations. The facilitator will prepare questions or topics to guide the discussion and encourage peer-to-peer learning. 

Session proposals are due by Friday, February 6, 2026. Decisions will be communicated on February 20, 2026.