Realizing the Higher Education Value Proposition
October 19-20, 2026
Cleveland State University | Cleveland, OH
This year’s conference comes at a pivotal moment for higher education. Together, we’ll explore strategies and insights to help administrators adapt, innovate, and lead their institutions toward success. Additional details—including speakers, session topics, and registration—will be released soon. Stay tuned and plan to join us in Cleveland.
Registration
Registration includes two continental breakfasts, two lunches (one boxed and one buffet), coffee and tea throughout the day, afternoon snacks, and a Day 1 cocktail reception.
Dietary Accommodations: If you have dietary restrictions or food allergies (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher, halal, or other needs), please indicate your needs during registration or email conference@aaua.org. We will make every effort to ensure appropriate meal accommodations.
2026 Keynote Speaker
Timothy M. Renick, Ph.D.
Executive Director, National Institute for Student Success
Georgia State University
Named one of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders by Fortune magazine. Timothy Renick is the founding Executive Director of the National Institute for Student Success and Professor at Georgia State University. Between 2008-2020, he directed the student success efforts of the university, overseeing a 70% improvement in graduation rates and the elimination of all equity gaps based on students’ race, ethnicity, or income level. Dr. Renick has testified on strategies for helping university students succeed before the both the U.S. Senate and House, and he has twice been invited to speak at the White House. His work has been covered by the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Time, and CNN and cited by former President Barack Obama. Dr. Renick was named one of the Most Innovative People in Higher Education by Washington Monthly, was the recipient of the Award for National Leadership in Student Success Innovation, and was awarded the prestigious McGraw Prize in Higher Education for the wide-ranging impact of his data-based approaches on the field of student success. The U.S. Department of Education recognized Renick’s National Institute for Student Success with its Trailblazer Award, and his work was the subject of Andrew Gumbel’s book Won’t Lose This Dream. He has been principal investigator for more than $80 million in grants focused on promoting better and more equitable outcomes for college students. A summa cum laude graduate of Dartmouth College, Dr. Renick holds his M.A. and Ph.D. in Religion from Princeton University.
