2026 SOCHE Student Affairs Summit, presented by Innovative Educators
Event Details
“Leading Through Change: Empowering the Future of Student Success”
The Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE) is pleased to announce the 2026 SOCHE Student Affairs Summit, presented by Innovative Educators, happening on Friday, March 6, at Sinclair College Centerville (5800 Clyo Rd., Centerville, Ohio). Networking and check-in will begin at 8:15 a.m., followed by the opening comments at 9 a.m.
The 2026 SOCHE Student Affairs Summit, presented by Innovative Educators, brings together student affairs professionals from across the region for a full day of learning, reflection, and practical strategy-building focused on leading through ongoing change in higher education. As institutions navigate evolving student needs, emerging technologies, workforce pressures, and shifting expectations, this summit offers space to step back, learn from peers, and move forward with purpose.
The summit will open with a keynote address from Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, president of Clark State College, reflecting on more than three decades of leadership in student success. As she prepares for retirement in 2026, Dr. Blondin will explore the importance of leading through transition and developing future leaders who can sustain and advance student-centered initiatives through mentorship, purpose, and adaptability.
Following the keynote, attendees will engage in a plenary panel discussion on artificial intelligence in student affairs, exploring both the promise and the complexity of AI tools. Panelists will share creative use cases, implementation strategies, and lessons learned, while also addressing ethical considerations, collaboration across campus, and potential blind spots.
Participants will then select from interactive concurrent sessions, offered in both the morning and afternoon to support flexible scheduling. Sessions will focus on:
- Holistic student success models, highlighting how cross-campus partnerships, data-informed practices, and intentional programming can strengthen belonging and wellbeing.
- Practical applications of AI in student affairs, including hands-on, scenario-based activities that demonstrate how AI can support training, professional development, and student-facing work—while establishing appropriate guardrails.
- Change management strategies, helping professionals better support students, colleagues, and themselves through periods of uncertainty and transition.
- Creating cultures of care, with practical approaches to promoting mental wellness, retention, and student resilience across diverse student populations.
During lunch, attendees will have time to network with colleagues from a variety of institutions and roles, followed by a higher education policy update designed to translate legislative and regulatory developments into accessible, actionable insights relevant across institutional types.
The summit will conclude with a forward-looking closing panel featuring student affairs leaders from across the region. This candid conversation will explore emerging trends, evolving tools, and ongoing challenges—offering real-world perspectives on what’s working, what’s not, and how professionals can remain responsive and student-centered in a rapidly changing environment.
Whether you work in student affairs leadership, advising, housing, counseling, enrollment services, or a related area, the 2026 SOCHE Student Affairs Summit offers timely insights, practical tools, and meaningful connections to support your work and your professional growth.
Plan to register before Tuesday, Feb. 10, to take advantage of the lowest fees! Registration will close on Wednesday, Feb. 18.
When: Friday, March 6, 2026 | 8:15 a.m.-3:15 p.m. ET (program begins at 9 a.m.)
Where: Sinclair College Centerville (5800 Clyo Rd., Centerville, Ohio)
Cost:
- Faculty, Staff & Administrators: $55 through Feb. 10 (price increases to $70 on Feb. 11)
- Students: $30 through Feb. 10 (price increases to $40 on Feb. 11)
[Note: This fee is is reserved for individuals who are students only, not for personnel pursuing continuing education.]
Student Registration Fee Policy
Registration Cancellation Policy
Questions? Contact Mindy Claggett at SOCHE
Registration for this event will close on Wednesday, Feb. 18.
Pre-registration is required. There will be NO ON-SITE REGISTRATION for this event.
Event Program
| Time | Session | Location |
| 8:15 a.m. | Check-in and networking time | Room 124 |
| 9:00 a.m. | Welcome and Opening Comments – Cassie Barlow, SOCHE President • Conference Host: Stacey Bean, Edison State Community College |
Room 124 |
| 9:15 a.m. | KEYNOTE – Leading Change & Changing Leaders Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, President, Clark State College Dr. Blondin has been a “change leader for student success” for more than three decades, but as she also prepares for retirement in June 2026, her focus also has been on “changing leaders for student success.” Transitions in positions are part of change leadership, and managing transitions — whether personal, professional, or institutional — is a hallmark of effective leadership and a way to ensure sustainability and growth of student success initiatives. Dr. Blondin will touch on characteristics of effective leadership in the context of instilling a student success focus and drive in future leaders through mentorship. |
Room 124 |
| 9:45 a.m. | Break | |
| 10:00 a.m. | PANEL – Navigating AI in Student Affairs: Benefits, Barriers, and Blind Spots The use of AI is pervasive in higher education and can invoke both challenges and opportunities within student affairs units. Join us for a panel discussion that will highlight some creative uses of AI and learn how these professionals embraced new paradigms and collaborated with campus partners for successful implementation. Moderator: Jennifer Radt, University of Cincinnati Panelists: Michael B. Key, Clark State College; Dr. Marvin L. Reid, Central State University; Lindsay Tate, Sinclair College; Dr. Zhongmei Yao, University of Dayton |
Room 124 |
| 10:45 a.m. | Break and transition to morning concurrent sessions | |
| 11:00 a.m. | MORNING CONCURRENT SESSION 1 Navigating Student Success – the OHIO Centric Way [repeats in afternoon] A discussion of how Ohio University’s Housing and Residence Life department leverages campus partnerships and collaborations to support residential students in their holistic success. Innovative programs and strategic partnerships will be explored to demonstrate how HRL uses innovation, emerging trends, and student data to create procedures and programs that focus on student well-being and sense of belonging. Presenters: Jen Maskiell and Johnna Matulja, Ohio University Facilitator: Natalie Johnson, Clark State College |
Classroom 105 |
| 11:00 a.m. | MORNING CONCURRENT SESSION 2 Practical Applications of AI in Student Affairs: Scenario-Based Practice [repeats in afternoon] This interactive workshop focuses on how student affairs professionals can use artificial intelligence to design professional development role-playing scenarios, simulations, and training tools for use with students and staff. Participants will select a common student affairs situation, clarify the learning objective, and use an AI tool to role-play specific student affairs scenarios. The session concludes with sharing and discussion to identify practical approaches, use cases, and guardrails for responsible AI use. Presenters: Dr. Scott Markland and Lindsay Tate, Sinclair College Facilitator: Christine Yancey, Sinclair College |
Classroom 103 |
| 11:00 a.m. | MORNING CONCURRENT SESSION 3 Change Management: Helping Others Through the Change Process [morning only] My name is Claire, and I hate change, even when it’s good for me. This presentation will walk you through some of the psychology behind why change is often hard, the stages of change, and will give you techniques to help students (and yourself) better manage the change process. After all, the only thing constant is change… Presenter: Claire Ruberg, Miami University Facilitator: Amber Lohrey, Miami University |
Room 124 |
| 11:45 a.m. | Break and return to plenary space | |
| 12:00 p.m. | Lunch and Networking Time | Room 124 |
| 12:30 p.m. | Higher Education Policy Updates Dr. Cheryl Rice, Ohio Department of Higher Education This session will provide an overview of FY26 higher education policies and priorities that influence student affairs work, including career services, experiential learning, and connections to business and industry. Participants will gain insight into emerging workforce and employment trends shaping student opportunities now and in the years ahead. The session also will include an update on Workforce Pell, highlighting what is currently known and what to expect next. |
Room 124 |
| 1:00 p.m. | Break and transition to afternoon concurrent sessions | |
| 1:15 p.m. | AFTERNOON CONCURRENT SESSION 1 Navigating Student Success – the OHIO Centric Way [repeat from morning] A discussion of how Ohio University’s Housing and Residence Life department leverages campus partnerships and collaborations to support residential students in their holistic success. Innovative programs and strategic partnerships will be explored to demonstrate how HRL uses innovation, emerging trends, and student data to create procedures and programs that focus on student well-being and sense of belonging. Presenters: Jen Maskiell and Johnna Matulja, Ohio University Facilitator: TBD |
Classroom 105 |
| 1:15 p.m. | AFTERNOON CONCURRENT SESSION 2 Practical Applications of AI in Student Affairs: Scenario-Based Practice [repeat from morning] This interactive workshop focuses on how student affairs professionals can use artificial intelligence to design professional development role-playing scenarios, simulations, and training tools for use with students and staff. Participants will select a common student affairs situation, clarify the learning objective, and use an AI tool to role-play specific student affairs scenarios. The session concludes with sharing and discussion to identify practical approaches, use cases, and guardrails for responsible AI use. Presenters: Dr. Scott Markland and Lindsay Tate, Sinclair College Facilitator: Christopher Hogan, Wright State University |
Classroom 103 |
| 1:15 p.m. | AFTERNOON CONCURRENT SESSION 3 Creating a Culture of Care to Promote Student Retention [afternoon only] By normalizing conversations around mental wellness, we’re breaking generational cycles of silence and empowering our students to thrive emotionally, academically, and personally. This engaging session will provide practical techniques and methods to support a new generation of scholars. Presenter: Dr. Sonia Hunt, Central State University Facilitator: Mortenous A. Johnson, Central State University |
Room 124 |
| 2:00 p.m. | Break and return to plenary space | |
| 2:15 p.m. | PANEL- Student Affairs Today: Trends, Tools, and Challenges Join student affairs and higher education leaders for a candid conversation on what it takes to thrive amid rapid change in higher education. Panelists will examine emerging trends, AI opportunities and challenges, and innovative strategies for engaging the next generation of students. Moderator: Aaron Sturgill, Ohio University Panelists: Dr. Lorrie Spivey, Sinclair College; Dr. Jarrod Tudor, Hocking College; Almar Walter, Columbus State Community College |
Room 124 |
| 3:00 p.m. | Closing Remarks • Conference Host: Stacey Bean, Edison State Community College |
Room 124 |