2026 SOCHE Student Affairs Summit

Name: 2026 SOCHE Student Affairs Summit
Start: 2026-3-6
End: 2026-3-6

2026fri06marAll Day2026 SOCHE Student Affairs SummitIN-PERSON EVENT | Registration Coming Soon

Event Details

The Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE) is pleased to announce the 2026 SOCHE Student Affairs Summit, 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 Student Affairs Summit brings together student affairs professionals from across the region for a full day of insight, strategy, and connection focused on leading effectively through constant change. As higher education continues to evolve — shaped by new technologies, shifting student needs, and policy demands — student affairs teams remain at the center of student success, wellbeing, and institutional resilience.

The summit will open with a keynote address from Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, president of Clark State College, who will reflect on more than three decades of leadership in student success while looking ahead to the importance of developing and mentoring the next generation of student-centered leaders.

Throughout the day, attendees will engage in timely plenary discussions and interactive concurrent sessions addressing today’s most pressing challenges and opportunities. Topics include navigating artificial intelligence in student affairs, using innovation to do more with fewer resources, managing and supporting students through change, fostering holistic student success through campus partnerships, and building cultures of care that support retention and wellbeing. Sessions are designed to be practical, relevant, and immediately applicable across a range of institutional contexts.

During lunch, participants will hear policy updates from the Ohio Department of Higher Education, offering clear, accessible insights into how state and federal developments may impact student affairs operations and planning.

The day will conclude with a forward-looking panel discussion examining emerging trends, tools, and challenges in student affairs, including AI considerations, student engagement strategies, and preparing for the next generation of learners.

This summit is ideal for professionals across student affairs, enrollment services, housing and residence life, advising, counseling, and related areas who are seeking practical strategies, peer learning, and renewed purpose in a changing higher education landscape.

Plan to register before Tuesday, Feb. 10, to take advantage of the lowest fees! Registration will close on Wednesday, Feb. 18.

Registration Coming Soon

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: $50 through Feb. 10 (price increases to $65 on Feb. 11)

Students: $25 through Feb. 10 (price increases to $35 on Feb. 11)
[NOTE: The student fee is intended for individuals who are ONLY students, 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.

Registration Coming Soon

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:* TBD	Room 124
10:45 a.m.	Break and transition to morning concurrent sessions
11:00 a.m.	Morning Concurrent Sessions (choose one at registration) • 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 • Session 2 – TBD [repeats in afternoon] Session information TBD Presenters: Scott Markland and Lindsay Tate, Sinclair College Facilitator: Chris Tyner, Franklin University • 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	Classrooms TBD
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* Session information TBD	Room 124
1:00 p.m.	Break and transition to afternoon concurrent sessions
1:15 p.m.	Afternoon Concurrent Sessions (choose one at registration) • 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: Chris Tyner, Franklin University • Session 2 – TBD [repeat from morning] Session information TBD Presenters: Scott Markland and Lindsay Tate, Sinclair College Facilitator: Christopher Hogan, Wright State University • 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	Classrooms TBD
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:* Angelica Kennedy, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College; Jarrod Tudor, Hocking College; Almar Walter, Columbus State Community College; others TBD	Room 124
3:00 p.m.	Closing Remarks • Conference Host: Stacey Bean, Edison State Community College	Room 124