August 29, 2025
Application Deadline
September 30, 2025
Applicants Notified About Application Status
December 7, 2025
Early Registration Deadline
January 9, 2026
Regular Registration Deadline
January 9, 2026
Last Day to Register
2026 NASPA Institute for Aspiring Vice Presidents for Student Affairs
Supporting the Profession AVP or "Number Two" Mid-Level Senior Level
January 21 - January 24, 2026 Denver, CO
The NASPA Institute for Aspiring Vice Presidents for Student Affairs is an intensive four-day program designed for professionals considering a move to the vice president for student affairs position or for those simply seeking to learn more about the role. It is an application-based program; individuals in mid-level managerial positions or higher are encouraged to apply.
About the Institute Model
This exclusive professional development program is an institute. Unlike conferences where participants choose to participate (or not) in concurrent sessions, during this institute, all attendees will participate in the same cohort experience and are expected to engage fully in all aspects of the program including meals. It is a very intensive experience, and the program will run into the evening each day.
A Note for AVPs/"Number Twos" Considering Applying for This Institute
If you are an AVP (or the equivalent) who is in the first two years of your first AVP (or equivalent) role, NASPA recommends you to attend the 2026 NASPA Institute for New AVPs instead of this institute. This program is offered every other year, and your application for the 2028 institute will be encouraged.
Presented By
About the Institute
The NASPA Institute for Aspiring Vice President for Student Affairs Officers provides an engaging and supportive environment for you to learn and reflect on your personal goals and aspirations. It is an application-based program offered every other year and allows time for in-depth discussions and small, faculty-led coaching sessions. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with experienced VPSA faculty members as well as participate in content sessions on topics such as transitioning from being a divisional actor to an institutional leader; effectively navigating institutional politics; leading change with a justice, equity, diversity and inclusion lens; bringing your full self to the role; assessing institutional fit during your VPSA search; demonstrating readiness for the VPSA role; managing up, down, and across; and more.
You should apply if:
- You hold a master’s degree and/or a terminal degree.
- You hold a mid-level manager position or higher in student affairs.
- Your responsibilities include staff supervision, budget management, and designing and implementing programs.
Through presentations, small group discussion, and one-on-one meetings with faculty, participants will:
- Explore a variety of career paths, objectives, and strategies among a diverse group of participants and VPSA coaches;
- Gain relevant insights and knowledge into different institutional types and demands when applying for and assuming a VPSA position;
- Develop skills related to practical issues such application materials preparation, working with a search firm, managing resources, supervising at the executive level, and navigating institutional politics; and
- Learn how to build and maintain relationships as the VPSA with cabinet-level peers, the president, and governing board members.
Institute Faculty
Accomplished vice presidents for student affairs from a variety of institutional types will serve as the Institute's faculty.
Invited Speakers
Information on the invited speakers for the 2026 NASPA Institute for Aspiring Vice Presidents for Student Affairs will be coming soon!
Venue
Location: Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center
650 15th Street
Denver CO, 80202
Room reservation link and hotel rates will be shared soon.
Travel
Parking
Weather
The average temperatures in Colorado, Denver are around 43° F during the day and 36° F in the evening. As the conference gets closer, please visit the Weather Channel for more information.
Please note, the hotel and meeting areas may be cooler temperatures. A sweater or jacket is recommended.
NASPA Global Health, Safety, and Responsibility
For complete and most up-to-date policies and procedures related to health and safety during our place-based events, please refer to this page: https://www.naspa.org/events/global-health-and-safety
Institute Schedule
This exclusive professional development program is an institute. Unlike conferences where participants choose to participate (or not) in concurrent sessions, during this institute all attendees will participate in the same cohort experience and are expected to engage fully in all aspects of the program including meals. It is a very intensive experience, and the program will run into the evening each day. Please plan your travel so that you are able to participate in the entire institute.
The institute faculty team is hard at work designing an outstanding program for the selected cohort. The institute will begin on January 21 and will conclude on January 24. Please check back soon for more details about the full institute schedule.
Sample Institute Schedule
Institute Check-in
Institute Welcome and Introductions
General Session
Break
General Session
Break
Introduction of Coaching Teams
Each day during the Institute, participants will gather with the same small group facilitated by one of the Institute faculty members.
Break
Institute Reception
Optional- Institute Outing: Dinner (no-host) with Institute Participants
Breakfast Available
Introduction to Day 2
General Interest Sessions
Break
Individual Consultations with the Institute Faculty | Personal Reflection Period
Lunch
1:15 PM - 1:25 PM
Transition Time
Guest Speaker
2:10 PM - 2:30 PM
Break
Guest Speaker
Transition time
Coaching Teams
Break
Individual Consultations with the Institute Faculty | Personal Reflection Period
Breakfast Available
Transition time
Introduction to Day 3
General Session
Break
Featured Session with Guest
Lunch Available
Individual Consultations | Personal Reflection Period
Transition Time
General Session
Break
Coaching Teams
Transition Time
Individual Consultations | Personal Reflection Period
Breakfast Available
Introduction to Day 4
General Session
Break
General Session
Break
Coaching Teams
Transition Time
General Session
Apply
The NASPA Institute for Aspiring Vice Presidents for Student Affairs is an intensive four-day program designed for professionals considering a move to the vice president for student affairs position or for those simply seeking to learn more about the role. It is an application-based program; you should apply if:
- You hold a master’s degree and/or a terminal degree.
- You hold a mid-level manager position or higher in student affairs.
- Your responsibilities include staff supervision, budget management, and designing and implementing programs.
Enrollment in the Institute is limited, and applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Applicants must submit an application not later than August 29, 2025 for consideration. A completed application includes a current résumé and responses to several short answer questions.
Notifications about application decisions will be made on a rolling basis and not later than September 30, 2025.
Accepted applicants will receive information regarding how to register for the institute. Because space is limited and because applications will be considered on a rolling basis, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Registration
A Note for AVPs/"Number Twos" Considering Applying for This Institute
If you are an AVP (or the equivalent) who is in the first two years of your first AVP (or equivalent) role, NASPA recommends you to attend the 2026 NASPA Institute for New AVPs instead of this institute. This program is offered every other year, and your application for the 2028 institute will be encouraged.
Registration as a member is based on individual membership status at the time of the event. If your current membership will expire prior to the event, you will have the option to renew at the time of registration to receive the member rate.
If you are not a current member and are employed by a college or university that is an institutional member, you can join as a professional affiliate member for $80. If your institution is NOT a member, you can join as an associate affiliate member for $250. Both membership types provide access to the individual member rate for the event. Please visit the membership section of the NASPA website to learn more about membership types and benefits. We hope you’ll consider joining today!
If you are experiencing financial hardship, you may qualify for a NASPA Foundation Membership Scholarship or NASPA Foundation Professional Development Access Scholarship, which can be used for this event.
For a comprehensive listing of NASPA registration policies, please visit this page.
Accepted applicants will receive information regarding how to register for the institute.
Registration Policies
Registration Policies
Registration Cancellation Policy:
This program may be cancelled or postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. In this case, fees will be refunded; however, NASPA will not be responsible for additional costs, charges, or expenses, including cancellation/change charges assessed by airlines, hotels, and/or travel agencies. NASPA is not responsible for weather or travel related problems and will not reimburse registration fees for these issues.
For a comprehensive listing of NASPA registration policies, please visit this page.
Questions?
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NASPA Events Event Registration Support Email: events@naspa.org Phone: (202) 265-7500 |
NASPA Staff Lead Asha' Jones Email: ajones@naspa.org |
Continuing Education
Certificants who attend the 2026 NASPA Institute of Aspiring VPSAs can earn up to 11 credit hours CSAEd Core or a maximum of 1.5 credit hours for CSAEd SJI, depending on what sessions they attend during the event. Sessions may only count for one type of certification. Credit hour(s) available for particular sessions are noted in the description of each session within the app.
This institute has been approved by the Higher Education Consortium for Student Affairs Certification to provide CE credit for Certified Student Affairs Educators (CSAEd). Programs that qualify for CE credit in this program are clearly identified in the program abstract. NASPA is solely responsible for all aspects of this program.
To receive CSAEd credit for the 2026 NASPA Institute of Aspiring VPSAs, please complete and submit the Certified Student Affairs Educators Request Form. In addition, attendees must complete the online conference evaluation, which will be emailed to you shortly after the institute. A PDF certificate will be sent via email after the form has been processed.
Sponsors
If you would like to sponsor the NASPA Institute for Aspiring Vice Presidents for Student Affairs, please contact Fred Comparato at 614-204-5994 or at fcomparato@naspa.org
