On May 19–21, 2026, the Wisconsin Higher Education Summit was held in the Great Hall at the Memorial Union on the UW–Madison campus. The event was jointly hosted by the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU), the Universities of Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS). This combined summit brought together higher education professionals from Wisconsin and other states for three days of learning, networking, and innovation.
Participants heard from national and local experts on key topics, including the current state of higher education, student success, financial aid, Artificial Intelligence, federal regulations, policy initiatives, compliance structures, and more.
Dr. Renée Wachter opened the summit with a thoughtful and welcoming message. Throughout the event, sessions were led by members of the UWSA team, including Paige Smith, Amy Missinne, Quinn Williams, and Wade Harrison. In addition, tabletop conversations were facilitated by Claire Edwards, Melissa Vergara, Paige Smith, Amy Missinne, Quinn Williams, and Wade Harrison on a variety of timely topics. This group’s involvement was key to ensuring the event was relevant, timely, and interesting for those who attended.
A huge thank you to the UW employees from across the Universities of Wisconsin who attended the event. Your support is greatly appreciated.
We look forward to co-hosting the 2027 Higher Education Summit next year.
Additional information:
2026 Higher Education Summit – Agenda
2026 Higher Education Summit – Session Descriptions
2026 Higher Education Summit – Speaker Bios
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- Interim President Renée Wachter providing a welcome
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- Audience members attending the Wisconsin Higher Education Summit 2026
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- Audience members attending the Wisconsin Higher Education Summit 2026
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- Aaron Lacey with Coburn Thompson, presenting The Regulatory Outlook for Higher Education
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- Author Elliot Felix presenting the keynote session on Creating Better Connected Colleges and Universities
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- Audience engagement with Elliot Felix
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- Jon Fansmith with the American Council on Education (ACE), presenting Washington Update: Legislative and Regulatory Developments
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- Paige Smith, Chief Compliance and Risk Officer with UWSA, introducing the next speaker
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- Panel on Student Immigration (pictured from left): Quinn Williams, Colleen Larson, Gerardo Mancilla, and Natalia Lucak
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- Paige Smith welcoming Peter Lake to the stage
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- Peter Lake and Wade Harrison after presenting a session on Navigating Title VI Non-Discrimination and Free Speech in an Evolving Educational Landscape
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- Table discussions
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- Tony Chambers with Center for Healthy Minds at UW-Madison, presenting a session on Belonging to Flourish in a Culture of Wellbeing in Higher Education