Events

At the 45th Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience, Ithaka S+R’s Carmen Araoz will join Christine Harrington and Michael Sparrow of Morgan State University to explore how design thinking can transform the first-year seminar, orientation, advising, and other FYE programs. During this interactive workshop, participants will learn how this approach led to the creation of a new, open-access self-assessment tool for first-year seminars. Explore how to use this first-year seminar tool on their campus and how to engage in…

At the DREAM Annual Convening, Ithaka S+R’s Sage Love and Joanna Dressel will lead a session on a research project that aims to uncover the challenges that prevent adult learners, particularly individuals from underserved and historically marginalized groups, from enrolling in one state Reconnect program, ranging from motivational challenges and administrative barriers to basic needs insecurity. The session will take place on Tuesday, March 3 at 11:45am-12:15pm PST.

Students now earn college credit from many sources—high school dual enrollment, military, work experience, and attendance at multiple colleges—on their path to earn a college degree. While this multi-source learning can provide a major boost to learners, higher education institutions often struggle to efficiently and equitably award credit earned outside of their institution. At SXSW EDU 2026, Emily Tichenor and Abby Chien (Washington Student Achievement Council) will lead a meet-up session that will discuss your transfer initiatives and share…

As AI becomes increasingly central to higher education, whose voices are shaping the conversation? This interactive meet-up at SXSW EDU 2026 invites educators, students, academic leaders, and more to share authentic experiences and challenges around AI adoption and workforce readiness. Led by Ithaka S+R’s Claire Baytas and UBaltimore’s Julia Goffredi, we’ll explore how to ensure student and faculty perspectives are included in decision-making, identify gaps in current conversations, and brainstorm practical strategies for building more inclusive, responsive AI initiatives…

At the 2026 Association for Education Finance and Policy (AEFP) Annual Conference, Ithaka S+R’s Bethany Lewis will give a poster presentation focused on a study that analyzed the stated preferences of employers for candidates who have recently earned a bachelor’s degree, using an anonymous online survey of 543 individuals in the US who are currently employed in a position whose primary job responsibilities include recruiting and hiring new employees. The study used logistic regression models to examine how participants…

At the 2026 Association for Education Finance and Policy (AEFP) Annual Conference, Ithaka S+R’s Elizabeth Pisacreta will present a study that examines how states use outcomes-based funding and targeted financial aid to shape postsecondary pathways and respond to workforce needs amid increasing federal constraints. Using national data on higher education finance, state aid programs, and labor markets, the analysis documents substantial variation in state strategies and shows that few states are targeting substantial resources towards high demand, high-wage industries,…

At the AAC&U Conference on Learning and Student Success, Ithaka S+R’s Michael Fried, Nathan Kelber, and Zhuo Chen will facilitate a roundtable discussion on supporting faculty in integrating AI into their teaching. The conference is scheduled to take place on April 15-18, 2026.