Events

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 an Ithaka S+R study examining whether and to what extent online learners are earning credentials that are valued by the labor market. This study explores the implications of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA), which streamline the authorization process for institutions offering online education across state lines. To answer these questions, Ithaka…

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,…

As interest in AI adoption expands in research administration, many institutions struggle to move from experimentation and ideas to operational solutions. Successfully deploying AI in this context requires more than a subscription or a prototype. It depends on understanding how AI functions, how it interacts with institutional data, and how that capability aligns with research administration workflows. This session at the NCURA 4th AI Symposium focuses on the practical realities of deploying AI in research administration, walking through key…

As states and institutions work to re-engage adult learners with some college and no credential, the long-term impact of these efforts depends on how they are designed and sustained. In an AZ Comeback webinar, Liz Looker and Joanna Dressel will explore state strategies to re-enroll adult learners. Drawing on Ithaka S+R’s experience working with states and systems across the country, they will highlight structural design choices related to governance, capacity building, and cross-institutional coordination. Participants will leave with concrete…

Colleges and universities are facing challenging finances at the moment, both as a result of longer run trends as well as the current administration’s policies. In a lecture on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, explanations and possible responses will both be explored. Ithaka S+R’s Catharine Bond Hill will discuss the impact of the overall economy on colleges and universities. This will include the impact of rising income inequality over the last forty years on colleges and universities, as well as…

At the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison’s NCHEP Conference, Ithaka S+R’s Ess Pokornowski will join a panel to discuss accessibility and assistive technologies in carceral classrooms and libraries. Drawing from firsthand experience and research, panelists will share how accessible education and library services can transform prison environments, support rehabilitation, and foster lifelong learning. Attendees will leave with real-world examples, actionable strategies, and collaborative pathways that are grounded in recent studies, publications, and research to help make aspirational changes…

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.

At AASCU’s “Transforming Local Communities: A Symposium for Rural Presidents and Chancellors” event, Ioana Hulbert will join a cross-sector panel representing AASCU’s Rural Student Success Network, alongside panelists Peter Nwosu, Brian Noland, Stephanie Sowl, and Lisa Hunter. The panel will explore how partnerships, institutional leadership, strategic investment, and evidence-based insights transform outcomes for rural students. Learn more about the event, on April 21, 2026, at 8:30-9:30am ET.