Higher Education Networking Collective (HENC), Inc.

Professional Development Day 2026

Supporting Your Best Professional Self in Higher Education

📅 Thursday, October 29, 2026  |  📍 Linda K. Paresky Conference Center, Simmons University, 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115

Register Now

Hear From Our Team

Why You Should Attend PD Day 2026

HENC organizer Jon Ahern shares what to expect and why this event is worth your time.

About the Event

The Higher Education Networking Collective (HENC) Professional Development Day is a dynamic, solution-focused conference that connects higher education professionals across roles, institutions, and regions for a full day of learning, collaboration, and networking. This year’s theme, Supporting Your Best Professional Self in Higher Education, focuses on helping attendees work more effectively, grow intentionally, and navigate an increasingly complex workplace.

This event serves two primary goals:

Community-Building — Strengthening a collaborative and supportive professional network across the higher education landscape.
Actionable Learning — Equipping attendees with concrete takeaways and strategies they can immediately apply to their work and career development.

Whether you’re navigating your own career path, leading a team, or exploring new ways to collaborate across departments, this event offers the tools, insights, and connections to support your professional journey. Join us to grow your network, explore innovative practices, and help shape a more empowered future for higher education.

What to Expect

A full day built around four key areas

Working Smarter

AI, productivity, efficiency, and tools that help you do more with less.

Growing Your Career

Advancement, positioning, career navigation, and owning your professional trajectory.

Building Relationships

Mentorship, networking, influence, and building the connections that matter.

Leading in Complex Environments

Managing up/down, navigating teams, communication, and leading through uncertainty.

Session Formats

Something for every kind of learner

Expert-Led Presentations

Research, best practices, and case studies with clear implementation strategies.

Interactive Workshops

Hands-on learning experiences that equip you with actionable tools.

Networking Roundtables

Focused peer discussions with opportunities to connect, share insights, and grow.

A big thank you to our Professional Development Chairs Jon Ahern, Taryn Tessari, and Andrei Antonescu for all of their help in coordinating this big event!

Before the Big Day

Pre-Conference Happy Hour

📅 Wednesday, October 28, 2026  |  🕐 5:30–7:30 PM

📍 Yard House – Fenway, 126 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215

🔗 Register for Happy Hour

An informal chance to connect with colleagues before the big day. Food and drinks are on your own, and all higher ed professionals are welcome — even if you’re not attending PD Day.

🔹 Registration Policy

Event Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026

Location: Linda K. Paresky Conference Center, Simmons University, Main College Building (MCB), 3rd Floor, 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115

Registration Fee:

Early bird rate (until September 15): $85 per attendee (plus applicable transaction fees)
Regular rate (after September 15): $115 per attendee (plus applicable transaction fees)
Registration fee includes lunch (breakfast is not provided).
Sessions will not be recorded; resources and materials will be shared with all registered attendees after the event.
Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with event details.
We have limited space due to room capacity, so early registration is encouraged!
If you are unable to attend, your registration may be transferred to a colleague by emailing board@higheredcollective.org no later than October 15, 2026.

🔹 Refund and Cancellation Policy

Cancellation requests must be submitted via email to board@higheredcollective.org.
Cancellations before October 1, 2026 will receive a full refund minus any processing/service fees.
Cancellations between October 1–14, 2026 will receive a 50% refund minus any processing/service fees.
No refunds will be issued for cancellations after October 15, 2026.
Registration fees are non-transferable to future events.
In the rare case that the event is canceled due to weather or other emergencies, full refunds will be issued to all registrants.

Accessibility

We are committed to making this event accessible to all attendees. If you require any accommodations, please email us at board@higheredcollective.org and we will do our best to meet your needs. You will also have the opportunity to share accessibility needs during the registration process.

Getting There

Need directions, parking info, or a discounted hotel rate?

Visit our Travel Planning page for everything you need to know about getting to and staying near Simmons University.

View Travel Planning

Still have questions?

Feel free to reach out anytime at board@higheredcollective.org