Professional Development Day 2026
Save the Date
Join us for a full day of professional development designed for higher education professionals at every stage of their career.
Thursday, October 29, 2026
Leave with strategies you can implement immediately, stronger cross-campus relationships, and clarity on your next career steps.
Professional Development Day brings together higher education professionals from across institutions and functional areas for a full day of learning, connection, and actionable insight. This year’s theme is focused on helping you show up more effectively, grow intentionally, and navigate an increasingly complex workplace.
“Supporting Your Best Professional Self in Higher Education”
This Year’s Theme
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.
Panel Discussions
Diverse perspectives on the most pressing challenges in higher education today.
Networking Roundtables
Focused peer discussions with opportunities to connect, share insights, and grow.
See What Last Year Looked Like
High-quality content, real connections.
Get a sense of the caliber of sessions and speakers at Professional Development Day by browsing last year’s schedule and presenters.
Registration opening soon
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Higher Education Networking Collective 