NASH Superconvening Delivers Bold Solutions for Systems to Take Action in Evolving Higher Education Landscape

New NASH Leadership Academy Launched to Provide Essential Training & Support to System-level Executives

Washington, D.C. – Leaders across higher education, philanthropy, business, and government will convene today at the National Association of Higher Education Systems’ (NASH) annual member meeting in Washington, D.C. The NASH Superconvening is the only nationwide event focused on leveraging and recognizing the impact that systems can play in student success. With over 230 attendees, this is the largest audience in NASH’s history. Participants will learn from and engage with prominent thought leaders in the field, discussing groundbreaking initiatives that have the potential to transform the landscape of postsecondary education in America.

Throughout the conference, themed “Systemness in Action,” NASH will provide attendees with tangible solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing higher education while keeping student success at the center of the conversation. Systems in higher education have the unique ability to implement solutions at scale with broad authority over centralized contracts, executive hiring, integrated technology, and more. NASH members represent over 700 institutions enrolling more than 8.2 million students.

Notable speakers include: 

• Scott Jaschik, Founder, Inside Higher Ed
• Phaedra Boinodiris, IBM Consulting’s Global Leader for Responsible AI, IBM
• Rob Magliaro, Head of Education & Workforce Partnerships, Grow with Google
• Jonathan Gyurko, President and Co-Founder, ACUE
• Nancy Zimpher, Chancellor Emeritus, The State University of New York
• Brendan Kelly, President, Arkansas State University System
• Chuck Welch, President and CEO, American Association of State Colleges and Universities
• Melanie Gottlieb, Executive Director, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
• Zainab Okolo, Senior Vice President of Policy, Advocacy & Government Relations, Jed Foundation

“It’s an honor to convene so many incredible leaders who believe in the power of public higher education systems,” said Jessica Todman, Interim President and Chief Operating Officer of NASH. “This is a pivotal moment for our sector, and systems are facing a number of unprecedented threats and a lot of unknowns. Now more than ever, systemness is our way forward. Working together to face our challenges and scale our successes is the clearest and brightest path towards demonstrating higher education’s value as a springboard to upward social mobility and driver of national prosperity.”

Sessions at the conference will cover pressing topics impacting higher education systems, providing cutting-edge perspectives and ready-to-scale solutions. Topics include:

• Federal and State Policy
• Value Proposition of a College Degree
• Workforce Readiness and Credentialing
• AI & Emerging Technologies
• Civic Engagement
• Student Mobility
• Partnerships with K-12 Education

“Systems remain engines of opportunity, and convenings like this are essential to help us to learn from one another as we work to deliver positive outcomes for our students and communities,” said Brian McCall, Chancellor of the Texas State University System and Chair of the NASH Board of Directors. “NASH’s achievements over the past year, along with its forward-looking plans, highlight the immense power of system-level collaboration and the vital contributions of higher education systems nationwide.”

As part of the 2025 Superconvening, NASH re-launched its Leadership Academy, a refreshed approach to equipping higher education leaders with the skills and strategies needed to navigate today’s complex challenges. Led by experienced system leaders and scholars, offerings will empower system leaders to think strategically, adapt quickly, and collaborate effectively across institutions.

The Leadership Academy’s first offering is its Systemness Program, designed for system leaders responsible for academic affairs, student services, human resources, finance and administration, research, advancement, and information technology. Through personalized leadership plans, individual coaching, peer support, and real-world problem-solving, participants will gain the expertise to drive meaningful change and harness the power of systemness. The curriculum is designed to provide practical adaptive leadership tools that will enable system leaders to navigate through their obstacles in pursuit of the benefits of systemness in their local contexts. Learn more here. 

In addition to hosting essential and timely discussions and professional development, NASH is excited to announce new initiatives and programs that highlight its ongoing work and offer member systems even more opportunities to experience the Power of Systems.

The 2024 Annual Report – NASH’s first ever – showcases a year dedicated to strengthening public higher education systems and advancing student success. Throughout 2024, NASH supported systems in improving student transfer pathways, expanding access to career-connected credentials, and increasing degree completion while reducing student debt. In addition, recognizing the power of data, NASH prioritized strengthening systems’ capacity for data-informed decision-making, enabling members to set benchmarks and measure progress with confidence. These efforts demonstrate NASH’s commitment to driving progress and ensuring the continued value of public higher education. Read the full report here. 

About the National Association of Higher Education Systems

Founded in 1979, the National Association of Higher Education Systems (NASH) works to advance the role of multi-campus systems and the concept of systemness to create a more vibrant and sustainable higher education sector. NASH systems are comprised of more than 700 campuses and serve more than 8.2 million students in nearly every state in the United States. To learn more about NASH and its national transformation agenda, the Power of Systems, visit www.nash.edu.