Adult and Online Higher Ed Conferences 2022

By: Eric McGee Jan 14, 2022

Adult and Online Higher Ed Conferences 2022

12 Conferences we’re excited about in the coming year

Higher education associations and organizations offer dozens of conferences every year. Each one offers unique opportunities to share insight, experience, and knowledge – not to mention network with others in the industry. So how will you decide which conferences to attend this year?

We’ve compiled a list of the 12 higher education conferences we’re particularly excited about in 2022. We’ve organized them chronologically and included highlights on each one. We’ve selected these conferences for their focus on and contributions to adult, online, and non-traditional higher education. We hope to see you at some of these conferences this year. 

1. InsightsEDU 2022 – Marketing and Enrollment Management for Adult and Online Education

Feb 23-25, 2022 in Denver, Colorado and Online 

As hosts of the conference, we are admittedly biased, but we think InsightsEDU has the best collection of speakers, sessions, and topics for anyone interested in adult, non-traditional, and online students. In fact, it’s one of the few higher education conferences that focus exclusively on adult learners enrolled in post-traditional education programs. 

While we’d love to see everyone in person, we’re also offering a virtual option for those who can’t make it to Denver, Colorado. All general sessions and select concurrent sessions will be live-streamed for virtual audiences. 

InsightsEDU speakers include representatives from Google, LinkedIn, and Adobe as well as EDDY Experts like Carol Aslanian, President and Founder of Aslanian Market Research. In addition to these incredible speakers, InsightsEDU will feature insightful sessions and plenty of opportunities to network. In short, InsightsEDU offers everything you need to understand the future of higher education that’s just now coming into focus.  

2.  SXSW EDU – Breakthroughs in Education

Mar 7-10 in Austin, Texas and Online

This conference and networking event includes speakers, workshops, performances, and film screenings. Explore thematic tracks like Emerging Tech, Work Reimagined, and Accessibility and Inclusion.

3. Higher Learning Commission – For HLC Members

Apr 1-5 2022 in Chicago, Illinois

The HLC Annual Conference provides opportunities for administrators, faculty, and staff of HLC member institutions and members of the HLC Peer Corps, to learn from each other. Workshops, speakers, and special training sessions make this conference a must-attend event for any HLC member. 

4. AACRAO – 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers

Apr 3-6, 2022 in Portland, Oregon and Online

AACRAO has historically focused more on traditional students. However, we’ve highlighted this conference for its global view of student recruitment and service. AACRAO is starting to offer more on serving non-traditional students. In addition to networking and international meetings, this conference features sessions on everything from alumni relations and employability to managing transcripts in an age of learner transformation.

5.  ASU+GSV summit – EdTech Connections

April 4-6, 2022 in San Diego, California

 ASU+GSV is a unique opportunity to connect across the EdTech industry. It brings together learning and workforce technology CEOs, investors, and policy makers with Higher Education leaders and Chief Learning and Talent Officers. The 2022 summit will invite attendees to imagine a new era in which all people have equal access to the future. 

6. UPCEA Annual and SOLA+R – Professional and Continuing Education

April 11-12, 2022 in Orlando, Florida and Online

UPCEA has long been the standard-bearer for the advocacy and development of continuing education schools and programs. We’re proud of our longstanding membership in, and partnership with, University Professional and Continuing Education Association. But, that’s not the only reason we’re excited for UPCEA Annual and SOLA+R. Where else can you find two high-value conferences in one? 

UPCEA Annual is exclusively focused on professional and continuing education. Their impressive itinerary of speakers includes:

  • Aimée Eubanks Davis, Founder and CEO of Braven, a non-profit organization supporting first-generation and low-income college students. 
  • Pulitzer Prize Winning reporter Sheryl WuDunn
  • Jim Fong, founding director of UPCEA’s Center for research and Strategy

SOLA+R will run concurrently with the annual conference, allowing attendees to access both events. (Registration for each event is separate.) While UPCEA Annual takes a wider view, the Summit for Online Leadership and Administration + Roundtable brings together vice presidents, deans, directors, and other senior staff to explore groundbreaking models of successful leadership in online learning. 

From networking opportunities to targeted sessions on pressing topics in professional and continuing education today, UPCEA Annual and SOLA+R offer a can’t miss opportunity to engage, learn, and connect. 

7. NAGAP GEM – Change Management

Apr 20, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois

We are long-time participants of the Graduate Enrollment Management Summit and have always enjoyed presenting and exhibiting at this conference. Put on by the National Association of Graduate Admissions, this conference focuses on the non-traditional students that go to graduate school as well as graduate school students of all types. This one-day event is enriched by a pre-summit institute that includes a hands-on session aimed at helping participants implement inclusive marketing and recruitment strategies.

8. Career Education Convention – Career Focused

May 31 – Jun 2, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada

For career-focused colleges and educators, the Career Education Convention is the event of the year. It’s the largest gathering of private career education professionals in the country. With thought-provoking keynote speakers and leading experts, the convention offers opportunities to connect, network, and learn. We always enjoy participating and hearing the latest news about career-focused and outcomes-driven education. 

9. WCET – 34th Annual Meeting

Oct 19 – 21, 2022 in Denver, Colorado

WCET’s mission is to advance learner access and success through postsecondary digital learning. Members of the organization are invited to their annual meeting, a one-day event highlighting practices, solutions, and discussions about digital learning in higher education. Expect roundtable discussions, lightning talks, and expert presentations. 

10. ACHE – Equity, Access and Belonging

Oct 24-26, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana

The Association for Continuing Higher Education is a smaller but very tight-knit organization of continuing higher education experts. Their 2022 Annual Conference will focus on continuing higher education’s commitment today, tomorrow, and into the future.

11.  OLC Accelerate – Comprehensive Online Education Focus

November 14-18 in Orlando, FL and Online Nov 1 – 3

OLC Accelerate is one of the largest, if not the largest, online-focused higher education conferences in the country. It offers valuable experiences and connections for everyone from instructors to pedagogy experts to instructional designers to leaders in online education. While other conferences may focus on the experience of those in leadership positions, OLC explores the execution of online education, attracting professionals across a range of roles. 

OLC Also offers OLC Innovate, which is scheduled for April 11 – 14 in Dallas, Texas on virtually March 28 – April 1.

12. UPCEA MEMS – Marketing and Enrollment Management Seminar

Nov 30 – Dec 2, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana

No list of higher ed conferences would be complete without mentioning MEMS. The Marketing and Enrollment Management Seminar brings together leaders in professional, continuing, and online education marketing and enrollment. Sessions showcase thought leadership and explore trends. They range from high-level strategy presentations to focused tactical conversations about today’s higher education landscape. 

Will We See You At These Higher Ed Conferences? 

If you see a member of the EDDY team and any of these conferences, come over and say hello. We’re excited to make new connections and share insights on the adult, online, and non-traditional student market.