InsightsEDU 2026: The Sessions Higher Ed Can’t Afford to Ignore  

Higher ed is no longer inching towards change; it’s being forced to confront it. Demographic shifts, economic pressures and the rise of AI have exposed the cracks in legacy systems. The old playbook isn’t just outdated—it’s a liability. Institutions that cling to it risk irrelevance. 

InsightsEDU 2026, happening February 17-19, 2026 at the Westin Fort Lauderdale, arrives with clear purpose: help higher ed leaders move faster, think bigger and build adaptive strategies that meet the moment. 

This year’s theme, The Future Unbound, is a call to action. It invites leaders to challenge assumptions, dismantle silos and make bold decisions that drive real transformation. 

In service of that mission, we’ve curated a session program built around reinvention, student-centered innovation and the levers of growth that will define the next era. 

Here’s your first look at the ideas shaping InsightsEDU 2026. 

Explore the Sessions Powering Higher Ed’s Next Move

Building the Brand Pyramid: Brand Discovery in the Age of AI 

EducationDynamics’ Vice President of Marketing reveals how AI is rewriting the rules of search, content and digital engagement—and what marketers must do now to stay ahead. Learn how to unify search, social and storytelling into a single, high-performing strategy that meets today’s learners on their terms and moves them from first click to enrollment. 

Meet the Speaker:

Sarah Russell, Vice President of Marketing at EducationDynamics

AI for All Learners: Integrating AI Across Career Pathways 

AI fluency is quickly becoming a workforce essential. This session explores scalable ways to embed AI across disciplines, with examples of curriculum models, implementation roadmaps and solutions for high-barrier communities. Institutions will leave with actionable ideas for building equitable, future-ready programs.

Meet the Speaker:

Dr. Pai Her, Chief Academic Officer at HAP Academy OIC

How to Win High-Intent Students on LinkedIn 

LinkedIn is where career-focused students choose what’s next, not just another place to scroll. This session shows you how to tap its professional context, intent signals and real outcomes to cut through AI noise and turn intent into enrolled students. 

Meet the Speakers:

Matt Loonam, Lead Enterprise Account Executive, Higher Education at LinkedIn

Courtney Hill, Senior Director of Performance Media at EducationDynamics

Unifying Your Enrollment: Building a Cohesive Strategy for the Modern Learner 

This session brings together university leaders and EducationDynamics enrollment experts to unpack how to break down silos and build a unified enrollment strategy that strengthens your brand, improves outcomes and meets the diverse needs of today’s Modern Learner. 

Meet the Speakers:

Kevin Halle, Vice President of Enrollment at Wayne State College

Kimbrea Cox, Senior Project Consultant, The U School at EducationDynamics

Aligning for Impact: Credentialing That Connects Campuses, Students & Employers 

Stackable, employer-aligned credentials are shaping the future of career education. This session highlights how institutions can design pathways that respond to workforce demand, deepen employer partnerships and provide students with clear routes to advancement. 

Meet the Speakers:

Stacy Chiaramonte, Senior Vice President Research and Consulting Strategy and Operations at UPCEA

Dr. Jeni McRay, Assistant Provost of Internationalization & Strategic Initiatives at Fort Hays University

EY-Parthenon: The Future Taking Shape in Higher Education 

Higher ed is heading into a decade defined by demographic disruption, economic pressure and rapid AI acceleration. This session provides a data-driven look at the forces reshaping student expectations—from ROI and affordability to workforce relevance—and offers a strategic lens for leaders preparing institutions for what’s next. 

Meet the Speakers:

Elizabeth Palmer, Senior Director at EY-Parthenon

Kate Kruger, Partner/Principal at EY-Parthenon

Reputation Is Revenue: The Roadmap to Relevance 

Reputation isn’t a marketing accessory—it’s a growth engine. This session breaks down the four dimensions of institutional reputation (digital presence, media visibility, message clarity and trust) and shows leaders how to connect each to enrollment and revenue outcomes. You’ll learn how to prepare your brand for AI-driven discovery and lead with credibility in a time when trust is scarce.

Meet the Speakers:

Jamie Ceman, Senior Executive Vice President, Brand and Marketing Strategy at RW Jones Agency

Maggy Ralbovsky, President of RW Jones Agency

The Opening Session: The Provocation and the New Paradigm 

This session kicks off InsightsEDU with a clear message: higher ed is at an inflection point. Through narrative, testimony and data, attendees will explore how the Modern Learner, shifting demographics and AI are redefining value in higher ed—and what leaders must rethink to stay ahead. 

Meet the Speakers:

Brent Ramdin, Chief Executive Officer at EducationDynamics

Leading After Rapid Transformation: Culture, Clarity & What’s Next 

Leaders from University of Cincinnati Online reflect on how to move forward after organizational transformation, discussing how they rebuilt culture, aligned teams and kept momentum amid ongoing change. Expect honest insights on sustaining creativity, clarity and trust in a world where transformation never stops.   

Meet the Speakers:

Joanne Hunt, Executive Director Online Marketing at The University of Cincinnati

Julie Thalman, Vice Provost at The University of Cincinnati

KPIs That Actually Matter: Leading Teams With Clarity and Accountability 

In a landscape defined by heightened expectations and limited resources, leaders can’t afford vague goals or vanity metrics. This session breaks down the KPIs that truly move the needle in marketing and enrollment—and shows how to use them to build alignment, strengthen decision-making, and drive team performance. Attendees will learn how to set measurable priorities, evaluate performance with confidence and lead teams with a level of clarity that accelerates growth. 

Meet the Speakers:

Travis Coufal, Senior Director of Strategic Enrollment Management at Nebraska Methodist College

Mollie Cripe, Director of Enrollment and Student Support at EducationDynamics

This agenda gives you every lever you need to face the future of higher ed—from marketing and enrollment management to AI, programs and leadership. Each session is designed to spark new thinking, foster connection and fuel collective reinvention. Explore the full, evolving agenda here.

This Isn’t Just a Conference. It’s a Catalyst. 

InsightsEDU 2026 is where bold leaders confront what’s broken, challenge what’s outdated and build what’s next. If you’re ready to lead the future of higher education, this is your moment. 

Join us in Fort Lauderdale and help rewrite the playbook for what comes next.