Join the AHEPPP National Conference Planning Team
Help shape the premier professional development experience for higher education family engagement professionals.
We’re looking for enthusiastic and dedicated members to join the team behind AHEPPP’s most anticipated event—the 2026 Family Engagement in Higher Education National Conference! Whether you're ready to lead as Chair or excited to collaborate as part of the Planning Committee, this is your opportunity to give back to the field, grow professionally, and have fun doing it.
2026 National Conference Chair
Reports to: AHEPPP Board of Directors and designated AHEPPP staff
Term: Seventeen months (September 2025 – December 2026)
Time commitment: 2–5 hours per week
Applications open: Friday, August 1, 2025
Apply by: Friday, September 5, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST
Role Summary
As Chair, you’ll lead a passionate and talented group of volunteers to bring the national conference to life—from shaping its theme and vision to being the face of the event onsite. You’ll collaborate with the Board and AHEPPP staff while guiding every step of the planning process.
Role Responsibilities
- Reports to the Board of Directors Conference Liaison and designated AHEPPP staff
- Observe and participate in the current year’s annual conference to gather information to plan the conference for the following year
- In partnership with the Board of Directors, determine the theme and design for the conference; determine the vision, as well as the technical and operational goals, for the conference
- Oversee the financial, administrative, and logistical management of the conference
- Adhere to the conference budget
- Plan and facilitate the structure and content of all conference planning meetings
- Develop and implement conference schedule (number of sessions and number of acceptances for each venue)
- Conduct a site visit with the designated AHEPPP staff and Conference Liaison (transportation and per diem may be paid by AHEPPP)
- In collaboration with the Conference Liaison and designated AHEPPP staff, develop a master conference timeline integrating detailed timelines submitted by Area Chairs
- In partnership with the Board of Directors, organize the process to search for and select the conference keynote speaker or featured speakers
- Act as the public face and gracious host of the conference
- Prepare and submit a conference final report (executive summary) as directed to document decisions, activities, results of new programs, and recommendations of importance to future Conference Chairs and the Board of Directors
Qualifications
- Current member of the association with at least 3 years of experience in Parent/Family Engagement
- Strong organizational skills
- Relational, collaborative, and responsive
- Ability to meet regularly with Planning Team members
- Ability to attend the Family Engagement in Higher Education National Conference
- What You’ll Gain
- Hands-on leadership and project management experience
- A national platform to showcase your vision and skills
- Connections with AHEPPP leaders and members across the country
- The joy of creating a memorable, impactful event for your peers
Application Materials Checklist
Please submit:
- Resume or CV
- Short professional bio
- High-resolution professional headshot
- A letter of support from your supervisor confirming institutional support for your candidacy and travel to attend the 2025 and 2026 conferences, including registration, hotel, airfare, meals, and related expenses
- Response to the following questions:
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- Please list your previous and/or current AHEPPP leadership experience, including any committee service, presentations, volunteer roles, or contributions to AHEPPP programs or events.
- Please write a brief statement describing your interest in serving as the 2026 Family Engagement in Higher Education Conference Chair. In your statement, share any relevant leadership and project management experience, the skills that will help you lead and support a team of volunteers, your approach to communication and collaboration, and any specific ideas or innovations you have for the 2026 conference and how you would bring them to life. (max 500 words)
- Please describe how you would approach leading a volunteer team with diverse schedules, working styles, and communication preferences. What strategies would you use to foster collaboration, maintain momentum, and ensure timely completion of planning milestones? (Max 300 words)
Responses to:
- Please list your previous and/or current AHEPPP leadership experience, including any committee service, presentations, volunteer roles, or contributions to AHEPPP programs or events.
- Please write a brief statement (max 500 words) describing your interest in serving as the 2026 Family Engagement in Higher Education Conference Chair. Your response should include:
- Relevant leadership and project management experience
- Skills that will help you lead and support a team of volunteers
- Your approach to communication and collaboration
- Specific ideas or suggestions you have for the 2026 conference and how you would bring them to life
- Please describe how you would approach leading a volunteer team with diverse schedules, working styles, and communication preferences. What strategies would you use to foster collaboration, maintain momentum, and ensure timely completion of planning milestones? (Max 300 words)
2026 National Conference Planning Committee
Reports to: Conference Chair(s)
Term: 12 months (January 2026 – December 2026)
Time commitment: 2–5 hours per week
Applications open: Monday, November 3, 2025
Apply by: Friday, December 6, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST
What You'll Do
As a committee member, you’ll play a vital role in planning and delivering a conference experience that inspires and connects our AHEPPP community. You’ll help bring key pieces of the event together based on your skills and interests.
Committee Areas & Responsibilities
Programming
- The primary goal of the Program Chair or Co-Chairs and the Program Selection Committee is to develop a robust, innovative, and well-balanced program of educational sessions for the annual conference.
- Review previous conference evaluation results and Conference Committee Final Report
- In collaboration with the Board of Directors, develop program goals, topics of interest, and program types
- Review deadlines and application process for Call for Programs
- Design, promote, and coordinate the Call for Programs process by communicating in a timely manner with all potential program presenters
- Oversee the Program Selection Committee volunteers, manage the program review process, and provide feedback to presenters
- Secure program presenters, titles, and descriptions for the conference schedule, as well as any A/V needs
- Host presenters at the conference and attend to their presentation needs
- Work with the designated AHEPPP staff on the coordination and development of educational session evaluation
- Work with the Volunteers & Recognition Chair to thank all presenters
Pre-Conference Workshop
- Review previous conference evaluation results and Conference Committee Final Report Plan
- Organize and secure curriculum, presenters, and materials for the pre-conference program
- Organize participant materials
- Work with the Marketing/ Social Media Chair to publish any and all communication to members about the pre-conference
- Run and support all pre-conference day-of activities
Hospitality
- Review previous conference evaluation results and Conference Committee Final Report
- Coordinate the participant welcome/check-in packet and participant gift
- Coordinate information resources for local attractions, restaurants, and activities for participant
- Coordinate information on parking, shuttles, & public transportation options
- Coordinate the logistics of a conference service project and possible activities
Volunteers & Recognition
- Review previous conference evaluation results and Conference Committee Final Report
- Coordinate the recruitment, training, supervision, and recognition of conference volunteers
- Assign volunteers to on-site conference duties, including on-site registration, local arrangements information table, etc.
- Secure and prepare thank-you notes for keynote or featured speakers, guest speakers, and presenters.
- Coordinate/organize Swag Swap, including signage at the conference
Communications, Marketing & Technology
- Review previous conference evaluation results and Conference Committee Final Report
- Develop a marketing plan and timeline for Call for Registration, Call for Programs, Call for Awards, and other conference announcements
- In collaboration with the designated AHEPPP staff, create a social media calendar to post and promote the conference activities to get members excited about and registered for the conference
- Create and promote the AHEPPP conference on all social media accounts
- Manage and update the conference app
Who Should Apply?
We welcome both new and returning volunteers—if this is your first time getting involved, we’d love to hear from you!
Qualifications
At least 1 year of experience in parent/family engagement
Collaborative and responsive team players
Availability to attend the 2026 conference
Current AHEPPP member
What You’ll Gain
- Leadership and event planning experience
- Networking and collaboration with colleagues nationwide
- A meaningful way to give back to AHEPPP
- The pride of helping deliver a top-notch professional development event
Application Materials Checklist
Please submit:
- Resume or CV
- Short professional bio (approx. 100 words)
- High-resolution professional headshot
- Letter of support from your supervisor confirming institutional support for your participation in the committee and for travel to attend the spring site visit and the 2026 conference, including registration, hotel, airfare, meals, and related expenses
A short statement (max 500 words) that includes:
- Why you are interested in serving on the 2026 Conference Planning Committee
- Your top one or two preferred committee area(s) and what draws you to them
- Any relevant experience, skills, or strengths you would bring to those areas
- What you hope to contribute to the team and what you hope to gain from this experience
Recruitment Timeline
Chair Applications
- Applications Open: August 1, 2025
- Applications Due: Friday, September 5, 2025
- Selection Notifications: September 2025
- Term Begins: September 2025
Planning Committee Applications
- Applications Open: November 3, 2025
- Applications Due: Friday, December 6, 2025
- Selection Notifications: December 2025
- Term Begins: January 2026 (introductory meetings will begin that month)
National Conference in Palm Springs, CA: November 16–18, 2026
Have Questions?
We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to Lindsey Bray, AHEPPP Board of Directors, at [email protected] or James Wright, 2025 National Conference Chair at [email protected].
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