Help Shape the Future of College Admission Counseling at NACAC Conference 2026 

Call for Education Session Proposals 

Your voice matters. At NACAC Conference 2025, nearly 140 education sessions delivered timely insights and practical strategies for professionals at every career stage — thanks to contributors like you. All proposals were reviewed by more than 300 NACAC member volunteers and staff to ensure high-quality, relevant programming. 

Building on that success, NACAC Conference 2026 promises to be even more impactful. Last year, we received a record number of proposals, making the selection process highly competitive — and raising the bar for innovation and excellence. 

Now is your chance to lead the conversation. Submit a dynamic, engaging session proposal that addresses the evolving challenges and opportunities in college admission counseling. Share your expertise, spark meaningful dialogue, and inspire action across our profession. 

The deadline to submit your proposal is Monday, March 16. Don't miss this opportunity to make a difference. 

Quick Links:

Important Dates

  • Call for Proposals Opens: Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026
  • Call for Proposals Closes: Monday, March 16, 2026
  • Review Period: Thursday, March 19, 2026 – Thursday, April 30, 2026
  • Notifications: Mid-May 2026
  • NACAC Conference 2026: Oct. 8-10

Submission Requirements

Session Type:

  • Learning Lounges: 30 minutes, 1 presenter, foundational/general content
  • Education Sessions: 60 minutes, up to 4 presenters (including moderator)

Session Title: (max 12 words)

Session Description: (max 150 words)

Intended Audience: Secondary, Postsecondary, CBO, IEC

Content Level

  • Foundational/general sessions are designed for participants who are new to the topic or seeking a broad overview. These sessions introduce key concepts, terminology, and basic practices. No prior knowledge is required.
    • Attendee Profile: New professionals; those exploring a new area of interest
  • Intermediate sessions are appropriate for attendees with some prior experience or familiarity with the topic. These sessions build on foundational concepts and focus on practical applications, strategies, and problem-solving.
    • Attendee Profile: Professionals with 3-5 years of experience; those ready to deepen their understanding
  • Advanced sessions are intended for seasoned professionals with significant expertise. These sessions address complex issues, advanced methodologies, and future-focused strategies. Participants should have substantial prior knowledge and experience.
    • Attendee Profile: Senior-level practitioners; those seeking cutting-edge insights and leadership strategies

Primary and Secondary Content Strands

Best Practices

Plan ahead and draft your proposal before submitting online

  • Use clear, concise language and actionable learning objectives
  • Ensure completeness — partial submissions can be saved, but cannot be submitted for review
  • Respect intellectual property rights and provide permissions for all media
  • For more tips on how to create a strong education session proposal, see advice from NACAC member Robert Harry, who presented at NACAC Conference 2025.

Review Process and Selection

Proposals are evaluated by NACAC member reviewers and NACAC staff for diversity of topics, relevance, and quality.

Criteria include:

  • Speaker experience
  • Session summary, content, and content level
  • Learning objectives and actionable takeaways
  • Relevance and timeliness of session topic

Speakers of accepted education session proposals will receive $50 off their conference registration. We also will offer an additional $50 discount to any first-time NACAC conference presenter.

For additional information, please find the rubric here.

How to Submit

If you are ready to submit your proposal, please click below.

If you would like additional information on the application process, NACAC’s Education and Training team will be hosting a webinar and “office hours.” The dates, times, and registration links are coming soon. A recording of the webinar will be available for viewing afterward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to common questions about the proposal submission process.

All proposals will be evaluated using the rubric.

  • Click here to review the rubric.
  • Note: The 2026 rubric has been updated to include a criterion on Content Level.

NACAC offers two submission categories based on the number of presenters, content level, and target audience:

  • Learning Lounges: Short, focused sessions providing foundational or general content (30 minutes).
    Limit: One presenter.
  • Education Sessions: Hour-long sessions (up to 4 presenters, including a moderator) focused on one of the following content levels:
Foundational/GeneralIntermediateAdvanced
Designed for participants who are new to the topic or seeking a broad overview. These sessions introduce key concepts, terminology, and basic practices. No prior knowledge is required.Created for attendees with some prior experience or familiarity with the topic. These sessions build on foundational concepts and focus on practical applications, strategies, and problem-solving.Targeted for seasoned professionals with significant expertise. These sessions address complex issues, advanced methodologies, and future-focused strategies. Participants should have substantial prior knowledge and experience.
Audience: New professionals; those exploring a new area of interestAudience: Professionals with 3-5 years of experience; those ready to deepen their understandingAudience: Senior-level practitioners; those seeking cutting-edge insights and leadership strategies

Notifications are tentatively scheduled for Mid-May 2026 and will be sent to the primary submitter. You can also check your submission status in the proposal portal.

Yes. There is no limit on the number of proposals you may submit. However, you may present at a maximum of three sessions.

The primary submitter will receive a confirmation email after submission. If you do not receive one, please verify that your proposal was fully submitted.

No. All accepted speakers must register and attend NACAC Conference 2026 in person in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Speakers of accepted education session proposals will receive $50 off their conference registration. We also will offer an additional $50 discount to any first-time NACAC conference presenter.

We ask this question to ensure transparency and maintain the integrity of our educational programming. Presenters affiliated with commercial entities may be subject to additional guidelines to prevent promotional content and ensure sessions remain educational and unbiased.

Yes. Speakers are responsible for registration (with a presenter discount), travel, and hotel accommodations.

No. Incomplete proposals cannot be submitted. Drafts can be saved and edited until the deadline.

Yes. You may edit your proposal after submission, but before the deadline. You will receive a new confirmation email after resubmitting.

Have another question? Contact NACAC’s Education and Training Team. 

Submit Now

Ready to submit your proposal application?