Network Leader Academy
The fourth annual Leadership Academy at the NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education, held in Austin, TX on June 10-11, 2026.
Network Leader Academy
We are thrilled to announce our fourth annual Leadership Academy at the NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education, held in Austin, TX on June 10-11, 2026.
This experience will convene leadership teams from each of our newly selected Cohort Seven institutions and focus on the role of leaders in advancing a national narrative on first-generation student success while offering critical training and professional development. Teams will have the opportunity to meet with Expert Guides, network with peer institutions, and finalize continuous improvement priorities for the coming year.
This year we are providing funding to cover two nights’ hotel stay for up to SIX participants from each institution’s Leadership Team. We will be working with your institution's primary contacts to identify who will participate in the Network Leader Academy.
FirstGen Forward and Expert Guides will provide regular email updates and check-ins with each institution as we get closer to June 2026.
Schedule
Tuesday, June 9
| Participants arrive (Arrive on site by 5pm Central if possible) |
|
Conference & Leadership Academy check-in
|
Wednesday, June 10
| 7:30am—5:00pm: Network Leader Academy sessions (Breakfast & Lunch included) |
Thursday, June 11
| 7:30am—12:00pm: Network Leader Academy sessions (Breakfast included) |
NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education
What is the Network Leader Academy?
View a slideshow from the first Network Leader Academy previously known as the Leadership Academy.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
Overview
Please keep in mind that any action items related to Leadership Academy will be sent directly to the institution’s Leadership Team. This document serves as a helpful resource for addressing any questions you or your colleagues may have regarding Leadership Academy.
Why am I being asked to attend the Network Leader Academy?
Because senior leader engagement is essential to the work of institutional transformation for first-generation student success, Network Leader Academy provides a dedicated space for leaders to connect over strategic priorities and resources, learn from Network colleagues, and become fully immersed in the Network Leader phase experience. The Network Leader Academy will center leadership as critical partners in advancing first-generation efforts and will allow institutions to leave with strategic priorities for continuous improvement implementation.
The Network Leader Academy will also support an ongoing experience for senior leaders across the experience including quarterly progress updates, leadership meetings, a Leadership Hub, and invitations to special events.
Who should attend Network Leader Academy?
We strongly recommend your four Network Leader Academy participants comprise individuals leading first-generation efforts at your institution, including programmatic and strategic partners, as well as those in Institutional Research/Effectiveness and those submitting data to the Postsecondary Data Partnership (PDP).
What costs are covered by FirstGen Forward?
FirstGen Forward will provide TWO nights’ hotel stay for up to SIX Network Leader Academy participants. FirstGen Forward will work directly with you to book and manage your hotel reservation.
Additionally, once Leadership Academy participants have been confirmed, each will receive a registration code to access a locked-in early registration rate for the conference.
Can additional colleagues attend Network Leader Academy (at their own expense)?
Our facilities for Network Leader Academy are limited and we are not able to accommodate additional participants beyond those invited from each institution. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact your Expert Guide.
Is attendance at Network Leader Academy required?
Yes, all Cohort Seven institutions are required to attend the Network Leader Academy. Institutions have flexibility in determining who will attend, and our team is happy to work with you.
Travel/Transportation
When should I plan on arriving/departing?
As Network Leader Academy will begin the morning of Wednesday, June 10, 2026, participants will arrive and check into their hotel on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Where possible, participants should try to be at the hotel by 5 pm CT in order to check-in and attend a Welcome Social held that evening.
Network Leader Academy continues until mid-day on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at which time participants are encouraged to stay for the NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education. The conference will continue through Saturday, June 13, 2026.
Participants will indicate their arrival and departure dates on the Network Leader Academy Participation Form and FirstGen Forward will facilitate making hotel bookings on each participant’s behalf. FirstGen Forward will cover the cost of two nights; any additional nights will be billed directly to the participant.
Can I book my Flight/Train?
Participants are responsible for booking their own travel. We recommend you wait to book travel until your participant information has been shared with FirstGen Forward.
As the closest airport, we recommend flying into Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS).
When booking travel, please consider Network Leader Academy and conference schedules to ensure time to travel to and from the airport/station. When arriving on Tuesday, June 9, please try to arrive on-site by 5 pm. This will give you time to check in for Network Leader Academy and attend our evening Welcome Social.
What if I have already made travel arrangements to attend the NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education?
All travel arrangements—aside from hotel accommodations—are the responsibility of participants. You will be able to use the Participation Form to indicate whether you would like FirstGen Forward to organize your hotel accommodations.
Will there be a shuttle from the airport to the hotel?
Participants are responsible for booking and planning their own travel to and from the airport and their hotel. We encourage you to carpool when possible and tip your drivers.
Driving to Austin/hotel parking
Hotel parking is included for participants and will be applied to the hotel room and paid for directly by FirstGen Forward. Please indicate the need for hotel parking in your Participation Form.
Hotel
What hotel are we staying in?
More details will be shared soon!
I already have a hotel room booked. Should I change/cancel it?
FirstGen Forward will only cover the cost of hotel rooms booked and managed internally. If you wish to book your own hotel, you will be responsible for all associated costs. Either way, please indicate this in your Participation Form.
You have two options:
- You may choose to keep your current booking. You will be responsible for managing and paying all costs associated with this booking; or,
- You may cancel your current booking (be sure to check for any charges or penalties associated with cancellation) and have FirstGen Forward book on your behalf.
How is the hotel room being booked?
FirstGen Forward is currently securing room blocks for Network Leader Academy participants. Reservations will be made for participants based on the travel dates indicated on your Participation Form.
Anyone wishing to stay additional nights (i.e., checking in before June 9, 2026, or checking out after June 11, 2026) must coordinate and pay for this on their own. FirstGen Forward will not be able to facilitate hotel bookings outside of these dates.
Is there parking at the hotel?
Hotel parking is included for participants staying at one of our conference hotels; this will be applied to the hotel room and paid for directly by FirstGen Forward. Participants choosing to stay elsewhere will not have their parking costs covered. Please indicate the need for hotel parking in your Participation Form.
Can I extend my stay?
Anyone wishing to stay additional nights (i.e., checking in before June 9, 2026 or checking out after June 11, 2026) must coordinate and pay for this on their own. FirstGen Forward will not be able to facilitate hotel bookings outside of these dates.
Conference Registration
Do Network Leader Academy participants need to attend any specific pre-conference workshops?
Registration instructions for all Network Leader Academy attendees (including those also attending the conference). More details to come.
Do I need to attend the NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education? Or can I just attend Network Leader Academy?
While we understand scheduling and financial constraints may prohibit attendance at the conference, we strongly encourage all Network Leader Academy participants to stay for the entirety of the conference, if possible.
Do I need to register for the NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education?
Network Leader Academy participants (including those staying for the conference) will need to register themselves. Detailed instructions will be sent well in advance of Network Leader Academy.
What if I have already registered for the NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education and/or pre-conference workshops?
Please complete the Participation Form. Once we have received this, we will send you instructions on registering for the conference using a unique registration code. Please do not register for the conference until you receive further instructions from FirstGen Forward.
I would like to register for the NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education. Should I do that now or wait?
Please complete the Participation Form. Once we have received this, we will send you instructions on registering for the conference using a unique registration code. Please do not register for the conference until you receive further instructions from FirstGen Forward.
Schedule
Is there an agenda for Network Leader Academy?
A detailed schedule will be shared closer to the gathering.
Participation
How do I register for Network Leader Academy?
Network Leader Academy participants register their intention to attend by completing the Participation Form. We also ask that all Network Leader Academy participants register using the instructions provided via email. These provide step-by-step instructions on registering for Network Leader Academy and, if attending, the conference.
Some members of our Leadership Team can’t attend—who should we send?
Please work with your Leadership Team to determine who is best positioned to participate in Network Leader Academy and represent your institution’s goals and interests. Your Expert Guide can also support you in thinking through this; we recommend discussing your plans with them.
Will there be a virtual option for Network Leader Academy?
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide a virtual option to attend Network Leader Academy. The Academy will feature a number of interactive and breakout sessions that are not conducive to virtual participation.
What else do I need to know?
If you have not already, please register for Network Leader Academy (and conference, if applicable) using the instructions we have sent you via email.
Additionally, review the FAQs on this page and reach out to our team at Network@firstgenforward.org with any additional questions.
Contact us!
Thank you for your time and commitment to first-generation student success. Please contact Network@firstgenforward.org should you have any questions.