By Chris Kalavsky, Director, Corporate Partnerships
We’re constantly faced with this question at AACRAO: If today’s higher education institutions are expected to operate in an environment defined by constant change, rising expectations, and increasing pressure to do more with less, how can we support them to sustainably serve diverse and evolving learner communities? According to EDUCAUSE, institutions can restore public trust by adopting smart strategies to support learners while also leveraging adaptive tools to improve efficiency.
We created the AACRAO Business Solutions Showcase, a dynamic webinar series, to help higher education leaders navigate this complex landscape with confidence in their strategic partnerships. Designed exclusively for AACRAO members, the Showcase connects institutions with forward-thinking leaders in the higher education space, offering direct access to the tools, insights, and expertise shaping the future of the industry.
How does this deliver impact to our membership community?
Made possible through strong AACRAO corporate partnerships and trusted relationships, this series is built around member needs that our research and field work shows are critical to the industry. For example:
Our 60-second survey on AI usage (with the support of Coursedog) found that 85% of respondents agreed (strongly or somewhat) that AI can help make academic operations more efficient and improve outcomes. However, 75% of survey respondents were also not currently using AI in academic operations.
Our Comprehensive View of Undergraduate Scheduling (with the support of Coursedog) found that fewer than half of respondents had and used undergraduate class-scheduling software.
Each Business Solutions Showcase webinar brings together four to five innovative companies at the forefront of educational technology. These organizations present cutting-edge products and solutions designed to address real challenges facing colleges and universities today—from operational inefficiencies and data management complexities to fraud and identity management to student engagement and learner success. Rather than broad overviews, the Showcase focuses on practical, actionable solutions that can be applied directly within institutional contexts.
2026 Topics Include Fraud, AI, Transfer, and Credentials
Browse our past and upcoming series dates and topics, and you’ll find a wide range of solutions. Each 45-minute Business Solutions Showcase webinar is thoughtfully designed to pair in-depth product demonstrations with interactive Q&A, giving participants a clear view of how each solution works and the impact it can have on their institutions. Through live demos and direct engagement with the experts behind the technology, AACRAO members gain firsthand, practical insights into emerging tools—allowing them to explore key features, ask meaningful questions, and make more informed decisions than traditional marketing materials alone can provide.
February 18, 2026: Application Fraud/Identity Management
- Tackling Financial Aid Fraud & Ghost Students with the Power of the National Student Clearinghouse
- Element451: Fraud Without Friction
- From Application to Assurance – Building Identity Verification into the International Admissions Process
- Admissions Under Attack: Protecting Institutions from Synthetic Identities & Application Fraud
Sign up to receive updates on these future Showcase topics when they become available:
- May 6, 2026: AI in Credit Evaluation
- July 29, 2026: Improve Transfer Time-to-Decision
- September 16, 2026: LCR, LER, Digital Credentials
Best of all, the Showcase is complimentary for AACRAO members, reinforcing the AACRAO commitment to supporting professional growth and institutional success. By removing barriers to access, the series ensures members can stay informed, competitive, and prepared to make strategic technology decisions. AACRAO Members can view past Business Showcase Solutions event recordings for free.
Whether you are seeking ways to streamline administrative processes, enhance the learner experience, improve data accuracy, or maximize institutional resources, the Business Solutions Showcase is designed with your needs in mind. Sign up for your opportunity to explore how the right tools can improve outcomes, drive innovation, and help future-proof your institution—while engaging with industry leaders and peers in a flexible, virtual environment.
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