About the SEM Conference
AACRAO Conference for Strategic Enrollment Management.
The AACRAO Conference on Strategic Enrollment Management is where professionals working in SEM come together each year to connect, learn, and look ahead. Built from decades of member experience and real data, the AACRAO Conference on SEM focuses on the full student journey, who enrolls, how they succeed, and how institutions stay aligned with their mission. It’s a space where enrollment leaders, campus partners, and industry experts dig into both the challenges and the opportunities shaping higher education.
Each year, during our call for proposals, we refresh the program to match the moment. We look for ideas, strategies, and stories that reflect what campuses are experiencing right now and what they’re preparing for next. Here’s a sample of the themes and topics you can expect:
- Practical approaches to ROI, enrollment declines, process bottlenecks, and widening knowledge gaps
- What’s ahead for the enrollment profession
- Stronger two-year/four-year pathways and community college–centered solutions
- Microcredentials, noncredit learning, and upskilling programs
- Using financial aid strategies to support retention, affordability, and student success
- Meeting the needs of adult learners, professional learners, and online learners
Event Details
Find key details for the AACRAO SEM Conference in Baltimore, including information to help you plan your travel, schedule, and overall conference experience. Use the resources below to learn more about the conference location, explore the agenda, and review featured speakers and sessions as details become available.
SEM News
Stay informed with the latest news and updates related to the AACRAO SEM Conference, including program highlights, speaker announcements, important deadlines, and stories that connect conference themes to the broader enrollment management community.
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Identifying the Invisible Middle of Leadership
Drawing on her career trajectory, Dr. Kimberly Taylor-Benns of La Salle University challenges the traditional assumption that leadership influence only…
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2026 Honorary Membership Award Winner: Don Hossler
Don Hossler has had a lasting impact as a scholar-practitioner whose research and leadership helped establish the foundations of Strategic…
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New Data on First-Generation College Applicants Revealed in the Latest SEMQ
Mark Butt of Emory University examines data from 28,468 applicants to analyze responses to an optional Common Application question asking…
Who Attends the AACRAO SEM Conference
Senior leaders and decision-makers focused on institutional sustainability and student success, such as Presidents, Provosts, Vice Presidents, Chancellors, Deans, and other C-level executives. Whether your goal is stabilization or growth, AACRAO SEM helps turn enrollment into a strategic asset.
SEM Practitioners seeking new tools, frameworks, and ideas to apply immediately, such as directors and mid-level managers in areas such as Enrollment, Admissions, IT, Financial Aid, Registrar’s Offices, Student Affairs, and Academic Advising. AACRAO SEM gives you practical tools and training that are immediately applicable to your institution or team.
Presenting at the SEM Conference
Stay Informed
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Future SEM Meetings
36th Annual Strategic Enrollment Management Conference
November 1-4, 2026 (Sunday-Wednesday)
Marriott Baltimore Waterfront
Baltimore, Maryland
37th Annual Strategic Enrollment Management Conference
November 14-17, 2027 (Sunday-Wednesday)
Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
Minneapolis, Minnesota
More AACRAO Events
Explore additional AACRAO events designed to support professional learning, connection, and collaboration across the higher education community. From conferences and workshops to webinars and specialized training opportunities, AACRAO events provide meaningful ways to engage with colleagues, share expertise, and stay connected to emerging issues in the field.
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SEM at Tribal Colleges and Universities
Cultivating Native Student Success Admissions, Registrars and Enrollment Community of Practice
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More information
For more information about the AACRAO SEM Conference, please contact the AACRAO meetings team for assistance with questions about registration, programming, participation, or other conference details.