SHU Hosts 2026 NEGAP Summer Conference

Graduate admissions and enrollment professionals from across New England gathered at SHU to discuss AI, digital marketing, and the future of graduate education

Key Highlights

• More than 80 graduate enrollment professionals from colleges and universities across New England gathered at Sacred Heart University for the two-day conference
• Sessions focused on emerging trends in graduate education, including AI in admissions, digital marketing, enrollment growth strategies, and student engagement
• The conference fostered collaboration and networking, giving attendees opportunities to share ideas, build professional connections, and learn from peers across the region

Sacred Heart University welcomed more than 80 graduate admissions and enrollment professionals from across New England to its West Campus for the 2026 New England Association for Graduate Enrollment Management (NEGAP) summer conference, a two-day event centered on collaboration, innovation, and the future of graduate education.

The conference brought together professionals from colleges, universities, and higher education organizations across the region, including leaders in admissions, enrollment management, marketing, and student success. Attendees shared ideas, explored emerging trends, and discussed best practices shaping graduate enrollment strategy.

Whitney Kolwicz, director of graduate admissions & recruitment at Sacred Heart University, served as conference host chair and helped lead the event in her roles as NEGAP secretary and professional development chair. She said hosting the conference gave Sacred Heart an opportunity to welcome colleagues to campus while strengthening professional connections across the region.

“Hosting the NEGAP Summer Conference was a great opportunity to welcome graduate enrollment professionals from across New England to Sacred Heart University,” said Kolwicz. “It brought colleagues together to share ideas, learn from one another, and build new professional connections while introducing many attendees to our campus for the first time.”

The conference began June 3 with a pre-conference workshop, “Strategic Graduate Enrollment Design: A Graduate Recruitment Canvas Workshop,” led by Jack Klett, associate vice president of graduate enrollment solutions for the company Liaison International. The session invited participants to examine the graduate student journey, collaborate with peers from other institutions, and develop more strategic approaches to graduate recruitment and enrollment.

A networking social followed the workshop, giving attendees additional opportunities to continue conversations and build new professional relationships.

The main conference featured concurrent sessions led by presenters from colleges, universities, and partner organizations across New England. Topics included artificial intelligence in admissions, digital marketing, graduate enrollment growth strategies, community partnerships, student engagement, faculty involvement in recruitment, customer relationship management best practices, and application integrity.

Throughout the event, attendees also participated in networking opportunities, connected with exhibitors, and attended the organization’s annual business meeting.

“One of my favorite parts of the conference was seeing so many first-time NEGAP attendees alongside longtime members,” said Kolwicz. “The conversations throughout the two days really reflected this year’s focus on collaboration and innovation, with presenters and attendees openly sharing ideas and best practices that they can bring back to their own campuses.”

The conference also created opportunities for Sacred Heart staff to engage with enrollment professionals from across the region and contribute to broader conversations about the future of graduate education.

By hosting the 2026 NEGAP Summer Conference, Sacred Heart University reinforced its commitment to professional development, innovation, and leadership in higher education while welcoming graduate admissions and enrollment leaders from across New England to its campus.