• 12:00 PM – Registration Opened
• 1:30 PM – Conference Programming Began!
  1:30 – 2:30 PM – Presidential Panel
• Featuring three institution leaders, moderated by Marjorie Hass, President, The Council of Independent Colleges.
• Thom Chesney, President of Southwestern College
• Andrew Rich, President of Franklin & Marshall College
• Kevin Weinman, President of Marist University
• 2:45 – 4:00 PM – Workshop | How To Get And Keep The Attention Of More Prospective Students
• Facilitated by Jeremy Tiers, Top Tier Higher Ed
• 4:15 – 5: 15 PM – Keynote | Rethinking Innovation: What Higher Ed Has Been Missing
• Mallory Willsea, Enrollify
• 5:15 PM – Networking Reception
• Complimentary drink ticket provided
• 6:30 PM – Dinner On Your Own

• 8:00 AM – Buffet Breakfast Available
• Optional Early Bird Roundtables
• 9:00 AM – Keynote | Brains, Biases, and Belonging: Behavioral Psychology Meets Higher Ed Marketing with Christina Garnett, neuemotion
• 10:30 AM – Concurrent Learning Sessions
• Meeting the AI Content Challenge: A Practical Guide with Mike Powers, OHO
• Heart Over Hype: Rethinking the Student Journey for Real Impact with Jaime Hunt, Solve Higher Ed
• Stronger Together: Central MarCom + Advancement with Dan Giroux, DJG Marketing + UCLA
• 11:15 AM – 15-minute break
• 11:30 AM – Concurrent Learning Sessions
• The Communicator’s Role in Change Management with Martin Walls and Allison DeVoe, Syracuse University
• Discovering Impact: Engaging the Undecided Student Through Strategic Advertising and Enrollment Collaboration with Joel Bauman and Jamie Hornstein, Duquesne University
• “More Yes” Rebranding: An Optimistic Outlook for The University of Akron and Higher Ed Contexts with Mark Rittenour, University of Akron, and Samantha Thompson, 160over90
• 12:15 PM – Awards Luncheon and Annual Membership Meeting
• 1:30 PM – 30-minute break
• 2:00 PM – Concurrent Learning Sessions
• Governed to Groundbreaking: Navigating the Content Innovation Spectrum with Joel Goodman, Squiz
• Communications on the Front Lines of Access and Affordability with Amanda Waite, Coalition for College
• Always On Brand: Leading With Purpose in an Evolving Landscape with Nikki Sunstrum, University of Michigan
• 2:45 PM – 15-minute break
• 3:00 PM – Concurrent Learning Sessions
• Strategic Authenticity: Balancing Student Voices and Institutional Priorities on Social Media with Erica Colaianne, University of Michigan
• The Keywork: A Multi-Model Case Study Using Generative AI in Human-Centered Brand Strategy with RJ Thompson, University of Pittsburgh
• What’s Old Is New Again with Jen Lonchar, AmbioEdu
• 3:45 PM – 15-minute break
• 4:00 PM – Concurrent Learning Sessions
• DMPI: Informing Your Marketing—and Making It Make Sense to College Leadership with Staci Grimes and Jamie Yates, Gettysburg College
• Media Relations ROI: The Value of the Media Booklet with Stevie Blyler, Mike Ferlazzo, and Barbara Wise, Bucknell University
• Digging for Gold: Turning Customer Insights into Competitive Advantage with Maya Demishkevich, Carroll Community College
• 4:45 PM – Exhibit Hall Networking
• 5:30 PM – CUPPIE Awards Reception and Dinner Celebration

• 7:30 AM – Buffet Breakfast Available
• 8:30 AM – Day 3 Programming Begins. Choose from:
• 90-minute workshop on AI Search with Direct Development
• Roundtable (two 45-minute rotations)
• 10:00 AM – 15-minute break
• 10:15 AM – Higher Ed Marking Truths with Ryan Morabito, 5 Degrees Branding
• 11:00 AM – Closing fireside chat with The Chronicle’s editor, Brad Wolverton.
• 12:00 PM – 2026 Conference Concludes

CUPRAP members enjoy exclusive discounted registration rates as part of their membership benefits.



Take advantage of Early Bird pricing by registering before the January 30 deadline to receive the lowest available rate. After the Early Bird period ends, standard registration rates will apply. The earlier you register, the more you save.

Cancellations received on or before February 27, 2026, will be refunded, minus a $75 administrative fee. No refunds will be issued after this date.

Registrations may be transferred to another individual from the same organization at no additional cost by notifying CUPRAP in writing prior to March 4, 2026.

The Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square served as the official hotel for the 2026 CUPRAP Conference.

A special group rate of $169.00 USD per night was available exclusively to conference attendees.

The conference is hosted at the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square, located in the heart of historic Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Click to expand to learn how to get to CUPRAP 2026 with ease!

By Air
If you’re flying, the most convenient airports are:
– Harrisburg International Airport (HRG) is approximately 40 minutes by car
– Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is approximately 90 minutes by car

By Train
For those coming by rail:
– Book a ticket to/from the Lancaster Amtrak station.

By Car
Convenient and affordable parking is available for $15.00/day in the Penn Square Parking Garage
– Navigate to 28 S. Duke St.
– View a map of downtown Lancaster parking options here.

Lancaster is pedestrian-friendly: you may choose to walk between the hotel, nearby restaurants, shops, and the conference venue.

We look forward to welcoming you to Lancaster. Safe travels and see you soon!

Align your brand with hundreds of higher-ed communications and marketing professionals at the 2026 CUPRAP Conference! Our Sponsorship Prospectus outlines a variety of tailored opportunities, from signature event sponsorships to year-round partnership packages, that ensure your organization gains meaningful visibility and connections with decision-makers from across the region.

Whether your priority is brand awareness, lead generation, or relationship building, we’ll help you make a memorable impact.