Data is often an underused resource at colleges and universities, and beginning (or rebeginning) initiatives to build capacity for data use can feel daunting. In this session, you’ll explore a free resource that NACUBO developed, along with two other associations, that can help you start your data journey from where you are. Panelists will share how they’re using a playbook to assess their institutions’ data capabilities, build teams for analytics initiatives, improve data governance, and invest in the data skills of staff and faculty to build a sustainable data culture.

In the world of collegiate auxiliary operations, estimating revenues with traditional forecasting methods are often insufficient, especially for seasonably variable revenue. This session will use parking as a case study—highlighting the challenges of forecasting revenue when services are impacted by seasonal variability (e.g., school breaks, weather, construction). The presenter will share a newly formulated forecasting methodology for seasonably variable revenue, including determinations of seasonal variations, incorporation of some sociological factors that influence revenue generation, and the advanced techniques used to update and forecast disparate revenues with multiple seasonal variations. The technique is broadly applicable for any sales item with variable seasonality.

Indirect cost rates play a crucial role in higher education budgeting, especially for research and grant-funded projects. This session will explore the fundamentals of indirect cost rates, their regulatory framework, and the potential impacts of government changes on institutional finances. You will gain practical insights into managing indirect costs, maximizing cost recovery, and using data and analytics for better financial decision-making. Whether you’re dealing with shifting regulations or striving for more efficient cost allocation, this session will offer strategies for improving transparency, compliance, and long-term planning.

As the cost of attending a higher education institution continues to rise, tuition discounting is essential to the process of creating a diverse student body and ensuring equity in higher education. In this interactive session, you will learn about results from one study led by the University of Alabama at Birmingham that explored the effects of tuition discounting practices on financial and academic outcomes. Presenters will explore their methodology and offer insights into tuition discounting practices you can apply at your institution.

Many colleges and universities continue to experience high turnover, prolonged vacancies, and questions about how to engage employees. Drawing on his much-anticipated book, Dr. McClure explores the roots of higher education’s workplace problems, connecting his personal experiences to the latest research on building attractive, resilient organizations. Dr. McClure will introduce principles of care ethics and his model of organizational care, providing multiple concrete strategies that leaders at all levels can use to better support the well-being of staff and faculty.

Join this interactive session to dive into the nuances of budget models in this fast-changing environment. This session will examine the results of a survey conducted by NACUBO Consulting on budget models currently in use by institutions, including incremental, responsibility centered management (RCM), zero based, and more. The panel will discuss how budget officers view the effectiveness of their current budget model and share real-world examples and key takeaways—from building support for a budget model transition to lessons learned and change management considerations.

Learn how Michigan State University leveraged text-to-speech tools to create effective and engaging instructional videos for planning and budgeting applications. This session will feature a real use case scenario of a video tutorial created to assist users navigating a digital application used to request new funding for the fiscal year. You’ll learn how AI tools can be scaled to create standardized, accessible, flexible, and engaging ways for user training programs that improve overall productivity. Speakers will also delve into ways institutions can address key challenges involved in adopting artificial intelligence to deliver expected outcomes.

This session will explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can serve as a valuable ally in enhancing institutional processes. By emphasizing the collaborative efforts required between employees and AI, institutions can strengthen student experiences and revolutionize operations. The presenters will share their successful experience with a phased implementation approach to generative AI without requiring significant investment. Hear how they addressed common challenges including budget constraints, operational inefficiencies, and administrative workload management. At the end of the session, you’ll walk away with a practical roadmap for leveraging AI.

Colleges and universities need to be able to respond to workforce needs and improve equitable student outcomes—but doing so requires sharper alignment between financial planning and student success strategies. This session will showcase how the NACUBO Student Success Hub is helping institutions integrate program cost analysis with student and labor market data to drive better planning, budgeting, and resource allocation decisions. You’ll explore practical tools and approaches that support compliance with state funding models, improve transparency, and prioritize student-centered investments in high-demand programs and pathways.

This September, NACUBO will again release a list of the top business issues confronting colleges and universities. How are the challenges evolving at different institutions? What issues may stay with us for the foreseeable future? In this lively discussion, policy experts will examine these pressing topics and share their perspectives on the impact to campus operations and the students colleges and universities serve. The panel will also explore some potential opportunities hidden in this sea of questions.